Abstract
Background: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of neutral lipids
between lipoproteins. The role of CETP in atherogenesis is controversial. To better
understand the relationships between plasma CETP levels, lipoproteins and atherosclerosis,
we assessed these parameters in patients with an enhanced risk for atherosclerosis.
Methods and results: We investigated 281 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in which the
effects of two statins were compared in a 2-year, randomized, double-blinded study.
Patients were stratified in quartiles according to their CETP baseline levels. In
addition to correlations with decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c),
increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and enhanced triglyceride levels,
higher CETP levels were also associated with reduced HDL particle size, and smaller
and denser LDL. Statins reduced plasma CETP levels and atherogenic lipoproteins. Nevertheless,
baseline CETP concentration was positively associated with IMT after 2 years of therapy.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that CETP levels are associated with a more atherogenic
lipid profile and increased progression of atherosclerosis. Statin treatment improved
the lipoprotein profile in FH patients, but to a lesser extent in those with high
CETP levels. These findings might imply that statin treatment does not entirely counteract
the lipoprotein abnormalities associated with high CETP levels.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 13,
2003
Received in revised form:
November 5,
2003
Received:
May 29,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
