Advanced diagnostic support in lipidology project: role for phenotypic and functional evaluation of lipoproteins in dyslipidemias. (June 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ardigò, D; Bernini, F; Borghi, C; Calandra, S; Cicero, AFG; Favari, E; Fellin, R; Franzini, L; Vigna, GB; Zimetti, F; Zavaroni, I
• Is Part Of: Clinical lipidology. Volume 5:Number 3(2010)
• Page Start: 329
• Page End: 337
• Publication Date: 2010-06
• Subjects: dyslipidemia -- intima-media thickness -- lipoprotein -- reverse cholesterol transport -- small dense LDL; Lipids -- Periodicals; 616.3997
• DOI: 10.2217/clp.10.20
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-4299

Abstract

The term 'dyslipidemia' includes a wide family of lipoprotein metabolic defects often related to cardiovascular diseases. Despite the complexity of lipid disorders, current guidelines indicate LDL-C as the single most important therapeutic target; however, other lipido–proteic parameters, such as the concentration of lipoprotein subfractions (e.g., small-dense LDL) or their functional capacity (e.g., HDL reverse cholesterol transport), may display direct pro- or anti-atherogenic properties. Traditional lipid profiles may therefore be inadequate in representing dyslipidemia complexity and may prove to be ineffective in estimating the overall patient's risk in this context. We designed a research project attempting to provide a coherent framework integrating traditional lipid profiling and advanced diagnostics, to assess qualitative and functional lipoprotein features in relevant clinical conditions and to correlate them with preclinical atherosclerosis.