Recent developments in the treatment of atherosclerosis

Figures & data

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a plasma lipoprotein;

- neutral core,

- phospholipid molecule with polar head,

- cholesterol,

- apoprotein,

- coat (shell),

- cholesteryl ester,

- triacyl glycerol

Figure 2 Schematic representation of the transport of cholesterol in the tissues; LPL—lipoprotein lipase, CE—cholesteryl ester, TG—triglycerides, LDL—low density lipoprotein, VLDL—very low density lipoprotein, HDL—high density lipoprotein.

Table I.  Classification of lipid according to US guidelines.

Sr. No.	Lipid	Blood Concentration (mg/dL)	Risk factor for CAD
1	Total cholesterol	< 200	Desirable
		200–239	Borderline high
		>240	High
		< 100	Optimal
2	LDL-C	100–129	Near optimal/  above optimal
		130–159	Borderline high
		160–189	High
		≥ 190	Very High
3	HDL-C	< 40	High
		≥ 60	Low
4	Triglycerides	< 150	Normal
		150–199	Borderline high
		200–499	High
		≥ 500	Very High

(CAD—coronary artery disease, LDL-C—low density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C—high density lipoprotein cholesterol)

Figure 3 The Mevalonic Acid Pathway of Cholesterol Biosynthesis.