Lipids and lipid-modifying therapy

Abstract

The study of cholesterol, one of the principal lipids in our bodies, has probably earned more Nobel prizes than any other aspect of biochemistry. While cholesterol is undoubtedly a fascinating molecule, it is the well-recognized association between the plasma lipid concentrations and the risk of cardiovascular disease that has fuelled medical and scientific interest. In this chapter we look at the evidence that links cholesterol with cardiovascular disease, the pathogenic mechanisms that bring this about, current treatment strategies and future developments in targeting the process of atherosclerosis.