Proteína de Transferência de Colesterol Esterificado (CETP): potencial dos inibidores de CETP na redução da incidência de doenças cardiovasculares associadas à hipertrigliceridemia e baixos níveis do HDL-C

Abstract

The cardioprotective effects of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are principally attributable to its role in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Epidemiological studies have clearly shown that a low HDL-cholesterol level is an independent risk marker to the development of coronary artery disease. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein is a glycoprotein predominantly produced by the liver and adipose tissue, which has an important role in HDL metabolism and RCT. Some studies have shown that raised CETP activity may confer risk in the presence of hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C, but not on normal lipid profile. On the other hand, derived molecules with CETP inhibitory activity, e.g. anacetrapib, lowering the affinity of CETP for lipoprotein particles, inhibits CETP-mediated cholesterol exchange, resulting in elevated HDL-cholesterol and decrease in LDL-cholesterol levels. Considering the unexpected increase in cardiovascular events of one drug of this class e.g. Torcetrabib,clinical studies are necessary to show if the favorable changes in plasma lipids induced by CETP inhibitors will contribute to protection against atherosclerosis.