[The biology of HDL lipoprotein and its antisclerotic activity]. / Biologia lipoproteiny HDL i jej przeciwmiazdzycowe dzialanie.

Clinical and epidemiological studies showed an inverse relationship between the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the development of atherosclerosis. This fact aroused more interest in HDLs and it was found that these lipoproteins have significance in malignant diseases. In this review the biochemical classification of plasma lipoproteins, the structure of HDL, and the structural characterization of HDL-apolipoproteins are presented. The synthesis of HDL cholesterol and factors that regulate their structure and function are also considered. We discuss the antiatherogenic activity of HDL through its reverse cholesterol transport and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and profibrinolytic effects.