Low-Density Lipoprotein, Non-High-Density Lipoprotein, and Apolipoprotein B as Targets of Lipid-Lowering Therapy

lthough low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is widely recognized as the major atherogenic lipoprotein and the primary target of lipid-lowering therapy, 1 other lipoprotein species nonetheless appear to be involved in atherogenesis.These include very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL), and highdensity lipoproteins (HDL).Both VLDL and IDL are triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRLP).Thus, in the aftermath of unequivocal evidence that LDL lowering reduces risk for major coronary events and stroke, 2 the field of lipid study is turning more of its attention to the other lipoproteins that appear to be involved in atherosclerosis.The recent Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) report 1 of the National Cholesterol Education Program has summarized our current understanding of the relationship between other lipoprotein species and risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).