Cholesterol, HDL and Lymphatic Clearance of the Arterial Wall-Juniper Publishers
JUNIPER PUBLISHERS - OPEN ACCESS JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY & CARDIOVASCULAR THERAPY Abstract Reverse cholesterol transport in the arterial wall was first postulated in 1981. In the last 36 years, great strides have been made in identifying the factors which cause impedance and diminished access of cholesterol laden high density lipoprotein (HDL) and foam cells to the lymphatic circulation. Initiating factors are endothelial dysfunction, oxidation of cholesterol, inflammation, monocyte migration and expression of cytokines and chemokines that inhibit cholesterol transfer and lymphatic access. Lymphatic vessels are intimately involved in this inflammatory process and the lymphatic flow is dependent on constriction, spasm, sclerosis, fluidity and external physical compression. Lifestyle changes in stress reaction, exercise and diet can profoundly influence this process. Opinion The lymphatic circulation as the pathway for reverse cholesterol trans...