Even though atherosclerosis is primarily a chronic inflammatory process, lipids are involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation. Lipoproteins are components of the foam cells that eventually develop into plaque if the inflammation in blood vessels continues. Lipids are transported in circulatory system in complexes composed of lipids, phospholipids, and protein. Cholesterol and triglyceride are the primary lipids transported in lipoproteins.
There are four major lipoproteins:
- High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
- Very-Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
- Chylomicron (CM)
