Figure 2.

LDL modification. Besides the modification of LDL in the arterial wall, LDL particles can also suffer different alterations in blood, leading to modified LDL particles. Alterations in VLDL-IDL-LDL catabolic cascade or in the lipid transfer processes among lipoproteins can favor the formation of sdLDL or LDL(-). Other processes, such as overload of non-esterified fatty acids or oxidative phenomena occurring in blood can also lead to the formation of LDL(-) or oxLDL. All these modified LDL particles will contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. In turn, the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque after an ischemic event can release its content of modified lipoproteins, thereby contributing to the plasma pool of LDL(-) and oxLDL. For its part, HDL plays an antiatherogenic role, preventing the formation of modified LDL, through its antioxidant capacity or the ability to capture non-esterified fatty acids.