There are two further bits of evidence to counter the argument that somehow the HDL particles in CETP-inhibited subjects are “dysfunctional.” First, referring to more recent results from Yvan-Charvet et al[19] in this Figure, these investigators assessed the HDL particles isolated from patients who had been treated with the newer CETP inhibitor, anacetrapib (Merck). What they found was that these HDL particles have a normal or even an enhanced ability to promote efflux of cholesterol from macrophages. Furthermore, the enhanced particle functionality in the anacetrapib-treated patients was greater at higher HDL concentrations (as would be expected if the HDL functionality is not impaired).
J Clin Lipidol. 2011; 5(6).[19]Yvan-Charvet L, Kling J, Pagler T, et al. Cholesterol Efflux Potential and Antiinflammatory Properties of High-Density Lipoprotein After Treatment With Niacin or Anacetrapib. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2010;30:1430.
