HDL biology
Plasma CETP rises as an adaptive response to peripheral cholesterol flux and jumps further with probucol treatment (Clin Cardiol 1991)
Original title: Role of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in reverse cholesterol transport
This report reviews the role of CETP, alongside apoE, in reverse cholesterol transport, whereby CETP transfers cholesteryl ester from HDL mainly to VLDL remnants that deliver HDL-derived cholesteryl ester to the liver via apoE or B/E receptors. Using a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay, plasma CETP concentrations were shown to vary depending on gender, plasma lipoprotein concentration and composition, and dietary cholesterol intake, with plasma CETP appearing to rise as an adaptive response to increased peripheral cholesterol flux. Probucol therapy produced a significant increase in plasma CETP concentration, which the authors suggest may partly explain the marked effect of probucol on HDL concentration and composition.
Original abstract
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and apolipoprotein E (apo E) play important roles in reverse cholesterol transport in humans. CETP transfers cholesteryl ester (CE) from high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to other lipoproteins, mainly very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) remnants, which provide a vehicle for the delivery of HDL-derived CE to the liver via apo E or B/E receptors. Using a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay, we have demonstrated that plasma concentrations of CETP vary dependent on gender, the concentration and composition of plasma lipoproteins, and dietary cholesterol intake. Plasma CETP appears to increase as an adaptive response to increased peripheral flux of cholesterol. Probucol therapy results in a significant increase in plasma CETP concentration, which may explain, in part, the marked effect of this agent on HDL concentration and composition.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.