Genetics
Review highlights a paradox: CETP-inhibited rabbits show different atherogenicity than genetically CETP-deficient humans (Curr Opin Lipidol 2000)
Original title: Pros and cons of inhibiting cholesteryl ester transfer protein
This review addresses whether it is desirable to inhibit CETP, a question that had remained important for over fifteen years since genetic CETP deficiency was first identified. Recent epidemiological studies from Japan and Western countries had helped clarify the atherogenicity associated with CETP gene mutations or polymorphisms in humans, while experimental atherosclerosis studies inhibited CETP in rabbits using different pharmacological and immunological approaches. The authors summarize a considerable difference in atherogenicity between human genetic CETP deficiency and CETP-inhibited rabbits, and discuss the significance of CETP within reverse cholesterol transport, the major protective system against atherosclerosis, synthesizing recent advances in this actively debated field.
Original abstract
Whether or not it is desirable to inhibit cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) has been an important question for over fifteen years since genetic CETP deficiency was found. Recently, some epidemiological studies which have been reported in Japan as well as Western countries help to clarify the atherogenicity of human subjects with mutations or polymorphisms in the CETP gene. In addition, some experimental atherosclerosis studies, in which CETP was inhibited in rabbits with different approaches, have been reported. There was a considerable difference in the atherogenicity of human CETP deficiency and CETP-inhibited rabbits. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in this field as well as discussing the significance of CETP in reverse cholesterol transport, a major protective system against atherosclerosis.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.