Abstract
HDL is a strong negative risk factor for atherosclerotic disease, and perhaps more potent target to prevent and cure the disease than LDL in Japan. However, no specific compound to raise HDL is clinically available, so that there is no firm evidence for the clinical effect of the increase of HDL. As our knowledge of regulation of HDL metabolism has advanced significantly in the past several years, a great effort is being made to develop such compounds, by inhibiting catabolic reaction of HDL, and stimulating maturation and biogenesis of HDL.
