Cardiovascular Disease

is closely related to both genetic predisposition and acquired environmental factors and lifestyle choices, including diet and physical activity. Traditional blood lipid factors, such as cholesterol and triglyceride abnormalities, account for only about 50% of cardiovascular disease cases. In light of this, improving clinical diagnostic tools is essential for accurately identifying cardiovascular disease.

In addition to traditional lipid testing, lipid metabolism health assessments include high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subtypes, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and lipoprotein(a). These assessments combine conventional and innovative analyses and technologies, offering valuable insights for you and your clients’ personalized health management plans. They enable the timely implementation of preventive treatments to reduce or eliminate multiple risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Atherosclerosis

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) can easily penetrate the vascular endothelium, where it is recognized and engulfed by macrophages, leading to the formation of foam cells. This process tends to trigger inflammatory responses and cellular damage, which in turn causes endothelial dysfunction, plaque formation, and platelet accumulation. OxLDL is considered one of the key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis.

Inflammatory factors can damage the arterial walls and oxidize lipoproteins, leading to the buildup of fatty plaques. Initially, the accumulation of fatty plaques beneath the endothelium causes the outer layer of the artery to expand outward, allowing blood flow to be maintained despite an abnormally shaped vessel. However, as the plaques continue to grow, the artery eventually loses its ability to expand outward. The plaques then begin to protrude into the lumen, narrowing the vessel and resulting in atherosclerosis. When a plaque ruptures, it can lead to the formation of a thrombus (blood clot) in the bloodstream, further blocking the artery and potentially causing conditions such as angina, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

HDL dysfunction

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly known as "good" cholesterol, helps transport cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for metabolism. Studies have shown that in patients with metabolic syndrome or kidney disease, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress impair the function and activity of HDL. As a compensatory response, HDL levels in the blood may increase. However, excessively high levels of HDL could potentially raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

Possible Complications of Lipoprotein-META®
Dyslipidemia	Obesity
Heart disease	Metabolic syndrome
Artery disease

The important information provided by Lipoprotein-META^® is as follows

• Remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C)
  RLP-C is a highly atherogenic lipoprotein, primarily composed of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL). Studies have shown that RLP-C is involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease.
• Cholesterol
  Blood cholesterol is a major contributor to atherosclerosis, leading to coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular occlusion. Both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides are strongly associated with vascular blockages.
• Lipoprotein(a)
  Lipoprotein(a) levels are genetically determined and minimally influenced by environmental factors. Individuals with elevated lipoprotein(a) have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to the general population.
• Apolipoproteins 
  Increased apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels are associated with a higher risk of coronary atherosclerosis, while apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) is an indicator of protection against vascular hardening. The apoB/apoA1 ratio is commonly used in clinical settings to assess the risk of coronary artery disease.
• Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (oxLDL)
  oxLDL can trigger inflammatory responses, cause cellular damage, and lead to endothelial dysfunction.
• Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein (sdLDL)
  sdLDL particles are more atherogenic than other LDL subtypes and serve as a critical predictor of cardiovascular disease.
• Balance Ratio
  According to epidemiological studies, the balance ratio can predict the risk (hazard ratio) of developing cardiovascular disease. It is regarded not only as a key marker in epidemiological research but also as an important therapeutic target.