[Metabolism of high density lipoproteins. Studies in patients with compensated, postinfectious liver cirrhosis].

The distribution of high density lipoprotein subclasses 2 and 3 in the plasma is considered to be regulated within the vessels. This view is refuted by the results of the present investigation, which show that the liver has a major and differentiated role in the metabolism of the high density lipoprotein subclasses. This supports the concept of a preferential role of HDL2 subclass in reverse cholesterol transport.