[Dyslipidemias and coronary disease].

Several genetic studies have established the strongly atherogenic nature of some primary hyperlipoproteinemias. Most important of these are Fredrickson's type II (essential familial hypercholesterolemia) and type III (dysbetalipoproteinemia). Several epidemiological studies have established a strong positive relationship between the cholesterol level and coronary artery disease. This correlation was seen in studies on subjects from various population groups, as well in subjects from the same population group. Of all the circulating lipoproteins, the low density lipoproteins (LDL) are the most atherogenic. Their accumulation in the plasma results from an incomplete recognition between their protein, apoprotein B100 (apo B100) and their specific cell receptor, whose job it is to remove the LDL's from the plasma. Recent studies have shown the usefulness of measuring plasma apoprotein concentrations, especially apo B100, apo Al and apo E, as predictors of coronary artery disease. It is possible that in the future, studies of their genetic polymorphism will give us a better understanding of the relationship between plasma lipids and atherosclerosis. This relationship remains for the moment only a quantitative one. Finally, from a therapeutic point of view, recent studies have proved the efficacity of treating hypocholesterolemia, in the prevention of coronary artery disease. This underlines the importance of diagnosing and treating hypercholesterolemia.