In an animal study, researchers found liver enzymes called proprotein convertases may play a role in regulating the concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and may thus be a potential target for new therapies to prevent heart disease.

In the current study, the researchers found that treatments that partially block the activity of liver enzymes called proprotein convertases decreased plasma HDL-C levels in mice. They showed that the metabolic effect of the proprotein convertases depended on yet another factor, an enzyme called endothelial lipase (EL), which breaks down HDL-C. Proprotein convertases normally reduce EL function, they reported. Thus, the loss of proprotein convertase activity leads to an increase in EL and a decline in HDL-C.

Likewise, they showed that increased activity of proprotein convertases in the liver gives a significant boost to the protective HDL-C

Further investigations are still necessary to determine if the same pathway applies to humans. The authors will also look for chemicals capable of modifying the pathway, which could hold promise as new good-cholesterol-boosting drugs.

Source: Science Daily
Image: The Maturation of HDL, Credit: Medscape