Results of Treatment of Hyperlipidemias; Short Term Effect on Cholesterol Metabolism

Abstract

There has been a recent tendency to reduce the different forms of hyperlipidemia to fewer categories and to attempt a more unified approach to the dietary management of the hyperlipidemias(l). There is some justification for this approach, but the H.G.H.McMaster Lipid Research Clinic still uses the internationally accepted World Health Organization classification(2) based on Fredrickson et al. This is because we believe that this classification of hyperlipoproteinemia(HLP) with, all its imperfections has etiological, genetic, epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic potential. It should be remembered that in all 5 types of hyperlipoproteinemia that plasma cholesterol levels may be elevated, although this is most commonly seen in types IIa and b, III and IV HLP. The majority of this discussion will be devoted to the one parameter namely plasma lipids, which are routinely measured in the Lipid Clinic. No attempt will be made to elaborate on other important cholesterol pools--the liver, the intestine and its contents, adipose tissue and other tissue stores.