HDL-C in Cardiac Syndrome X

High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is in the centrum of the process of reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral cells to the liver\[10\]. HDL-C promotes endothelial generation of nitric oxide (NO) and improves endothelial function and arterial vasoreactivity\[11\]. In several studies, lower HDL-C level was reported to be associated with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk\[12-14\]. HDL-C also has anti- inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities\[15,16\]. Concerning anti-inflammatory activity, HDL-C inhibits the activation of monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils\[17,18\] and inhibits the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin\[15\]. In this study we aimed to investigate the relation of HDL-C level with systemic inflammatory markers in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX).