Study of HDL cholesterol dysfunction Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A basic research study of dysfunctional HDL to identify markers for cardiovascular disease status and risk
IRAS ID
333337
Contact name
David A. Middleton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
High-density lipoprotein – otherwise known as "good cholesterol" - are tiny particles of protein and fats in the bloodstream that help to prevent cholesterol from building up into plaques that clog our arteries. HDL can turn bad in patients with diseased arteries, and in those suffering heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. This so-called dysfunctional HDL is less efficient at removing cholesterol from arteries, and can even increase the progression of heart disease. The aim of this project is to understand exactly what makes HDL turn bad. We will analyse HDL from patients who are at high risk of developing heart disease and who have been confirmed to have plaques in their arteries. We will look at how the make-up of their HDL differs from HDL from people who are at low risk of developing heart disease and find out why their HDL is less efficient at removing cholesterol. We will then prepare model HDL particles that we can study using advanced technology to understand how the different proteins and fats interact with each other to make the particles dysfunctional. We will use the results to develop new tests for dysfunctional HDL that will help to determine the risk of patients developing heart disease.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
23/WS/0179
Date of REC Opinion
6 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion