Terbutaline Raises High-Density-Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Levels

Abstract

HIGH-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been found to be the best serum predictor of coronary-artery disease. High levels of HDL are associated with a low risk of coronary-artery disease, and low levels with a high risk. HDL appears to be the cholesterol "scavenger" of the body: it removes cholesterol from cells and carries it to the liver for excretion. Since factors that are associated with protection from coronary-artery disease (exercise, alcohol consumption, estrogen, thinness, and genetics) are associated with high HDL-cholesterol levels, it has been proposed that elevated serum HDL, particularly the HDL-2 subfraction, may bring about the protection. In fact, . . .