A strong inverse relationship exists between total plasma HDL concentration and atherosclerosis, but the results of studies examining the relationship between AI-HDL and AI/AII-HDL and atherosclerosis have been conflicting.
Current research with transgenic mice, however, indicates that apolipoprotein A-II must be taken into consideration in understanding the development of atherosclerosis, because it appears to be a potent antagonist for the protective properties of apolipoprotein A-I.
However, there was no difference in the area of atherosclerosis of transgenic and control mice when fed a regular chow diet This contrasts with the findings in murine apoA-II transgenic mice and provides evidence of a species-specific characteristic that could be of relevance with respect to the high fat intake diets common in most industrialized countries.
Studies with mice have revealed that increased expression of apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) results in elevations in high density lipoprotein (HDL), the formation of larger HDL, and the development of early atherosclerosis.
The increased concentration of apoB-containing lipoproteins present in apoA-II transgenic mice explains, in part, why these animals present increased atherosclerosis susceptibility.