Therapeutic approaches to drug targets in hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic syndrome characterized by diverse lipid profiles (e.g. hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and familial combined hyperlipidemia) and may have significant adverse effects on health (e.g. atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity). Both genetic and environmental components are associated with hyperlipidemia sub-types. Effective drugs targeting hyperlipidemia sub-types are thus required. In the present review, we mainly focus on types of hyperlipidemia, digestion, and absorption of lipids as well as on their consequences on human health and on potential effective drug targets against hyperlipidemia. Omega-3 fatty acids have favorable effect on reducing postprandial triglyceride levels and will be beneficial if combined with statins. Copyright a 2012, China Medical University. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights