High-Density Lipoprotein Measurement Methods: From Precipitation to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

Extensive research suggests a common hypothesis regarding the protective role of total high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) against cardiovascular disease (CVD). This hypothesis indicates an inverse relationship between CVD and high HDL-C levels. Various mechanisms, such as reverse cholesterol transport, besides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions, indicate HDL-C as one of the potential predictors of CVD risk. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with different methods of HDL-C measurement and to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. In this study, after reviewing the nature, function, and protective role of HDL-C against CVD, the HDL-C measurement methods were evaluated. Also, some interfering molecules due to interventions and some strategies to reduce interference were discussed. It seems that the increased use of homogenous measurement methods is related to some disadvantages, such as high cost, manual separation, time-consuming design, and structure manipulation, in first- and second-generation chemical methods, as well as methods based on physical properties. On the other hand, targeted assessment of HDL-C function and protective role can be a novel approach to predict the risk of CVD. However, all of these methods require further improvement and optimization.