Purpose of review: To review published data related to the potential applicability of apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptides.
Recent findings: Despite a wealth of information on HDL-C levels and risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), little evidence is present to suggest that raising HDL-C levels per se will result in CVD risk reduction. Rather, increasing HDL functionality might be a more successful strategy to reverse the process of atherosclerosis. In as such, apoA-I mimetic peptides, either in single or tandem formulation, hold great promise. Evidence gathered over the last years has provided insight in the extent to which mimetics influence several cardio metabolic pathways. ApoA-I mimetics have shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiatherogenic effects. Direct comparisons between different mimetics have provided insight in factors influencing the differential beneficial consequences of these peptides. Data derived from recent studies suggest that mimetics might gain their position as a therapeutic intervention in the treatment of septicaemia, transplantation rejection, diabetes and auto-immune diseases.
Summary: This review provides a summary of the current literature on the potential application of apoA-I mimetics as therapeutic agents. There is increasing evidence that these mimetics should be considered as a promising supplement to current strategies. Results from human studies addressing the in-vivo effects of the different apoA-I mimetics are eagerly awaited.