Niacin is used to treat hypercholesterolemia primarily because it increases which lipoprotein?

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Multiple Choice

Niacin is used to treat hypercholesterolemia primarily because it increases which lipoprotein?

Niacin improves cholesterol mainly by boosting HDL, the “good” cholesterol. HDL helps remove cholesterol from peripheral tissues and arteries and returns it to the liver for excretion, a process known as reverse cholesterol transport. Niacin reduces hepatic VLDL production, which lowers triglycerides and modestly lowers LDL, but the standout effect that drives its use in hypercholesterolemia is the significant rise in HDL. Higher HDL is associated with reduced atherosclerotic risk because it facilitates cholesterol scavenging from arterial plaques. So the best choice is increasing HDL. Decreasing HDL would worsen the profile, increasing LDL would raise risk, and saying there’s no effect is incorrect.

Niacin improves cholesterol mainly by boosting HDL, the “good” cholesterol. HDL helps remove cholesterol from peripheral tissues and arteries and returns it to the liver for excretion, a process known as reverse cholesterol transport. Niacin reduces hepatic VLDL production, which lowers triglycerides and modestly lowers LDL, but the standout effect that drives its use in hypercholesterolemia is the significant rise in HDL. Higher HDL is associated with reduced atherosclerotic risk because it facilitates cholesterol scavenging from arterial plaques. So the best choice is increasing HDL. Decreasing HDL would worsen the profile, increasing LDL would raise risk, and saying there’s no effect is incorrect.

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