HDL cholesterol’s role in reverse cholesterol transport is best described as:

HDL cholesterol’s role in reverse cholesterol transport is best described as:

• A. It transports cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues
• B. It transports cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver
• C. It transports triglycerides from the intestine
• D. It has no role in cardiovascular risk

Answer: (B)

HDL's job in reverse cholesterol transport is to collect cholesterol from cells in peripheral tissues, especially macrophages in the arterial wall, and bring it to the liver for disposal. This begins when cholesterol is transferred onto apolipoprotein A-I to form HDL, which then matures as it carries cholesterol esters. The liver takes up this cholesterol (for excretion in bile or conversion to bile acids) through receptors like SR-BI. This removal of cholesterol from tissues helps prevent buildup in arteries, contributing to lower cardiovascular risk. The other descriptions don’t fit: transporting cholesterol from the liver to tissues would be the role of other lipoproteins, not HDL; HDL does not primarily transport triglycerides from the intestine (that’s the job of chylomicrons); and HDL does play a role in cardiovascular risk, so saying it has no role is inaccurate.

HDL's job in reverse cholesterol transport is to collect cholesterol from cells in peripheral tissues, especially macrophages in the arterial wall, and bring it to the liver for disposal. This begins when cholesterol is transferred onto apolipoprotein A-I to form HDL, which then matures as it carries cholesterol esters. The liver takes up this cholesterol (for excretion in bile or conversion to bile acids) through receptors like SR-BI. This removal of cholesterol from tissues helps prevent buildup in arteries, contributing to lower cardiovascular risk.

The other descriptions don’t fit: transporting cholesterol from the liver to tissues would be the role of other lipoproteins, not HDL; HDL does not primarily transport triglycerides from the intestine (that’s the job of chylomicrons); and HDL does play a role in cardiovascular risk, so saying it has no role is inaccurate.