Abstract: Abstract：Chronic exposure to risk factors at the beginning stage of atherosclerosis development can damage endotheli⁃ um and ultimately initiat endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the major mechanisms in atherosclerosis development. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a lipoprotein with complicated function and is composed of a variety of pro⁃ teins and lipids. Epidemiological studies showed an inverse correlation between HDL and atherosclerosis. The protective role of HDL on endothelium might related to its function in reversing cholesterol transport, reducing peripheral cholesterol accu⁃ mulation, preventing foam cells formation, dilating vessels, antioxidant and anti-inflammation, all of which antagonize devel⁃ opment of atherosclerosis. But HDL obtained from patients with cardiovascular disease which has known dysfunctional HDL may induce endothelial dysfunction. This review addresses the relationships between functional HDL or dysfunctional HDL with the endothelial function.

Key words: atherosclerosis, endothelium, vascular；lipoproteins, HDL, functional HDL；dysfunctional HDL