Athero-protective Properties of Plasma Lipoproteins from Brown Bears (URSUS ARCTOS) During Hibernation and Active State

Background and Aims: Plasma cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels are twice as high in hibernating brown bears (Ursus arctos) than in healthy humans. Yet, bears display no signs of atherosclerosis. To explore this apparent paradox, lipoprotein structure and function of brown bears were analyzed and compared with those of healthy humans.