Decreased plasma concentrations of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) make part of the lipoprotein abnormalities encountered in end-stage liver disease [1,2]. The liver plays a central role in both the production and metabolism of various lipoprotein classes, and produces enzymes such as lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and hepatic lipase which are critically involved in HDL metabolism [1,2]. LCAT is required for the esterification of free cholesterol to cholesteryl esters, thereby enabling HDL maturation, whereas hepatic lipase hydrolyses triglycerides in various lipoproteins including HDL [2,3].
