Which category of blood lipids is primarily involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques?

Cholesterol plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerotic plaques, which are deposits that form in the arteries, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Atherosclerosis is significantly driven by the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol within the arterial walls.

When LDL cholesterol penetrates the endothelium, it undergoes oxidative modification, which triggers an inflammatory response. Macrophages engulf the oxidized LDL, but as they become overwhelmed, they turn into foam cells, a key component of fatty streaks that eventually mature into complex plaques. These plaques can narrow or block arteries, posing significant health risks.

While triglycerides and phospholipids are important components of lipid metabolism and cellular structure, they do not have the same direct association with plaque formation as cholesterol does. Nitroglycerin, on the other hand, is a medication rather than a lipid and is primarily used to treat angina by dilating blood vessels, thus not relevant to the question regarding lipid categories involved in atherosclerosis.