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Reverse Cholesterol Transport

Meaning

A highly protective physiological pathway by which excess cholesterol is removed from peripheral tissues, such as artery walls, and transported back to the liver for excretion or reprocessing. This mechanism is primarily mediated by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which acts as a scavenger molecule. The efficiency of this process is a major determinant of cardiovascular risk and is positively influenced by healthy hormonal status, particularly optimal estrogen levels.