This review focuses on dietary factors that influence atherosclerosis development in non-human primates. Although past studies have shown that the balance of LDL to HDL concentrations in plasma is important in atherosclerosis development, more recent studies have highlighted the important contribution of LDL composition and plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) concentrations to the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis in non-human primates. Apolipoprotein (apo)E enrichment of LDL and high levels of plasma CETP are both highly correlated with coronary artery atherosclerosis in monkeys. It is likely that enrichment of LDL with apoE results in increased retention and metabolism of LDL in the artery wall leading to increased cholesteryl ester deposition. High levels of plasma CETP probably result in a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile, including an increase in LDL concentration and LDL size (i.e., cholesteryl ester enrichment) and a decrease in HDL concentration.
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