Monocyte ‘foam cells’ or lipophages have been previously demonstrated in hyperlipidaemic rats21, Ldlr−/− peritoneal macrophages30, 43, ApoE−/− monocytes during atherosclerosis22, 25, familial hypercholesterolemia patients18 and in postprandial monocytes23. This evidence concerns the gene LDLR and familial hypercholesterolemia.