Hypercholesterolemia, defined by an overload of lipids, as well as an imbalance of lipoproteins, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), acts as a driving force and plays a vital role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.51,52 Herein, the in vivo study showed that serum TC and LDL-C were significantly increased in ApoE−/− mice fed a HFD53 (Fig. 8d, f), while serum HDL-C was decreased (Fig. 8e). This evidence concerns the gene APOE and atherosclerosis.