Abstract

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is the most common genetic dyslipidemia disorder which is accompanied by increasing of triglyceride and cholesterol. This disorder is a complex genetic disease although it also has monogenic forms. The familial form has several criteria for diagnosis that can be distinguished of nonfamilial position. It has been shown that a variety of internal and external risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis of FCHL. Environmental factors and the genetic background also play an important role in the FCHL pathogenesis. Many mechanisms and pathways are involved in lipid metabolism (ie, dysfunctional adipose tissue, hepatic fat and very low-density lipoprotein overproduction, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and clearance of low-density lipoprotein particles) that could lead to FCHL. Individuals with a positive family history like those who have a positive family history of cardiovascular diseases are more predispositions for this disorder. To date several methods have been used to identify the genetic background of the FCHL. In the current review, we summarized the prevalence and the molecular mechanisms involved in the FCHL disease. Moreover, we highlighted the used molecular methods for determining the genes involved in the FCHL.