Which single change in a lipid panel would most directly indicate a reduced atherosclerotic risk?

• A. An increase in HDL concentration while LDL and VLDL remain constant, because HDL promotes reverse cholesterol transport and excretion.
• B. A complete disappearance of HDL from blood with unchanged LDL, because HDL absence is universally protective against plaque formation.
• C. A sudden doubling of LDL when HDL simultaneously triples, because LDL always neutralizes HDL's effects.
• D. An isolated increase in VLDL with no other changes, because VLDL has no relationship to LDL and reduces plaque.

Answer: (A)