These data are in full accordance with our previous observations that lowering hepatic lipids (i.e., TG as well as cholesterol) in APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice by classical lipid-lowering drugs decreased hepatic CETP mRNA expression, resulting in decreased plasma CETP concentration (6–8). Because CETP expression is regulated by liver X receptor α (LXRα) for which oxysterols are natural ligands (12) and the liver cholesterol level determines LXRα activation (13), we concluded from those studies that a decrease in hepatic cholesterol content, associated with a decrease in cholesterol derivatives, reduces hepatic LXRα activation, thereby downregulating CETP mRNA transcription. Although it is unknown whether hepatic TG levels reflect levels of hepatic cholesterol and oxysterols in the current study, since we cannot assess hepatic (oxy)sterols noninvasively in humans, hepatic TG and cholesterol levels were highly correlated (r = 0.867) in 33 Chinese subjects (Dr. P. Parini, personal communication). Therefore, it is likely that the reduction in plasma CETP concentration induced by VLCD also reduces hepatic LXRα-activated CETP mRNA transcription, thereby reducing plasma CETP. Our data corroborate those of Laimer et al. (14) who showed that substantial weight loss in morbidly obese women induced by laparoscopic gastric banding surgery also decreased plasma CETP mass (−8.3%) at 1 year after surgery.