Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for the highest number of deaths globally.1, 2, 3 Atherosclerosis (As) is among the factors that contribute to the development of CVD.4, 5, 6 High-density lipoprotein (HDL), a crucial component in cholesterol reverse transport, is inversely correlated with CVD and serves as a negative indicator for the disease.7, 8, 9 Scavenger Receptor Class B Type 1 (SR-B1) is widely expressed in various cell types in the human body, including hepatocytes, intestinal epithelial cells, renal epithelial cells, renal tubular epithelial cells, adrenal cortical cells, and testicular cells, among others.10, 11, 12 Additionally, SR-B1 is also expressed in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and vascular endothelial cells.13, 14, 15 This extensive expression of SR-B1 across multiple tissues and organs underscores its critical physiological role in lipid metabolism integration,16, 17, 18 cholesterol transport,19,20 and overall metabolic homeostasis maintenance.21,22 Studies have indicated that there is a certain connection between SR-B1 and inflammation as well as inflammatory factors.23,24 SR-B1 plays a critical regulatory role in the course of inflammation. On one hand, SR-B1 can mitigate local and systemic inflammatory reactions by inhibiting the generation and release of inflammatory cytokines in innate immune responses.25, 26, 27 On the other hand, the expression level of SR-B1 can be modulated by inflammatory factors. For example, some inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 can downregulate the expression of SR-B1 mRNA and protein, thus affecting the transport and metabolism of cholesterol and steroid hormones mediated by SR-B1.28, 29, 30, 31 The relationship between SR-B1 and inflammation requires further in-depth exploration to better understand the intricate mechanisms involved in SR-B1′s regulation of metabolic function during inflammation. SR-B1 plays a significant role in the development and progression of AS.32, 33, 34

In the last 17 years, there has been an extensive body of literature on the subject of SR-B1, with approximately 909 articles available for access through the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). These articles encompass a wide range of publication types, including research papers, online publications, books, letters, reviews, and conference reports. Moreover, the research on SR-B1 has been featured in over 500 different journals, highlighting the significant interest and contributions from various scientific communities. Upon applying the selection criteria of excluding books, reports, and other articles that are mere summaries of existing work or experimental results, the number of articles available on the topic of SR-B1 within WoSCC has been reduced to 868. This revised dataset includes online publications, letters, reviews, and research articles that provide original contributions and insights in the field. The process of scrutinizing and extracting pertinent information and main ideas from a vast array of articles can present difficulties and consume a significant amount of time. Additionally, summarizing the research hotspots and primary areas of focus within SR-B1 research is no easy feat. One advantage of using CiteSpace is that it eliminates the need for individual subjective judgment when selecting keywords and articles. Unlike relying on personal experience and memory, the software can effectively screen and log downloaded documents while graphically displaying the growth, hotspots, and trends within related research fields. This feature enables researchers to objectively review and analyze the development of a particular subject area. In the present study, the utilization of CiteSpace version 6.2.R4 facilitated the visualization of the bibliographic catalog related to SR-B1. This research article focused on four primary objectives: (1) offering a holistic summary of the historical evolution of research on SR-B1 (2) providing a thorough understanding of SR-B1’s development over time, (3) highlighting notable scholarly works that have made substantial contributions to the advancement of SR-B1 research and placing emphasis on their significance within the field, (4) highlighting the current hotspots within SR-B1-related research, and (5) revealing emerging trends that hold potential as future research areas in the field. The utilization of CiteSpace served as a valuable tool in achieving these objectives by objectively presenting and analyzing the relevant literature in this domain.