302 Lipid disorders and metabolic syndrome Flashcards
Describe the structure of a lipoprotein
They have a central hydrophobic core of non-polar lipids (mostly cholesterol esters and triglycerides) surrounded by a hydrophilic membrane
What are lipoproteins?
A water soluble version of a lipid
-formed when apolipoproteins and other amphipathic molecules surround a lipid to make it water soluble
What are the 5 major classes of lipoprotein
Chylomicrons (CM)
Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)
Intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL)
Low density lipoprotein (LDL)
High density lipoprotein (HDL)
Why do lipoproteins vary in size and flotation density?
Triglyceride content
Cholesterol content
Apo-lipoprotein content
Stage in circulation through the body
What is the function of lipoprotein lipase?
It breaks down the fatty acids in both the exogenous and endogenous pathway
What happens to the endogenous lipid cycle during fasting?
Lipids are stored away from the liver and exported as VLDL
Which lipid delivers cholesterol to peripheral tissues?
LDL
Which enzyme is the target for statins?
HMG CoA reductase
What is the function of N-SREBP?
It’s a transcription factor that helps regulate cholesterol synthesis
It causes more receptors to be formed that will bring more LDL into the cell
It’s turned on when cholesterol is low
Where are HDL particles secreted?
In the intestines and the liver
Why is HDL considered protective?
It goes into the lipid plaques created, takes up some cholesterol and takes it to the liver to be recycled and disposed of
What is the endogenous pathway of lipid metabolism?
VLDL is formed in the liver from triglycerides and cholesterol esters. These can be hydrolysed by lipoprotein lipase to form IDL or VLDL remnants
VLDL remnants are cleared from the circulation or incorporated into LDL
What is the exogenous pathway of lipid metabolism?
Dietary cholesterol and fatty acids are absorbed. Triglycerides are formed in the intestinal cell from free fatty acids and glycerol and cholesterol is esterified
Triglycerides and cholesterol combine to form chylomicrons
Where are dietary lipids stored?
In adipose tissue following absorption
Some is used for energy in muscles
How do lipid from the exogenous lipid pathway enter systemic circulation?
They are secreted into the lymphatic system as chylomicrons and then enter the systemic circulation via the thoracic duct
