Antilipemic Drugs Flashcards
What are the primary forms of lipids in the blood?
Cholesterol and triglycerides
What is HMG-CoA and what does it do?
The rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis
Catalyzes hepatic cholesterol synthesis
What is total cholesterol?
The measurement of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides ????
What are low-density lipoproteins (LDL)?
Bad or “lousy” cholesterol
What are high-density lipoproteins (HDL)?
Good or “healthy” cholesterol
What are triglycerides (TG)?
The principal lipid in the blood
Function as an energy source and is stored in adipose tissue ???
Why is high LDL a problem?
LDLs initiate and fuel the development of atherosclerosis
Directly linked to the development of CAD
How is cholesterol related to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease?
Lipids and lipoproteins participate in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque, which lead to the development of CHD
High serum cholesterol levels cause monocytes to adhere to blood vessel walls
These monocytes change into macrophage cells
Macrophage cells take up cholesterol from lipoproteins and become filled with fat, which become known as foam cells
Foam cell is precursor lesion of atherosclerosis
What are the therapeutic lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol?
Diet:
-Decrease cholesterol and saturated fat
-Increase soluble fiber and plant stanols and sterols
Weight control
Exercise (30 - 60 minutes of activity on most days)
Smoking cessation
What are the antilipemic drugs?
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
Nicotinic acid
What is the recommended level for total cholesterol?
< 200 mg/dL
What is the recommended level for LDL?
< 100 mg/dL
What is the recommended level for HDL?
Men: ≥ 40 mg/dL
Women: ≥ 50 mg/dL
What is the recommended level for triglycerides?
< 150 mg/dL
What is the mechanism of action of statins?
Decrease the rate of cholesterol production in the liver by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase
May also decrease inflammation