Atherosclerosis & lipid lowering drugs

Question 1

What is hypercholesterolaemia?

Answer 1

elevated plasma cholesterol

Question 2

What is the main symptom of hypercholesterolaemia?

Answer 2

Xanthomata

Question 3

What is the mechanism of atherosclerosis?

Answer 3

damage to blood vessel wall causing inflammation and infiltration of monocytes and macrophages
deposition of foam cells in the subintimal spaces leading to fatty streaks
formation of plaque
stenosis narrowing
rupture of plaque leading to platelet aggregation and clot formation

Question 4

How can stenosis be removed?

Answer 4

angioplasty and stenting

Question 5

What is homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia?

Answer 5

cannot make LDL receptor

Question 6

How do fibrates work?

Answer 6

PPAR-alpha, alters lipoprotein metabolism, promotes breakdown in VLDL and reduce TGs

Question 7

What is ezetimibe and how does it work?

Answer 7

cholesterol absorption drug

prevents absorption of cholesterol

Question 8

What are fish oils used for?

Answer 8

hypertriglyceridaemia