ChemPath: Lipoprotein metabolism, CVD and obesity Flashcards
What are the features of an atherosclerotic lesion?
- Fibrous cap
- Foam cells (macrophages full of cholesteryl ester/ox-LDL)
- Necrotic core (full of cholesterol crystals)
What is the biggest plasma lipoprotein?
Chylomicrons
During what time will chylomicrons be most abundant?
After eating (they are present in very small amounts in the fasted state)
Describe the uptake of cholesterol by the intestinal epithelium.
- Cholesterol entering the intestines will come from the diet and bile
- Cholesterol will be solubilised in mixed micelles
- It is then transported cross the intestinal epithelium by NPC1L1 (this is the main determinant of cholesterol transport)
Name two transports that transport cholesterol back into the intestinal lumen.
ABC G5
ABC G8
Transports back to lumen, promoting elimination
(opposite action of NPC1L1)
Where are bile acids absorbed?
Terminal ileum
What happens when cholesterol arrives at the liver?
Downregulates the activity of HMG CoA reductase
NOTE: HMG CoA reductase is responsible for the production of cholesterol from acetate and mevalonic acid
What are the two fates of cholesterol that is either produced by or transported to the liver?
- Hydroxylation by 7a-hydroxylase to produce bile acids
- Esterification by ACAT to produce cholesterol ester which is incorporated into VLDLs along with triglycerids and ApoB
Which transfer protein is important in the packaging of VLDLs?
MTP (Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein)
*lomitapide is an MTP inhibitor
*Packaging HDLs -> ABCA1
Packaging LDLs -> MTP
Which transfer protein is important in the packaging of HDLs?
ABCA1
*Packaging HDLs -> ABCA1
Packaging LDLs -> MTP
Packaging HDLs -> ABCA1
Packaging LDLs -> MTP
What are the effects of CETP on the movement of substances between lipoproteins?
- Moves cholesterol from HDL → VLDL
- Moves triglycerids from VLDL → HDL
Which receptor is responsible for the uptake of some HDLs by the liver?
SR-B1
Describe the transport and metabolism of triglycerides.
- Triglycerides are hydrolysed into FFAs + glycerol (by the action of lipoprotein lipase), absorbed, then resynthesized into triglycerides
- Transported in the plasma by: chylomicrons & VLDLs
- Some FFAs are taken up by the liver, and some by adipose tissue
- The liver resynthesizes fatty acids into triglycerides and packages them into VLDLs to be transported
List the three causes of familial hypercholesterolaemia (type II).
- Caused by autosomal dominant gene mutations in:
- LDL receptor
- ApoB
- PCSK9
List some mutations that are implicated in polygenic hypercholesterolaemia.
- NPC1L1
- HMGCR
- CYP7A1