Diet and CHD Flashcards
Definition of atherosclerosis
Focal chronic inflammatory disease of large and medium arteries which is induced by lipid products and characterised by intimal thickening and lipid deposition
How does diabetes change the risk of cardiovascular disease
triples risk
What does ‘the metabolic syndrome’ consist of
Syndrome including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease consisting of:
- Insulin resistance
- Abdominal obesity
- Dyslipidaemia
- Hypertension
What transporter transports excess fatty acids from blood lipids?
CD36
Where in the cell are fatty acids usually metabolised
In the mitochondria
What happens to saturated fatty acids in the cell?
Metabolised into toxic products like ceramide
What is the effect of the products of saturated fatty acids in the cell
Blocks the insulin receptor (eg excess fats can induce insulin resistance)
What is more important to regulate: total calorie intake or saturated fat intake
Total calorie intake
What are saturated fatty acids
Fatty acids with no double bonds between the carbon atoms of fatty acids chain
How many C=C double bonds to essential fatty acids contain
At least 2
Why is arachidonic acid know n as C20:4(n-6)
20 carbons
4 double bonds
6= number of carbons the double bond is away from end of chain
What is arachidonic acid incorporated into
Membrane phospholipids
What happens during inflammation in terms of w6 arachidonic acid
- w6 is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2 enzyme
- Potent inflammatory mediators such as prostaglainds, leukotrienes are synthesised from it
What are omega-3 fatty acids metabolised into
Anti-inflammatory eicosanoids
Omega-3 FA are anti-inflamamtory and anti-atherogenic
How do aspirin and statins act on w3 and w6 FA
Enhance anti-inflammatory mediators from them