Hyperlipidemias Flashcards
What are lipoproteins made of?
- Have a central core of lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol esters)
- An outer case of phospholipids, free cholesterol and proteins (called apoproteins)
What are the classes of lipoproteins?
(1) Chylomicrons
(2) VLDL
(3) IDL
(4) LDL
(5) HDL
- They all differ in size, density and relative proportion of the core lipids and type of apoproteins-
Hyperlipidemia
An increase in plasma lipids in general
Hypercholesterolemia
An increase in plasma cholesterol, indicated by an increases in LDL (familial, hypothyroidism, corticosteroids)
Hypertriglyceridemia or Hyperlipemia
An increase in triglycerides, indicated by an increase in VLDL (familial, diabetes, centripetal obesity, alcohol use, corticosteroids, estrogens)
Mixed hyperlipidemia
An increase in both cholesterol and triglycerides (LDL & VLDL)
What contributes to increased risk of coronary artery disease?
(1) High LDL cholesterol
(2) Low HDL cholesterol
(3) Hypertriglyceridemia (increased VLDL)
Which lipoproteins are rich in triglycerides? Cholesterol? Apoproteins?
VLDLs, LDL, HDLs respectively
Which lipoproteins are large/small in size?
Chylomicrons very large in size, VLDLs smaller in size than chylomicrons, HDLs very small in size,
What are desirable levels of Total Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol? Borderline high? High?
(1) Desirable- 240, >160
What are the desirable LDL levels for moderate and high risk patients?
- Moderate risk: LDL <70
What are the 5 classes of Lipid-lowering drugs?
(1) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins)
(2) Niacin (Nicotinic acid)
(3) Fibric acid derivatives
(4) Bile acid binding agents
(5) Inhibitors of intestinal sterol absorption
What do you have to make sure of with drugs that alter plasma lipoprotein concentrations?
They may require adjustment of warfarin doses
What are the HMG-CoA Reductase inhibitors?
(1) Lovastatin
(2) Atorvastatin
What drug is the most effective in reducing LDL?
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)
Lovastatin/Atorvastatin- Mechanism of Action
(1) Reduce cholesterol synthesis by inhibition of HMG Co A reductase
(2) Increases LDL receptors (indirect effect), thus increasing the extraction of LDL by the liver and decreasing LDL in the plasma
Statins- Uses
(1) Hypercholesterolemia (increased LDL)
(2) Mixed hyperlipidemia (LDL and VLDL increase)
(3) First line of treatment after M.I.