Lipid Transport

Question 1

Where is cholesterol mainly synthesised?

Answer 1

The liver

Question 2

How is cholesterol transported?

Answer 2

As a cholesterol ester (fatty tail added)

Question 3

Which is the most dense lipoprotein?

Which is the least dense lipoprotein?

Answer 3

HDL

Chylomicrons

Question 4

What is the role of HDL?

Answer 4

To transport excess cholesterol from cells to the liver for disposal as bile salts and use in cells.

Question 5

How long are chylomicrons are only normally present for how long after a meal?

Answer 5

4-6 hours

Question 6

Where is HDL synthesised?

Answer 6

Liver and intestine

Question 7

Hyperlipoproteinaemia can be separated into 6 classes. What are type I, type IIa and type III?

Answer 7

Type I- chylomicrons in fasting plasma, defective lipoprotein lipase
Type IIa- Coronary Artery Disease
Type III- Defective APOE

Question 8

How does high LDL contribute to atherosclerotic plaques?

Answer 8

The high LDL gets oxidised and taken up my macrophages which become foamy macrophages and accumulate in the blood vessel walls
Leads to fatty streak which accumulates and becomes atherosclerotic plaque formation

Question 9

Hypercholesterolaemia can lead to what three clinical signs?

Answer 9

Tendon Xanthoma
Xanthelasma
Corneal Arcus

Question 10

How is hypercholesterolaemia controlled?

Answer 10

1. Diet and lifestyle

2. Drugs- statins (inhibit HMG coA reductase), bile salt sequestrants