Lipoproteins

Question 1

What do atherosclerotic plaques consist of?

Answer 1

Necrotic core - cholesterol crystals
Foam cells - macrophages
Fibrous cap

Question 2

Describe cholesterol metabolism?

Answer 2

Enters intestines and broken into mixed micelles

transported across epithelium

Cholesterol enters liver and can be:

hydroxylated - bile acid - excreted

esterified into VLDL –> LDL

Question 3

Types of primary hypercholesterolaemia?

Signs and symptoms?

Answer 3

Familial hypercholesterolaemia

Polygenic hypercholesterolaemia

Corneal arcus, xanthomas, xanthelasma, atheroma of aortic root

Question 4

Types of hypertriglyceridaemia?

Answer 4

Familial types 1 - less breakdown of chylomicrons

type 4 - less breakdown of VLDLs

type 5 - less breakdown of VLDL

Question 5

Cardiovascular disease is associated with?

Answer 5

Serum cholesterol
HDL = protective; LDL = deleterious

serum lipids are a CVD risk factor marker <500mg/L

Treatment is nicotinic acid 1-3g/day

Question 6

Treatment for obesity?

Answer 6

Low-calorie diet & exercise

o Iatrogenic malabsorption (Orlistat, 120-360 mg, OD)

o Bariatric surgery (BMI >40Kg/m2)