Metabolic Flashcards
What are the 3 sources of blood cholesterol
- dietary sources of free cholesterol
- synthesis in the liver
- bile acid reabsorption
What is cholesterol used for in the body
- cell membranes
- bile acids
- steroid hormones
(not an energy source, just a building block)
What are the two sources of blood triglycerides
- directly assembled in GI tract after intestinal absorption for quick energy delivery
- synthesized in the liver for sustained energy delivery
What are triglycerides used for
- formation of cell membranes
- formation of hormones
- ENERGY!
Describe the 2 types of fatty acids
- unsaturated: can be used for energy and ARE important building blocks for cell membrane/steroids
- saturated: can be used for energy and aren’t as important as building blocks
What are cholesterol and triglycerides transported by? (4 main ones)
Lipoproteins
- chylomicrons
- VLDL (very low density lipo)
- LDL (low density lipo)
- HDL (high density lipo)
Describe how LDL is calculated
LDL = total cholesterol - (VLDL + HDL)
calculation not valid for triglyceride >400 mg/dL
What are some etiologies for lipid abnormalities
- mostly dietary or genetic
What is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world
statins
Describe the MOA of a statin
reduces cholesterol synthesis in the liver which decreases LDL, VLDL, triglyceride production
Describe some known side effects of statins
- elevated transaminases (AST, ALT)
- diabetes
- muscle pain/injury (benign myalgias, myopathy, serious rhabdomyolysis)
What are some contraindications to statins
List the high/moderate intensity statins
Rosuvastatin & atorvastatin
List the low/moderate intensity statins
Simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin
What is the MOA of cholesterol absorption inhibitors
blocks the absorption of dietary/biliary cholesterol at the brush border of the intestine
