Cholesterol VLDL metabolism

Mechanism of Action An antihyperlipidemicthat interferes with cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting the conversion of the enzyme hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) to mevalonate, a precursor to cholesterol. Therapeutic Effect Decreases LDL cholesterol, VLDL, and plasma triglyceride levels, increases HDL concentration. Pharmacokinetics Protein binding 88%. Minimal hepatic metabolism. Primarily eliminated in the feces. Half-life 19 hr (increased in patients with severe renal dysfunction). 

Disorders of lipid metabolism are manifest by elevation of the plasma concentrations of the various lipid and lipoprotein fractions (total and LDL cholesterol, VLDL, triglycerides, chylomicrons) and they result, predominantly, in cardiovascular disease. 

Earlier sterol balance studies showed that bile acid synthesis is frequently but not consistently increased in hypertri-glyceridemic patients particularly when measured with the isotope dilution technique. Furthermore, a negative correlation between serum cholesterol and fecal bile acids indicated that the lower the LDL level the higher the bile acid synthesis in hypertriglyceridemic patients. In view of the current concept on VLDL metabolism in type IV, the finding suggests that enhanced VLDL catabolism via a non-LDL pathway (low LDL) is associated with increased bile acid and also cholesterol synthesis. An increase of LDL i.e., development of type IIB pattern would then inhibit the production rates possibly via enhanced hepatic uptake of LDL cholesterol. 

Disorders of lipoprotein metabolism involve perturbations which cause elevation of triglycerides and/or cholesterol, reduction of HDL-C, or alteration of properties of lipoproteins, such as their size or composition. These perturbations can be genetic (primary) or occur as a result of other diseases, conditions, or drugs (secondary). Some of the most important secondary disorders include hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, and alcohol use. Hypothyroidism causes elevated LDL-C levels due primarily to downregulation of the LDL receptor. Insulin-resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus result in impaired capacity to catabolize chylomicrons and VLDL, as well as excess hepatic triglyceride and VLDL production. Chronic kidney disease, including but not limited to end-stage... 

Figure 25-4. Metabolic fate of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and production of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). (A, apolipoprotein A B-100, apolipoprotein B-100 , apolipoprotein C E, apolipoprotein E HDL, high-density lipoprotein TG, triacylglycerol IDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein C, cholesterol and cholesteryl ester P, phospholipid.) Only the predominant lipids are shown. It is possible that some IDL is also metabolized via the LRP.

Figure 25-5. Metabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in reverse cholesteroi transport. (LCAT, lecithinxholesterol acyltransferase C, cholesterol CE, cholesteryl ester PL, phospholipid A-l, apolipoprotein A-l SR-Bl, scavenger receptor B1 ABC-1, ATP binding cassette transporter 1.) Prep-HDL, HDLj, HDL3—see Table 25-1. Surplus surface constituents from the action of lipoprotein lipase on chylomicrons and VLDL are another source of preP-HDL. Hepatic lipase activity is increased by androgens and decreased by estrogens, which may account for higher concentrations of plasma HDLj in women.

FIGURE 9. Endogenous lipoprotein metabolism. In liver cells, cholesterol and triglycerides are packaged into VLDL particles and exported into blood where VLDL is converted to IDL. Intermediate-density lipoprotein can be either cleared by hepatic LDL receptors or further metabolized to LDL. LDL can be cleared by hepatic LDL receptors or can enter the arterial wall, contributing to atherosclerosis. Acetyl CoA, acetyl coenzyme A Apo, apolipoprotein C, cholesterol CE, cholesterol ester FA, fatty acid HL, hepatic lipase HMG CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl coenzyme A IDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein LCAT, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase LDL, low-density lipoprotein LPL, lipoprotein lipase VLDL, very low-density lipoprotein. 

Lipoproteins. A lipoprotein is an endogenous macromolecule consisting of an inner apolar core of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipid embedded with cholesterol and apoproteins. The functions of lipoproteins are to transport lipids and to mediate lipid metabolism. There are four main types of lipoproteins (classified based on their flotation rates in salt solutions) chylomicrons, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). These differ in size, molecular weight, and density and have different lipid, protein, and apoprotein compositions (Table 11). The apoproteins are important determinants in the metabolism of lipoproteins—they serve as ligands for lipoprotein receptors and as mediators in lipoproteins interconversion by enzymes. 

Apolipoprotein AIV (apo AIV) is produced in the intestine and is found in chylomicrons, VLDL and HDL. It may modulate enzymes involved in lipoprotein metabolism and may serve as a saturation signal [49]. In a study with 144 participants the apo AIV His360Glu polymorphism showed no significant effect on cholesterol lowering in response to statin therapy [50]. 

Details of plasma lipoproteins and their metabolism are given in Section 5.5. Most of the cholesterol in the blood is carried as part of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or high density lipoprotein (HDL), whereas most triglyceride, in the fasting state, is carried by very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). The relative concentrations of these lipoproteins constitute the lipid profile and determine CVD risk. Diabetics are more likely to show an unhealthy profile with elevated concentrations of LDL and triglyceride but reduced HDL concentration. This pattern can be partly explained by enhanced fatty acid liberation from adipocytes as a consequence of insulin resistance in that tissue and due to reduced removal from the circulation of triglycerides, which is also insulin dependent. 

Chylomicrons and VLDL are primarily triglyceride particles, although they each have small quantities of cholesterol esters. Chylomicrons transport dietary trig lyceride to adipose tissue and muscle, whereas VLDL transport triglyceride synthesized in the liver to these same tissues. Both chylomicrons and VLDL have apoC-II, apoE, and apoB (apoB-48 on chylomicrons and apoB-IOO on VLDL). The metabolism of these particles is shown in Figure H5-5. 

After triglyceride is removed from the VLDL, the resulting partide is referred to as either a VLDL remnant or as an IDL. A portion of the IDLs are picked up by hepatocytes through their apoE receptor, but some of the IDLs remain in the blood, where they are further metabolized. These IDLs are transition particles between triglyceride and cholesterol transport. In the blood, they can acquire cholesterol transferred from HDL particles and thus become converted into LDLs, as shown in Figure 1-15-6. 

The best-known effect of APOE is the regulation of lipid metabolism (see Fig. 10.13). APOE is a constituent of TG-rich chylomicrons, VLDL particles and their remnants, and a subclass of HDL. In addition to its role in the transport of cholesterol and the metabolism of lipoprotein particles, APOE can be involved in many other physiological and pathological processes, including immunoregu-lation, nerve regeneration, activation of lipolytic enzymes (hepatic lipase, lipoprotein lipase, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase), ligand for several cell receptors, neuronal homeostasis, and tissue repair (488,490). APOE is essential... 

Cholesterol can be derived from two sources—food or endogenous synthesis from ace-tyl-CoA. A substantial percentage of endogenous cholesterol synthesis takes place in the liver. Some cholesterol is required for the synthesis of bile acids (see p. 314). In addition, it serves as a building block for cell membranes (see p. 216), or can be esterified with fatty acids and stored in lipid droplets. The rest is released together into the blood in the form of lipoprotein complexes (VLDLs) and supplies other tissues. The liver also contributes to the cholesterol metabolism by taking up from the blood and breaking down lipoproteins that contain cholesterol and cholesterol esters (HDLs, IDLs, LDLs see p.278). 

Partial summary of lipoprotein metabolism in humans. I to VII are sites of action of hypolipidemic drugs. I, stimulation of bile acid and/or cholesterol fecal excretion II, stimulation of lipoprotein lipase activity III, inhibition of VLDL production and secretion IV, inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis V, stimulation of cholesterol secretion into bile fluid VI, stimulation of cholesterol conversion to bile acids VII, increased plasma clearance of LDL due either to increased LDL receptor activity or altered lipoprotein composition. CHOL, cholesterol IDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein. 

Lipid metabolism. Oil, administered orally to female C57BL/6 mice weaned at 21 d of age at a dose of 15% w/w for 6 weeks, increased the total lipids, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL cholesterol, and thioharhituric acid-reactive substances (TEARS) and reduced glutathione concentrations, without changes in phospholipids or total cho-... 

Mechanism of Action Afibricacid derivative that inhibits lipolysis of fat in adipose tissue decreases liver uptake of free fatty acids and reduces hepatic triglyceride production. Inhibits synthesis of VLDL carrier apolipoprotein B. Therapeutic Effect Lowers serum cholesterol and triglycerides (decreases VLDL, LDL increases HDL). Pharmacokinetics Well absorbed from the GI tract. Protein binding 99%. Metabolized in liver. Primarily excreted in urine. Not removed by hemodialysis. Half-life 1.5 hr. 

Mechanism of Action An antihyperlipidemic, water-soluble vitamin that is a component of two coenzymes needed for tissue respiration, lipid metabolism, and glyco-genolysis. Inhibits synthesis of VLDLs, Therapeutic Effect Reduces total, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels increases HDL cholesterol concentration. 

Mechanism of Action An HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that interferes with cholesterol biosynthesis by preventing the conversion of HMG-CoA reductase to meva-lonate, a precursor to cholesteroh Therapeutic Effect Lowers serum LDL and VLDL cholesterol and plasma triglyceride levels increases serum HDL concentration. Pharmacokinetics Poorly absorbed from the G1 tract. Protein binding 50%. Metabolized in the liver (minimal active metabolites). Primarily excreted in feces via the biliary system. Not removed by hemodialysis. Half-life 2.7 hr. 

Fig. 5.2.1 The major metabolic pathways of the lipoprotein metabolism are shown. Chylomicrons (Chylo) are secreted from the intestine and are metabolized by lipoprotein lipase (LPL) before the remnants are taken up by the liver. The liver secretes very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) to distribute lipids to the periphery. These VLDL are hydrolyzed by LPL and hepatic lipase (HL) to result in intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), respectively, which then is cleared from the blood by the LDL receptor (LDLR). The liver and the intestine secrete apolipoprotein AI, which forms pre-jS-high-density lipoproteins (pre-jl-HDL) in blood. These pre-/ -HDL accept phospholipids and cholesterol from hepatic and peripheral cells through the activity of the ATP binding cassette transporter Al. Subsequent cholesterol esterification by lecithinxholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and transfer of phospholipids by phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) transform the nascent discoidal high-density lipoproteins (HDL disc) into a spherical particle and increase the size to HDL2. For the elimination of cholesterol from HDL, two possible pathways exist (1) direct hepatic uptake of lipids through scavenger receptor B1 (SR-BI) and HL, and (2) cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CfiTP)-mediated transfer of cholesterol-esters from HDL2 to chylomicrons, and VLDL and hepatic uptake of the lipids via the LDLR pathway...

The metabolism of cholesterol in mammals is extremely complex. A summary sketch (fig. 20.24) helps to draw the major metabolic interrelationships together. Cholesterol is biosynthesized from acetate largely in the liver (fig. 20.24a) or taken in through the diet (fig. 20.24b). From the intestine, dietary cholesterol is secreted into the plasma mainly as a component of chylomicrons. The triacylglycerol components of chylomicrons are quickly degraded by lipoprotein lipase, and the remnant particles are removed by the liver. Apoproteins and lipid components of the chylomicrons and remnants appear to exchange with HDL. Cholesterol made in the liver (fig. 20.24a) has several alternative fates. It can be (1) secreted into plasma as a component of VLDL,... 

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