Eicosanoids arterial receptors

An inherited lack of, or deficiency in, cell surface receptors for low density lipoproteins results in a condition, familial hypercholesterolaemia, in which blood cholesterol concentrations are rather high. This condition, if untreated, leads to severe vascular disease and death from ischaemic heart disease. Lipids are involved in several ways. First, one of the characteristics of developing atherosclerotic plaques is an accumulation of lipids, particularly cholesteryl esters, which are derived from plasma lipoproteins secondly, lipids are involved (because of their role as precursors of eicosanoids) in the formation of thrombi which may block arteries and cause ischaemia. Another risk factor for ischaemic heart disease that involves lipid metabolism is obesity, characterized by an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. In particular, upper body obesity is also associated with Type II diabetes and hyperinsulinaemia. Hyperlipoproteinaemia is secondary to obesity and diabetes mellitus and if these conditions are treated, blood lipid concentrations return to normal. 

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