Lipoprotein actions/effects

Drug Mechanism of Action Effects on Lipids Lipoproteins... 

Hurst (19) discusses the similarity in action of the pyrethrins and of DDT as indicated by a dispersant action on the lipids of insect cuticle and internal tissue. He has developed an elaborate theory of contact insecticidal action but provides no experimental data. Hurst believes that the susceptibility to insecticides depends partially on the cuticular permeability, but more fundamentally on the effects on internal tissue receptors which control oxidative metabolism or oxidative enzyme systems. The access of pyrethrins to insects, for example, is facilitated by adsorption and storage in the lipophilic layers of the epicuticle. The epicuticle is to be regarded as a lipoprotein mosaic consisting of alternating patches of lipid and protein receptors which are sites of oxidase activity. Such a condition exists in both the hydrophilic type of cuticle found in larvae of Calliphora and Phormia and in the waxy cuticle of Tenebrio larvae. Hurst explains pyrethrinization as a preliminary narcosis or knockdown phase in which oxidase action is blocked by adsorption of the insecticide on the lipoprotein tissue components, followed by death when further dispersant action of the insecticide results in an irreversible increase in the phenoloxidase activity as a result of the displacement of protective lipids. This increase in phenoloxidase activity is accompanied by the accumulation of toxic quinoid metabolites in the blood and tissues—for example, O-quinones which would block substrate access to normal enzyme systems. The varying degrees of susceptibility shown by different insect species to an insecticide may be explainable not only in terms of differences in cuticle make-up but also as internal factors associated with the stability of oxidase systems. 

In humans, CETP and PLTP are directly involved in the transfer of lipids between different lipoprotein classes. Through their action, these lipid transfer proteins have major effects on the concentration and composition of HDL. This section further describes the physiological function of CETP and PLTP in humans. 

Orotic acid in the diet (usually at a concentration of 1 per cent) can induce a deficiency of adenine and pyridine nucleotides in rat liver (but not in mouse or chick liver). The consequence is to inhibit secretion of lipoprotein into the blood, followed by the depression of plasma lipids, then in the accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver (fatty liver) [141 — 161], This effect is not prevented by folic acid, vitamin B12, choline, methionine or inositol [141, 144], but can be prevented or rapidly reversed by the addition of a small amount of adenine to the diets [146, 147, 149, 152, 162]. The action of orotic acid can also be inhibited by calcium lactate in combination with lactose [163]. It was originally believed that the adenine deficiency produced by orotic acid was caused by an inhibition of the reaction of PRPP with glutamine in the de novo purine synthesis, since large amounts of PRPP are utilized for the conversion of orotic acid to uridine-5 -phosphate. However, incorporation studies of glycine-1- C in livers of orotic acid-fed rats revealed that the inhibition is caused rather by a depletion of the PRPP available for reaction with glutamine than by an effect on the condensation itself [160]. 

Treatment Various drugs are available that have different mechanisms of action and effects on LDL (cholesterol) and VLDL (triglycerides) (A). Their use is indicated in the therapy of primary hyperlipoproteinemias. In secondary hyperlipoproteinemias, the immediate goal should be to lower lipoprotein levels by dietary restriction, treatment of the primary disease, or both. 

Mechanism of Action An antihyperlipoproteinemic that binds with bile acids in the intestine, forming an insoluble complex. Binding results in partial removal of bile acid from enterohepaticcirculat ion. Tiierapeutic Effect Removes low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and cholesterol from plasma. 

Mechanism of Action An antihyperlipidemic that enhances synthesis of lipoprotein lipase and reduces triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and VLDLs. Therapeutic Effect Increases VLDL catabolism and reduces total plasma triglyceride levels. Pharmacokinetics Well absorbed from the GI tract. Absorption increased when given with food. Protein binding 99%. Rapidly metabolized in the liver to active metabolite. Excreted primarily in urine lesser amount in feces. Not removed by hemodialysis. Half-life 20 hr. 

Estrogen administration in postmenopausal women has been observed to produce cardioprotective benefits. The exact biomolecular mechanisms for this cardioprotection are unclear but it is likely that actions mediated both through the estrogen receptors, such as the beneficial alteration in lipid profiles and upregulation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, and independently of the estrogen receptors, such as antioxidant action, contribute to the observed cardioprotective effects of estrogens. 

Steroids that aid in muscle development are called anabolic steroids. They are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, thus have the same muscle-building effect as testosterone. There are more than 100 different anabolic steroids which, vary in structure, duration of action, relative effects and toxicities. Androstenedione, stanozolol and dianabol are anabolic steroids. They are used to treat people suffering from traumas accompanied by muscle deterioration. The use of anabolic steroid can lead to a number of dangerous side-effects, including lowered levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, which benefits the heart, and elevated levels of harmful low density lipoprotein, stimulation of prostate tumours, clotting disorders and liver problems. 

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