» Element --- 5

» Lecture --- 10
Lipid
» Lipid metabolism
transport and Diet
 Lipid transport
Objectives to learn:
• How are lipids transported in the circulation?
• Define Lipoproteins. How are they classified?
• What are the functions of lipoprotein?
• List the normal values of commonly estimated lipids in
serum
• Describe the metabolism of
Chylomicron
VLDL
LDL
HDL
• Classify the lipid disorders and explain the derangements
in the blood lipid levels
 Lipid transport
Lipids are insoluble in water.

They are transported in association with

protein and these particles are called
lipoproteins.
Lipids + Proteins lipoproteins
(apolipoprotein)
 Structure of lipoprotein

Lipoproteins consist of a lipid core containing non- protein non polar,

triacylglycerol and cholesterol ester
surrounded by a single layer of phospholipids and free cholesterol and
apoprotein
Classification:
Depending on the density or on the electrophoretic
mobility they are classified as
• Chylomicron
• Very low density lipoprotein [ preBeta lipoprotein]
• Low density lipoprotein [ Beta lipoprotein]
• High density lipoprotein [ alpha lipoprotein]

• The density of lipoproteins is inversely

proportional to triacylglycerol content.
• As the density increases both the size and
diameter of the particle decreases.
•
Functions of Lipoproteins:
• Chylomicrons is synthesized in the intestine and
transports dietary lipids from intestine to peripheral
tissues [liver]

• VLDL is synthesized in the liver and transports

endogenous triacylglycerol to peripheral tissues

• LDL is synthesized from plasma VLDL and transports

cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues [ BAD
CHOLESTEROL]

• HDL is syntheisized in the peripheral tissues and

transports cholesterol to the Liver for excretion.
[ GOOD CHOLESTEROL]
 Cholesterol transporters

➢ Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (BAD):

Transports cholesterol to the artery wall
- increases plaque formation and risk for heart disease.

➢High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (GOOD):

Transports cholesterol away from the artery wall

- reduces plaque formation and risk for heart disease.
 Normal Blood lipid values
• Normal Cholesterol level < 5.1mmol/L (<200mg/dL)
Moderate risk 5.1 -6.1mmol/L
High risk > 6.1mmol/L
• Normal LDL – Cholesterol < 3.6mmol/L ( 160mg/dL)

• Normal HDL – Cholesterol 0.9 -1.8mmol/L (> 35mg/dL)

• Normal Triacylglycerol - < 1.4mmol/L ( 160mg/dL)

Lipid transport
Lipoprotein Transport
• Chylomicrons are
– Derived from intestine
– Has very less density
– 99% lipid, 1% protein
– Contains mainly triglycerides
– Has apo B48
– Lipoprotein lipase is located in the capillaries
of tissues,
– lipoprotein lipase breaks down the triglycerides
and converts them to chylomicron remnants
VLDL
• are vehicles of transport of triglycerides
from the liver to extrahepatic tissues.
• rapidly is broken down by lipoprotein lipase
and forms intermediate density
lipoproteins[IDL]
– Derived from the liver
– 95% lipid, 5% protein
– Consists of triacylglycerol and cholesterol
– Apo B100 is present
• LDL is
– Derived from IDL
– 80% lipid 20%protein
– Rich in cholesterol
– Apo B100 is present

• It is also taken up by the liver and peripheral tissues via LDL

receptors

• It is therefore called “Bad” cholesterol.

• LDL is accepted by the receptors in the tissues. It is hydrolysed

and the cholesterol is used for its functions

• Excess cholesterol is converted to Oxidised LDL and is

involved in the formation of Atherosclerotic plaque
 HDL

• HDL is synthesized by liver and intestine.

• It transports cholesterol from peripheral tissues to

the liver for excretion in the bile

• It is called “good” cholesterol.

This is called “reverse cholesterol transport”

Disorders of plasma lipoprotein metabolism
2 categories:
1. Hyperlipoproteinemia

2. Hypolipoproteinemia
➢ The study of these disorders is important
because they lead to a number of other
disorders ---
- heart disease,
- dermatological manifestation [ xanthomas]
- pancreatitis
- occular anomalies
 Hyperlipoproteinemia – Fredrickson’s
classification -- 5/6 types
• Type I, IV and V --- Hyper triglyceridemia

• Type II A -- Hyper cholesterolemia

• Type IIB and Type III – Both

Hypertriglyceridemia and Hypercholesterolemia
 Xanthomas
raised lesions related to hyperlipidemia

Xanthomas of the eyelid

Eruptive Xanthomas -generally associated with
-generally associated with hypercholesterolemia
hypertriglyceridemia
Type Metabolic Affected Plasma Plasma
defect lipoprotein cholesterol TAG

Type I 1.Deficiency of chylomicron Normal Highly

lipoprotein lipase elevated

Type II A Defective LDL LDL Highly Normal

receptors elevated

Type II B Over LDL and Highly Elevated

production of VLDL elevated
Apo B 100
Type III Abnormality in IDL and LDL Increased Elevated
Apo E

Type IV Overproduction VLDL Increased or Elevated

of VLDL normal

Type V Unknown chylomicron Normal elevated

 Lipid transport
Learning outcome
• How are lipids transported in the circulation?
• Define Lipoproteins. How are they classified?
• What are the functions of lipoprotein?
• List the normal values of commonly estimated lipids in
serum
• Describe the metabolism of
Chylomicron
VLDL
LDL
HDL
• Classify the lipid disorders and explain the derangements
in the blood lipid levels
 References

1. Murray, Granner, Mayes and Rodwell: Harper’s

Biochemistry, 25th Edn

2. TM Devlin; Textbook of Biochemistry 4th Edn

3. DM Vasudevan & Sreekumari S; Textbook of

Biochemistry (For Medical Students) 4th Edn. J