endocrine and metabolic disorders
Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Introduction
Lipids are fats that are either absorbed from food or synthesized by the liver. Triglycerides (TGs) and cholesterol contribute most to disease, although all lipids are physiologically important. Cholesterolis a ubiquitous constituent of cell membranes, steroids, bile acids, and signaling molecules. Triglyceridesprimarily store energy in adipocytes and muscle cells. Lipoproteinsare hydrophilic, spherical structures that possess surface proteins (apoproteins, or apolipoproteins) that are cofactors and ligands for lipid-processing enzymes (see table). All lipids are hydrophobic and mostly insoluble in blood, so they require transport within lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are classified by size and density (defined as the ratio of lipid to protein) and are important because high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are major risk factors for Atherosclerosis . Dyslipidemia is elevation of plasma cholesterol and/or triglycerides, or a low HDL-C level that contributes to the development of 