Lipoprotein

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 What is lipoprotein?

• A lipoprotein is a biochemical assembly that

contains both proteins and lipids.
• The lipids or their derivatives may be covalently or
non-covalently bound to the proteins.
• Many enzymes, transporters, structural proteins,
antigens, adhesins and toxins are lipoproteins.
• Examples include the high density and low density
lipoproteins of the blood, the trans-membrane
proteins of the mitochondrion and the chloroplast,
and bacterial lipoproteins

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 What is the function of lipoprotein?

Lipoproteins in the blood, a water medium, carry fats

around the body.
The protein particles have charged groups aimed
outward so as to attract water molecules; this makes
them soluble in the salt water based blood pool.
Triglyceride-fats and cholesterol are carried internally,
shielded (protected) by the protein particle from the
water.

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 What is the function? ……………………………………………………………………………… (continued)

The interaction of the proteins forming the surface of

the particles with:
(a) enzymes in the blood,
(b) with each other and
(c) with specific proteins on the surfaces of cells
determine whether triglycerides and cholesterol will
be added to or removed from the lipoprotein
transport particles.
Note:
• Regarding atheroma development and progression vs.
regression, the key issue has always been cholesterol transport
patterns, not cholesterol concentration itself.

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 Lipoprotein classification based on density

• General categories of lipoproteins, listed in order from larger

and less dense (more fat than protein) to smaller and more
dense (more protein, less fat):
• Chylomicrons - carry triacylglycerol (fat) from the intestines
to the liver and to adipose tissue.
• Very low density lipoproteins - carry (newly synthesised)
triacylglycerol from the liver to adipose tissue.
• Intermediate density lipoproteins - are intermediate
between VLDL and LDL. They are not usually detectable in the
blood.
• Low density lipoproteins - carry cholesterol from the liver
to cells of the body. Sometimes referred to as the "bad
cholesterol" lipoprotein.
• High density lipoproteins - collects cholesterol from the
body's tissues, and brings it back to the liver. Sometimes
referred to as the "good cholesterol" lipoprotein.
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 HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN

• High-density lipoproteins (HDL)

form a class of lipoproteins, varying
somewhat in their size (8–11 nm in
diameter), that carry cholesterol from
the body's tissues to the liver. About
thirty percent of blood cholesterol is
carried by HDL.

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 The function of HDL

• HDL are the smallest of the lipoproteins.

• They are the densest because they contain
the highest proportion of protein. They
contain the A class of apo-lipoproteins.
• The liver synthesizes these lipoproteins as
complexes of apo-lipoproteins and
phospholipid, which resemble cholesterol-free
flattened spherical lipoprotein particles.
• They are capable of picking up cholesterol,
carried internally, from cells they interact
with.

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 Atheroma

In pathology, an atheroma (plural: atheromata) is an

accumulation and swelling (-oma) in artery walls that
is made up of cells, or cell debris, that contain lipids
(cholesterol and fatty acids), calcium and a variable
amount of fibrous connective tissue. In the context of
heart or artery matters, atheromata are commonly.

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 Recommended range HDL for male

Level mg/dL Level mmol/L Interpretation

(g/L) mole (unit)/L
Low HDL cholesterol,
<40 <1.03 heightened risk for heart
disease, <50 is the value
for women

Medium HDL level

40–59 1.03–1.52

High HDL level, optimal

>60 >1.55 condition considered
protective against heart
disease

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 HDL – “Good Cholesterol”

It is hypothesised that HDL can remove

cholesterol from atheroma within
arteries and transport it back to the
liver for excretion or re-utilization—
which is the main reason why HDL-
bound cholesterol is sometimes called
"good cholesterol“, or HDL-C.

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HDL – “Good Cholesterol” ……………………………………………………………….. (continued)

A high level of HDL-C seems to

protect against cardiovascular
diseases, and low HDL cholesterol
levels (less than 40 mg/dL)
increase the risk for heart disease.

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 Diet and lifestyle
Certain changes in lifestyle can have a positive impact
on raising HDL levels:
1. Aerobic exercise
2. Weight loss
3. Smoking cessation
4. Using supplements such as omega-3 fish oil
5. Limiting intake of dietary fat to 30–35% of total
calories
6. Removing trans-fatty acids from the diet
7. Adding monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats
to the diet, and reducing or eliminating saturated
fats.
8. Drinking 1–2 servings of alcoholic beverages per day
9. Adding soluble fiber to diet.
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