lipoproteins, Fatty liver

obesity and Alcohol

Metabolism
Submitted by Vaishnavi K. Eware
Group = 2A
 Lipoprotein
• A lipoprotein is a biochemical assembly whose primary function is to transport 
hydrophobic lipid (also known as fat) molecules in water, as in blood plasma or
other extracellular fluids.
• They consist of a triglyceride and cholesterol center, surrounded by a phospholipid
 outer shell, with the hydrophilic portions oriented outward toward the surrounding
water and lipophilic portions oriented inward toward the lipid center.
• A special kind of protein, called apolipoprotein, is embedded in the outer shell, both
stabilising the complex and giving it a functional identity that determines its role.
• Many enzymes, transporters, structural proteins, antigens, adhesins, and toxins are
lipoproteins. Examples include plasma lipoprotein particles (HDL, LDL, IDL, VLDL
 and chylomicrons). Subgroups of these plasma particles are primary drivers or
modulators of atherosclerosis
 Transmembrane lipoproteins

• Some transmembrane proteolipids, especially those found in bacteria,

are referred to as lipoproteins; they are not related to the lipoprotein
particles that this article is about.
•  Such transmembrane proteins are difficult to isolate, as they bind
tightly to the lipid membrane, often require lipids to display the
proper structure, and can be water-insoluble.
•  Detergents are usually required to isolate transmembrane
lipoproteins from their associated biological membranes.
 Plasma lipoprotein particles 

• Because fats are insoluble in water, they cannot be transported on their

own in extracellular water, including blood plasma. Instead, they are
surrounded by a hydrophilic external shell that functions as a transport
vehicle.
• The role of lipoprotein particles is to transport fat molecules, such as
triacylglycerols (also known as triglycerides), phospholipids, and
cholesterol within the extracellular water of the body to all the cells
and tissues of the body. The proteins included in the external shell of
these particles, called apolipoproteins, are synthesized and secreted
into the extracellular water by both the small intestine and liver cells.
The external shell also contains phospholipids and cholesterol.
Plasma lipoprotein particles 

• The proteins included in the external shell of these particles, called

apolipoproteins, are synthesized and secreted into the extracellular
water by both the small intestine and liver cells. The external shell
also contains phospholipids and cholesterol.
• All cells use and rely on fats and cholesterol as building blocks to
create the multiple membranes that cells use both to control internal
water content and internal water-soluble elements and to organize
their internal structure and protein enzymatic systems.
Fatty liver
• Fatty liver is also known as hepatic steatosis. It happens when fat
builds up in the liver. Having small amounts of fat in your liver is
normal, but too much can become a health problem.
• Too much fat in your liver can cause liver inflammation, which can
damage your liver and create scarring. In severe cases, this scarring
can lead to liver failure.
• When fatty liver develops in someone who drinks a lot of alcohol, it’s
known as alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).
Symptoms of fatty liver
• In many cases, fatty liver causes no noticeable symptoms. But you
may feel tired or experience discomfort or pain in the 
upper right side of your abdomen.
• Some people with fatty liver disease develop complications, including
liver scarring. Liver scarring is known as liver fibrosis. If you develop
severe liver fibrosis, it’s known as cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis may cause symptoms such as:
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• weakness
• fatigue
• nosebleeds
• itchy skin
• yellow skin and eyes
• web-like clusters of blood vessels under your skin
• abdominal pain
• abdominal swelling
• swelling of your legs
• breast enlargement in men
• confusion
Causes of fatty liver
• Fatty liver develops when your body produces too much fat or doesn’t
metabolize fat efficiently enough. The excess fat is stored in liver cells,
where it accumulates and causes fatty liver disease.
• One or more of the following factors may play a role:
• obesity
• high blood sugar
• insulin resistance
• high levels of fat, especially triglycerides, in your blood
• Less common causes include:
• pregnancy
• rapid weight loss
• some types of infections, such as hepatitis C
• side effects from some types of medications, such as methotrexate
 (Trexall), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), amiodorone (Pacerone), and valproic
acid (Depakote)
• exposure to certain toxins
Diagnosing of fatty liver
• To diagnose fatty liver, your doctor will take your medical history,
conduct a physical exam, and order one or more tests.
• Medical history
• your family medical history, including any history of liver disease
• your alcohol consumption and other lifestyle habits
• any medical conditions that you might have
• any medications that you might take
• recent changes in your health
• Physical exam
• To check for liver inflammation, your doctor may palpate or press on
your abdomen. If your liver is enlarged, they might be able to feel it.
• However, it’s possible for your liver to be inflamed without being
enlarged.
Alcohol metabolism

Alcohol is metabolized by several processes or pathways.

The most common of these pathways involves two enzymes—alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde
dehydrogenase (ALDH).
These enzymes help break apart the alcohol molecule, making it possible to eliminate it from the body. First,
ADH metabolizes alcohol
to acetaldehyde, a highly toxic substance and known carcinogen (1).
Then, in a second step, acetaldehyde is further metabolized down to another, less active byproduct called 
acetate (1), which then is broken down into water and carbon dioxide for easy elimination (2).