Very low density lipoprotein

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) is a lipoprotein subclass. It is assembled in the li er from cholesterol and apolipoproteins. It is con erted in the bloodstream to low density lipoprotein (LDL). VLDL particles ha e a diameter of !"#$" nm. VLDL transports endo%enous products where chylomicrons transport e&o%enous (dietary) products.
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) Function * +han%es durin% circulation ! VLDL and disease , -ee also

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Function

VLDL transports endo%enous tri%lycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. It functions as the body.s internal transport mechanism for lipids. 'edit(

+han%es durin% circulation

VLDLs are only found in hominids. /ascent VLDL circulates in blood and picks up apolipoprotein +#II and apolipoprotein 0 donated from 1i%h Density Lipoprotein (1DL). 2t this point, the nascent VLDL becomes a mature VLDL. 3nce in circulation, the VLDL will come in contact with Lipoprotein lipase (L4L) in the capillary beds in the body (adipose, cardiac and skeletal muscle). 5he L4L will remo e tri%lycerides from the VLDL for stora%e or ener%y production. 5he VLDL now meets back up with 1DL where apo+#II is transferred back to the 1DL (but keeps apo0). In addition to this, the 1DL transfers cholesteryl esters to the VLDL in e&chan%e for phospholipids and tri%lycerides ( ia cholesteryl ester transfer protein). 2s more and more tri%lycerides are remo ed from the VLDL because of the action of the L4L en6yme, the composition of the molecule chan%es, and it becomes intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL).

7"8 of IDL are reco%ni6ed by receptors in the li er cells (because of the apo9# )"" and apo0 they contain) and are endocytosed. 5he other 7"8 of IDL lose their apo0. When their cholesterol content becomes %reater than the tri%lyceride content, they become low#density lipoprotein (LDL), with the primary apolipoprotein bein% apo9#)"". 5he LDL is taken into a cell ia the LDL receptor (endocytosis) where the contents are either stored, used for cell membrane structure, or con erted into other products (steroid hormones or bile acids). 'edit(

VLDL and disease

VLDL le els ha e been correlated with accelerated rates of atherosclerosis, and are ele ated in a number of diseases and metabolic states.

VLDL cholesterol: What is it?

What is VLDL cholesterol? Should it be high or low?

- Rajeev / India

Mayo Clinic cardiologist Gerald Gau, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer
Very#low#density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol is one of the three ma:or types of blood cholesterol combined with protein. 5he other two are hi%h#density lipoprotein (1DL) cholesterol and low#density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. 0ach type contains a specific combination of cholesterol, protein and tri%lyceride, a blood fat. VLDL cholesterol contains the hi%hest amount of tri%lyceride. Like LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol is considered ;bad; cholesterol because ele ated le els are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. 5here is no simple, direct way to measure VLDL cholesterol. -o it is usually calculated as a percenta%e of tri%lyceride le els. 2s tri%lyceride le els are reduced, so are VLDL le els. Foods that are hi%h in %lycemic inde& tend to stimulate VLDL cholesterol production.

Illustrations

9lood test Alternative Names

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Very low density lipoprotein Definition

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VLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are substances made of cholesterol, and triglyceride, and proteins. They move cholesterol, triglyceride, and other lipids to different parts of the body. There are three major types of lipoproteins. VLDL contains the highest amount of triglyceride. VLDL is considered a type of bad cholesterol, because it helps cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries. A blood test can be done to measure the amount of VLDL in your blood. See also 1i%h density lipoprotein Low density lipoprotein
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How the Test is Performed

!lood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the bac" of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ#"illing medicine $antiseptic%. The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and ma"e the vein swell with blood. &e't, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. (nce the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. )n infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the s"in and ma"e it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding. How the Test Will Feel
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*hen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a pric" or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the Test is Performed
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+our doctor may order this test to determine your ris" of heart disease. )ncreased levels of VLDL are lin"ed to atherosclerosis, which can lead to coronary heart disease.

This test may be included in a coronary ris" profile. Normal Results

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&ormal VLDL cholesterol level is between , and -. mg/dL. What Abnormal Results Mean
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0igh levels may be associated with a higher ris" for heart disease and stro"e. Risks
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1is"s associated with this test may include 0&cessi e bleedin% Faintin% or feelin% li%ht#headed 1ematoma (blood accumulatin% under the skin) Infection (a sli%ht risk any time the skin is broken) <ultiple punctures to locate eins
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Considerations

5here is no simple, direct way of measurin% VLDL. <ost labs estimate your VLDL based on your tri%lyceride le el. Referen es
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0&ecuti e -ummary of the 5hird =eport of the /ational +holesterol 0ducation 4ro%ram (/+04) 0&pert 4anel on Detection, 0 aluation, and 5reatment of 1i%h 9lood +holesterol in 2dults (2dult 5reatment 4anel III). JAMA. *"")>*$7?*,$@#*,AB.