Lipid transport in the circulation

Lipids are insoluble in plasma. In order to be transported they are combined

with specific proteins to form lipoproteins:

Proteins (apoproteins)

HO

O Non polar lipids in core

Cholesterol
R
(TAG and cholesterol esters)
O

R
HO

HO

Apoproteins are only weakly associated with a particular lipoprotein and are
easily transferred to another lipoprotein of a different class. Apoproteins have
various functions including: 
• Structural role 
• Binding sites for receptors 
• Activators or co-enzymes for enzymes involved with lipid metabolism 
 Lipoproteins
• Function: Transport of fat soluble substances

• Types: 1) Chylomicron

2) VLDL

3) LDL

4) HDL
 Chylomicrons
• Made by: the small intestines in the fed state
• Highest (99%) of lipid and lowest concn (1%)
protein
• Largest in size (100-1000nm) and least in
density
• Absorbed into: the lymph vessels, then -->
moves into the blood
• Apoproteins AI, AII and B48
• Rich in: TGs (88%), Cholesterol 4%, PL 8%
• Function: Deliver TG’s to body cells to be used
as fuel
 Chylomicron
Triglycerides

3 Fatty Acids Glycerol

Adipose Skeletal Heart

Blood
(storage) Muscle (energy)
(energy)
Liver

Chylomicron Remnant
 Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)
• Synthesised in the liver. Contain mostly TAG but with a significant amount
of cholesterol and cholesterol ester.
• Nascent VLDL contains apoprotein B100 but pick up others from HDL in
the circulation
Protein
phospholipid

Cholesterol
ester
TAG (55%)

Cholesterol

Function is to transport endogenously synthesised TAG to the extra hepatic

tissues where it can be stored as fat or to muscles where the constituent
fatty acids can be used for energy. The cholesterol is delivered to extra
hepatic tissues once VLDL has been metabolised to LDL.
 VLDL (pre beta lipoprotein)
• = Very Low Density Lipoprotein
• Made in: the liver from excess dietary carbohydrate
and protein along with the Chylomicron remnant
• 30-90 nm in size
• Secreted into: the bloodstream
• Rich in: TGs (55%), cholesterol 24%; PL 20%
• It has 90% lipid and 10% protein
• Function: Deliver TGs to body cells
• Contains apo B100, CI and CII
• Similar to Chylomicrons, but made by different
tissues
 VLDL
Triglycerides

3 Fatty Acids Glycerol

Adipose Skeletal Heart

Blood
(storage) Muscle (energy)
(energy)
Liver
Once VLDL looses much of its TG’s it becomes LDL
 LDL (beta lipoprotein)
• = Low Density Lipoprotein
• Made in: the Liver as VLDL
• Arise from: VLDL once it has lost a lot of its
TG’s
• Secreted into: the bloodstream
• 20 -25 nm in size
• It has 80% lipid and 20% protein
• Rich in: Cholesterol (59%), TG 12%, PL 28%
• It has the apoprotein of B100.
• Function: Deliver cholesterol to all body cells
 HDL (Alpha lipoprotein)
• = High Density Lipoprotein, 10-20diameter in
size
• Made in: the Liver and Small Intestine
• Secreted into: the bloodstream
• Function: Pick up cholesterol from body cells
and take it back to the liver = “reverse
cholesterol transport”
• Cholesterol (40%), PL 47%; TG 12%
• It has apoproteins AI A II, C1,CII,CIII, D and E
• Potential to help reverse heart disease
 High density lipoprotiens
• Act as a reservoir for apoproteins which can be donated or received from other
lipoproteins.
• Also play a vital role in scavenging “used” cholesterol (reverse cholesterol transport):

apoproteins HDL receptor mediated HDL

endocytosis by liver
HDL
HDL Liver
some cholesterol
ester transferred to
“used” cholesterol circulating VLDL
transferred to HDL and
converted to cholesterol
ester
VLDL

Cholesterol can be
LDLreceptor converted to bile salts
Peripheral mediated for excretion or
tissues LDL endocytosis LDL repackaged in VLDL
for redistribution
 The five classes of lipoprotein
(all contain characteristic amounts TAG, cholesterol, cholesterol esters,
phospholipids and apoproteins)

Diameter Major apoliproteins

Class (nm) Source and function
Chylomicrons 500 Intestine. Transport of A, B48, C(I,II,III) E
(CM) dietary TAG

Very low density 43 Liver. Transport of B100, C(I,II,III) , E

Increasing density

lipoproteins endogenously synthesised

(VLDL) TAG

Low density lipoproteins 22 Formed in circulation by B100

(LDL) partial breakdown of IDL.
Delivers cholesterol to
peripheral tissues
High density lipoproteins 8 Liver. Removes “used” A, C(I,II,III), D, E
(HDL) cholesterol from tissues
and takes it to liver.
Donates apolipoproteins to
CM and VLDL