Final Flashcards
(376 cards)
what is coronary heart disease
occurs when coronary blood circulation fails to adequately supply the heart with blood
primarily caused by athlerosclerosis
risk of developing CHD is directly proportional to the levels of choleserol in the blood
CHD causes 1/3 of deaths in Canada
where is cholesterol synthesized
the liver
structure of lipoproteins
outer hydrophilic shell made of phospholipids
core is made of lipophilic cholesterol and TGs
have apolipoproteins embedded in the phospholipid shell
used to transport cholesterol and TGs in the blood
apolipiproteins
allow recognition of lipoproteins by cells
activate enzymes that metabolize lipoproteins
increase structural stability of lipoproteins
apolipoprotein A-I
non-hepatic tissue back to the liver
HDL
apolipoprotein B-100
liver to non-hepatic tissues
VLDL
LDL
is protein or lipid more dense
protein
VLDL
TGs from liver to adipose and muscle
TG-rich core and account for almost all TGs in the blood
some studies suggest that high VLDL contributes to athlerosclerosis
contain one apo B-100
LDL
cholesterol to non-hepatic tissue
cholesterol-rich core
one apo B-100
clear link between LDL cholesterol and development of athlerosclerosis, reducing LDL halts or even reverses it
“bad cholesterol”
HDL
cholesterol from non-hepatic tissue back to the liver
promote cholesterol removal from the blood
cholesterol is main core lipid
elevated HDL decreases the risk of CHD, protects against athlerosclerosis
A-I, A-II, A-IV
A-I mediates the beneficial effects
“good cholesterol”
athlerosclerosis
LDL initiates by moving into the sub-endothelial space of the arterial epithelium
LDL becomes oxidized
oxidation of LDL causes recruitment of monocytes, which are converted to macrophages
macrophages ingest oxidized LDL, become large and vacuolated, called foam cells
foam cells accumulate below the epithelium, a fatty streak appears
then platelets adhere, smooth muscle migrates and collagen synthesis occurs, forming a fibrous cap
end result is an athlerosclerotic lesion with lipid core and tough fibrous cap
cap can rupture and a thrombus can form and partially or completely block blood flow
what kind of process is athlerosclerosis
inflammatory
what does LDL do in atherosclerosis?
causes mild injury to the arterial endothelium
cholesterol screening
males over 40
females over 50 or post-menopausal
also diabetes heart disease or family history of it hypertension central obesity smoke or recently stopped inflammatory or renal disease
how is cardiovascular risk assessed?
Framingham Risk Score gender age total blood cholesterol smoking status HDL systolic blood pressure
gives 10 year risk
may underestimate youth, women and ppl with metabolic syndrome
metabolic syndrome
3 or more of: central obesity elevated TGs low HDL hyperglycemia hypertension
gives increased risk for CHD and type 2 DM
1 in 4 canadians
non-drug treatment for LDL
first line treatment is lifestyle
diet - less cholesterol and saturated fats, more fiber, plant sterols and stanols
weight control - weight loss lowers LDL and reduces risk of CHD
exercise - CV exercise decreases LDL, insulin resistance, blood pressure and increases HDL
smoking - smoking decreases HDL and increases LDL so should quit (especially important risk factor in ppl under 50)
when is drug treatment given for LDL
when targets arent reached through lifestyle intervention
what are the classes of drugs used to treat elevated blood lipids
statins bile acid sequestrants nicotinic acid cholesterol absorption inhibitors fibric acid derivatives (fibrates)
cholesterol synthesis
mevalonic acid pathway
acetyl-CoA (citric acid cycle) is converted to 3-OH-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG CoA)
HMG CoA is converted to mevalonic acid by HMG CoA reductase rate limiting step
eventually get cholesterol
synthesis is greatest during the night
how do statins work
they inhibit HMG CoA reductase, the rate limiting step of cholesterol synthesis
causes an upregulation of hepatic LDL receptors, so the liver removes more cholesterol from the blood
net effect is decrease in blood LDL levels, increase in HDL and decrease in TGs
are effective in both primary and secondary prevention
primary vs secondary prevention
primary = preventing development of disease
secondary = preventing recurrence
highest prescribed statins
atorvastatin (lipitor) is highest prescribed drug in Canada
rosuvastatin (crestor) is 4th highest in canada
atorvastatin
low oral bioavailability
large fraction of absorbed dose is extracted by the liver (site of action)
distributes primarily to liver, but also spleen, adrenal glands and skeletal muscle
metabolized by CYP3A4
predominantly eliminated in the feces, minimal renal excretion