Lipids

Cholesterol from the food that we eat is absorbed into the body in the form of chylomicrons. An enzyme called lipoprotein lipase acts on these particles to remove fatty acids. The remnant particle (containing the cholesterol) is delivered to the liver. This cholesterol can then leave the liver as biliary cholesterol or be incorporated with triglyceride to form VLDL particles. In the circulation VLDL is converted to IDL and thence to LDL. LDL is the major cholesterol-rich lipoprotein and serves to transport cholesterol to peripheral cells. It is removed from the circulation by LDL receptors. It is also removed from the circulation by non-receptor mediated removal. HDL is responsible for returning cholesterol from the periphery to the liver for excretion (reverse cholesterol transport).

The lipid pathway

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