HDL & LDL

[Avery]

I was wondering if anyone knows the mechanism by which LDL (low density lipoproteins) can remove cholesterol from HDL. Also, if anyone knows a good place to research this or atherosclerosis in general, that would be helpful.

Thanks

[Revenged]

- cholesterol is taken to liver in chylomicrons
- liver produces VLDL
- VLDL is converted to LDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol is taken back into the liver due to action of lipoprotein lipase
- LDL is reabsorbed into liver...

Therefore VLDL/LDL cholesterol takes cholesterol from the liver to the tissues, which is bad because they can be depositied in the arteries causing atheroma...

Drugs such as statins increase uptake of LDL into the liver and it decreases cholesterol production in the liver... and so the they lower LDL, reduce artheroma formation and so reduces chances of a heart attack...