ABSTRACT
The circulating lipids include free cholesterol, cholesterol esterified with long-chain fatty acids, triacylglycerols (triglycerides, TG), phospholipids, and unesterified or free fatty acids. Lipids are transported in the blood plasma in the form of lipoproteins. The lipoproteins include:
• Chylomicrons
• Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
• Intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL, beta-VLDL)
• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
• High-density lipoproteins (HDL)
The chemical and physical properties of the lipoproteins
are shown in Table 26.1. This section summarizes biological factors influencing lipid and lipoprotein levels, describes methodology for assays in common clinical use in laboratories or health care facilities, and provides data on the range of normal values.
