Chapter 11: Drugs Used in Treating Hyperlipidemia
Human plasma lipids -- transported as protein complexes, lipoproteins
Abnormally high levels of any lipoproteins species called:
hyperlipoproteinemias
hyperlipidemias
hyperlipemia (refers to elevated triglyceride levels only)
Hyperlipidemias: Major clinical consequences
> 50% of coronary heart disease (CHD) in United States is due to abnormal lipoprotein and plasma lipid levels/metabolism
Usually elevated lipoprotein inpatients with CHD results from (in the context of some degree of genetic predisposition):
excess body weight
sedentary lifestyle
diets high in saturated and total fat
Acute pancreatitis (associate with hyperlipidemia)
Lipoprotein: Classification: based on densities -- 5 classes:
chylomicrons
very low-density lipoproteins VLDL
intermediate density lipoproteins IDL
low-density lipoproteins LDL
high-density lipoproteins HDL
Plasma proteins in atherogenesis:
Two forms of Apo B:-- apolipoprotein responsible for cholesterol transported to artery wall

"The two morphologic components are:
The fibrous cap which is sub-endothelial and contains lipid laden macrophages (foam cells), lymphocytes, and smooth muscle cells.
The underlying atheroma "soft center", consisting of masses of lipid, cell debris and foam cells."
Ó 1999 KUMC Pathology and the University of Kansas, used with permission; courtesy of Dr. James Fishback, Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center.
For more information http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/medicine/pathology/ed/
Component: foam cells --macrophages & smooth muscle cells, filled with cholesteryl esters
Factors promoting atherosclerosis development:
Lipoprotein glycation (associated poorly controlled diabetes) promotes foam cell development
Arterial hypertension
Blood pressure control may be useful in prevention stroke/and coronary artery disease
Atheromatous plaque properties:
growth over time (increased foam cell number; collagen & fibrin accumulation)
Lesion calcification may occur
Symptoms due to coronary artery disease may occur abruptly-- sequence:
endothelial cell rupture over active plaques
then platelet activation followed by:
thrombus formation (occlusive thrombosis)

Primary Reference: Malloy, M. J, and Kane, J. P., Agents Used in Hyperlipidemia, in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, (Katzung, B. G., ed) Appleton-Lange, 1998, pp 563-577.
Primary Reference: Ginsberg, H. N and Goldberg, I. J. Disorders of Intermediary Metabolism: Disorders of Lipoprotein Metabolism, In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 14th edition, (Isselbacher, K.J., Braunwald, E., Wilson, J.D., Martin, J.B., Fauci, A.S. and Kasper, D.L., eds) McGraw-Hill, Inc (Health Professions Division), 1998, pp 2138-2149.