Cholesterol Medication Panel in Texas

1. CHOLESTEROL SYNTHESIS- STEPS AND REGULATION www.heartoftexaslabs.com

2. CHOLESTEROL INTRODUCTION • Cholesterol is the major sterol in the animal tissues. • Cholesterol is present in tissues and in plasma either as free cholesterol or as a storage form, combined with a long-chain fatty acid as cholesterol ester. • In plasma, both forms are transported in protein steins • Plasma low-density lipo protein (LDL) is the vehicle of uptake of cholesterol and cholesterol ester into many tissues. • Free cholesterol is removed from tissues by plasma high-density lipo protein (HDL) and transported to the liver, where it is eliminated from the body either unchanged or after conversion to bile acids in the process known as reverse cholesterol transport .

3. VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) • The VAP Test uses the most advanced technology that provides the most accurate picture of an individual’s potential for heart disease and diabetes. This information is a great tool for your physician to provide the proper steps in preventing future heart attacks. The VAP Test provides a detailed report of individual lipoprotein subclasses and Apolipoprotein subclasses. This test not only includes the basic cholesterol tests, but also identifies any cholesterol abnormalities that can be a precursor to heart disease or diabetes. This is not a fasting blood test; this gives you flexibility on different appointment times, not just early in the day.

4. STRUCTURE OF CHOLESTEROL • The structure of cholesterol consists of four fused rings (The rings in steroids are denoted by the letters A, B, C, and D.), with the carbons numbered in the sequence, and an eight numbered, and branched hydrocarbon chain attached to the D ring. • Cholesterol contains two angular methyl groups: the C-19 methyl group is attached to C-10, and the C-18 methyl group is attached to C-13. • The C-18 and C-19 methyl groups of cholesterol lie above the plane containing the four rings.

5. STRUCTURE OF CHOLESTEROL Steroids with 8 to 10 carbon atoms in the side chain and an alcohol hydroxyl group at C-3 are classified as sterols. Much of the plasma cholesterol is in the esterified form (with a fatty acid attached at carbon 3), which makes the structure even more hydrophobic.

6. FUNCTIONS OF CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol is the most abundant sterol in humans and performs a number of essential functions. For example- • It is a major constituent of the plasma membrane and of plasma lipoproteins. • It is a precursor of bile salts, • It is a precursor of steroid hormones that include adreno cortical hormones, sex hormones, placental hormones etc • Also a precursor of vitamin D, cardiac glycosides, Sitosterol of the plant kingdom, and some alkaloids. • It is required for the nerve transmission. Cholesterol is widely distributed in all cells of the body but particularly abundant in nervous tissue.

7. SOURCES OF CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol is derived from • diet • synthesis and from the hydrolysis of cholesterol esters. • A little more than half the cholesterol of the body arises by synthesis (about 700 mg/d), and the remainder is provided by the average diet. • The liver and intestine account for approximately 10% each of total synthesis in humans. • Virtually all tissues containing nucleated cells are capable of cholesterol synthesis, which occurs in the endo plasmic reticulum and the cytolysis

8. VARIATION OF SERUM CHOLESTEROL LEVELS • The normal serum cholesterol concentration ranges between 150- 220 mg/dl High cholesterol concentration is found in- • Diabetes mellitus • Nephrotic syndrome • Obstructive jaundice • Familial hyper cholesterolemia • Biliary cirrhosis • Hypothyroidism

9. Order Tests Online Visit a local Lab Get Results Online 5174 W. Waco Drive Waco, TX, 76710 (254)633-2770