EGGS AND CHOLESTEROL – GOOD AND HARM

Eggs can be found in any kitchen of the world. The Chinese use them to prepare the well-known egg noodles, Australians – in all sorts of desserts and baking. Finns add a hard-boiled and finely chopped egg to nettle soup, and Chileans add it to their favorite empanadas meat dish.

Eggs can be found in any kitchen of the world. The Chinese use them to prepare the well-known egg noodles, Australians – in all sorts of desserts and baking. Finns add a hard-boiled and finely chopped egg to nettle soup, and Chileans add it to their favorite empanadas meat dish.

Boiled and fried eggs are one of the most popular breakfast items in our country. Eggs contain eight essential amino acids, protein and vitamins. However, despite such a rich composition, their usefulness is often questioned.

This is due to the high concentration of cholesterol contained in them. It is certainly impossible to deny, but to understand how great such harm is, it is necessary to sort out this issue in more detail. Few know what cholesterol is. However, ignorance does not prevent the majority from considering it as an extremely harmful and dangerous for health substance. In fact, cholesterol is very important for our body. It is part of the cell membranes, ensuring their density and thereby protecting intracellular structures from the effects of free radicals; participates in the process of digestion, without it the full functioning of the liver, the formation of bile is not possible; involved in the synthesis of male and female sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone); helps the adrenal glands produce cortisol; ensures the normal functioning of the brain’s serotonin receptors. Violations of cholesterol concentration in the blood lead to a weakening of the immune system.

Mostly cholesterol is produced by the body independently (about 75-80%), the remaining 20-25% comes from food, and therefore the level of cholesterol can deviate to one side or the other, depending on the diet. Conventionally, “bad” (in conjunction with lipoproteinaminase density) and “good” (combined with high-density lipoproteins) cholesterol are isolated, but in fact it has a single composition and a single structure, and its properties are determined by the transport protein to which it will join.

With an increased concentration of low-density lipoproteins, there is a danger of cholesterol precipitating on the walls of blood vessels and the formation of so-called plaques covering the lumen of a blood vessel, increasing the risk of developing associated diseases. High-density lipoproteins clear the walls of blood vessels from “bad” cholesterol and send it for processing to the liver.

It should be noted that individual genetic characteristics, lifestyle and food ration significantly affect the “behavior” of the body and it begins to adjust the synthesis of cholesterol, depending on how much it comes from the outside.

Nutrition plays, though not a key role in the mechanism of the dynamics of cholesterol in the blood, but it still has a significant effect on it. What type of lipoprotein it goes into can be said depending on the parallel-eaten foods and metabolic peculiarities.

So, for example, a product in itself rich in cholesterol (egg, shrimp), eaten with fatty foods (mayonnaise, sausages, etc.) is more likely to cause an increase in LDL levels. The same effect will be if a person inherits a defective gene, in the presence of which the same result will occur, even if along the way nothing fat was used.

Thus, cholesterol in itself does not cause serious concern, until it accumulates in the body in high concentrations, eating foods that contain a lot of cholesterol automatically reduces the production of its own to compensate for the incoming.

Despite the presence in the yolk of significant amounts of cholesterol, eggs contain a lot of protein (about 5.5 g in one egg), the high nutritional value of eggs is due to the presence of amino acids necessary for various biological processes, which play an important role in maintaining the normal functioning of the body, and provitamin A, vitamins B2, B5; B12, E, D, folic acid, phosphorus, lecithin, choline, lutein, iodine, biotin, iron, selenium makes them truly useful.

So, taking into account all the pros and cons of this product, it is not recommended to include more than 1 egg per day in the diet. If the level of cholesterol in the body is elevated, it is better to limit yourself to 2-3 eggs per week or to avoid consuming yolks.

Do not forget about the dangerous conditions that can occur when excessive or improper use of chicken eggs:

Salmonella infection (when eating raw eggs and when the technology of cooking dishes from them is not followed);

excessive cholesterol in the blood (excessive consumption of eggs, especially without taking into account the initial level of cholesterol in the blood); the development of an allergic reaction, especially in children (the use of eggs without taking into account the individual sensitivity of the body).

And remember, a balanced diet combined with adequate physical activity is a guarantee of health and longevity.

Large (bodily) circle of blood circulation.

Large (bodily) circle of blood circulation.

The large (bodily) circulation of blood serves to deliver nutrients and oxygen to all organs and tissues of the body and remove metabolic products and carbon dioxide from them. It begins in the left ventricle of the heart, from which the aorta extends, which carries arterial blood. Arterial blood contains nutrients and oxygen necessary for the vital functions of the body, and has a bright scarlet color. The aorta forks into arteries that go to all organs and tissues of the body and pass into the thickness of the arterioles and further into the capillaries. The capillaries, in turn, are collected in the venules and further into the veins. Through the wall of capillaries, metabolism and gas exchange occur between the blood and body tissues. The arterial blood flowing in the capillaries gives off nutrients and oxygen and in return receives metabolic products and carbon dioxide (tissue respiration). As a result, the blood entering the venous bed is poor in oxygen and rich in carbon dioxide and therefore has a dark color – venous blood; in case of bleeding, it is possible to determine by blood color whether the artery or vein is damaged. The veins merge into two large trunks – the upper and lower hollow veins, which flow into the right atrium. This part of the heart ends with a large (bodily) circle of blood circulation. In addition to the large circle, there is a third (heart) circulation that serves the heart itself. It begins with the coronary arteries of the heart emerging from the aorta and ends with the veins of the heart. The latter merge into the coronary sinus, which flows into the right atrium, and the small veins open into the atrial cavity directly.

Regional blood circulation. The total circulatory system with its large and small circles of blood circulation functions differently in different areas and organs of the body, depending on the nature of their function and functional needs at the moment. Therefore, besides the general circulation, there are local, or regional (from the Latin. Regio – region), blood circulation. It is carried out by trunk and organ vessels, which have their own special structure in each separate organ. To understand the regional circulation of blood matters the correct understanding of the microcirculation of blood.

Circulatory system

Circulatory system

The small (pulmonary) circulation serves to enrich the blood with oxygen in the lungs. It begins in the right ventricle, where all the venous blood that enters the right atrium passes through the right atrioventricular (atrioventricular) opening. From the right ventricle comes the pulmonary trunk, which, approaching the lungs, is divided into the right and left pulmonary arteries.

The latter branch into the lungs into arteries, arterioles, precapillaries, and capillaries. In capillary nets that interweave pulmonary vesicles, the blood gives up carbon dioxide and receives in exchange a new supply of oxygen (pulmonary respiration). Oxidized blood becomes scarlet again and becomes arterial. The oxygen-rich arterial blood flows from the capillaries into the venules and the veins, which, merging into four pulmonary veins (but two on each side), flow into the left atrium.

In the left atrium, the small (pulmonary) circulatory circuit ends, and the arterial blood that enters the atrium passes through the left atrioventricular orifice into the left ventricle, where the great circulation begins.

Reptiles

Reptiles

In reptiles with a final exit to land and the development of a pulmonary type of respiration, completely displacing the branchial branch, the further development of the pulmonary circulation occurs, so that 2 circles of circulation develop: pulmonary and corporal. Accordingly, the ventricle begins to divide the incomplete septum into two sections – the right and left ventricles. In birds, mammals and humans, there is a complete separation of the heart by a septum into 2 ventricles, respectively, in two circles of blood circulation. Because of this, they have completely separated venous and arterial blood: the venous blood flows into the right heart, and the arterial blood flows to the left.

By the nature of the circulating fluid, the vascular system of humans and vertebrates can be divided into two sections: 1) the circulatory system — a system of tubes through which blood circulates (arteries, veins, microcirculatory sections and the heart), and 2) the lymphatic system — a system of tubes, but which is moving colorless liquid – lymph. In the arteries, blood flows from the heart to the periphery, to the organs and tissues, and in the veins to the heart.

The movement of fluid in the lymphatic vessels occurs in the same way as in the veins, in the direction from the tissues to the center. There are, however, significant differences between the nature of the discharge of substances by the venous and lymphatic vessels. Dissolved substances are absorbed mainly by the blood vessels, solids – lymphatic. Absorption through the blood is much faster. In the clinic, the entire system of blood vessels is called cardiovascular, in which the heart and blood vessels are isolated.

Vascular system.

Vascular system.

The vascular system is a system of tubes through which fluids (blood and lymph) circulate through them, on the one hand, supplying the nutrients necessary for them to the cells and tissues of the body, on the other hand, removal of the waste products of cellular elements and transferring of these products to the excretory organs (kidneys). In the intestinal cavity, the digestive cavity gives numerous outgrowths from itself, which facilitates the delivery of nutrients to certain parts of the body. But already in nemertin (a subtype of worms) there appear three separate blood vessels. The lancelet has a closed circulatory system, which is, however, still devoid of heart; the movement of the colorless blood of the lancelet is caused by the pulsation of the vessels themselves. In the circulatory system of vertebrates, the heart appears as a pulsating organ, gradually becoming more complex in its structure during phylogenesis.

The heart of fish consists of two chambers: the blood receptor – the atria, in front of which is the venous sinus, sinus venosus, and the expulsion – the ventricle, followed by the arterial cone, conus arteriosus. Through the whole heart venous blood flows, which flows further through the gill arteries to the gills, where it is enriched with oxygen (gill breathing). In amphibians, due to the beginning of the emergence from water and the emergence along with the gill and pulmonary type of respiration, the formation of the pulmonary circulation begins: the pulmonary artery develops from the last gill artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs, where gas exchange takes place. In this regard, the perceiving part of the heart – the atrium – is divided by a septum into two separate atria (right and left), as a result of which the heart becomes three-chambered. At the same time, venous blood flows in the right atrium, arterial blood flows in the left, and mixed blood in the common ventricle. In the larval state, the gill blood circulation functions, in the adult – pulmonary circulation, which reflects the beginning of the transition from the aquatic environment to the air.

Lipids of blood and dyslipidemia

Atherosclerosis of the heart vessels is handled by cardiologists, brain vessels – neurologists ( angioneurologists ), atherosclerosis of the aorta, arteries of the lower extremities – vascular surgeons. In the diagnosis of atherosclerosis, a large role belongs to the instrumentalists who own methods of duplex scanning of vessels, electrocardiography, radiography (magnetic resonance imaging, angiography, contrast research methods, positron emission tomography).

Thus, there are no universal specialists on this issue. There are doctors who are well-versed in the issues of atherosclerosis of one or another vascular region, but in matters of biochemistry of lipids they often have amateurish knowledge. In connection with the above, it becomes clear that patients with atherosclerosis require amultidisciplinary approach and in most cases should be supervised collegially by physicians of different profiles.

To reveal the latent forms of IHD, the samples from the population were sampled on a treadmill and a bicycle ergometer with scrupulous study of ECG features.

The subsequent long-term work at the Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences forced to face patients with cerebrovascular disease (CEH).And at them on the first place as the reason of illness acted an atherosclerosis and an arterial hypertensia (AH). This meant the need to delve into the questions of duplex scanning of brachiocephalic arteries, analyze the results of magnetic resonance angiography of cerebral vessels, the data of positron emission tomography of the brain, not to mention the study of the lipid profile of blood in these patients.

In parallel, for many years, we had to be clinically examined for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, along with geneticists from the Institute of Experimental Medicine

All this allowed us to gain experience that combined individual problems of cardiology, angioedema , lipidology , genetics, to study the clinical, genetic and clinical-biochemical features of patients with dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis.

The concept of lipids, the classification of dyslipidemia

Lipids – fat-like compounds – are part of the blood plasma; for normal functioning they are necessary for every cell of the body. The concept of ” dyslipidemia ” (DLP) appeared in medical literature in the last quarter of the 20th century. Until this time, when describing the lipid composition of the blood, they were most often referred to as ” hyperlipidemia ” (GLP), ie,   that is, o   high cholesterol (CH) or triglycerides (TG). About other deviations from the norm in the lipid composition of the blood at that time was little known.

In addition to cholesterol and TG, lipids include phospholipids (PL) and free (non-esterified) fatty acids (FFA).

ChS, TG, FL in the aqueous medium, which is the blood, are insoluble. To circulate in the plasma (and in these compounds almost all cells are constantly in need), the lipids must have acquired the ability to dissolve in the aquatic environment. This was possible after the combination of cholesterol, TG and PL into complexes with proteins, resulting in the formation of lipoprotein particles – lipoproteins or lipoproteins.

FFA is easier to transport, because they are easily combined with blood albumins and are transferred with them.

J. Gofman et al . (1949) proposed a classification of lipoproteins depending on their behavior in a solution of a certain density under ultracentrifugation . Since that time, lipoproteins (LP) have been divided into classes: chylomicra (CM)   – the largest and least dense particles, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL). These physical properties of LPs reflect the features of their chemical structure.

The LP particle has a spherical shape, its core is formed by cholesterol- esters and TG, and its environment is made up of molecules of phospholipids and free cholesterol. One end of these molecules is apolarized and facing the nucleus, the other (outer) end of the molecule has a charge, so that it is immediately surrounded by polar water molecules, due to which the LP particles acquire solubility in the aqueous medium, transportability and the ability to be delivered to any cell.

We present a schematic representation of a low density lipoprotein particle – LDL

Apo B-100 is a protein particle, phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters and unesterified cholesterol are also shown .

Different density of LPs is explained by unequal relations between the content of cholesterol, TG and PL in LP particles, as well as by the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the specialized proteins, apoproteins, that make up them .

The largest LPs are chylomicrons with a diameter of 80 to 1000 nanomycrons , 95% of which consist of TG and have the lowest density, they remain at the start with electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel.

VLDL have a diameter of 30-80 nanomecrons and 60   % consist of TG, contain up to 15   % XC- esters and the same amount of PL, their apoproteins ( apoB , apoS ,apoE ) are 5-7%, with the key protein being apoprotein B-100.

LDL are formed from VLDL under the influence of enzymes, their diameter is less – 20-25 nanomycrons , 40   %   they consist of HS- esters , at 25   % – fromapoproteins , and their main apoprotein – apoprotein B-100 (is 95   %), in small amounts in LDL there are apoproteins apos and apoE . LDL also contain some free cholesterol and 6   % TG. LDL are the main transporter of cholesterol from the liver to the periphery.

Not so long ago, LDLs began to differentiate into separate subfractions (the most atherogenic are small, dense particles), the same applies to VLDL [R Krauss , 1995;Yu.I. Ragino , 2004].

HDL are characterized by the smallest diameter (13 nanomecrons ) and 45   % consist of proteins. The key protein of HDL is apoprotein A-I, it is 65   %, 20   % ofapoproteins represent A-II. The composition of HDL is 20   % Of HS- esters and PL. The main function of HDL is the delivery of cholesterol from the periphery (from the surface of somatic cells) to the liver. At present, several subfractions of HDL (depending on the degree of their maturity) are distinguished : HDL- 2a , HDL-2b and HDL-3, their functional differences are not fully understood.

The most important mission of HDL is not only the capture of cholesterol on the periphery and its transfer to the liver, but also the protection of LDL from peroxidation. It is known that LDL acquire atherogenicity only after its modification (peroxidation and other changes). These most important properties of HDL are proved by the work of AN Klimov and his colleagues and won universal recognition. Since that time, the definition of an antiatherogenic fraction of lipids has been fixed for HDL.

It is necessary to mention separately one more thing about the special fraction of LP-LP (a). It includes LDL, in which apo B-100 is connected by a disulfide bridge with a special protein – apo (a), homologous to plasmin [B. Nordesgaard et al ., 2011]. The elevated plasma content of lipoprotein (a) leads to its accumulation in the vascular wall and is complicated quite quickly by atherosclerosis.

It is necessary to distinguish   primary and secondary GLP.   As for secondary HLP, they are symptomatic and are caused by a certain initial disease. Most often it is diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, chronic nephrosis- nephritis or biliary cirrhosis. In most people, GLP can be induced artificially, if the daily diet includes excessive amounts of eggs and animal fats (alimentary GLP). We do not dwell on secondary GLP here.

Under   primary GLP (DLP)   implies genetically caused violations of the lipid composition of the blood, in the genesis of which a greater or lesser role can still play the features of nutrition, physical conditions, and certain concomitant diseases.

Classification of the GLF Frederickson   [D. Fredrickson & R. Lees , 1965] distinguishes 6 types of GLP:   I type – hyperhylomicronemia ,   at which the blood serum acquires a milky white color due to a large number of chylomicrons containing many TG (up to 800-1000   mg / dL and more). When the tube with blood is standing in the refrigerator, XM float up, so that the upper third of the tube forms a creamy layer. Type I GLP is rare, manifested from early childhood, accompanied by severe pancreatitis and hepatolenal syndrome.

IIa type      hypercholesterolemia (HCS)   – characterized by a sharply increased content of LDL, while the content of TG remains normal; at   IIb type (HCS in combination with moderate hypertriglyceridemia )   there is a high level of blood cholesterol, but at the same time the content of not only LDL cholesterol but also cholesterol is increased.

A distinctive feature of type III HLP is a very high level of both cholesterol and TG, as well as the presence of beta-fraction of VLDL.   This fraction of lipoproteins behaves at electrophoresis as LDL, and with ultracentrifugation – like VLDL [A. N. Klimov, N.G. Nikulcheva , 1999]. This type of GLP leads to widespread atherosclerosis, affecting the aorta and most of its branches, so that it can be characterized by aortic aneurysm, intermittent claudication syndrome, ischemic heart and brain disease.

IIa and IIL types of HLP occur in 15-20   % of the adult population in Europe and the US, patients with type III HLP are very rare.

IV type of GLP   is relatively widespread and is mainly manifested by hypertriglyceridemia (significantly increases the level of VLDL); this type of GLP can be complicated by cerebrovascular disease and / or coronary heart disease. Very often in these cases, a violation of tolerance to carbohydrates, and often diabetes mellitus type 2.

Occasionally you can face V   type of GLP.   On the composition of the blood, it resembles type I GLP, but the degree of CGM is less. This pathology is onlydeveloped to 35-40 years and is also characterized by hepatolienal syndrome (although less pronounced than in type I), pancreatitis, and impaired glucose tolerance or type II diabetes mellitus.

Since the end of the 20th century, it became clear that the classification of Fredrickson does not exhaust the whole variety of violations of the lipid composition of the blood, based on the definition of XM, XC, TG, LDL, VLDL. Increasingly, they began to describe such forms of DLP, in which there is no increase in lipid levels, but a decrease in the content of HDL is detected (according to old terminology – alpha lipoproteins). As mentioned above, HDL is the only form of LP, aimed at capturing cholesterol from the surface of peripheral cells and transporting it to the liver for further “processing”. As it turned out, the deficit of HDL is conducive to the retention of cholesterol in the tissues,   it leads to the development of atherosclerosis without HCS.

This form of DLP – a selectively low level of HDL in the absence of GLP – is quite common. This means that a more general definition of lipid lipid abnormalities – DLP – is more correct than GLP, since it covers all variants of these disorders. Thus, Fredrickson’s phenotypic classification should be supplemented by another type of lipid content disorder :   selective lowering of the level of HDL ( hypoalphalipino-proteinemia ).

If we use the term   ” Atherogenicity “   in relation to the types of DLP, that is,   that is, the ability to be complicated by atherosclerosis, the third type of HLP should be considered the most atherogenic, then the Pa, IIL types of HLP (DLP) and the low level of HDL cholesterol (selective reduction of the alpha fraction of lipoproteins) occupy almost equal positions; Step IV is below the type of GLP, and the last place is occupied by the V type.

I type of GLP is not taken into account here,   c. in   mainly found in children and is associated not with heart lesions, but other internal organs (pancreas, liver, spleen).

It should be noted that although such large lipid particles as VLDL characteristic of IV and V types of GLP are not able to penetrate through the interendothelialspaces into the inner shell of the vessels, but after enzymatic cleavage they are transformed into smaller particles – remnants , which too can infiltrate into the intima vessels.

Standard guidelines for lipid composition of blood

It is necessary to distinguish between the norm of lipid parameters characteristic of a healthy person and the target level of the same indicators that should be sought in patients with clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis or with a complex of risk factors for IHD or CEH. In these latter cases, the approach to lipid standards should be more stringent, otherwise it will be difficult to stop the progression of the disease.

When talking about normal blood lipids in healthy people, you also need to take into account gender, age, blood pressure, the Quetelet index , the habit of smoking , hereditary complication of atherosclerosis and its complications. If there are several risk factors for atherosclerosis in an even healthy person, the approach to the lipid profile should also be more stringent. Thus, in healthy, but smoking men with hereditary burden of IHD, leading a sedentary lifestyle, with excessive body weight, blood lipid levels should be more stringent than in a healthy person without these risk factors.

Women, if they do not smoke and do not suffer from diabetes, are much less prone to atherosclerosis, so they will admit a higher level of blood lipids.

With this in mind, the normal limits of lipid blood counts can be defined as “sliding.”

Take, for example, a healthy non-smoker, a man of 40 years of age, of a regular physique (height 180   cm, body weight – 82   kg), leading an active lifestyle, without a hereditary burden of atherosclerosis. For him, the following parameters may be considered normal: total cholesterol – 5.2 mmol / l, TG – 1.3 mmol / l and HDL-C – 1.3mmol / l, LDL – 3.2 mmol / l, wherein the ratio of atherogenic will be 3 units.   . In this series of indicators, only HDL cholesterol corresponds to the ideal norm for a middle-aged man. For patients with risk factors for IHD or CEH or with manifestations of these diseases, it is desirable to have a lower level of total cholesterol than indicated in the previous example,   e. in the presence of signs of atherosclerosis and its complications, lower LDL cholesterol and the atherogeniccoefficient should be achieved .

In women, as indicated, the upper limit of the norm for total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol is higher than in men, but they should have a lower limit for the anti-atherogenic fraction of LP (HDL-C), which is defined as 53   mg / dl or 1.35 mmol / l (in men, this figure should be not less than 1.05 mmol / l or 41   mg / dL ).

In the last decade, lipid and other biochemical indices in millimoles / liter have been estimated , although in the English literature, the concentration of lipids in plasma is still often indicated in mg / dL. There are coefficients of transfer of some units to others. To translate the cholesterol values ​​from mg / dl into mmol / l, their value should be divided by 39, for example, 250   mg / dl corresponds to 5.4 mmol / l (if reverse translation is required, then the cholesterol content in mmol / L should be multiplied by 39). When translating TG from one calculation to another, the coefficient “89” is used. Values ​​of VLDL (Ch VLDL) and LDL (LDL-C) are derived by calculations after biochemical determination of total cholesterol, TG and HDL cholesterol.

If the TG value is given in mg / dl , one-fifth of the TG is taken to obtain the VLDL value: for example, at TG = 250   mg / dL value of VLDL = 50   mg / dl. If the TG determination was carried out in mmol / l, then the fission factor is “2.2,” ie,   ie at TG = 2.8 mmol / l – VLDL content = 1.3 mmol / l.

To calculate the content of LDL (more precisely, LDL cholesterol), it is necessary to subtract the sum of HDL cholesterol and cholesterol LP from the value of total cholesterol. Thus, for a general XC = 250   mg / dL , HDL cholesterol = 40   mg / dL and VLDL cholesterol = 50   mg / dL Calculation of LDL cholesterol is as follows: 250 – (40 + 50) = 160   mg / dl. In calculations in mmol / l, if the total cholesterol content is 6.4 mmol / L, HDL cholesterol = 1.03 mmol / L, and VLDLP cholesterol 1.3 mmol / L, then LDL cholesterol is 6.4 – (1.03 + 1.3) = 4.1 mmol / l.

To assess the atherogenicity of the lipid spectrum of blood, it is convenient to use an additional criterion – the coefficient of atherogenicity . Calculation of this coefficient according to AN Klimov is very simple: we need to take the difference between the values ​​of total cholesterol and cholesterol and cholesterol and divide it by the HDL cholesterol. For example, with a total cholesterol level of 6.4 mmol / L and a cholesterol ratio of 1.03 mmol / L, the atherogenicity coefficient is calculated as a fraction with a difference (6.4-1.03) in the numerator and 1.03 in the denominator, which will be expressed as 5.2 units. Normally, this figure should not exceed 2.5 units.

Mechanisms of development of primary GLP or DLP

Modern ideas about the mechanism of the development of hyperlipidemia would have been impossible without the brilliant works of J. Goldstein & M. Brown (1974-1977), for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize 1985   in

The authors discovered the main pathway for the cellular uptake of LDL: they described specialized LDL receptors that can be incorporated into the membranes of liver and other somatic cells and actively capture LDL from their blood washing. These receptors are synthesized in cellular organelles, transported to the surface of the cell membrane, where, by capturing LDL, they form the “LDL-LDL receptor” complex. With the help of a special transport protein, the newly formed complex moves from the cell membrane inwards, to its organoids, and undergoes processing and utilization therein.

The synthesis of LDL receptors is a self-regulating process. If the cell is in need of cholesterol, the synthesis of LDL receptors is stimulated, and if there is no need for cholesterol in a given time period in the cell, the synthesis of LDL receptors is inhibited or terminated. In other words, the number of LDL receptors on the surface of cells is not constant and depends on the saturation of the CS cell. This is how the physiological process of cholesterol metabolism proceeds with the normal functioning of LDL receptors, intracellular transport proteins that move the LDL receptors to the cell membrane, and the “LDL + LDL” receptor complexes, transported from the membrane to the interior of the cell.

If the synthesis of LDL receptors or the proteins that transport them is disrupted, problems will arise with the capture of LDL from the peripheral blood, which will result in the accumulation of LDL in the blood plasma, ie , will cause HCS.

It should be noted that the normal uptake of LDL by their receptors is only ensured if the structure of the LDL itself is correct. If the LDL structure turns out to be wrong (nonstandard), then the connection with normal receptors is extremely difficult, which will also lead to HCS.

It is necessary to touch here and antiatherogenic fraction of lipids – HDL, which are synthesized in the liver and in the wall of the small intestine. The newly synthesized ( nascent ) HDL are disc-shaped and contain only unesterified or free cholesterol. Under the action of the enzyme lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LHAT), free cholesterol in these particles is converted to esterified . As the cholesterol is esterified, the HDL particles mature and assume a spherical shape, after which they are designated as HDL-2 and HDL-3. Only at this stage, the HDL acquire the ability to take the cholesterol from the peripheral cells and transport it to the liver.

With a sufficient number of normally functioning HDL particles and a physiological process of entrapping these particles with the liver (in harmony with properly functioning LDL receptors) , a normal cholesterol exchange is provided between the liver, blood plasma and peripheral tissues.

Types of genetically determined dyslipidemia

All primary DLPs have a genetically determined nature. However, it is necessary to differentiate the classical family forms of HCV or DLP (monogenic GLP)and such forms of HCV or DLP that are associated only with a hereditary predisposition to this pathology (polygenic DLP). The development of the latter largely depends on environmental factors – nutritional conditions, physical activity, certain concomitant diseases (metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, etc.).

Classical family forms of DLP (monogenic), as a rule, appear from childhood, when one or both parents bear the “main” mutant gene for this pathology. A similar gene plays a leading role in the “ensemble” of genes involved in the exchange of lipoproteins. These genes are designed to regulate the production and structure of one of the core lipoproteins (LP) or the structure and function of specialized lipoprotein receptors, or protein transporters, sometimes enzymes that perform their synthesis or cleavage.

The mutant gene is often transmitted from one of the parents, i.e. , the defect is of a heterozygous character Much less common are cases where a mutant gene is inherited from both parents, that is , the defect has a homozygous nature. In this case, the pathology manifests itself in early childhood and proceeds very hard.

To understand the laws of inheritance, one must imagine that for some genetic defects, dominant inheritance is characteristic for others – recessive. Passed to the heir, the dominant gene sooner or later will manifest itself, although it is inherited from one of the parents. The recessive gene manifests itself as a violation in full force if it is inherited from both parents. If the recessive gene is transmitted to the offspring only from one of the parents, then the heir becomes only the carrier of the pathological gene. For such a gene to manifest itself clinically, a “conjugal meeting” of this person with another carrier (carrier) of the same recessive gene is necessary. Only then in a part of their descendants the disease manifests itself clinically. Homozygous “heirs” in such families are born with a frequency of 25          %, heterozygous – (carriers of one mutant gene) – with a frequency of 50 %, finally, 25 % of offspring in such a marriage can not get a pathological gene and does not differ from individuals from a healthy population.

We present figure 2 (schematic diagram of the hereditary transmission of familial HCV), which shows the path of transmission of a heterozygous dominant mutation (male faces are designated by squares, female faces are circles). Carriers of the mutant gene of the family HCS in this figure have a two-color characteristic.

In families where one of the parents has a dominant mutant gene (causing HCS), and the second parent has a healthy set of genes, the probability of inheriting a pathological dominant gene, as mentioned, is 50   %. In other words, half of the descendants in such a marriage can expect the birth of ” heterozygotes ” with family HCV.

So, primary DLP can be caused by one “main” mutant gene (monogenic family DLP), and the mutations of this gene may be different, that is , they are heterogeneous.

In most cases, birefringence is the primary consequence of the interaction of several nucleotide polymorphisms in the ensemble of secondary polygenes , involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism.    it   polygenic DLP in families with a hereditary predisposition to DLP, to which unfavorable environmental factors (for example, excess animal fats and cholesterol in the diet, etc.) or aggravating co-morbidities (metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity) are added.

If the appearance of DLP with monogenic family inheritance is unavoidable, the development of DLP with the inheritance of nucleotide polymorphisms does not necessarily occur.

Monogenic (Family) WCT

Let us first consider specific types of monogenic DLPs.

For our latitudes, the most common family HCS is due to deficiency or defect in LDL receptors in liver and other somatic cells or their low functional activity (due to structural defect). The consequence of this is the accumulation of LDL particles, the main carriers of cholesterol, in the circulating blood.

With relatively frequent heterozygous forms of familial HCV (1 case per 500 population), the blood cholesterol level in these individuals usually ranges from 8-10 mmol / l (350-500 mg / dl ). In rare cases of homozygous familial HCV (1 case per 1 million inhabitants), the blood cholesterol level reaches 15-20 mmol / l (650-1000 mg / dL ).

The nucleotide chain of the gene for the LDL receptor consists of approximately 45,000 nucleotides. It is necessary to assume that in its construction the probability of “error” or mutation is quite high, and these “failures” can occur in different parts of the nucleotide chain, are able to “fix” and be inherited. About 1500 variants of mutations leading to familial HCV and causing disruption of the activity of LDL receptors are described.

One of the variants of this mutation is quite widespread among the Eastern European Jews – “Ashkenazi”, whose ancestors were from Lithuania, because of what the mutation was called “Lithuanian”. Interestingly, among the Jews of Spanish descent – long-established inhabitants of the Mediterranean ( Sephardic Jews ) – a “Lithuanian” mutation is not found.

Among French-Canadians and residents of South Africa with Dutch roots, the frequency of this disease is very high (1 case per 100-300 people), which was called the “effect of the founder.” This is explained by the fact that in a relatively limited population there are mainly only “internal” marriages, that is , this ethnic group almost does not mix with the wider population, which increases the chance of genetically determined pathology.

Mutations of familial HCV associated with a defect in the gene for LDL receptors arise in one of the genetic loci of the 19th chromosome.

Another variant of familial HCG is characterized by a breakdown in the structure of apoprotein B-100, a key protein of LDL. In this case, normal LDL receptors poorly recognize LDL and bind to them poorly, since apo B-100 is a ligand (linker) of LDL receptors. The gene that controls the structure of apo B-100 is located in the 2 nd chromosome. The mutation of this gene entails a defect apo B-100, which will lead to a bad evacuation of LDL from the circulating blood. This is another version of the family HCH. This type of mutation is most often found among peoples inhabiting the countries of Western Europe.

Both described variants of familial HCC have the character of dominant mutations.

A third (rare) species of familial HCV is described, which is autosomal recessive (ARH). The mutation was discovered in one Lebanese family and was called “Lebanese”. The mutation is localized in one of the genes of the 1 st chromosome. This gene is “responsible” for the synthesis of the transport protein that carries the LDL + LDL receptor complex from the surface of the hepatic cells inwards to the organoids that must be utilized for LDL. If the transport protein is not capable of transferring the LDL + LDL receptor complexes into the cell, they accumulate on the membrane and block further LDL binding. A consequence of this will be a delay in LDL in peripheral blood, i.e. HCS.

Recently opened one more – the 4th       type of monogenic autosomal dominant mutation, also leading to familial HCV. This is the result of a mutation in one of the genes of the 1 st chromosome, which controls the synthesis of the enzyme ” subtilisin-kexin- type 9 -protein-convertase ,” designated as PCSK-9. Depending on the nature of its structure, this enzyme can either inhibit or stimulate the activity of LDL receptors. In the case where PCSK-9 is produced with increased affinity for LDL receptors, the activity of these receptors will be inhibited, which will lead to HCS.

Interestingly, the mutation of this enzyme may also be directly opposite to that described above. As a result, the affinity of PCSK-9 for LDL receptors will decrease, they (LDL receptors) will be very active, which will cause a decrease in the level of LDL and cholesterol. In this case, we can talk about a mutation with a positive sign, which will provide resistance to the development of atherosclerosis.

There is also a monogenic mutation associated not with GLP, but with dyslipidemia (DLP) without HCS, leading to widespread atherosclerosis due to the very low content of anti-atherogenic fraction – HDL in blood plasma. This rare endemic disease is the Tangier disease, which is common in one of the islands in the Western Atlantic. The disease develops as a result of a homozygous mutation of a gene located in the 9th chromosome and encoding the synthesis of the transport protein ABCA-1. This protein serves as a specialized intracellular carrier of free cholesterol to the key apoprotein of HDL – apo    A1. If an ABCA deficiency occurs in the body, the formation of mature, functionally active forms of HDL is blocked. In addition to the shortage of transport protein (ABCA-1), the content of the A-1 and A-II apoproteins , the key HDL proteins, is also significantly reduced when Tangier disease , without which their synthesis is impossible.

Deficiency of HDL-3 and HDL-2 dramatically reduces the reverse transport of cholesterol from the surface of peripheral cells to the liver. Cholesterol is delayed in tissues, including accumulation in the vascular wall, which leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, although HCS does not develop in this case.

In the literature, other homozygous mutations associated with defects in other sterol transport proteins are described , such as ABCG-5, ABCG-8. With the broken structure of these proteins, the release of sterols from cells is greatly hindered [K. Berge et al ., 2000].

As a rule, such defects are accompanied by increased absorption of plant sterols [J. Horton et al ., 2002], which leads to sitosterolemia , although HCS is absent. Since the necessary protein carriers of sterols are small, the ability of the sterols to be released in the body, which gradually accumulates in the liver, is impaired. This entails suppressing the synthesis of LDL receptors, which in the future can also cause HCS.

Dyslipidemic states characterized by a selective decrease in HDL level (without HCV and without GTG) are quite common in all regions of the world, although they are not related to Tangier disease. When heterozygous carriers of the defective gene ABCA-1 Tangier disease does not develop, but the HDL-fraction content is clearly reduced, which makes these people vulnerable to atherosclerosis [MU Mandelstam, VB Vasiliev, 2008]. Even one pathological allele of the gene that controls the synthesis of the protein ABCA-1 can have a negative effect on this transport protein and make it insufficiently functional.

In some cases, the deficit of HDL is developed as a result of an anomaly in the structure of the genes controlling the synthesis of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LHAT), the participation of which is necessary for the esterification of free cholesterol. This defect arises as a result of polygenic pathology with a combination of several functionally significant nucleotide polymorphisms (in several genetic loci).

Another monogenic (genetically determined) recessive defect is the cause of a rare form of dyslipidemia – abetalipoproteinemia . In this type of DLP, the synthesis of apoprotein B is disrupted , the formation of LDL particles is sharply inhibited and the level of cholesterol and blood TG is reduced. Although in this case the soil for the development of atherosclerosis disappears, serious violations from the central and peripheral nervous system develop, since the extreme deficiency of LDL primarily affects trophic nerve cells and their processes.

Of the other little-known monogenic defects associated with the development of DLP, one can point to a mutation in the gene controlling the production of the scavenger- receptors. The function of these cell formations of the liver is to capture the HDL-returning HDLs loaded with cholesterol, which they brought from the periphery. If the function of the scavenger- receptors is disrupted, HDL – PI poorly penetrate the liver, their concentration in the peripheral blood rises, but the function is paralyzed, since they are loaded with cholesterol up to the limit and can no longer perform their anti-atherogenic mission [D. Osgood et al      ., 2003]. The level of total cholesterol is increased. Thus, sometimes you have to deal with patients who have a lot of HDL, but functionally they are inactive. In other words, there are individuals with a high content of HDL particles, and their protection from atherosclerosis is at a very low level.

A similar situation occurs with genetically determined triglyceridylase deficiency , which does not cleave TG, does not release HDL from them, which greatly inhibits the anti-atherogenic function of these particles [R. Hegele et al ., 1991].

The poor performance of HDL can be associated not only with their deficiency, but with the genetically determined pathology (deficiency) of transport proteins transporting lipids. For example , if transport protein such as CETP lacks (carries cholesterol esters and TG), it is difficult to mobilize esterified cholesterol from HDL, these particles are enlarged, overloaded with cholesterol, and instead of acceptors, cholesterol becomes its donors [ILLUMINATE, 2006]. The concentration of cholesterol in the peripheral blood is up to 70 mg / dl (1.8 mmol / l) and higher. Again, with this example, one can ascertain that the not always high content of the antiatherogenic fraction of lipoproteins (HDL) in      The circulating blood guarantees protection against atherosclerosis. We observed one such patient.

We quote our observation:

Patient S., 65 years old (1995 ). In March 1995 , the patient suffered an acute myocardial infarction on the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle. When examined at home 3 days after a heart attack (the patient refused hospitalization), the patient’s condition is satisfactory, the pulse is 60 beats / min, BP = 140/80 mm Hg. Art. In the anamnesis – many years of hypertension, irregularly taking antihypertensive drugs. In 1980 (at the age of 50) suffered a first myocardial infarction. In May 1995 , when the blood lipid profile was studied, the total CH = 308 mg / dl (7.9 mmol / L), CT = 185 mg / dl (2.1 mmol / L), HDL-CI = 91 mg / dl (2 , 3 mmol              / l), LDL cholesterol = 180 mg / dL (4.6 mmol / L), the atherogenicity coefficient is 2.4 units.

SUMMARY. Despite the very high level of HDL cholesterol (91 mg / dl ) and the normal coefficient of atherogenicity , the patient suffered myocardial infarction twice. There is every reason to assume that the HDL particles in this patient do not fulfill their intended role. These particles are many, but they are functionally, apparently, inferior.

There are other forms of genetically determined dyslipidemia , for example, combined hyperlipidemia , in which the level of both cholesterol and TG is increased. This type of DLP (HLP) results from the mutation of a gene that controls the synthesis of transcriptional DNA, which is described as the Upstream Stimulatory Factor (USF-1). It is also a monogenic mutation, in which the elimination of VLDLP, and hence the TG, from the circulating blood is mainly disturbed. For the first time, this mutation was identified in Finland and, in its heterozygous variant, apparently causes THG in individuals with a metabolic syndrome. The authors who described this mutation [P. Pajukanta et al        ., 2004], consider USF-1 as a regulator of the work of other genes, which by means of RNA encodes the synthesis of a number of proteins participating in the exchange and transport of apoproteins A-2, C-3, E, ABCA-1, etc.

Special attention is required to assess the genetic determination of apoprotein E. According to researchers from South Korea [N. Oh et al ., 2008], several isoforms of apoE ( apo E-2, apo E-3, apo E-4) have been identified , which can occur in different combinations, depending on the genetically determined genotype. It was found that in the majority of practically healthy individuals who do not have DLP, the genotype E-3 / E-3 (homozygous) or the E-3 / E-2 or E-3 / E-4 (heterozygous) alleles is usually found. In some cases (due to the presence of certain nucleotide polymorphisms in some genes) genotypes E-2 / E-2 or E4 / E4 are formed, at which defective  apoproteins E [D. Betteridge & J. Morrell , 2003]. In some cases, there is a predisposition to the development of severe combined hyperlipidemia , close to type III according to Fredrickson’s classification . In the future (with age) in persons with similar disorders, there is a high probability of developing dementia or conditions close to Alzheimer’s syndrome.

At the 79th congress of the European Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis in Sweden (2011), Spanish researchers [M. Solancs et al .] Reported two mutations that they found in 9 patients with type III HLP (they designated them as R136S and AL149).

Of the monogenic mutations, one often encounters familial HCV associated with deficiency of LDL receptors or disorders in the structure of the LDL particles themselves.

Polygenic DLP

Population surveys aimed at detecting dyslipidemic conditions primarily identify primary DLPs that are polygenic, that is , caused by genetically determined nucleotide polymorphisms that create a hereditary predisposition to these conditions.

A survey of adults in cities in the European part of Russia revealed 15-20 % of individuals with such disorders, which are realized in conditions of additional unfavorable environmental factors, for example, it can be a diet containing many animal fats, sugary products; sedentary lifestyle; smoking; stress, etc.

Admittedly, controlling the lipid composition of blood with diet and medications is much easier with polygenic DLP, whereas monogenic DLPs are more difficult to treat therapeutically.

As for the manifestations of polygenic DLP, it is most often a moderate HCS or hypertriglyceridemia (THG in the range 2.0-2.5 mmol / l).

If the pathological significance of HCS is not in doubt at present, there is no single point of view regarding the harmful effect of a moderate increase in blood TG levels. In the modern literature, more and more works in which the pathological significance of postprandial THG is attached , ie , an increase in the concentration of TG in the blood plasma after 1-2 hours after eating. It should be borne in mind that the main carriers of TG are VLDL, which are the main substrate for LDL production, the main culprit in the process of lipid infiltration into the vascular wall after its modification.

Reciprocal relationships between TG and VLDLP, on the one hand, and HDL, on the other, have been established. The higher the VLDL level, the lower the HDL content. It’s not for nothing that the latest guidelines on lipidology suggest that we talk not so much about LDL cholesterol as an indicator of the risk of atherosclerosis, but about cholesterol not related to HDL. This cholesterol is calculated as the difference between the total cholesterol and the amount of cholesterol-VLDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and LDL cholesterol. It is even easier to calculate this atherogenic cholesterol index as the difference between total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol [ESC / EAS Guidelines , 2011]. It is this cholesterol that is the reference criterion for assessing the pathological significance of HCV.

Clinical manifestations of dyslipidemia

The most severe homozygous monogenic forms of hypercholesterolemia usually begin to appear from the age of 5-7 when the child develops yellowish spots that rise above the skin – xanthomas – on the extensor surfaces of the hands, in the region of the elbows, and sometimes in other parts of the skin, for example, in the gluteal region . In the older age tendon xanthomas are formed in the area of ​​metacarpophalangeal joints and Achilles tendons 

There is also a deposition of cholesterol-containing formations in the eyelid region, which are known as ” xanthelasm “. Already in childhood have homozygotes with hypercholesterolemia observed lipoid arc of the cornea, which can be seen at the edge of the iris in the form of rings or poluduzhek top, sides, or bottom, being provided between the arc or semicircle cholesterol ringlet and the edge of the iris can be seen free from cholesterol rim (Fig. 3 ). All these are typical “tags” of congenital monogenic HCV.

Determination of total cholesterol in the blood plasma reveals extremely high rates – 15-20 mmol / l (600-800 mg / dL ). By the age of 15, such an adolescent often has a systolic murmur in the aortic aortic cavity, less often a carotid artery, as the cholesterol deposits begin to enter the vascular wall and atherosclerotic plaques form.

We give a rare example of family number 2, in which heterozygous GLP IIa type was in both parents (not related by kinship). The youngest daughter inherited a mutant gene from one of the parents, that is , it can be characterized as a heterozygote for a family HCV, the eldest son obtained mutant genes from both the mother and the father, ie , became the owner of a homozygous HCV.

A patient, K., born in 1935 , who underwent two myocardial infarctions, who had a high HCV (446 mg / dL ), was proband for this family, and his sister, Valentin P., was invited to the survey r. She had no complaints about her health, but the bright circular lipoid arches of the cornea attracted attention . A study of blood lipids found HCS (480 mg / dL ). The husband of Valentina – EP, 1939 b. also had lipoid arches of the cornea and was treated for intermittent claudication;          the   His blood cholesterol was determined at 450 mg / dl. He died suddenly, at the wheel of a car, at the age of 52. At the son – Konst . P., 1965 b. – There were large xanthomas on elbows, in the area of ​​metacarpophalangeal articulations and Achilles tendons, and lipoid arches of the cornea. On the aorta, a rough systolic murmur was heard, as in the stenosis of the aortic orifice.

His blood cholesterol fluctuated within the “astronomically” high values: 1500-2000 mg / dL (more than 25 mmol / l!). At the age of 18, the young man suddenly died. Autopsy revealed widespread atherosclerosis of the aorta and coronary arteries.

Daughter – Nat . P., 1975 b. had no clinical markings of HCV (it did not have either xanthoma or lipoid arches of the cornea), total blood cholesterol = 274 mg / dL (7.0 mmol / l). She developed normally, got married, gave birth to a healthy child. At mother Konst .    and   Nat . Valentine P., despite the very high level of blood cholesterol, up to 70 years of age, the state of health remained quite satisfactory.

SUMMARY . A unique family is represented here, in which husband and wife, not being relatives, had a heterozygous HCV. In the family, two children were born, of whom the son was a homozygote for the family HCS, the daughter – a heterozygote . At the son the level of HS of blood reached an incredibly high level, which gave clinical symptoms from childhood in the form of multiple xanthomas , lipoid arches of the cornea, early-formed aortic stenosis and coronary atherosclerosis. It is not surprising that this young man had a lethal outcome at the age of 18. These data are confirmed by a pathoanatomical study.

The daughter of this family, although the concentration of cholesterol in the blood plasma was elevated, the level of HCS was much lower than that of both parents and the brother, so that until the adulthood, she did not have any clinical manifestations of HCV.

It is noteworthy that men in this family (both son and father) passed away at a young age, whereas women, despite the HCV, exist quite safely and have no serious complications. The example of this family demonstrates the importance of the gender factor for the prediction of patients with heterozygous HCV, although this is not always the case. This is in part true only for heterozygous forms of HCV.

It has already been pointed out that in a certain percentage of cases where both parents have a heterozygous form of HCV, healthy children (without a pathological gene) may be born, but the probability of having children with a heterozygous form of HCS is higher (less high with a homozygous form of HCV).

It is better to learn that the child has inherited the mutant gene of HCS from an early age to start preventive activities since childhood. For this purpose, in families where one of the parents (especially both parents) has HCS, one must take the umbilical cord blood of a newborn baby to study the lipid spectrum.

If it is a heterozygous HCV, clinically it most often manifests itself after 20 years (in women – much later). In heterozygous children in such families, there are usually no typical typical HCV labels, mentioned above ( xanthoma , lipoid arches of the cornea), but they can appear in adulthood. The level of blood cholesterol in these cases varies in the range of 8-10 mmol / l. Clinical signs of developing atherosclerosis in the aorta, in the vessels of the heart, in the carotid arteries in these individuals begin to be detected by the age of 35 (with homozygous forms of HCS – from childhood).

Occasionally there are such monogenic forms of hyperlipidemia , in which not HCS acts, but other disorders, for example, GTG or hyperchylomicronemia ( CGM ).

We give an example:

In the 1980s, we observed a girl with GXM, whose parents were practically healthy, but both of them appeared to be carriers of the recessive gene of CGM. The daughter inherited from both her mother and her father one recessive gene from the CGM. The disease manifested itself from early childhood. The serum of the girl’s blood was turbid, contained a thick layer of XM, which was biochemically expressed in extremely high Tg levels, which reached several thousand mg / dl (25-30 mmol / l). Already at the age of 2, the child had acute pancreatitis, because of which children’s surgeons performed laparotomy. The girl was on a special diet, took a set of digestive enzymes and for some time felt satisfactory. When palpating the abdominal cavity, there was a significant increase in the liver and spleen. The further destiny of the girl (after 14 years) is unknown to us.

SUMMARY. The parents, each of which was the carrier of only one recessive mutant gene (heterozygous carriers of the gene), had no clinical manifestations of the disease. But their daughter inherited 2 recessive mutated GKM gene (that is, it turned out to be a homozygote for a mutant gene), so that the disease manifested itself in full force and led to repeated acute pancreatitis, hepatolienna syndrome and disability .

In cases with genetically determined STT type IV, the first clinical manifestations usually occur by the age of 40 when tolerance to carbohydrates is violated and type 2 diabetes mellitus develops, and then signs of cerebral or coronary artery atherosclerosis appear.

 

Cholestero

Cholesterol refers to organic compounds, lipids that enter the body with food, as well as synthesized liver. One of the types of natural fatty alcohols, cholesterol is needed to ensure the normal life of a person.

Excess cholesterol in the blood – the primary link in the process of atherosclerotic, or cholesterol, plaques in the blood vessels. Normally, the level of total cholesterol found in the blood as an element of lipoprotein is in the range of 3.6-5.2 mmol / l, and with age due to physiological processes the upper limit of the norm increases depending on the age and the sex of the patient. With more indicators exceeding the upper limit, the risk of atherosclerosis increases, significantly increasing when the index reaches 6.2 mmol / l and more.

Circulating in the blood, cholesterol, with its excess, has the property of sticking together and accumulating in the arteries. Clumps or plaques obstruct the movement of blood, creating obstacles to blood flow and narrowing the lumen of the vessels, which causes oxygen starvation and insufficient blood supply to tissues and organs. With the disintegration of some of the plaques contribute to the formation of a thrombus, which provokes thromboembolism, heart attacks, strokes and can lead to death.

However, also, as an excess, the lack of cholesterol is dangerous. This compound, for example, is one of the important advantages of breastfeeding: cholesterol is important for the development of the brain of infants, affects the production of essential hormones, bone-muscle, immune, reproductive systems, and in substitute compounds, its content is significantly inferior to mother’s milk. Other important functions of cholesterol include:

ensuring the strength and elasticity of cell membranes;
the necessary component of the synthesis of cortisone, vitamin D, the regulation of the balance of phosphorus and calcium in the body;
participation in the functioning of the nervous and immune system;
protection of blood cells (erythrocytes) from the effects of various types of hemolytic poisons;
the necessary component for the production of hormones of the reproductive system, etc.
A lowered level of “good” cholesterol leads to sexual and reproductive disorders, inability to conceive, loss of libido, and also to depressive states with a high probability of suicidal outcome, digestive disorders, development of osteoporosis, diabetes, hemorrhagic stroke. Because of the danger of lowering the level of total cholesterol in the blood when taking statins, experts recommend changing the diet, lifestyle and trying to lower the level of cholesterol without medications. To do this, you need to know the techniques that help reduce cholesterol without drugs, and what foods reduce cholesterol in the blood, and which, on the contrary, increase.