Hyperlipoproteinemia

Any of a large group of disorders of lipoprotein and cholesterol metabolism resulting in higher than normal cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in the blood. Some of the disorders are hereditary (e.g., familial hypercholesterolemia) whereas others are acquired.


The presence in the blood of abnormally high concentrations of lipoproteins.


Increased lipids in the blood resulting either from an increased rate of synthesis or from a decreased lipoprotein breakdown rate. The lipoproteins transport triglycerides and cholesterol in the plasma. Clinically, an increased lipoprotein level may cause atherosclerosis and pancreatitis. Hyperlipoproteinemias can develop as a result of a primary and inheritable biochemical defect of either lipoprotein lipase activity or one of the cofactors essential to the function of that enzyme. They may also develop secondary to certain endocrine and metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus; glycogen storage disease, type I; Cushing’s syndrome; acromegaly; hypothyroidism; anorexia; use of drugs such as alcohol, oral contraceptives, and glucocorticoids; renal disease; liver disease; immunological disorders; and stress. The hyperlipoproteinemias have been divided into five different lipoprotein patterns describing the changes found in the plasma. Types I and III are autosomal recessive traits; types II, IV, and V are autosomal dominant. These patterns are not descriptive of specific diseases.


 


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