Lipid-lowering medications: Fibrates ~Pharmacology~

Osmosis from Elsevier2 minutes read

Fibrates can effectively lower triglyceride levels but are less effective at controlling cholesterol compared to statins and niacin. By activating PPAR-alpha, fibrates increase lipoprotein lipase production, leading to lower triglyceride levels and increased HDL synthesis, although they may cause side effects like GI disturbances and muscle damage.

Insights

  • Fibrates, along with statins and niacin, effectively lower triglyceride levels but are less effective in controlling cholesterol due to their mechanism of action targeting lipoprotein lipase and PPAR-alpha.
  • Triglycerides and cholesterol from food are processed in the body through the absorption into cells, conversion into chylomicrons, breakdown by lipoprotein lipase, and transportation via VLDLs, with fibrates influencing these processes by activating PPAR-alpha to regulate lipoprotein lipase activity and triglyceride levels.

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Recent questions

  • How do fibrates affect triglyceride levels?

    Fibrates activate PPAR-alpha to increase lipoprotein lipase production, lowering triglyceride levels effectively.

  • What is the role of lipoprotein lipase in the body?

    Lipoprotein lipase breaks down triglycerides in blood vessels, allowing tissues to use fatty acids for energy or storage.

  • How are triglycerides and cholesterol transported in the body?

    Triglycerides and cholesterol from food are absorbed into small intestinal cells, converted into chylomicrons, and transported through the lymphatic system to the bloodstream.

  • What are the functions of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs)?

    VLDLs carry triglycerides synthesized in the liver to tissues, where lipoprotein lipase converts them into fatty acids for energy or storage.

  • What are common side effects of fibrates?

    Common side effects of fibrates include gastrointestinal disturbances and muscle damage due to their mechanism of action in the body.

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Summary

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"Fibrates Lower Triglycerides, Less Effective for Cholesterol"

  • Fibrates, along with statins and niacin, are effective at lowering triglyceride levels but less effective at controlling cholesterol.
  • Triglycerides and cholesterol from food are absorbed into small intestinal cells, converted into chylomicrons, and transported through the lymphatic system to the bloodstream.
  • Lipoprotein lipase breaks down triglycerides in blood vessels, allowing nearby tissues to use fatty acids for energy or storage.
  • Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) carry triglycerides synthesized in the liver to tissues, where lipoprotein lipase converts them into fatty acids.
  • Fibrates activate PPAR-alpha to increase lipoprotein lipase production, lower triglyceride levels, decrease VLDL breakdown, and increase HDL synthesis, with common side effects including GI disturbances and muscle damage.
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