Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 26: Cardio Vascular Disease- Risk factors, Lipo and Apo proteins

Apo proteins

Apo proteins refer to the protein part of a combined protein. Apo proteins are mostly synthesized by the liver and few by intestinal mucosa. Defects in the synthesis of these Apo proteins can lead to a disturbance in the serum lipoprotein level. Most of these changes are familial and rare. For example in a deficiency of apoprotein A, HDL cannot be formed and cholesterol accumulates in the tissues. Similarly Apo lipoprotein E deficiency is characterized by low LDL concentration and non formation of chylomicrons. The cholesterol rich remnants of chylomicrons accumulate in the blood and cause lipid deposits in the skin called xanthomas.