by Firy

Created on: August 09, 2007

HDL is a good cholesterol carrier

Before the discussion begins we need to make certain we understand that HDL is what carries the cholesterol. LDL is also a carrier for cholestorel. There are other receptors that delivor unique cholesterols but for now we only focus on the receptors for good cholesterol, the HDL receptors.

Cholesterol is an important component of tissue cells and fluids, particularly bile. Significant amounts of cholesterol are found in nerve tissue, adrenal glands, testes and ovaries. Conduction of nerve impulses, cell membrane permeability and proper absorption and transfer of lipid materials depend partly on cholesterol.HDL also assists hepatic portal transport for cholesterol. A large percentage of cholesterol appears bound on alpha (HDL) and beta (LDL) globulins as lipoproteins.

When the normal bodily functions change as in different plasma lipid diesease states, lipoproteins may be increased to undesirable levels. Low concentration of HDL(High Density Lipoprotein) particles is correlated to a high incidence of cardiovascular disease. These HDL particles are scavengers for plasma cholesterol from dead cells and from membrane turnover. .

HDL is good cholesterol because it lowers the frequency of hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), and the resulting diseases of the heart and blood circulation (cardiovascular diseases). HDL carriers bind and pick up plasma cholesterol released from dead cells and from membrane turnover to the liver where it is later eliminated from the body. These carriers also assist processes that stop transport of bad cholesterols back to the liver.

It is important to note that because cholesterol is insoluble, it cannot get around different parts of the body on its own. As a result it hooks onto a carrier, in this case HDL, which carries it wherever it is needed for different cellular functions.

As we have seen in the opening paragraph, cholesterol is not a "bad thing". Like all body materials that must be present in right proportions, it also has to be in amounts that allow the body to function smoothly. When this function is impaired external agents will be used that juggle the levels of the "problem" lipoprotein against the the rest of the other key lipoporteins in the plasma.

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