Hepatic Lipid Metabolism Disorder and Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Lipid metabolism disorder plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. As the largest metabolic organ of the human body, the liver has a key role in lipid metabolism by influencing fat production, fat decomposition, and the intake and secretion of serum lipoproteins. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have indicated that the dysfunction of hepatic lipid metabolism is closely related to the onset of atherosclerosis. However, the identity and functional role of hepatic lipid metabolism responsible for these associations remain unknown. This review presented that cholesterol synthesis, cholesterol transport, and the metabolism of triglycerides, lipoproteins, and fatty acids are all associated with hepatic lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. Moreover, the roles of gut microbiota, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in the pathological association between hepatic lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis are also discussed. This significant evidence strongly supports that hepatic lipid metabolism disorders may increase the risk of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Hepatic lipid metabolism; atherosclerosis; enterohepatic axis; gut microbiota; lipoprotein; reverse cholesterol transport.