小肠维持胆固醇稳态在预防动脉粥样硬化中的作用

Maintaining Cholesterol Homeostasis in Small Intestine for the Prevention of Atherosclerosis

胆固醇是影响机体生命活动的重要脂类物质之一,血中胆固醇浓度过高,沉积于大、中动脉内膜中,形成粥样斑块,引起内皮损伤、脂质浸润,是动脉粥样硬化(AS)形成与发展的机制。目前降胆固醇药物的研发主要针对肝脏合成胆固醇的功能,而小肠是胆固醇代谢的主要场所,参与维持机体胆固醇内稳态。肠道维持胆固醇稳态是通过一个复杂的平衡机制调节的,涉及胆固醇吸收、转化与排泄及脂蛋白合成等不同阶段。本文总结了小肠胆固醇代谢途径内的分子调控机制及其与AS形成相关性的研究进展,希望能为治疗AS疾病提供新的诊疗思路。

Cholesterol is an important lipid that significantly affects life.High blood cholesterol level can lead to the cholesterol deposition on the intima of large and middle arteries,and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques,which can trigger endothelial injury and lipid infiltration and finally induce atherosclerosis(AS).Up to now R&D of cholesterol-lowering drugs are mainly focused on the the function of liver in cholesterol synthesis.Notably,the small intestine is the major site of cholesterol metabolism and is involved in maintaining the homeostasis of cholesterol.Gut maintains the cholesterol homeostasis through a complex regulatory mechanism that involves different stages including cholesterol absorption,transformation,and excretion as well as lipoprotein synthesis.In this article we summarizes the research advances in the molecular regulation of cholesterol metabolism in small intestine and its relationship with AS,with an attempt to provide a new insight into the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerotic disease.