Figure 1.

Remnants of cholesterol and atherosclerosis: During the post-prandial period, enterocytes produce chylomicrons which are released into the circulation via the intestinal lymphatic system. In the liver, regardless of meals, hepatocytes synthesize and release VLDL into the general circulation. Circulating and tissue lipoprotein lipases (LPL) hydrolyse VLDL and chylomicron triglycerides, transforming them into VLDL/IDL remnants and chylomicron remnants, respectively. Due to their small size, remnants easily penetrate the arterial wall and accumulate in the sub-endothelium causing inflammation, foam cells formation, platelet activation and oxidative stress leading to plaque progression.