Topic: Regulation of Lipid and Lipoproteins Metabolism in Health and Disease

The physiological tuning of the systemic metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins relies on a complicated network of enzymes and protein complexes, demonstrating how important these energetic sources are for the physiology of our body.

Alterations of lipid and lipoproteins metabolism refer both to derailments in the intra- and extra-cellular synthesis and catabolism of lipids and to excessive synthesis or defective catabolism of lipoproteins of intestinal (chylomicrons) and hepatic origin (very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)).

All these alterations are exacerbated by very prevalent risk factors for diabetes and liver disease, including adherence to hypercaloric fats-enriched diets and/or physical inactivity. At the cellular level, the accumulation of lipids turns into oxidative stress, lipotoxicity and the onset of apoptotic signals that compromise the homeostatic function of organs. In addition, the accumulation of chylomicrons and lipoproteins leads to the accumulation of cholesterol-rich, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and reduced availability of the so-called “high-density lipoproteins” (HDL), which generates a dangerous combination that accelerates atherosclerosis, macro- and micro-angiopathies, and dramatically enhances the risk of cardiovascular mortality and other associated comorbidities.

Despite significant advances in pharmacological research over the last decades, an understanding of the pathophysiology of lipids and lipoproteins is still needed to achieve higher standards of care for the most severe clinical conditions associated with cardiovascular mortality.

Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to invite novel research (either as basic science or clinically oriented) and reviews (either as systematic or narrative reviews) to contribute to a deeper understanding of lipid/lipoprotein metabolism as a cornerstone in health and disease.

30 Jun 2024