Biologically Active Substance
low-density lipoprotein
low·den·si·ty lip·o·pro·tein
Subclass of:
Lipoproteins
Definitions related to low-density lipoproteins:
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(lipoproteins, ldl) A class of lipoproteins of small size (18-25 nm) and light (1.019-1.063 g/ml) particles with a core composed mainly of CHOLESTEROL ESTERS and smaller amounts of TRIGLYCERIDES. The surface monolayer consists mostly of PHOSPHOLIPIDS, a single copy of APOLIPOPROTEIN B-100, and free cholesterol molecules. The main LDL function is to transport cholesterol and cholesterol esters to extrahepatic tissues.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(low density lipoprotein) A lipoprotein that carries cholesterol around the body, for use by various cells. LDL transports cholesterol to the arteries and increased levels are associated with atherosclerosis, and thus myocardial infarctions and strokes. This is why cholesterol inside LDL lipoproteins is called bad cholesterol.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(low density lipoprotein) Class of lipoproteins responsible for transport of cholesterol to extrahepatic tissues; they are formed in the circulation when very-low-density lipoproteins are degraded first to intermediate-density lipoproteins and then to LDL by the gain and loss of specific apolipoproteins and the loss of most of their triglycerides; LDL are taken up and catabolized by both the liver and extrahepatic tissues by specific receptor-mediated endocytosis.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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So-called bad cholesterol. If there is too much LDL in the blood, it can collect on artery walls, narrowing them and making heart attacks and strokes more likely.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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(ldl: the "bad" cholesterol) Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body. Your liver makes cholesterol, and it is also in some foods, such as meat and dairy products. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But having too much cholesterol in your blood raises your risk of coronary artery disease. LDL and HDL are two types of lipoproteins. They are a combination of fat (lipid) and protein. The lipids need to be attached to the proteins so they can move through the blood. LDL and HDL have different purposes: LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. It is sometimes called the "bad" cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries.; HDL stands for high-density lipoproteins. It is sometimes called the "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. If you have a high LDL level, this means that you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. This extra LDL, along with other substances, forms plaque. The plaque builds up in your arteries; this is a condition called atherosclerosis. Coronary artery disease happens when the plaque buildup is in the arteries of your heart...MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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