Biochemistry · Topic
VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein) !
VLDL carries the triglycerides made by the liver to the tissues; as it empties it becomes IDL and then LDL.
Updated 2026-11-01
Key facts
- The liver secretes it with ApoB-100; it also carries ApoC-II and ApoE.
- It mainly carries endogenous triglyceride made from carbohydrate and fatty acids reaching the liver.
- LPL turns it into IDL; hepatic lipase completes the conversion to LDL.
- It rises with excess sugar and alcohol, obesity and insulin resistance.
In detail
- In the hepatocyte, MTP loads lipid onto ApoB-100 and the particle is secreted.
- It receives ApoC-II and ApoE from HDL.
- LPL releases its fatty acids, leaving smaller, cholesterol-richer IDL.
- Some IDL returns to the liver; the rest becomes LDL.
- CETP passes it cholesteryl ester from HDL in exchange for triglyceride.
Clinical notes
- Fatty liver and insulin resistance increase VLDL secretion: high triglycerides and low HDL (atherogenic dyslipidaemia).
- In the lab, VLDL cholesterol is estimated as triglycerides/5 (in mg/dL) when triglycerides are not very high.
- VLDL remnants are atherogenic too.
Related conditions
- Metabolic syndrome
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia
- Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III hyperlipoproteinemia)
Related
- Lipoprotein metabolism
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB-100 and ApoB-48)
- Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)
- LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
- Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)
- CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein)
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which lipoprotein carries the triglyceride made by the liver?
VLDL.
What does VLDL become when LPL empties it?
IDL and then LDL.
Why does insulin resistance raise triglycerides?
More fatty acids reach the liver, which secretes more VLDL, and LPL works less.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Sources: VLDL assembly (R-HSA-8866423) (Reactome, 2026); VLDL test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.