[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) › VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein)

[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/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](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/)
- [Type 2 diabetes mellitus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/type-2-diabetes-mellitus/)
- [Atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/atherosclerosis-and-dyslipidaemia/)
- [Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III hyperlipoproteinemia)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/familial-dysbetalipoproteinemia/)

## Related

- [Lipoprotein metabolism](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/lipoprotein-metabolism/)
- [Apolipoprotein B (ApoB-100 and ApoB-48)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/apolipoprotein-b/)
- [Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/apolipoprotein-e/)
- [LDL (low-density lipoprotein)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/ldl/)
- [Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/lipoprotein-lipase/)
- [CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/cetp/)

## 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.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/biochemistry/topics/vldl/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [VLDL assembly (R-HSA-8866423)](https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-8866423) (Reactome, 2026); [VLDL test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003494.htm) (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).

[← All of biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/)

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/vldl/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/vldl/