Role of LDL in transport?

LDL particles, primarily known for their association with cholesterol, play a crucial role in transporting triglycerides. Originating from the liver, these particles package lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids into a form known as very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). The main function of VLDL is indeed to transport energy-rich triglycerides for storage and metabolism, rather than just cholesterol.

As VLDL travels through the bloodstream, enzymes break down the triglycerides into fatty acids, which are utilized by various tissues for energy. This process results in the reduction of the particle's size, gradually transforming it into denser and smaller LDL particles. Although LDL particles retain most of their cholesterol content through this transformation, it's the triglyceride transportation that is their primary role, not the cholesterol itself.

LDL particles are utilized by certain tissues, such as the adrenal glands and gonads, which use the cholesterol from LDL to synthesize hormones. However, the role of cholesterol in these processes is not as critical as that of triglycerides.

An important point to note is humans' inefficient mechanism of removing LDL from the blood, which contributes significantly to higher LDL levels compared to other species and increases susceptibility to heart disease 1 .