Cholesterol and Lipitor
...as its own specified amount of protein, which determines its density. The different densities are what create the different types of cholesterol. The two main different types of cholesterol are high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, are considered the “bad” cholesterol because it is associated with excessive build up in arteries and heart disease (4). High-density lipoproteins, or HDL, are considered as the “good” cholesterol because it is thought to remove LDL from the blood flow and provide protection to the arteries (4). High levels of LDL in the blood could be a direct result of either an increase in consumption of cholesterol or the liver reducing its production of LDL receptors (6). If the latter is the case, then once enough LDL binds to all of the receptors the excess LDL is allowed to circulate in the blood (4). LDL, however, usually becomes stuck to the artery walls causing plaques to form. This is where HDL becomes active and important. The HDL functions to help unattach the LDL from the walls and transport the LDL to the liver for excretion (4). Even though the body has its own way to correct cholesterol, is it usually not successful. There are a variety of factors that affect the amounts of cholesterol in the body. They include diet, exercise, lifestyle, age, weight, gender, and genetics (3). If a person eats a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol, they are definitely more likely to have cholesterol problems. The same goes for a sedentary person or a person with a very stressful life. As with everything else, as age increases the chances of having high cholesterol also increases. Severely overweight individuals may have many health problems including high cholesterol, which often leads to those individuals having hypercholesterolemia. Males and those who are descendents of people with cholesterol problems are also prone to have higher LDL levels and lower HDL levels (4). Treatments for high cholesterol include a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fats and cholesterols, a regular exercise program, and in severe cases medications are prescribed. Medications are usually only prescribed when diet and exercise alone are not successfully lowering cholesterol that has reached a dangerous level (3). There are many medications available to help lower cholesterol. One very popular and effective drug is Lipitor. Lipitor is a prescription drug used in combination with diet and exercise programs to lower cholesterol levels and inhibit the synthesis of LDL (6). Doctors may also prescribe Lipitor with other antihyperlipdemic drugs to drastically reduce cholesterol levels (3). Lipitor, or also called by its generic name atorvastatin calcium, is classified as a synthetic lipid-lowering agent called antihyperlipdemics (1). Lipitor has many distinguishing characteristics. It is an off white crystalline solid that is insoluble in solutions with low a pH (1). (Structure from source 7) It is prescribed as tablets to be taken by mouth. The tablets can be administered in a variety of milligrams. The minimum amount that is prescribed is 10 mg tablets with the maximum reaching 80 mg tablets (3). This certain drug can be taken at anytime of the day with or without food. However, it is recommended to take the drug at the same time each day. It is also recommended to take at least four hours away from any other medications (3). Lipitor’s main function is to block the enzyme in the liver that the body uses to produce cholesterol (3). Once the levels of cholesterol produced by the body are reduced, the liver does not have a sufficient amount and must increase its absorption of cholesterol out of the bloodstream, which is provided by the food eaten. The detailed mechanism of how Lipitor works is a very complicated process. Lipitor is an inhibitor of three hydroxy-three-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (1). This particular enzyme catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a starting material for steroids (7). This particular drug lowers plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels by inhibiting the liver from creating cholesterol and reduce the number LDL particles produced (7). Lipitor is absorbed quickly in the body after the oral administration. It can reach maximum levels in tissues withi...