| chylomicrons | A class of lipoproteins that transport exogenous (dietary) cholesterol and triglycerides from the small intestine to tissues after meals. Synthesised in the intestinal mucosa and carried via the intestinal lacteals and lymphatic system to the blood stream, they are then degraded to chylomicron remnants in the capillaries of muscle and adipose tissue through cleavage of the majority of their triglycerides by endothelial lipoprotein lipase. These remnants are rapidly cleared by the liver by receptor-mediated endocytosis. (12 Dec 1998) |
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