Triglycerides are lipid molecules composed of a glycerol molecule associated with three fatty acid molecules, and they represent the main form of lipid storage and energy in human. They are synthesized primarily through the glycerol phosphate pathway, and the traffic of triglycerides in specific tissues such as muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, depends on the nutritional state of the individual. An imbalance in this process may lead to various metabolic disorders, such as obesity, lipotoxicity, or hypertriglyceridemia.
Serum triglycerides are transported in the blood in the form of lipoproteins since they are not soluble in water. High levels of serum triglycerides are associated with increased risk of CHD, but since serum cholesterol levels usually are increased along with triglycerides, it is not completely clear whether serum triglycerides represent an independent risk factor for heart disease. However, increased serum triglyceride levels result from increased levels of very low density lipoproteins, and these are associated with decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol. Therefore, it is prudent to monitor changes in triglyceride as well as cholesterol levels. This is the case especially for patients with diabetes, many of whom show greater elevations of triglycerides than cholesterol in their serum.
Triglycerides are measured using enzymatic reagents, including lipase, glycerol kinase, and glycerol-3-phosphate oxidase linked to a peroxidase-chromogen detection system.
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