Lipid metabolic process

Lipid metabolic process (GO:0006629) refers to the comprehensive network of chemical reactions and pathways involving lipids, including their synthesis, degradation, and transport throughout the body (1). This broad biological process is fundamental to life, as it facilitates energy storage via triglycerides, provides structural integrity to cell membranes through phospholipids, and generates vital signaling molecules like steroid hormones (2). While it is a critical physiological system, 'Lipid metabolic process' is a high-level Gene Ontology term rather than a single therapeutic target molecule (3). Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is a primary driver of major global health issues, most notably atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (4). Pharmacological interventions do not target the process as a whole but instead focus on specific enzymes or receptors within the pathway, such as HMG-CoA reductase or PPAR-alpha (5). Effective management of lipid metabolism often requires monitoring systemic biomarkers like LDL cholesterol to gauge therapeutic efficacy and patient risk (6). Because these metabolic pathways are highly interconnected, drug development must carefully address potential off-target effects and systemic safety concerns like myopathy or hepatic dysfunction (7).

Other names

Lipid metabolismFat metabolismMetabolism of lipidsLipid metabolic pathways

Drugs modulate this process through diverse mechanisms including the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase to block cholesterol synthesis, the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) to enhance fatty acid oxidation, the inhibition of NPC1L1 to prevent intestinal cholesterol absorption, and the inhibition of PCSK9 to increase LDL receptor recycling.