Triglyceride metabolism pathways

The triglyceride metabolism pathway encompasses all biochemical processes responsible for the synthesis, hydrolysis, transport, and storage of triglycerides. Synthesis mainly occurs in the liver and adipose tissue, using fatty acids derived from the diet or de novo lipogenesis, which are esterified with glycerol to form triglycerides. These are packaged for transport in lipoproteins (VLDL, chylomicrons) and delivered to tissues for storage or energy utilization. Breakdown (lipolysis) is tightly regulated by hormones such as insulin and glucagon, with key enzymes including lipoprotein lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and adipose triglyceride lipase. Dysregulation of this pathway leads to metabolic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Notably, as a pathway and not a molecule, it cannot be directly targeted by drugs, but many therapies modulate activities within this network by acting on specific enzymes, receptors, or hormonal axes[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

Triglyceride metabolic pathwayTriacylglycerol metabolism

Activation or inhibition of enzymes involved in triglyceride synthesis (e.g., diacylglycerol acyltransferase) or breakdown (e.g., lipoprotein lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase); Modulation of fatty acid oxidation rates; Hormonal regulation of triglyceride uptake, release, or storage