Chylomicrons are produced by the intestinal cells, transport dietary lipids to the liver and elsewhere in the body.
In the liver, chylomicrons are converted to very low density lipoproteins or VLDL, which are the least dense lipoproteins.
Chylomicrons carry dietary or exogenous, triglycerides and cholesterol from the intestine into the circulation and 80-95% of their lipid content is triglycerides.
Chylomicrons in the blood deliver dietary fat to cells via the enzyme lipoprotein lipase, which is produced in many tissues, especially adipose tissue and muscle. The enzymatic action release the dietary lipids into the lymph and taken up by adipose tissue.
Because of their particle size, chylomicrons scatter more light and may cause the serum to take on a cloudy appearance after meals or in patients with dyslipidaemic syndrome characterized by the inability of catabolic chylomicrons and triacyl glycerol to rich lipoproteins.
Chylomicrons
