Xantomas eruptivos: manifestación cutánea de desórdenes de las lipoproteínas / Eruptive xanthomas: skin manifestation of the lipoprotein disorders

Los xantomas constituyen tumores cutáneos, y se presentan por depósitos de lipoproteínas en los macrófagos tisulares. Clínicamente se manifiestan como lesiones papulosas o nodulares de color amarillento, estando relacionada su distribución con las diferentes formas clínicas de presentación. Aunque no se observan con frecuencia, su presencia puede alertar sobre la existencia de alteraciones en los niveles lipídicos en sangre, y es por lo que se presentó este caso, donde la presencia de los xantomas fue indicador de un incremento de los niveles de colesterol y triglicéridos, lo que pudo constituir un importante factor de riesgo para que la paciente presentara alteraciones en otros sistemas...

Xanthomas are skin tumors, and they present as a cause of lipoprotein deposits in tissue macrophages. Clinically they take the form of yellow papular or nodular lesions, being related its distribution with their different forms of presentation. Though they are not very frequent, their presence can alert about the existence of alterations in the lipid levels in blood. That is why we presented this case, where the presence of xanthomas was an indicator of the cholesterol and triglycerides level increase, what probably was an important risk fact for the patient to present alterations in other systems...

Normal lipid metabolism, familial hyperlipidaemia, lipid intervention and their benefits.

Some recent developments in lipoprotein metabolism, familial hyperlipidaemias and lipid lowering therapies with reference to coronary artery disease (CAD) are reviewed. LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) level and particle subclass are important determinants of the extent of cholesterol delivery to the peripheral tissues and thereby of atherogenesis and CAD. LDL modifications (eg, oxidation, adduct formation, desialylation, glycation, etc) enhance the above process. HDL particles bring cholesterol from peripheral tissues to liver (reverse cholesterol transport, RCT). ApoA1, LCAT enzyme, ABCA1 and cholesterol ester transfer protein are involved in RCT. Paraoxonase of HDL prevents oxidation of other lipoproteins and probably hinders atherogenesis. Lp(a) particles are like LDL except the presence of apo(a) that inhibits fibrinolysis and are epidemiologicaly linked to the development of CAD. Indians have high Lp(a), in comparison to whites. Familial hyperlipidaemias are due to altered metabolism of lipoproteins affecting plasma lipid profile. Majority of such patients are prone to atherosclerosis and CAD. LDL-C is the primary target of lipid lowering therapy. Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and are mainly used alone or with other drugs for lowering blood lipids. 'National Cholesterol Education Program' now recommends a stringent LDL-C control ( < 100 mg/dl) for CAD and CAD risk equivalents. Therapeutic lifestyle changes and drug therapy are the main modalities to reduce blood lipids, aiming at total reduction of short-and long-term coronary risk for all (primary prevention), and of coronary mortality and morbidity in patients with CAD (secondary prevention).

Xantomas eruptivos / Eruptives xanthomas

Se presentan dos pacientes con xantomas eruptivos. Se describe la clínica e histopatología de esta enfermedad y se enumeran los diagnósticos diferenciales. Se destaca la importancia de dicha patología en el descubrimiento de una hiperlipidemia muchas veces ignorada, que puede poner en peligro la vida del paciente