Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2008, 152(2):181–189. 181 © P. Vyroubal, C. Chiarla, I. Giovannini, R. Hyspler, A. Ticha, D. Hrnciarikova, Z. Zadak HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIA IN CLINICALLY SERIOUS CONDITIONS – REVIEW Pavel Vyroubala*, Carlo Chiarlab, Ivo Giovanninib, Radek Hysplera, Alena Tichaa, Dana Hrnciarikovaa, Zdenek Zadaka a Department of Gerontology and Metabolism, Faculty Hospital and Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic b Centro de Studio per la fi ssiopatologia, Université Cattolica del S.Cuore, L.go A.Gemelli 8-00168 Roma, Italy e-mail:
[email protected] Received: October 21, 2008; Accepted (with revisions): August 5, 2008 Key words: Cholesterol/Hypocholesterolemia/Hypolipoproteinemia/SIRS/Cytokines/Polytrauma/ Sepsis/Critically ill Background: Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes, precursor of steroids, biliary acids and other components of serious importance in live organism. Cholesterol synthesis is a complicated and energy-demand- ing process. Real daily need of cholesterol and mechanisms of decline cholesterol levels in critical ill are unknown. During stressful situations a signifi cant hypocholesterolaemia may be found. Hypocholesterolemia has been known for a number of years to be a signifi cant prognostic indicator of increased morbidity and mortality connected with a whole spectrum of pathological conditions. The aim of article is the elucidation of the role and importance of hypo- cholesterolaemia during the intensive care. Methods and Results: We examined studies that are engaged in problems of hypocholesterolemia in critically ill. Very low levels of total as well as LDL cholesterol are most frequently found in serious polytrauma, after extensive surgery, in serious infections, in protracted hypovolemic shock.