ApoA / ApoB Ratio

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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolipoprotein#mw-head"> </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolipoprotein#p-search"> </a><b>Apolipoproteins</b> are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein" title="Protein">proteins</a> that bind <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipids" title="Lipids">lipids</a> (oil-soluble substances such as fat and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol" title="Cholesterol">cholesterol</a>) to form <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoproteins" title="Lipoproteins">lipoproteins</a>. They transport the lipids through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphatic_system" title="Lymphatic system">lymphatic</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circulatory_system" title="Circulatory system">circulatory</a> systems.

The lipid components of lipoproteins are insoluble in water. However, because of their detergent-like (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipathic" title="Amphipathic">amphipathic</a>) properties, apolipoproteins and other a mphipathic molecules (such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phospholipids" title="Phospholipids">phospholipids</a>) can surround the lipids, creating the lipoprotein particle that is itself water-soluble, and can thus be carried through water-based circulation (i.e., <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood" title="Blood">blood</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymph" title="Lymph">lymph</a>).

Apolipoproteins also serve as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzyme" title="Enzyme">enzyme</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cofactor_(biochemistry)" title="Cofactor (biochemistry)">cofactors</a>, receptor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligand" title="Ligand">ligands</a>, and lipid transfer carriers that regulate the metabolism of lipoproteins and their uptake in tissues</p>

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