Lipid levels refer to the concentration and distribution of various lipids—including fatty acids, cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides—in cells and tissues. Lipids are essential components of cellular membranes, serve as energy storage molecules, and act as signaling molecules that regulate cellular processes such as growth, apoptosis, and inflammation.
Under normal physiological conditions, lipid levels are tightly regulated by dietary intake, de novo synthesis, uptake, storage, and breakdown. Enzymes (e.g., fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase) and transcription factors (e.g., SREBP1) coordinate these processes to maintain cellular homeostasis.
Many tumors upregulate de novo lipogenesis to generate lipids internally, even in the presence of exogenous lipids. As a result, cancer cells often have elevated levels of fatty acids and other lipid intermediates. These adjustments not only support rapid growth but also contribute to resistance to stress and apoptosis.
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