Hyperlipaemia and the endocrine system

The pathophysiological process is triggered in response to a negative energy balance resulting in mobilisation of fats from adipose tissue. Although this is a normal response to a fasting state, in hyperlipaemia the rate of lipolysis exceeds the rate of uptake of triglycerides into peripheral tissue for use as an energy substrate. The accumulation of plasma triglycerides results in fatty infiltration of organs such as the liver, pancreas and kidneys, which can in turn, lead to multiple organ failure.