[Metabolism of free fatty acids in the intravascular space]

With regard to the clinically relevant pathogenetic significance of hyperlipacidaemias a survey of the metabolism of the free fatty acids in the intravascular space is given. The transport of the free fatty acids by albumin and lipoproteins is demonstrated and the importance of the non-protein-bound fraction of the free fatty acids is emphasized. The dynamics of the metabolism of the free fatty acids is characterized with the help of the fractional and absolute turnover rate. Furthermore, the author deals with the participation of individual organs in the total metabolism and the metabolic fate of the free fatty acids as well as with the sources of this lipid fraction. Finally the regulation of the plasma concentration of the free fatty acids and its significance for the maintenance of the caloric homoeostasis is described.