Lipidcore

Lipidcore, or lipid core, is a term used to describe the lipid-rich interior found in several biological and technological systems. It denotes the hydrophobic phase where neutral lipids are stored or encapsulated, contrasted with surrounding aqueous environments or lipid shells.

In nature, the most common examples are lipoproteins in circulation. The core of chylomicrons, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) consists mainly of triglycerides and cholesterol esters, surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer and apolipoproteins that mediate receptor binding and metabolism. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has a smaller, more protein-dense core but still contains lipid components critical to reverse cholesterol transport.

Inside cells, lipid droplets have a core of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters, coated by a phospholipid monolayer and proteins such as perilipins. This core serves as an energy reserve and a source of lipids during metabolic stress or membrane synthesis, regulated by lipolytic enzymes and hormonal signals.

In atherosclerosis, lipid cores form when lipids accumulate in the arterial wall and are retained after cell death. The lipid core, often containing cholesterol crystals, contributes to plaque growth and instability, and is assessed in pathology and imaging to gauge cardiovascular risk and progression of disease.

In nanomedicine, lipid-core concepts appear in lipid-based delivery systems where a lipid-rich interior encapsulates hydrophobic drugs. Such systems include oil-in-water emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles, designed to improve solubility, stability, and controlled release of therapeutics, and they are explored for a range of medical applications.