在摄入后,脂类必须与蛋白质结合才能通过小肠组织被吸收,进入血液,并最终进入全身的细胞和组织中。β载脂蛋白这类蛋白必须与微粒体甘油三酯转运蛋白(MTTP)相结合,以同脂类结合进行转运。甘油三酯、脂溶性维生素、胆固醇酯、以及磷脂等与β载脂蛋白和MTTP形成复合物以被吸收和加工。在无β脂蛋白血症中,编码MTTP的基因出现异常,因而MTTP或者缺乏,或者无功能。其结果是,β载脂蛋白或者阙如或者存在缺陷。[3]Narcisi TM, Shoulders CC, Chester SA, et al. Mutations of the microsomal triglyceride-transfer-protein gene in abetalipoproteinemia. Am J Hum Genet. 1995;57:1298-1310.http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=8533758http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8533758?tool=bestpractice.com[4]Wetterau JR, Aggerbeck LP, Bouma ME, et al. Absence of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein in individuals with abetalipoproteinemia. Science. 1992;258:999-1001.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1439810?tool=bestpractice.com[5]Benayoun L, Granot E, Rizel L, et al. Abetalipoproteineima in Israel: evidence for a founder mutation in the Ashkenazi Jewish population and a contiguous gene deletion in an Arab patient. Molec Genet Metab. 2007;90:453-457.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17275380?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Berriot-Varoqueaux N, Aggerbeck LP, Samson-Bouma M, et al. The role of the microsomal transfer protein in abetalipoproteinemia. Ann Rev Nutr. 2000;20:663-697.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10940349?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Gregg RE, Wetterau JR. The molecular basis of abetalipoproteinemia. Curr Opin Lipidol. 1994;5:81-86.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8044420?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Rader DJ, Brewer HB Jr. Apolipoproteinemia: new insights into lipoprotein assembly and vitamin E metabolism from a rare genetic disease. JAMA. 1993;270:865-869.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8340987?tool=bestpractice.com由于肠上皮细胞无法将脂类放入转运复合物中,脂类将在肠腔内积累,因而导致吸收不良。此外,脂类还可能在肝细胞中积累(肝脂肪变性);不过,肝脏受累通常没有重大病理性后果。[11]Welty FK. Hypobetalipoproteinemia and abetalipoproteinemia. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2014;25:161-168.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4465983/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24751931?tool=bestpractice.com[14]Lee J, Hegele RA. Abetalipoproteinemia and homozygous hypobetalipoproteinemia: a framework for diagnosis and management. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2014;37:333-339.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24288038?tool=bestpractice.com
由于同样的脂质转运过程的缺陷,在已消化的食物和维生素补充剂中发现的脂溶性维生素将无法被吸收。其结果是,能量与维生素缺乏将导致体重增长缓慢和发育停滞。由于外周神经系统和脊髓背束的脱髓鞘作用,维生素E缺乏尤为突出。将出现神经系统、肌肉系统与眼部的异常。[1]Kayden HJ, Traber MG. Abetalipoproteinemia and homozygous hypobetalipoproteinemia. In: Steiner G, Shafrir E, eds. Primary hyperlipoproteinemias. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Inc.; 1991:249-270.[15]Muller DP, Lloyd JK, Wolff OH. The role of vitamin E in the treatment of the neurological features of abetalipoproteinemia and other disorders of fat absorption. J Inherit Metab Dis. 1985;8:88-92.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3930848?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Rader DJ, Brewer HB Jr. Apolipoproteinemia: new insights into lipoprotein assembly and vitamin E metabolism from a rare genetic disease. JAMA. 1993;270:865-869.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8340987?tool=bestpractice.com