Cellular biochemistry of oxysterols derived from the diet or oxidation in vivo
1996
Morel, D.W. | Lin, C.Y.
Oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, known as oxysterols, are present in the diet as contaminants of cholesterol-containing foods. They can enter the circulation through the diet or they are generated through peroxidation of lipoproteins or enzymatic oxidation of cholesterol. Like cholesterol, oxysterols are transported in serum with lipoproteins but, unlike cholesterol, they may also be transported by serum albumin. This additional means of transport may allow for more efficient removal of cellular sterols or transfer between tissues. It has been suggested that the physiologic regulation of cholesterol metabolism may be through generation of oxysterols. In addition, oxysterols potentially play a role in aspects of various diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer, either as contributory protective agents, most likely through their action as potent modulators of cholesterol metabolism and/or their direct effects on membrane structure and function. Thus, these compounds may represent normal physiologic processes as well as pathological ones and strategies to enhance or diminish oxysterol levels may prove useful in the future.
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