Biochemical studies on cholesterol in in vivo cultivated connective tissue.

In vivo cultivated connective tissue is rich in lipids. That obtained from man and chicken has larger concentrations of neutral fat and cholesterol than connective tissue of other species. Connective tissue synthesizes cholesterol and possesses a striking avidity for retention of either endogenous or exogenous cholesterol. The fibrous portion of sponge-connective tissue of the rabbit incorporates cholesterol at a characteristic rate, indicating some inherent inter-relationship between the lipid and the scleroprotein. Marked reduction of a previously elevated serum cholesterol in the rabbit does not lower connective tissue cholesterol concentration. Connective tissue of the rabbit intima requires prolonged exposure to an elevated serum cholesterol before increased cholesterol incorporation occurs.