[3H]Squalene 2,3(S);22(S),23-dioxide was prepared by incubation of [3H]mevalonate with S10 rat liver homogenate in the presence of 4,4,10 beta-trimethyl-trans-decal-3 beta-ol, a specific inhibitor of oxidosqualene cyclase (EC 5.4.99.7). Aerobic incubation of [3H]squalene 2,3(S);22(S),23-dioxide with S10 rat liver homogenate affords 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol with an efficiency comparable to that...

Several authors have suggested that 27-hydroxycholesterol may be an important physiological regulator of cholesterol homeostasis. In the present study we investigated the possibility that 24- or 27-hydroxylation of cholesterol is of importance for the down-regulation of hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase in mouse liver induced by dietary cholesterol. Using an accurate method based on iso...

AIMS Cholesterol plays an essential role in membrane structure and function, being especially important in the brain. Alteration of brain cholesterol synthesis and metabolism has been demonstrated in several Huntington's disease (HD) mouse and cell models; however, less is known about these alterations in human tissue. This study aimed to identify alterations to cholesterol synthetic and metabo...

Background and aimsThere are indications for tracking of circulating total cholesterol concentration (TC) from childhood to later in life. An increased lifelong TC exposure increases the risk developing atherosclerosis, however little is known about determinants early We aimed describe Norwegian offspring aged 6, 12 24 months, explore if maternal TC, breastfeeding diet associated with TC.Method...

BACKGROUND Ergosterol has been considered the "fungal sterol" for almost 125 years; however, additional sterol data superimposed on a recent molecular phylogeny of kingdom Fungi reveals a different and more complex situation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The interpretation of sterol distribution data in a modern phylogenetic context indicates that there is a clear trend from cholesterol and...

The mevalonate pathway produces cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids, such as geranylgeraniol. In the brain, a fraction of cholesterol is metabolized in neurons by the enzyme cholesterol 24-hydroxylase, and this depletion activates the mevalonate pathway. Brains from mice lacking 24-hydroxylase excrete cholesterol more slowly, and the tissue compensates by suppressing the mevalonate pathway. H...

BACKGROUND Red yeast rice is an herbal supplement that decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of red yeast rice and therapeutic lifestyle change to treat dyslipidemia in patients who cannot tolerate statin therapy. DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING Community-based cardiology practice. PATIENTS 62 pat...