Biological studies of cholestane-3 β,5 α,6 β-triol and its derivatives : Part 1. Hypocholesterolemic effects in rabbits, chickensd rats on atherogenic diets

Abstract

Summary (1) The effects of CT, CTDF and other CT derivatives were examined in rabbits, chickens and rats fed atherogenic diets and compared with those of β-sitosterol. (2) In cholesterol-fed rabbits the amounts of CT and CTDF sufficient to antagonize the effect of cholesterol (0.5 % in diet), as reflected in blood cholesterol, liver lipids and atherogenesis, were about 1:1 in weight ratio, while in the case of β-sitosterol the ratio was estimated to be 3:1. (3) In cholesterol-fed chickens CT and its derivatives had depressive effects on the elevation of the serum cholesterol and liver lipids. The more polar the compounds; the more effective was their action. (4) In cholesterol-fed rats CT and its derivatives lowered the liver cholesterol level rather than that of the serum. (5) CT and its derivatives remarkably antagonized the alimentary lipemia in rats without the formation of clearing factor. (6) Triton-induced hypercholesterolemia was also partially inhibited by CT-derivatives. (7) CT-Acid, the main metabolite of CT, was biologically inactive in rats and chickens.