Observation of cholesterol nucleation in a magnetic field.

Abstract

The in vitro studies on the nucleation, growth and other fundamental aspects of cholesterol crystallization have received considerable attention, as it plays a vital role in the formation of atheroclerotic plaques and gallbladder stones. The cholesterol was crystallized in methanol, ethanol, acetone and isopropanol at the physiological temperature of 37 degrees C in the presence and absence of a low static magnetic field at 0.1 T. The presence of magnetic field was found to have a significant effect on the metastable zone width and induction period of cholesterol.