Cholesterol is a sterol, a type of organic compound with the formula C17H28O. It is found in animals and classified as a zoosterol. In fungi, the mycosterol that performs a similar role to cholesterol is ergosterol.
One class of drugs that reduces cholesterol levels in the blood to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease are statins. These drugs act on a pathway that constitutes the first 18 steps of the 37-step process the human body uses to make cholesterol.
Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the body turns cholesterol into calcitriol, an active form of vitamin D made in the kidneys. This conversion occurs through a series of steps, which can be affected by other factors such as age or diet.
The human body has a mechanism to recycle cholesterol, beginning with its excretion from the liver and eventual reabsorption into the bloodstream in the small intestine. This recycling process helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in our bodies and prevents an excess buildup that can lead to health issues such as heart disease or stroke.
Cholesterol plays an important role in brain function as it is made and transported by cells called astrocytes because it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier directly. The production and transport of cholesterol in the brain is crucial for maintaining healthy brain function and preventing neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
American biochemist Joseph Goldstein was instrumental in discovering
