Cholesterol Metabolism

This provides a comprehensive overview of cholesterol metabolism, detailing its sources, synthesis, structure, and functions. Cholesterol is obtained from dietary intake and endogenous synthesis, occurring mainly in the liver and all body cells. Synthesis is stimulated by increased Acetyl-CoA, a process influenced by insulin. The pathway involves several steps, notably the conversion of HMG-CoA to Mevalonate by HMG-CoA reductase, which is the slowest and most regulated step, inhibited by statins like Lipitor. Structurally, cholesterol has 27 carbons with four rings and an alcohol group. Its vital functions include serving as a structural component of cell membranes, making them less fluid, and acting as a precursor for steroid hormones and bile salts. Cholesterol is also packaged into lipoproteins for transport throughout the body.