Colesterolo  is one of the most important stabilising molecules distributed widely throughout the human body, a sterol and cholestanoid, a small lipid present in both body tissues and blood plasma, and in particular in the spinal cord, liver (which acts as a primary storage and metabolic function), and brain. It was discovered in 1769 in human gallstones.

Synthesised, it appears as a white powder that is practically insoluble in water, poorly soluble in ethanol and acetone.

Medical

Cholesterol acts as a membrane stabiliser and regulator in the immune response of cells against various types of viruses and in antibiotic drug resistance by preventing structural damage. Despite the variety of roles that cholesterol plays in the human body, to date its mechanisms have not been fully elucidated by science (1), and while the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis and the metabolic pathways involved have been analysed and largely elucidated, some obscurities remain in the knowledge of plasma levels and the regulatory relationship of its synthesis.   Its distribution in the plasma membrane in cells is still unknown (2).

The accumulation of lipids such as cholesterol characterises atherosclerosis, which is mainly responsible for coronary artery disease, and is classified according to its density.

• LDL-cholesterol = low-density lipoprotein
• HDL-cholesterol = high-density lipoprotein

HDL-cholesterol is a biomarker for assessing cardiovascular risk and is responsible for maintaining the arterial wall in good condition as it controls reverse cholesterol transport, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vasodilator and antithrombotic effects.

Low-density lipoprotein LDL-cholesterol must remain within safe limits as its increase can lead to cardiovascular disease and is the hallmark of hypercholesterolaemia, which often leads to the development of atherosclerosis.

Food

Cholesterol is ingested through food. The main sources of cholesterol intake come from milk and dairy products, meat, egg yolk, poultry, and seafood.

One of the foods with the highest nutritional content is the egg, in which cholesterol content is present in large quantities. Since there are concerns about the relationship between cholesterol and cardiovascular disease of the atherosclerotic type, a moderate diet of cholesterol-containing foods is recommended.

Cosmetics

Water loss from the skin is responsible for certain aesthetic and functional defects of the stratum corneum such as reduced elasticity, flaking and dryness. To remedy these drawbacks, cosmetic formulations contain emollient ingredients capable of restoring proper skin hydration. Cholesterol is generally extracted from animals and plays the important role of an emollient that is easily absorbed by the skin with medium penetration capacity, so it is non-irritating and non-photosensitising. It has foam-stabilising activity and improves colour fastness. Improves the function of other active agents. In hair dyes it improves colour fastness and nourishes the hair.

Doses: 1.4% in cosmetic formulations

Other uses

• Plasticiser with good compatibility with most synthetic resins and rubbers used in industry.
• Fixative for gas chromatography 
• Feed additive

For further information:

Cholesterol studies

Typical commercial product characteristics Cholesterol CAS 57-88-5

• Molecular Formula     C₂₇H₄₆O
• Molecular Weight     386.7
• Exact Mass     386.354858
• CAS  57-88-5
• UNII    97C5T2UQ7J
• EC Number   200-353-2
• DSSTox Substance ID  DTXSID3022401
• IUPAC  (3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
• InChl=1S/C27H46O/c1-18(2)7-6-8-19(3)23-11-12-24-22-10-9-20-17-21(28)13-15-26(20,4)25(22)14-16-27(23,24)5/h9,18-19,21-25,28H,6-8,10-17H2,1-5H3/t19-,21+,22+,23-,24+,25+,26+,27-/m1/s1
• InChl Key      HVYWMOMLDIMFJA-DPAQBDIFSA-N
• SMILES   CC(C)CCCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C
• MDL number  MFCD00003646
• PubChem Substance ID    24892329
• Beilstein     1915888
• eCl@ss     39023139
• NACRES NA.77
• ChEBI  16113
• RTECS  FZ8400000
• RXCUI     2438
• NCI    C369
• ICSC    8798

Synonyms

• 5-Cholesten-3β-ol
• 3β-Hydroxy-5-cholestene
• 20-Dihydro-11-deoxycortisol
• cholesterin

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Westover EJ, Covey DF. The enantiomer of cholesterol. J Membr Biol. 2004 Nov;202(2):61-72. doi: 10.1007/s00232-004-0714-7.

(2) Giang H, Schick M. On the puzzling distribution of cholesterol in the plasma membrane. Chem Phys Lipids. 2016 Sep;199:35-38. doi: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2015.12.002.