Cholesterol Metabolism and Oxidation Products
Summary
Cholesterol is an essential lipid molecule, serving as a structural component of cell membranes, a precursor for steroid hormones and bile acids, and a key modulator of membrane fluidity. Cellular cholesterol levels are tightly regulated through a balance of de novo synthesis via the mevalonate pathway—controlled chiefly by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase—uptake of circulating lipoproteins, and elimination through conversion to bile acids. Oxidation products of cholesterol, collectively termed oxysterols, arise both enzymatically (for example by cytochrome P450-mediated hydroxylations) and non-enzymatically under oxidative stress. These oxysterols function as signalling molecules that modulate lipid homeostasis, inflammatory responses and apoptosis, but can also accumulate in arterial walls and contribute to atherogenesis. The global burden of cardiovascular disease has underscored the importance of understanding how oxysterol formation, distribution and clearance influence plaque development. In parallel, the role of oxidised sterols in neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic syndromes has spurred efforts to develop diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents that target specific enzymes or pathways responsible for cholesterol oxidation and turnover.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Cholesterol Metabolism and Oxidation Products publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cholesterol metabolism and oxidation products across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Oxysterol: An oxygenated derivative of cholesterol formed through enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxidation.
HMG-CoA reductase: The rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis.
Low density lipoprotein (LDL): A plasma lipoprotein responsible for transporting cholesterol to peripheral tissues.
Foam cell: A lipid-laden macrophage originating from uptake of oxidised LDL in arterial walls.
Bile acids: Steroid acids derived from cholesterol in the liver, facilitating lipid digestion and cholesterol elimination.
References
- Suppression of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Activity and Inhibition of Growth of Human Fibroblasts by 7-Ketocholesterol. Journal of Biological Chemistry (1974).
- Free and esterified oxysterol: formation during copper-oxidation of low density lipoprotein and uptake by macrophages. Journal of Lipid Research (1996).
- 7-Hydroperoxycholesterol and its products in oxidized low density lipoprotein and human atherosclerotic plaque. Journal of Lipid Research (1997).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.