Comparison of the metabolism of cholesterol, cholestanol, and β-sitosterol in L-cell mouse fibroblasts

The following data have been obtained from comparative studies on the metabolism of cholesterol, cholestanol, and beta-sitosterol by L-cell mouse fibroblasts. (1) When the sterols are added to the growth medium under similar conditions, cellular incorporation of cholesterol > cholestanol > beta-sitosterol; (2) only limited cellular esterification of these compounds occurs; (3) no metabolic products arising from the sterols could be detected; (4) influx of all sterols is dependent upon the concentration; and (5) exogenous cholesterol reduces mevalonate incorporation into cellular sterol to a lesser extent than acetate or glucose. The metabolism of these sterols is discussed in relation to their ability to influence de novo sterol biosynthesis.