Effect of Dihydrocholesterol and Soybean Sterols on Cholesterol Metabolism in Rabbit and Rat

Abstract
Dietary dihydrocholesterol and soybean sterols were absorbed by rabbits, and soy sterols produced atherosclerosis in these animals. Livers of rabbits and rats fed dihydrocholesterol and of rabbits fed soybean sterols had an impaired ability to incorporate C14 labeled-acetate into cholesterol. Rats fed a 3% soybean sterols diet did not absorb significant amounts of these sterols. Soy sterols failed to produce a lowering of total liver sterol levels in rats.