DYNAMICS OF CHOLESTEROL METABOLISM, I. FACTORS REGULATING TOTAL STEROL BIOSYNTHESIS AND ACCUMULATION IN THE RAT

Abstract

Balance studies in adult male rats have shown that total animal sterol synthesis was proportional to caloric intake. Total body sterol biosynthesis was independent of variations in cholesterol feeding levels when these levels remained in the range of 0.006-0.023% by weight. Fecal dietary residue, as measured by air -dried weight, was also related to total animal sterol synthesis and inversely related to the accumulation of sterol in the animal carcass. A cholesterol-accumulating, or atherogenic, diet is one which is high in calories, well refined, and low in fecal residue. Such a diet would contain a high fat content to provide plentiful calories with minimal residue and optimum conditions for cholesterol absorption and reabsorption.