Cholesterol

Cholesterol: Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pathology focuses on the properties, characteristics, compositions, and reactions of cholesterol. The selection first offers information on the history of cholesterol, including occurrence of cholesterol, early chemistry, related compounds, and analytical methods. The text then surveys the chemistry of cholesterol; methods of isolation and estimation of sterols; and distribution of sterols in organisms and in tissues. Discussions focus on quantitative determination of sterols, isolation procedures, distribution in animal tissues, sterols in plants, and sterol content of foodstuffs. The publication ponders on the physiology of the circulating cholesterol and lipoproteins and the biosynthesis of cholesterol. The manuscript then takes a look at the metabolism of cholesterol and other sterols in animal organisms; conversion of cholesterol to steroid hormones; microscopical localization of cholesterol in cells and tissues; and pathological manifestations of abnormal cholesterol metabolism. The selection is a valuable reference for readers interested in the properties and reactions of cholesterol.