Oxysterols in Metabolic Syndrome: From Bystander Molecules to Bioactive Lipids

Oxysterols are cholesterol metabolites now considered bona fide bioactive lipids. Recent studies have identified new receptors for oxysterols involved in immune and inflammatory processes, hence reviving their appeal. Through multiple receptors, oxysterols are involved in numerous metabolic and inflammatory processes, thus emerging as key mediators in metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by complex interactions between inflammation and a dysregulated metabolism. Presently, the use of synthetic ligands and genetic models has facilitated a better understanding of the roles of oxysterols in metabolism, but also raised interesting questions. We discuss recent findings on the absolute levels of oxysterols in tissues, their newly identified targets, and the mechanistic studies emphasizing their importance in metabolic disease, as there is a pressing need to further comprehend these intriguing bioactive lipids.