Oxysterols as a biomarker in diseases

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Cholesterol is vital for cell structure but prone to oxidation, forming oxysterols.
• Oxysterols are structurally similar to cholesterol, with added hydroxyl, epoxy, or ketone groups.
• Oxysterol formation occurs through enzymatic or non-enzymatic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of oxysterols as biomarkers.
• To explore the use of non-enzymatic oxysterols and enzymatic oxysterol equilibrium disturbances for disease diagnosis and monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of oxysterol formation and function.
• Analysis of oxysterol roles in human body fluids.
• Evaluation of oxysterol equilibrium alterations in disease states.

Main Results:

• Oxysterols are formed via enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidation of cholesterol.
• Enzymatic oxysterols have diverse origins and functions.
• Oxysterols maintain a concentration equilibrium in body fluids, which can be disrupted by disease.

Conclusions:

• Non-enzymatic oxysterols show promise as diagnostic biomarkers.
• Disturbances in enzymatic oxysterol equilibrium can indicate disease progression.
• Oxysterols offer a potential avenue for diagnosing and monitoring various diseases.