Oxysterols in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

Oxysterols are the most investigated products of cholesterol oxidation, generated either by enzymatic reactions or by autoxidation light- or heat-induced. They display several properties of both physiological and pathological interest. As regards the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, i.e. the top human pathology for incidence and prevalence, oxysterols may markedly contribute to their development by steadily enhancing the associated conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation, that are the main drivers of chronic disease progression. In addition to being reliable markers of oxidative stress, especially those of non-enzymatic origin, when quantified in blood serum or plasma, oxysterols have been shown in recent human studies to be useful as well in predicting and monitoring the severity of both cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes mellitus, a primary risk factor of CVDs: a direct correlation was found between the hematic increase of certain oxysterols and the evolution of atherosclerotic plaques. In this regard, a significant reduction in oxysterol blood levels was achieved by the combined statin plus ezetimibe therapy, in certain cases associated with plaque regression.