[Decomposition of human blood cholesterol by the enzyme from Actinomyces lavendulae]

In vitro experiments with enzymic decomposition of cholesterol contained in the human blood were carried out. The enzyme was obtained from the mycelium of Actinomyces lavendulae. As a result of incubation of blood samples in the presence of the enzyme at 37 degrees, the cholesterol content decreased and reached 30--43% of the initial value within 2 hours. The enzyme showed its specific effect only upon free cholesterol but not on its esters.