Quantification of adipocyte free and esterified cholesterol using liquid gel chromatography

A reliable method for the separation of free and esterified cholesterol in adipocyte extracts is described. The procedure uses Sephadex LH-20, a lipophilic dextran gel, with a solvent system of chloroform-hexane 55:45 (v/v). Interference by excess triglyceride, such as that encountered in adipocyte total lipid extracts, was not observed, and overall recovery of both sterols exceeded 98%.