Essentiality of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for efficient liver sterol metabolism

Abundant data from both experimental animals and humans now support the conclusion that the incidence of atherosclerosis is related to the concentration of plasma cholesterol. Cholesterol homeostasis in the body is maintained by regulatory mechanisms, which control the input and output processes. The liver plays a key role in cholesterol balance. In this organ, the major part of the cholesterol synthesis, cholesterol conversion to bile acids and the delivery of cholesterol to the plasma in the form of lipoprotein remnants, low and high density lipoproteins. While many studies have related dietary intake of fatty acids to concentrations of cholesterol in the circulation, their potential effects on liver sterol metabolism have received relatively less attention. However, the liver represents the target of many stimuli capable of affecting cholesterol homeostasis. This review will focus on the regulation of liver sterol metabolism by omega-3 versus omega-6 fatty acids.