Sterols , sterols (from cholesterol , -ol) - natural organic compounds , derivatives of steroids containing a hydroxyl group in position 3 [1] . The structure of sterols is based on saturated tetracyclic hydrocarbon steran .
According to the sources of sterols can be divided into:
- zoosterols (from animals)
- phytosterols (from plants)
- mycosterols (from mushrooms)
Most sterols are crystalline substances soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in water.
A group of hydroxy derivatives of sterols , which play one of the key roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, is of great dietary danger to humans. A critical factor in the manifestation of the disease is the development of the process of accumulation of cholesterol in the intima of blood vessels, which depends on the ratio of the supply of sterol to the vascular wall and its return to the blood plasma.
Notes
- ↑ IUPAC Gold Book . Date of treatment March 4, 2014.