Approaches to measuring cholesterol absorption in humans

Under optimal conditions, plasma cholesterol homeostasis is maintained by a variety of mechanisms, balancing input and output, thereby preventing the net accumulation of cholesterol in circulation and tissues. Among these mechanisms, intestinal cholesterol absorption has recently re-emerged as a pot...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atherosclerosis 2004-06, Vol.174 (2), p.197-205
Main Authors: Matthan, Nirupa R, Lichtenstein, Alice H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research)
Biological and medical sciences
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cholesterol - blood
Cholesterol - metabolism
Cholesterol absorption
Cholesterol, Dietary - metabolism
Chromatography, Gas
Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
Female
Gas chromotography
Humans
Intestinal Absorption - physiology
Male
Mass Spectrometry
Medical sciences
Plant sterols
Radioisotope Dilution Technique
Radiolabeled isotope
Sensitivity and Specificity
Stable isotope
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Summary:Under optimal conditions, plasma cholesterol homeostasis is maintained by a variety of mechanisms, balancing input and output, thereby preventing the net accumulation of cholesterol in circulation and tissues. Among these mechanisms, intestinal cholesterol absorption has recently re-emerged as a potentially important contributor to cholesterol homeostasis. However, its regulation has been difficult to study in humans because of technical limitations in methodologies. In this review the major methods available for measuring cholesterol absorption including those that utilize cholesterol balance, single dose isotopic feeding, dual isotope plasma ratio, continuous isotope feeding, intestinal perfusion, stable isotopes and serum plant sterols or cholestanol to cholesterol ratios are reviewed and contrasted. Emphasis is placed on the strengths, technical and interpretational limitations and their applicability for use in metabolic, small-scale outpatient, population and large-scale intervention studies.
ISSN:0021-9150
1879-1484
DOI:10.1016/S0021-9150(03)00248-X