Comparative lymphatic absorption of sitosterol, stigmasterol, and fucosterol and differential inhibition of cholesterol absorption.

Studies have been conducted on the lymphatic absorption of sitosterol (24 alpha-ethyl cholesterol), stigmasterol (delta 22, 24 alpha-ethyl cholesterol), and fucosterol (24-ethylidine cholesterol) when administered intragastrically to rats. In addition, the effect of each sterol on absorption of endogenous cholesterol has been assessed by including tracer cholesterol in the administered test emulsion. Analysis of 24-h lymph collections by GLC-mass spectrometry demonstrated that all three sterols were poorly absorbed to the extent of only 3 to 4% of the administered dose of 50 mg. In contrast, cholesterol absorption under similar conditions was about 42% of the administered dose. Administration of either sitosterol or stigmasterol resulted in an equally effective inhibition of cholesterol absorption (54%). Under identical conditions fucosterol had no effect on absorption of luminal cholesterol. The data suggest that the mechanism(s) for intestinal discrimination of sterols for absorption may be independent of the mechanism for interference with efficient cholesterol uptake by the intestine.