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A Comparative Study of the Effects of Cholesterol, Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, Dehydro-epiandrosterone Sulphate and Melatonin on In Vitro Lipid Peroxidation

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Abstract

The free radical scavenging abilities of the structurally related steroids beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol glucoside (plant sterols and sterolins), cholesterol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were compared with melatonin (an efficient free radical scavenger) in an in vitro system which measures lipid peroxidation of platelet membranes in the presence of iron (Fe2+). Lipid peroxidation is a process whereby cellular membranes are damaged due to the oxidative deterioration of polyunsaturated lipids, which may lead to cell death and disease in living organisms. Substances such as vitamin E protect cellular membranes against oxidative damage due to their chemical structures. The steroids cholesterol, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol glucoside and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are structurally related to each other. During aging, serum concentrations of DHEA, DHEAS and melatonin decrease, while the concentration of cholesterol tends to increase. The aim of the present study was to compare the role these substances play in lipid peroxidation over a wide concentration range. At concentrations lower than the free iron in the reaction mixture, all the steroids investigated decreased lipid peroxidation. At higher concentrations, cholesterol and beta-sitosterol increased lipid peroxidation, while DHEAS and melatonin continued to decrease lipid peroxidation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Pathology, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch Medical School, South Africa

    S.J. van Rensburg

  2. Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch Medical School, South Africa

    W.M.U. Daniels

  3. Department of Pharmacology, University of Stellenbosch Medical School, South Africa

    J.M. van Zyl

  4. Department of Chemical Pathology, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch Medical School, South Africa

    J.J.F. Taljaard

Authors
  1. S.J. van Rensburg
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  2. W.M.U. Daniels
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  3. J.M. van Zyl
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  4. J.J.F. Taljaard
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van Rensburg, S., Daniels, W., van Zyl, J. et al. A Comparative Study of the Effects of Cholesterol, Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, Dehydro-epiandrosterone Sulphate and Melatonin on In Vitro Lipid Peroxidation. Metab Brain Dis 15, 257–265 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011167023695

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011167023695

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