Cytotoxic effects of secosterols and their derivatives on several cultured cells

Abstract

The cytotoxic effects of various oxysterols on several culture cells were examined. Ozonolysis products of cholesterol, secosterols (3β-hydroxy-5- oxo-5,6-secocholestan- 6-al) and its aldolization product (3β-hydroxy- 5β-hydroxy-B-norcholestane-6β-carboxaldehyde) and their keto alcohol and acid derivatives, were found to have potent cytotoxic activities, as compared with major endogenous oxysterols such as 5β,6β- epoxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, and 25-hydroxycholesterol Secosterols might play important roles in tissue damage and inflammation-associated diseases.