In general , markers for cholesterol absorption and synthesis displayed reciprocal patterns , showing that cholesterol metabolism is tightly regulated by the interplay of intestinal absorption and endogenous synthesis .
Distinctive patterns for cholesterol absorption or cholesterol synthesis could be identified , suggesting that metabolic disorders can be classified as ' cholesterol absorbers or cholesterol synthesizers ' .
Non-cholesterol sterols are vali date d biomarkers for intestinal cholesterol absorption and endogenous cholesterol synthesis .
However , their use in metabolic disturbances has not been systematic ally explored .
Therefore , we conducted a systematic review to provide an overview of non-cholesterol sterols as markers for cholesterol metabolism in different metabolic disorders .
Oral guar gum treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis and pruritus in pregnant women: effects on serum cholestanol and other non-cholesterol sterols.
BACKGROUND Our aim was to investigate whether intestinal binding of bile acids by guar gum , a dietary fibre , relieves cholestasis and pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy . METHODS Forty-eight pregnant women with cholestasis and pruritus were r and omized double-blind to guar gum and placebo until the time of delivery , and 20 healthy pregnant women were used as control subjects . The pruritus score and serum bile acids , lipids and non-cholesterol sterols were measured at baseline , at least 2 weeks after treatment , just before delivery and up to 4 weeks after delivery . RESULTS The increase in serum bile acids and worsening of pruritus were prevented by guar gum in relation to placebo ( P < 0.05 ) . Serum cholesterol was unchanged , but increased cholesterol precursor sterol values suggested that cholesterol synthesis was increased by guar gum .  Serum cholestanol proportion , an indicator of cholestasis , was related to pruritus but was unaffected by guar gum . CONCLUSION We conclude that in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and pruritus , guar gum treatment is beneficial in relieving pruritus , even although indicators of cholestasis are only partially reduced
In general , markers for cholesterol absorption and synthesis displayed reciprocal patterns , showing that cholesterol metabolism is tightly regulated by the interplay of intestinal absorption and endogenous synthesis .
Distinctive patterns for cholesterol absorption or cholesterol synthesis could be identified , suggesting that metabolic disorders can be classified as ' cholesterol absorbers or cholesterol synthesizers ' .
Non-cholesterol sterols are vali date d biomarkers for intestinal cholesterol absorption and endogenous cholesterol synthesis .
However , their use in metabolic disturbances has not been systematic ally explored .
Therefore , we conducted a systematic review to provide an overview of non-cholesterol sterols as markers for cholesterol metabolism in different metabolic disorders .