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 .
Elevated serum squalene and cholesterol synthesis markers in pregnant obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus1
We examined serum cholesterol synthesis and absorption markers and their association with neonatal birth weight in obese pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM ) . Pregnant women at risk for GDM ( BMI > 30 kg/m2 ) were enrolled from maternity clinics in Finl and . GDM was determined from the results of an oral glucose tolerance test . Serum sample s were collected at six time-points , one in each trimester of pregnancy , and at 6 weeks , 6 months , and 12 months postpartum . Analysis of serum squalene and noncholesterol sterols  by gas-liquid chromatography revealed that in subjects with GDM ( n = 22 ) , the serum Δ8-cholestenol concentration and lathosterol/sitosterol ratio were higher ( P < 0.05 ) than in the controls ( n = 30 ) in the first trimester , reflecting increased cholesterol synthesis . Also , subjects with GDM had an increased ratio of squalene to cholesterol ( 100 × μmol/mmol of cholesterol ) in the second ( 11.5 ± 0.5 vs. 9.1 ± 0.5 , P < 0.01 ) and third ( 12.1 ± 0.8 vs. 10.0 ± 0.7 , P < 0.05 ) trimester . In GDM , the second trimester maternal serum squalene concentration correlated with neonatal birth weight ( r = 0.70 , P < 0.001 ) . In conclusion , in obesity , GDM associated with elevated serum markers of cholesterol synthesis . Correlation of maternal serum squalene with neonatal birth weight suggests a potential contribution of maternal cholesterol synthesis to newborn weight in GDM
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 .