Cholesterol synthesis is controlled by feedback regulation in which cholesterol , the endproduct of the pathway, represses the synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase . Synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase is also repressed by bile salts. Regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation . Integrity of cell membranes a balance between the amount of cholesterol and saturated fatty acids in phospholipids . Drugs Inhibiting Cholesterol Synthesis Statins are competitive inhibitors of HMG CoA .
Inhibition results in a decrease in intracellular cholesterol levels .
Cholesterol is found in phospholipid bilayers . Cholesterol esters found in lipid droplets . Synthesis of Bile Salts Cholic Acid and Chenocholic Acid Bile salts are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol . An additional hydroxylation may occur . Clinical Relevance - Cholestyramine Bile salt sequestrants positively charged resins binding to the negatively charged bile salts .