Sterols are a type of lipid with four carbon rings and an oxygen molecule. Cholesterol is a vital sterol for cell membranes and hormone synthesis. LDL is “bad” cholesterol that can cause heart attacks, while HDL is “good” cholesterol that removes excess cholesterol. Ergosterol is a fungal sterol targeted by antifungal drugs, phytosterols are plant compounds that may prevent cholesterol absorption, and opanoids are bacterial compounds similar to sterols.
A sterol is a special type of lipid consisting of four carbon rings fused with an oxygen molecule at the end. The prototypical sterol is cholesterol, which has been highly studied for its health effects. Steroids, such as the hormones estrogen and testosterone, are also considered sterols. Ergosterol is a fungal sterol whose synthesis serves as a target for antifungal drugs, while phytosterols are plant compounds that are sterols. Opanoids are bacterial compounds that share some similarities with sterols.
Lipids are fatty compounds that cannot be dissolved in water. Steroids are a special type of lipid that have a group of four carbon rings that are fused together. Unlike most lipids, they do not have a fatty acid tail. A sterol is a subgroup of steroids that has an oxygen at the end of the molecule.
Cholesterol is a very important sterol for normal cellular functioning. It is a vital component of animal cell membranes and is required for their stability and flowability. Furthermore, it is the precursor molecule for many other compounds, including steroid hormones such as estrogen, testosterone and cortisol. Vitamin D is made up of cholesterol and the activated form of vitamin D is a sterol.
While cholesterol can be obtained from the diet, most of the body’s cholesterol is synthesized by the liver from saturated fats that have been consumed. Some forms of cholesterol can travel in the bloodstream. The different forms of these substances have radically different effects on human health.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is referred to as bad cholesterol. This name is due to the fact that it can coat the walls of the arteries and increase the susceptibility to heart attack and stroke. Conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) binds to extra cholesterol in the blood and transfers it to the liver, where it is removed from the system. For these reasons, the ratio of these two types of cholesterol is more important than the amount of total cholesterol.
Ergosterol performs a function analogous to cholesterol, but in the cell membranes of fungi. Because it is not present in humans, the enzyme that synthesizes it makes attractive targets for antifungal drugs. Several classes of drugs are used clinically as biosynthetic ergosterol inhibitors to treat fungal infections in humans and as fungicides on plants. Some of these compounds are also used to treat protozoal infections, such as West African sleeping sickness.
Phytosterol is a type of sterol found in plants and obtained mainly in the diet from vegetable oils. There is evidence that it can prevent cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestines. There is some concern, however, that it may also interfere with the absorption of important nutrients. Examples of phytosterols are campesterol and sitosterol.
Opanoids are compounds found in bacterial membranes. They are not sterols, but have fused ring structures that share partial resemblance to these compounds. Opanoids perform a function in bacterial membranes similar to that of cholesterol in animal membranes.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
