In vitro effects of sitosterol and sitostanol on mitochondrial respiration in human brown adipocytes, myotubes and hepatocytes

Purpose Lowering of LDL cholesterol levels by plant sterols and stanols is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease in humans. Plant sterols and stanols also lower triacylglycerol (TG). However, it is not fully understood how reduction in TG is achieved and what the full potential of plant sterols and stanols is on whole-body metabolism. We here hypothesize that high levels of plant sterols and stanols stimulate whole-body energy expenditure, which can be attributed to changes in mitochondrial function of brown adipose tissue (BAT), skeletal muscle and liver.