Evaluation of hepatic cholesterol synthesis in man: results with the HMG-CoA reductase activity assay

The liver plays a key role in the metabolism and disposition of cholesterol. Input of the sterol to the liver derives from three sources: circulating lipoprotein cholesterol, absorption of dietary cholesterol and local neosynthesis. The liver disposes of its cholesterol by exporting it as lipoprotein into the circulation or secreting it into the bile, either as intact molecule or after its degradation to bile acids. All these processes are somewhat interlocked so that, in physiological conditions, cholesterol balance is kept in equilibrium. One of the factors responsible for this homeostasis is the capacity of the liver to adapt its own cholesterol synthesis.