In vitro Effects of 5.alpha.-Cholestane-3.beta.,5,6.beta.-triol on Cultured Rat Cardiomyocytes

One of the most toxic among the cholesterol oxidation products generated in food following heat, radiation, or storage procedures is 5α-cholestane-3β,5,6β-triol. When the medium of cultured rat cardiomyocytes was supplemented with scalar concentrations (0.1-5 μM) of triol, a close correlation was found between the concentration of triol in the medium and the amount of triol incorporated into cell lipids. Identification of triol and other compounds was by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, triol supplementation caused a significant reduction in cell protein content, without affecting cell viability