Effect of soy sterols on cholesterol synthesis in the rat

Soy sterols increased the incorporation of acetate into cholesterol by rat liver slices and prevented the depression of cholesterogenesis caused by dietary cholesterol. Acetate incorporation into cholesterol by intestinal slices was not affected by soy sterols but was decreased by cholesterol. The results with liver slices agree with the view that soy sterols, by interfering with the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, prevent the feedback inhibition of hepatic cholesterogenesis.