| 4ß hydroxycholesterol | Hydroxycholesterols are critical for cholesterol transport from the periphery to the liver, regulate the expression of sterol sensitive genes which are involved in lipid and sterol biosynthesis, act as substrates for the formation of bile salts, serve as ligands that activate nuclear liver X receptors-α and -β, and are involved in the regulation of cholesterol and lipid metabolism and homeostasis. |