Cholesteryl ester

Cholesterol Oleate, a member of the cholesteryl ester family

Cholesteryl ester, a dietary lipid, is an ester of cholesterol. The ester bond is formed between the carboxylate group of a fatty acid and the hydroxyl group of cholesterol. Cholesteryl esters have a lower solubility in water due to their increased hydrophobicity. They are hydrolyzed by pancreatic enzymes, cholesterol esterase, to produce cholesterol and free fatty acids.[1] They are associated with atherosclerosis.[2]

See also

References

  1. Ferrier, Richard A. Harvey, Denise R. (2011). Lippincott's illustrated reviews, biochemistry (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health. p. 175. ISBN 9781608314126.
  2. Cholesterol Esters at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)


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