Cholesterol metabolism: physiological regulation and diseases

• Published in: MedComm (2020) Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. e476 - n/a
• Main Authors: Guo, Jiarui, Chen, Silong, Zhang, Ying, Liu, Jinxia, Jiang, Luyang, Hu, Lidan, Yao, Ke, Yu, Yibo, Chen, Xiangjun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.02.2024; Wiley
• Subjects: Cholesterol; cholesterol metabolism; Disease; diseases; efflux; Metabolism; Pathogenesis; regulation; reverse cholesterol transport; cholesterol; diseases; reverse cholesterol transport; regulation; efflux; cholesterol metabolism
• ISSN: 2688-2663; 2688-2663
• DOI: 10.1002/mco2.476

Cholesterol homeostasis is crucial for cellular and systemic function. The disorder of cholesterol metabolism not only accelerates the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but is also the fundamental cause of other ailments. The regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the human is an extremely complex process. Due to the dynamic balance between cholesterol synthesis, intake, efflux and storage, cholesterol metabolism generally remains secure. Disruption of any of these links is likely to have adverse effects on the body. At present, increasing evidence suggests that abnormal cholesterol metabolism is closely related to various systemic diseases. However, the exact mechanism by which cholesterol metabolism contributes to disease pathogenesis remains unclear, and there are still unknown factors. In this review, we outline the metabolic process of cholesterol in the human body, especially reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Then, we discuss separately the impact of abnormal cholesterol metabolism on common diseases and potential therapeutic targets for each disease, including CVD, tumors, neurological diseases, and immune system diseases. At the end of this review, we focus on the effect of cholesterol metabolism on eye diseases. In short, we hope to provide more new ideas for the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases from the perspective of cholesterol. At present, increasing evidence suggests that abnormal cholesterol metabolism is closely related to various systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, tumors, neurological conditions immune system disorders, and eye diseases. Cholesterol overload caused by abnormal cholesterol metabolism can induce elevated oxidative stress, heightened inflammatory responses, reduced autophagy, and increased apoptosis in cells through various signaling pathways, ultimately accelerating the development of diseases. Therefore, this review will summarize the relationship between cholesterol metabolism and common diseases and aim to provide new perspectives for the pathogenesis of diseases.