Association between Cholesterol Homeostasis with Intestinal Proteins, Enzymes and Drugs in Absorption of Cholesterol and its Relationship with Vascular Diseases: A Review

The goal of this review is to discuss many aspects of cholesterol homeostasis in the body in order to presents the standards of cholesterol disposition and its levels, especially when several means might change the features of cholesterol synthesis and absorption and interrupt this equilibrium. With the detection of pathways of cholesterol absorption and the discovery of different compounds that amend cholesterol absorption, there is a series of cholesterol lowering drugs, which may decrease the level of serum cholesterol by altering its absorption. It is recognized that the effects of cholesterol lowering drugs as well as genetics of a person, loss of body weight, enzymes and proteins may increase the cholesterol altering effect, but the impact of these agents on the mechanism of cholesterol homeostasis are poorly understood. The disturbance of cholesterol homeostasis is also related with vascular changes associated with cardiac and kidney problems. Besides using different drugs and other means (plant sterol, enzyme, protein etc.), there is a need to improve the dietary pattern and life style. These may help to improve the cholesterol homeostasis.