kolesteroliesteriksi

Kolesteroliesteriksi refers to the esterified form of cholesterol. Cholesterol itself is a vital lipid molecule found in cell membranes and is a precursor to steroid hormones and bile acids. In the body, cholesterol is often transported and stored as cholesterol esters.

A cholesterol ester is formed when the hydroxyl group at the 3-position of cholesterol reacts with a fatty acid, creating an ester bond. This process is called esterification. Fatty acids that are commonly esterified with cholesterol include saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of various chain lengths. The esterification reaction is catalyzed by enzymes such as acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) within cells and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in the plasma.

Cholesterol esters are more hydrophobic than free cholesterol, meaning they are less soluble in water. This property makes them ideal for storage within cells, particularly in lipid droplets. They are also the primary form of cholesterol transported in lipoproteins, such as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein), in the bloodstream. The metabolism and transport of cholesterol esters are crucial for maintaining cholesterol homeostasis and can be implicated in various cardiovascular diseases when dysregulated.