Inhibition of .BETA.-sitosterol on intestinal cholesterol absorption in rat using in vivo dual isotope ratio method.

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Abstract
The inhibitory effects of [dietary] .beta.-sitosterol on intestinal cholesterol absorption were studied by a dual isotope plasma ratio method (in vivo), a new technique for the measurement of cholesterol absorption, and a ligated-loop method (in situ). The absorption of .beta.-sitosterol was significantly less than cholesterol. Cholesterol was selectively absorbed from rat intestine. When 100-1000 .mu.g of .beta.-sitosterol were added to the dose solution containing 10 .mu.g of cholesterol, cholesterol absorption by the in vivo experiment decreased with the increase of additional .beta.-sitosterol. A similar inhibitory effect of .beta.-sitosterol was observed by the in situ ligated-loop method. .beta.-Sitosterol actually inhibits cholesterol absorption in the physiological state of an animal.