Rapid, Simplified Method for Measuring Total Hepatic Cholesterol

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Abstract
Because determinations of hepatic total cholesterol are frequently needed, an automated, continuous-flow method would be useful to have available. Hepatic total cholesterol is extracted with isopropyl alcohol in one step and the extract is then quantitatively analyzed by an accepted AutoAnalyzer procedure for serum total cholesterol. Homogenization of the tissue eliminates the use of proteolytic enzymes or KOH for the digestive process. The one-step extraction of total cholesterol with isopropyl alcohol simultaneously precipitates interfering proteins. Addition of FeCl3 color reagent to an aliquot of clear extract produces a stable color with a density proportional to the amount of cholesterol present, which can be quantitatively detected by a colorimeter and recorded on a graphic recorder. This automated method eliminates tedious, time-consuming processes, and can greatly increase the reliability and accuracy of hepatic total cholesterol determinations. This method is shown to be rapid, reproducible, and simple. The procedure is adapted for both wet tissue and lyophilized samples, the latter giving slightly more reproducible results.

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