Effects of cholestanetriol on cytotoxicity and prostacyclin production in cultured rabbit aortic endothelial cells.

Rabbit aortic endothelial cells in culture were incubated with 10 micrograms/ml of either pure cholesterol or cholestane-3 beta, 5 alpha, 6 beta-triol (triol) for 12 or 24 hours. Cells incubated with triol showed an increased rate of cell death, decreased [3H]-thymidine incorporation and decreased prostacyclin production as compared to either the control or the pure cholesterol group. These effects were more marked at 24 hours than at 12 hours. Pure cholesterol had no significant effects on any of the above parameters at either time interval. These results suggest potential atherogenic mechanisms for cholestanetriol, one of the most biologically active cholesterol oxidation products.