Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Group of Biobanking, 10 Pogodinskaya Str., Bld. 8, 119121 Moscow, Russia.
Nutrients. 2021 May 12;13(5):1623. doi: 10.3390/nu13051623.
The way of plant sterols transformation and their benefits for humans is still a question under the massive continuing revision. In fact, there are no receptors for binding with sterols in mammalians. However, possible biotransformation to steroids that can be catalyzed by gastro-intestinal microflora, microbial cells in prebiotics or cytochromes system were repeatedly reported. Some products of sterols metabolization are capable to imitate resident human steroids and compete with them for the binding with corresponding receptors, thus affecting endocrine balance and entire physiology condition. There are also tremendous reports about the natural origination of mammalian steroid hormones in plants and corresponding receptors for their binding. Some investigations and reports warn about anabolic effect of sterols, however, there are many researchers who are reluctant to believe in and have strong opposing arguments. We encounter plant sterols everywhere: in food, in pharmacy, in cosmetics, but still know little about their diverse properties and, hence, their exact impact on our life. Most of our knowledge is limited to their cholesterol-lowering influence and protective effect against cardiovascular disease. However, the world of plant sterols is significantly wider if we consider the thousands of publications released over the past 10 years.
植物固醇的转化方式及其对人类的益处仍在大量持续修订中。事实上，哺乳动物中没有与固醇结合的受体。然而，人们反复报道了可能通过胃肠微生物菌群、益生菌中的微生物细胞或细胞色素系统进行生物转化为类固醇。固醇代谢的一些产物能够模拟内源性人类类固醇，并与相应的受体竞争结合，从而影响内分泌平衡和整个生理状况。也有大量关于植物中哺乳动物甾体激素的天然起源及其结合相应受体的报道。一些研究和报告警告固醇的合成代谢作用，但也有许多研究人员不愿意相信并持强烈反对意见。我们在食品、药房、化妆品中随处可见植物固醇，但对它们的多种特性知之甚少，因此对它们对我们生活的确切影响也知之甚少。我们的大多数知识仅限于它们的降胆固醇作用和对心血管疾病的保护作用。然而，如果我们考虑过去 10 年发布的数千篇论文，那么植物固醇的世界就大不相同了。
