[Inhibition of incorporation of (2-14C) acetate into the free sterol fraction of hepatocytes as a result of treatment with ubiquinone-9].

Incubation of rat hepatocytes for 2 and 3 h in a medium containing ubiquinone-9 resulted in a decrease of cholesterol biosynthesis. The decrease level does not depend on the incubation time. Ubiquinone does not influence the synthesis of acyl groups of phospholipids, inhibition is specific for cholesterogenesis. The 4-5-fold increased cholesterol biosynthesis is observed in hepatocytes obtained from the liver of gamma-irradiated rats (8 Gy, 1 h after irradiation).