[Hypocholesterinemic effect of cholesterol oxidase in the rabbit].

Cholesterol oxidase (3 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidase) from the Actinomyces lavendulae mycelium oxidizes cholesterol of blood serum in vitro. The half-inactivation time for the enzyme in blood serum (37 degrees) is 90 min. After intravenous injection of the enzyme (1--2 units per kg) to rabbits with experimental hypercholesterinemia the cholesterol content in the blood is decreased directly proportional to the single dose of the enzyme and duration of injection. After 6-8 injections the level of non-esterified and total cholesterol is drastically decreased (by 90-97% and 65-68%, respectively). The acute toxicity of cholesterol oxidase preparations for mice decreases depending on the degree of the enzyme purification.