[Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in rabbit hepatocytes by 3-beta-(omega-hydroxyalkoxy)cholest-5-enes].

3 beta-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-, 3 beta-(4'-hydroxybutoxy)-, 3 beta-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)-, 3 beta-(9-hydroxynonyloxy)-, and 3 beta-(2-hydroxy-2-[3H]ethoxy)cholest-5-enes were synthesized. By means of a spin probe, the influence of the synthesized compounds on the phase transition of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine were estimated. Time and dose dependences of the incorporation of 3 beta-(2-hydroxy-2-[3H]ethoxy)cholest-5-ene into rabbit hepatocytes (the primary culture) were studied. 3 beta-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)- and 3 beta-(4-hydroxybutoxy)cholest-5-enes were shown to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis from [14C]acetate in rabbit hepatocyte cultures upon a 24-hour preincubation.