Effect of Sesamin on Cholesterol Synthesis and on the Distribution of Incorporated Linoleic Acid in Lipid Subfractions in Cultured Rat Cells

Since sesamin influences the metabolism of essential fatty acids, its effects on cholesterol metabolism and on the incorporation of linoleic acid were studied by using cultured rat artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Cholesterol synthesis from acetate was inhibited by sesamin in SMCs, and the distribution of incorporated linoleic acid in the lipid and phospholipid subfractions was altered by sesamin in rat hepatocytes.