Cytotoxic effects of secosterols and their derivatives on several cultured cells.

The cytotoxic effects of various oxysterols on several culture cells were examined. Ozonolysis products of cholesterol, secosterols (3β-hydroxy-5-oxo-5,6-secocholestan-6-al) and its aldolization product (3β-hydroxy-5β-hydroxy-B-norcholestane-6β-carboxaldehyde) and their keto alcohol and acid derivatives, were found to have potent cytotoxic activities, as compared with major endogenous oxysterols such as 5β,6β-epoxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, and 25-hydroxycholesterol. Secosterols might play important roles in tissue damage and inflammation-associated diseases.