Anti-cholesterol explained

Anti-cholesterol is a naturally occurring antibody to cholesterol produced by mammals. This antibody serves a ‘housekeeping’ or protective role for the host animal, helping to protect the animal from harmful forms of cholesterol such as LDL and VLDL.

Modes of Action

An immunoglobulin protein, anti-cholesterol may be found both in circulation as well as in the digestive tract.

• In circulation, this antibody binds selectively to the small, dense, oxidized cholesterol or oxysterol rich LDLs that are known to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. The antibody does not bind the good forms of cholesterol such as HDL.
• In the gastrointestinal tract, the antibody acts as a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. The antibody selectively binds to oxysterol or oxidized-rich cholesterol micelles and prevents their uptake by the intestinal enterocyte. The antibody-bound micelle is then removed through fecal clearance.

References

• Dijkstra J, Swartz GM, Raney JJ . Interaction of anti-cholesterol antibodies with human lipoproteins . J. Immunol. . 157 . 5 . 2006–13 . September 1996 . 8757321 . etal.
• Horváth A, Füst G, Horváth I . Anti-cholesterol antibodies (ACHA) in patients with different atherosclerotic vascular diseases and healthy individuals. Characterization of human ACHA. . Atherosclerosis . 156 . 1 . 185–92 . May 2001 . 11369013 . 10.1016/s0021-9150(00)00630-4. etal.
• Alving CR, Swartz GM, Wassef NM . Immunization with cholesterol-rich liposomes induces anti-cholesterol antibodies and reduces diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and plaque formation . J. Lab. Clin. Med. . 127 . 1 . 40–9 . January 1996 . 8592095 . 10.1016/S0022-2143(96)90164-X. etal.
• Golay A, Ferrara JM, Felber JP, Schneider H . Cholesterol-lowering effect of skim milk from immunized cows in hypercholesterolemic patients . Am. J. Clin. Nutr. . 52 . 6 . 1014–9 . December 1990 . 2239776 . 10.1093/ajcn/52.6.1014 . free .
• Earnest CP, Jordan AN, Safir M, Weaver E, Church TS . Cholesterol-lowering effects of bovine serum immunoglobulin in participants with mild hypercholesterolemia . Am. J. Clin. Nutr. . 81 . 4 . 792–8 . April 2005 . 15817854 . 10.1093/ajcn/81.4.792 . free .