Effects of Sitosterol on the Cholesterol Concentration in Serum and Liver in Hypothyroidism

The effects of the administration of the plant sterol, &bgr;-sitosterol, on the elevated serum lipids of hypothyroidism and on the cholesterol content of the liver have been investigated. In patients with hypothyroidism sitosterol administration, without dietary restriction, resulted in a reduction of serum cholesterol and other lipids. In the hypothyroid rat the addition of sitosterol to the diet prevented the increase in serum lipids and in the cholesterol content of the liver which otherwise occurs on a high-cholesterol diet.