desmosterol

Desmosterol (24-Dehydrocholesterol) is a cholesterol biosynthesis intermediate that inhibits macrophage inflammatory vesicle activation and prevents vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.

7-Dehydro desmosterol is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Additionally, it acts as an endogenous metabolite in the diatom species Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata.

Azacosterol is a diaza derivative of cholesterol which acts as a hypocholesteremic agent by blocking delta-24-reductase causing accumulation of desmosterol. Azacosterol acts as an inhibitor of 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (24-DHCR), preventing the formation of cholesterol from desmosterol. Although it primarily acts to inhibit 24-DHCR, the drug also inhibits other steps in cholesterol biosynthesis. The antifertility effects of the drug in birds are mediated by inhibition of steroid hormone production, steroid hormones being synthesized from cholesterol.