Association of demographic and health characteristics with circulating oxysterol concentrations

Backgound: Circulating oxysterols, cholesterol metabolites with important signaling functions, are increasingly being recognized as candidate biomarkers for several diseases, but associations with demographic and health characteristics remain poorly described. Objective: This study aims to characterize associations of major circulating oxysterols with sex, age, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle factors, and use of common medications. Methods: We measured plasma concentrations of 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC), 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC), 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24(S)-OHC), 7ɑ-hydroxycholesterol (7ɑ-OHC), and 4β-hydroxycholesterol (4β-OHC) from 1,440 participants of a completed clinical trial for the chemoprevention of colorectal adenomas. Adjusted percent difference in means were calculated using linear regression. Results: Women had 18% (95% CI, 14%, 22%) lower 27-OHC and 21% (15%, 27%) higher 4β-OHC than men. Blacks had 15% (7%, 23%) higher 4β-OHC than Non-Hispanic Whites, and Asian or Pacific Islanders had 19% (2%, 35%) higher 7ɑ-OHC than Non-Hispanic Whites. Individuals of BMI ≥35 kg/m² had 33% (25%, 41%) lower 4β-OHC than those <25 kg/m². Current smokers had 15% (5%, 24%) higher 7ɑ-OHC than never smokers, and daily alcohol drinkers had 17% (10%, 24%) higher 7ɑ-OHC than never drinkers. Statin use was associated with lower concentrations of all 5 oxysterols. Differences in mean <15% were found for characteristics such as age, total dietary energy intake, physical activity, diabetes, and anti-inflammatory drug use. Conclusion: Circulating oxysterols are uniquely associated with multiple demographic and health characteristics.