title: Assessment of cholesterol homeostasis in astrocytes and neurons.
abstract: Cholesterol homeostasis is highly regulated in the nervous system; dysregulation in cholesterol trafficking and content have been involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases). Furthermore, low cholesterol levels during brain development are associated with neurodevelopmental deficits and mental retardation. The methods described in this chapter can be used to investigate the effect of neurotoxicants on cholesterol homeostasis. Astrocytes and neurons are two major cell types in the brain in which cholesterol synthesis and efflux are highly regulated to keep a proper cellular cholesterol level. Disruption in cholesterol synthesis and/or cholesterol efflux may result in cholesterol deficiency or accumulation in these cells leading to brain dysfunctions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lucio G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guizzetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin