title: Biochemical and Bioimaging Evidence of Cholesterol in Acquired Cholesteatoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the barrier sterols and image the lipid structures in the matrix of acquired cholesteatoma and compare the distribution with that found in stratum corneum from normal skin, with the goal to resolve their potential influence on cholesteatoma growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used to achieve a quantitative biochemical determination of the sterols. The intercellular lipids were visualized by Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, which enables label-free imaging of the lipids in intact tissue samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that the total lipid content of the cholesteatoma matrix is similar to that of stratum corneum from skin and that the cholesteatoma matrix unquestionably contains cholesterol. The cholesterol content in the cholesteatoma matrix is increased by over 30% (w/w dry weight) compared to the control. The cholesterol sulfate content is below 1% of the total lipids in both the cholesteatoma and the control. Cholesterol ester was reduced by over 30% when compared to the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The content of cholesterol in the cholesteatoma matrix is significantly different from that in stratum corneum from skin, and we confirm that the main structure of the cholesteatoma resembles very thick stratum corneum.
authors.affiliation: MEMPHYS-Centre for Biomembrane Physics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bjarne
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thorsted
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bloksgaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Groza
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT Surgery, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars Peter
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Schousboe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nils J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Færgeman
authors.affiliation: Department of Reconstructive Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: Viggo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Svane-Knudsen
authors.affiliation: MEMPHYS-Centre for Biomembrane Physics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark brewer@bmb.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Brewer
mesh_terms: D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids; D008853:Microscopy; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D013261:Sterols; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: CARS; HPTLC; cholesteatoma; cholesterol; epidermal barrier