How do oxyphytosterols affect human health?

Oxyphytosterols are similar to oxycholesterols in structure, and they exhibit pro-atherogenic properties. Recently, more interests were focused on the metabolism of oxyphytosterols for their increasing intake from phytosterol-enriched food. In this review, we discussed the origin, absorption, distribution, and transport of oxyphytosterols in vivo and their biological effects in humans. The two dominant oxyphytosterols in human plasma are 7-keto-sitosterol and 7-keto-campesterol, but their origins are unclear. It is suggested that oxysitosterols are formed to eliminate sitosterol from tissue to the blood stream. Aside from the pro-atherogenic, oxyphytosterols also exhibit pro-inflammatory properties and antiviral activity against equine herpesvirus 1. Further research is needed to investigate the physiological and pathological role of oxyphytosterols in humans. •We discuss the mechanism of absorption, distribution, and transport of oxyphytosterols in vivo and their biological effects in humans.•The two dominant oxyphytosterols in human plasma are 7-keto-sitosterol and 7-keto-campesterol.•The origin of oxyphytosterols in tissues is unclear.•It is suggested that oxysitotsterols are formed to eliminate sitosterol from tissue to the blood stream.•Aside from the pro-atherogenic, oxyphytosterols also exhibit pro-inflammatory properties and antiviral activity against equine herpesvirus 1.•Further research is needed to investigate the physiological and pathological role of oxyphytosterols in humans.