Measurement of Cholesterol in Membranes

Cholesterol is an amphipathic molecule of great importance in biology. It can be measured by enzymic and chemical methods, directly or indirectly following extraction from tissues or membranes. Before determination, cholesterol esters must be hydrolyzed using either chemical methods or cholesterol ester hydrolase (EC 3.11.13) (see Note 1 ). Enzymic methods for cholesterol determination are more sensitive and convenient and are generally used in preference to chemical methods.