EFFECT OF 20,25-DIAZACHOLESTEROL ON VIABILITY AND STEROID-SYNTHESIS CAPABILITY OF CULTURED CHICK-EMBRYO PECTORAL MUSCLE-CELLS

The anticholesterolemic drug 20,25-diazacholesterol (DAC) inhibits the transfer of radioisotope from acetate to cholesterol in cultured chick embryo pectoral muscle cells. In a 12 hour parallel exposure to tracer and drug (1 μg/ml culture fluid), inhibition was complete as determined by radiogas chromatography (RGC). Drug levels in excess of 5 μg/ml caused cell lysis. RGC/mass spectrometry (selected ion monitoring mode) revealed that desmosterol did not accumulate as a result of the treatment nor was radioactivity transferred to desmosterol. Mass and radioactivity did accumulate in other steroids. The significance of these findings on DAC's mode of action as an anticholesterolemic and myotonia-inducing agent, is discussed. © 1979.