Structural Organization of Free and Esterified Cholesterol in Human High Density Lipoproteins. A 100.6 MHz 13C NMR Study

The structural organization of free and esterified cholesterol in human high density lipoproteins has been studied by high-field 1H and 13C NMR. The measurements are consistent with free cholesterol being present in at least two different environments. Part of the free cholesterol is oriented in the outer surface layer of the high density lipoprotein particle in contact with phospholipid or apoprotein, or both. The rest is probably present in the liquid, hydrophobic core of the HDL particle.