7beta-hydroxycholesterol blocked at C-3-OH inhibits growth of rat glioblastoma in vivo: comparison between 7beta-hydroxycholesteryl-3beta (ester)-oleate and 7beta-hydroxycholesteryl-3-beta-O (ether)-oleyl.

Background: It was previously demonstrated that the 7beta-hydroxycholesteryl-3beta(ester)-oleate (7beta-ester) possesses antitumor properties against the experimental rat C6 glioblastoma. The effect of an analog of this molecule, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol-3beta-O(ether)-oleyl (7beta-ether), was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Liposomes containing no oxysterol (control), 7beta-ether or 7beta-ester were injected into tumors induced by C6 cells in rat brain cortex.