Cyclodextrin (CD) complexes of cholesterol--their potential use in reducing dietary cholesterol intake.

The main objective of this investigation was to test and see if cyclodextrins, a type of molecule which form inclusion complexes, could effectively prevent the absorption of food derived cholesterol. Cyclodextrins are nontoxic and easily tolerated, having only a slight sweet taste. alpha,beta,gamma-Cyclodextrins, 2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (2-HPCD), and heptakis-O,O-dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (DMCD) were tested in solutions of different concentrations.