Platelet Aggregation Modulation by a Cholesterol Derivative identified in Skin Secretions from Arabian Gulf Catfish (Arius bilineatus, Val.)

We present in this study that one Oxysterol (OS) within the lipid fraction of the isolated epidermal gel released from freshly caught catfish from the Arabian Gulf (Arius bilineatus, Val.) potently and selectively inhibits the collagen-evoked aggregation of human platelets in vitro. This cholesterol metabolite, identified as Cholesterol-3,5,6-triol (S5) is one of 14 steroids/oxysterols identified in the lipid fraction of the secreted epidermal gel. The selective ­­action of S5 in this study suggests that it may have efficacy in cancer therapy as platelet inhibition has been shown to be important in the therapeutic control of cancer and in other chronic diseases including inflammation and related diseases.