5β,6β-Epoxycholestanol is an oxidative metabolite of cholesterol produced through radical and non-radical oxidation at the 5,6-double bond. It induces the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and apoptosis in differentiated macrophage U937 cells. This compound has been identified in human fatty streaks and advanced atherosclerotic lesions but is absent in normal aortic tissue.