Inhibition of cholesterol absorption: targeting the intestine

Pharm Res. 2012 Dec;29(12):3235-50. doi: 10.1007/s11095-012-0858-6. Epub 2012 Aug 25.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis, the gradual formation of a lipid-rich plaque in the arterial wall is the primary cause of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Hypercholesterolemia, elevated circulating cholesterol, was identified as a key risk factor for CAD in epidemiological studies. Since the approval of Mevacor in 1987, the primary therapeutic intervention for hypercholesterolemia has been statins, drugs that inhibit the biosynthesis of cholesterol. With improved understanding of the risks associated with elevated cholesterol levels, health agencies are recommending reductions in cholesterol that are not achievable in every patient with statins alone, underlying the need for improved combination therapies. The whole body cholesterol pool is derived from two sources, biosynthesis and diet. Although statins are effective at reducing the biosynthesis of cholesterol, they do not inhibit the absorption of cholesterol, making this an attractive target for adjunct therapies. This report summarizes the efforts to target the gastrointestinal absorption of cholesterol, with emphasis on specifically targeting the gastrointestinal tract to avoid the off-target effects sometimes associated with systemic exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / chemistry
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apolipoproteins B / genetics
  • Apolipoproteins B / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Azetidines / chemistry
  • Azetidines / pharmacology
  • Azetidines / therapeutic use
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Ezetimibe
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy
  • Heart Diseases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Absorption / drug effects*
  • Liver X Receptors
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / agonists
  • Phytosterols / chemistry
  • Phytosterols / pharmacology
  • Phytosterols / therapeutic use
  • Sterol O-Acyltransferase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Sterol O-Acyltransferase / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Apolipoproteins B
  • Azetidines
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Liver X Receptors
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors
  • Phytosterols
  • Cholesterol
  • Sterol O-Acyltransferase
  • Ezetimibe