Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitors for controlling hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.
Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT; Sterol O-acyltransferase/SOAT) is an intracellular enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cholesteryl esters from cholesterol and fatty acyl-coenzyme A. ACAT inhibitors reduce plasma cholesterol levels by suppressing absorption of dietary cholesterol and by suppressing the assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins such as very low density lipoprotein in liver and chylomicron in intestine. Moreover, ACAT inhibitors prevent the conversion of macrophages into foam cells in the arterial walls. Thus, ACAT inhibitors are under investigation for controlling hypercholesterolemia and the development of atherosclerosis. Some potent ACAT inhibitors have been tested for their efficacy and safety in humans.
Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan. miya@med.showa-u.ac.jp
Akira
A
Miyazaki
Masakazu
M
Sakai
Yuichiro
Y
Sakamoto
Seikoh
S
Horiuchi
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase