Conformational restriction of previously disclosed acyclic diphenyleth
yl)diphenylacetamides led to the discovery of several potent inhibitor
s of acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). s-[2-(4-Hydroxypheny
l)-1-indanyl]diphenylacetamide (4a) was the mo st potent ACAT inhibito
r identified (IC50 = 0.04 mu M in an in vitro rat hepatic microsomal A
CAT assay, ED(50) = 0.72 mg/kg/day in cholesterol-fed hamsters).