ACAT INHIBITORS - EVOLUTION FROM CHOLESTEROL-ABSORPTION INHIBITORS TOANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC AGENTS

Considerable research efforts have focused on the discovery of safe an d efficacious acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors a s cholesterol-lowering and/or antiatherosclerotic agents, Although cli nical success remains elusive, recent developments in the molecular bi ology of ACAT and success in identifying potent and bioavailable inhib itors that are not adrenotoxic has led to renewed hope that ACAT inhib ition may ultimately yield agents that will have value in treating hum an atherosclerotic disease.