Design, synthesis, and structure--activity relationship studies for a new imidazole series of J774 macrophage specific acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors.

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is the primary enzyme involved in intracellular cholesterol esterification. Arterial wall infiltration by macrophages and subsequent uncontrolled esterification of cholesterol leading to foam cell formation is believed to be an important process which leads to the development of fatty streaks. Inhibitors of the ACAT enzyme may retard this atherogenic process. We have recently discovered a series of imidazoles which are potent in vitro ACAT inhibitors in the J774 macrophage cell culture assay. This paper will describe the design, synthesis, and structure--activity relationship for this very potent series of compounds.

Acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of a new series of trisubstituted imidazoles.

A series of 4,5-diaryl-2-(substituted thio)-1H-imidazoles has been synthesized and demonstrated to be potent inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). The design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships for this series are reported herein. One of the compounds from this series, N'-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-N-[5-[(4,5-diaryl-1H-imidazol-2- yl)thio]pentyl]-N-heptylurea (DuP 128), was selected for development as an intestinally active ACAT inhibitor. DuP 128 is a potent ACAT inhibitor in vitro and in vivo, inhibiting ACAT in rat hepatic microsomes with an IC50 = 10 nM and possessing potent antihypercholesterolemic activity in vivo.