Drug List for Atherosclerosis

Question 1

Nicotinic acid (niacin)

Answer 1

Vitamin with lipid-lowering properties
– ↓ VLDL produc􏰀on which leads to a ↓ in LDL
– Also activates lipoprotein lipase

Question 2

Ezetimibe

Answer 2

Specifically reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption

– Inhibits a sterol carrier protein in the brush border of the enterocytes

Question 3

Fenofibrate, gemfibrozol

Answer 3

– ↓plasma triglycerides and, to a lesser extent, cholesterol
– Par􏰀cularly ↓ elevated concentra􏰀ons of VLDL
– Main action is stimulation of lipoprotein lipase
which ↓ the triglyceride content of VLDL
– Clearance of LDL by the liver is also stimulated
– ↑ HDL production and reverse cholesterol transport

Question 4

Colestyramine

Answer 4

Is a basic anion exchange resin
– sequesters bile acids to prevent enterohepatic
recirculation
– ∴↑the metabolism of endogenous cholesterol into bile acids
– ↑ LDL receptor numbers in the liver resul􏰀ng in the removal of LDLs from the blood
Bile-sequestering drugs plus inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis can lower blood cholesterol by 50%

Question 5

colestyramine

Answer 5

Sequester bile acids in the intestine/Decrease hepatic stores of cholesterol

Question 6

ezetimibe

Answer 6

Inhibit transport protein for cholesterol in the brush

border of enterocytes in the duodenum

Question 7

fenofibrate, bezafibrate, gemfibrozil & nicotinic acid

Answer 7

Alter the levels of plasma lipoproteins

Question 8

simvastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin

Answer 8

Inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver