| abstract |
The present invention provides methods for lowering serum cholesterol comprising administering to a mammal in need of treatment a serum cholesterol lowering amount of a compound of formula I or formula II <IMAGE> I wherein L is -CON< or -N<; and the dotted line in the B-ring is an optional bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and <IMAGE> II wherein Q is a moiety having the formula <IMAGE> L is -CON< or -N<; B is -O-, -S-, -CH2-phenyl-O-, -phenyl-O-, or -benzyl-O-; G is a moiety which together with L forms a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom or is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, halo(lower)alkyl, cyano(lower)alkyl, carboxy(lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxycarbonyl(lower)alkyl, (C6-C10)aryl, (C7-C11)aryl akyl, di(lower)alkylamino(lower)alkyl, and fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing; Z is -O-, -S-, -CH2-, -NH-; or -N(CH3)-; and the dotted line in the B-ring is an optional bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |