THE USE OF EZETIMIBE IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHOLESTEROL GALLSTONES

摘要

This invention discloses the use of compounds of the azetidinone family in the prevention or treatment of cholesterol gallstone disease of the biliary tree in mammals. This invention is in the general area of cholesterol stones disease in the biliary tree and gallbladder. In particular, the invention evidences that the use of drugs that specifically block cholesterol intestinal absorption inhibit the onset of cholesterol stone disease in the biliary tree. These drugs act by decreasing biliary cholesterol secretion, and at the same time increasing the biliary flow and the hepatic secretion of endogenous compounds (e.g. bile salts, phospholipids) into the bile, hi turn, these endogenous compounds contribute to inhibiting cholesterol precipitation and the formation of gallstones in the biliary tree.