Hypocholesterolemic agents VII: Inhibition of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase by monoesters of substituted glutaric acids.

A series of 1-(4-biphenylyl)pentyl hydrogen 3-alkylglutarates and 3-hydroxy-3-alkylglutarates was synthesized and assayed for inhibition of rat liver beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Limited solubility of the monoesters in the enzyme assay system prevented the determination of the I50 values. However, the limited data indicated no significant changes in the activity of the analogs when they were assayed at identical concentrations.