Linoleic acid amides: effect on cholesteremia and atherosclerosis.

Several of a series of linoleic acid amides have been reported to inhibit cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits. The three amides which have been studied to the greatest extent are (in order of increasing activity) N-cyclohexyl linoleamide (AC23), N(alpha methylbenzyl) linoleamide (AC223), and N[aplha-phenyl-beta-(p-tolyl)ethyl] linoeamide (AC 485). We have found AC223 to inhibit cholesterol absorption in rats and to slightly inhibit exogenous but not endogenous cholesteremia in rabbits. In a fiber-free diet, AC223 reduces serum cholesterol and liver triglyceride levels. Rats were also fed a basal semipurified diet with and without AC223. Fecal excretion of labeled exogenous (as [ (14)C] cholesterol) or endogenous (as [14 C] mevalonolactone) steroid was 44 and 43% higher in drug treated groups. The mechanism of hypocholesteremic action of the linoleamides appears to involve inhibition of cholesterol absorption.