Sobetirome: a selective thyromimetic for the treatment of dyslipidemia

Recent Pat Cardiovasc Drug Discov. 2011 Jan;6(1):16-9. doi: 10.2174/157489011794578473.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae still represent the primary cause of death in Western societies. During the past 25 years, a novel drug class to treat dyslipidemia, a main risk factor for coronary artery disease, emerged: liver- and thyroid hormone receptor isoform β-selective analogs. The present review will discuss the recent patents applied for sobetirome (GC-1), which set the course for the establishment of a novel approach to lower plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. We will focus on the major mechanisms conferring sobetirome lipid-lowering properties, including the induction of hepatic LDL receptor, the promotion of the so-called reverse cholesterol transport, and finally the induction of bile acid production and biliary sterol secretion. In summary, thyromimetics such as sobetirome may represent a useful treatment for combined hyperlipidemia, which is associated with a major cardiovascular risk.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Phenols / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism
  • Thyroid Hormones / metabolism*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Biomarkers
  • GC 1 compound
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Phenols
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol