Hypolipidaemic and antiplatelet agents

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Abstract
The recent progress of antihyperlipidaemic and antiplatelet drugs widely used in the therapy of cardiovascular disease is reviewed. According to the claimed mechanisms of action, new hypolipidaemic agents originate from groups of compounds such as cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors, ACAT inhibitors, low density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake promoters, taurocholate receptor antagonists, aP2 inhibitors, PPAR activators and antioxidants. Since atherosclerosis pathogenesis is a complicated process, coexisting with such disorders as hyperlipidaemia, obesity and insulin resistance syndrome, the majority of compounds do not have clearly defined molecular targets for the treatment of the above complex disorders. Blood platelets play a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis and fatal thrombus formation in the course of coronary heart disease. Therefore, there is a great necessity to develop drugs that inhibit platelet aggregation and clot generation. Recently issued patents concern original groups of agents such as fibrinogen and vitronectin receptor inhibitors, drugs targeting thrombin and Factor Xa generation as well as calmodulin modulators. The most promising and most intensively studied are non-peptide and peptide thrombin inhibitors, Factor Xa inhibitors and fibrinogen receptor antagonists. For the better efficacy of platelet anti-aggregatory and antithrombotic treatment new combination therapies are proposed. New approaches to the phenomenon of thrombus formation and combined antithrombotic therapy are claimed to help to reduce fatal events and to decrease adverse effects of cardiovascular disease.