Mechanisms of low density lipoprotein lowering by hypolipidemic agents.

Most hypolipidemic agents have been developed to reduce to normal high plasma concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL), the most atherogenic substance in human plasma. Various agents work with many different mechanisms, some of which are not understood. Mechanistic studies are helpful--e.g., for understanding of the various effects of treatment, elucidating regulatory disturbances in different hyperlipidemias and selecting treatment for patients' specific problems. This paper assesses some of the agents that reduce the concentration of LDL focusing on various mechanistic pathways.