[Drug treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia: bile acid-binding resins]

Bile acid-binding resins, one of which is cholestyramine that has long been used in Japan, are extremely safe and effective hypocholesterolemic agents. The agents block an enterohepatic circulation of bile acids leading to an enhancement of bile acid synthesis, which may lead to decrease in hepatic levels of cholesterol. This will induce the liver to upregulate the LDL receptor activity causing a reduction of serum LDL cholesterol levels. One of the major problems of cholestyramine is a poor drug compliance. MCI-196, a newly developed bile acid resin, is more potent than cholestyramine and will be expected to improve this problem.