Composition and method for modulating BAR/FXR receptor activity
Methods for modulating the activity of the mammalian BAR/FXR receptor. The methods include methods of treating a hypocholesterolemic mammal comprising contacting the mammal with synthetic compounds able to modulate an activity characteristic of the BAR/FXR receptor. Other methods include a method of treating colon cancer in a mammal comprising administering a compound having a BAR/FXR antagonistic activity.
1 . A method of treating a pathological condition in a mammal characterized by hypocholesterolemia comprising the step of providing to said mammal a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a synthetic BAR/FXR ligand selected from the group consisting of AGN 29 and AGN 31.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises AGN 29.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises AGN 31.
4 . A method of treating a pathological condition in a mammal characterized by pathological expression of IBABP, comprising the step of providing to said mammal a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising AGN 34, thereby treating said condition.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein said pathological condition comprises hypocholesterolemia.
6 . The method of claim 4 wherein said pathological condition comprises colon cancer.
7 . The method of claim 4 wherein said pathological condition is. characterized by high levels of bile acids.
8 . A method of treating colon cancer in a mammal without increasing the expression of Cyp7A comprising the step of providing to said mammal a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising AGN 34.
9 . The method of claim 8 in which AGN 34 stimulates the induction of apoptosis of colon cancer cells.
10 . A method of inhibiting the bile-acid mediated growth of cancer cells in a mammalian cell comprising administering a composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of AGN 34.