Steroids as agonists for FXR

Abstract

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R is ethyl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or amino acid conjugates thereof. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as FXR agonists.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound of formula I formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R is ethyl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or amino acid conjugates thereof. 
       
     
     
       2. The glycine conjugate of a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R is ethyl. 
       
     
     
       3. The taurine conjugate of a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R is ethyl. 
       
     
     
       4. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 
     
     
       5. A method for the treatment of an FXR mediated disease or condition in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal suffering from an FXR mediated disease or condition a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to  claim 1 , wherein said FXR mediated disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of hypercholesteremia, hyperlipidemia, low HDL-cholesterol, and high triglycerides. 
     
     
       6. A method for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal suffering from a cardiovascular disease a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to  claim 1 , wherein said cardiovascular desease disease is selected from the group consisting of artherosclerosis atherosclerosis and hypercholesteremia. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis. 
     
     
       8. A method for increasing HDL cholesterol in a mammal, said method comprising administering to a mammal whose HDL cholesterol is to be increased a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A method for lowering triglycerides in a mammal, said method comprising administering to a mammal whose triglycerides are to be decreased a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. The compound of  claim 1 , wherein said compound is radiolabeled. 
     
     
       11. The compound of  claim 10 , wherein said compound is tritiated. 
     
     
       12. The compound of claim 1, which is the compound of formula (I) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is ethyl. 
     
     
       13. A pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of claim 1. 
     
     
       14. A solvate of the compound of claim 1.