Lowering Cholesterol Absorption

A drug produced by Schering-Plough Corporation Zetia lowers the colesterol in the body, but up to this point no one knew how it worked. According to a report in the journal Science, Scot Atlman Graziano (and colleagues) said that the drug affects a protein. This protein is called NPC1L1. By inhibiting this protein mice used in the test absorbed about 70% less cholesterol. High cholesterol levels are associatd with increased risk of heart disease.