A new four series of 2,2′-([1,1′- phenyl or biphenyl]-4,4′-diylbis(azanediyl)) bis(N′-((E)-1-(4-alkoxyphenyl) ethylidene) acetohydrazide) [V-XI]a,b and 1,1′-(2,2′-([1,1′- phenyl or biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl bis(azanediyl)) bis- (acetyl)) bis(3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbalde hyde) [XII-XVIII]a,b have been synthesized by varying terminal lateral alkoxy chain length (n = 1–3, 5–8), central linkage group (phenyl or biphenyl) and induced pyrazole heterocyclic ring in the main chain. The last two series were synthesized by the cyclization of substituted acetophenone hydrazones with Vilsmeier–Haack reagent (DMF/POCl3) to produce 4-formylpyrazole derivatives. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were examine

Activation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) markedly attenuates development of atherosclerosis in animal models. However, the underlying mechanism is not well elucidated. Here, we show that the FXR agonist, obeticholic acid (OCA), increases fecal cholesterol excretion and macrophage reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) dependent on activation of hepatic FXR. OCA does not increase biliary cholesterol secretion, but inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption. OCA markedly inhibits hepatic cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) and sterol 12α‐hydroxylase (Cyp8b1) partly through inducing small heterodimer partner, leading to reduced bile acid pool size and al