What is the role of bile acid sequestrants in lipid management?

Bile acid sequestrants play a crucial role in lipid management primarily by preventing the reabsorption of bile acids in the intestines. When bile acids, which are derived from cholesterol, are not reabsorbed, they are instead excreted in the feces. This loss of bile acids forces the liver to use more cholesterol to produce new bile acids, leading to a decrease in circulating LDL cholesterol levels.

By reducing the availability of bile acids, bile acid sequestrants lead to improved lipid profiles, particularly in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. They act as a non-absorbable resin that binds bile acids in the intestine, thus promoting their elimination from the body. Consequently, the liver compensates for the reduced bile acid pool by converting more cholesterol into bile acids, which ultimately helps in lowering serum cholesterol levels.

This mechanism makes bile acid sequestrants effective lipid-lowering agents, especially in individuals with elevated LDL cholesterol levels.