Abstract: A novel class of compounds has been found to be effective in blocking cholesterol and neutral lipid synthesis in-vivo without adversely affecting energy metabolism. The active compounds have the general formula ##STR1## or in-vivo hydrolysable functional derivatives of the carboxylic groups thereof, whereinR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl radical;X and Y each independently represent hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, halogen, cyano, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl; andQ represents a diradical consisting of a linear chain of 8 to 14 carbon atoms, one or more of which may be replaced by heteroatoms, said chain being optionally substituted by inert substituents and one or more of said carbon or heteroatom chain members optionally forming part of a ring structure.