Abstract: This invention discloses the use of compounds of the azetidinone family in treatment of cholesterol gallstone disease of the biliary tree in mammals. These drugs act by decreasing biliary cholesterol secretion, and at the same time increasing the biliary flow and the hepatic secretion of endogenous compounds (e.g. bile salts, phospholipids) into the bile, in turn, these endogenous compounds contribute to inhibiting precipitation and the formation of gallstones in the biliary tree.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of imatinib mesylate for the treatment of metabolism disorders characterized by neurodegeneration, in particular a metabolism disorder characterized by an inability to metabolize lipids such as in persons with Niemann-Pick Type C disease. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of treating neurodegenerative disease, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound derived from imatinib mesylate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses the use of compounds of the azetidinone family in the prevention or treatment of cholesterol gallstone disease of the biliary tree in mammals. This invention is in the general area of cholesterol stones disease in the biliary tree and gallbladder. In particular, the invention evidences that the use of drugs that specifically block cholesterol intestinal absorption inhibit the onset of cholesterol stone disease in the biliary tree. These drugs act by decreasing biliary cholesterol secretion, and at the same time increasing the biliary flow and the hepatic secretion of endogenous compounds (e.g. bile salts, phospholipids) into the bile, hi turn, these endogenous compounds contribute to inhibiting cholesterol precipitation and the formation of gallstones in the biliary tree.