Cholesterol absorption inhibitors work by targeting the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein on the brush border of the small intestine. This protein facilitates the uptake of cholesterol into the body. By blocking NPC1L1, these drugs effectively reduce the amount of cholesterol that enters the bloodstream, thereby lowering overall cholesterol levels. This unique mechanism distinguishes them from other lipid-lowering agents, like statins, which primarily reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
