Imidazoles for the treatment of atherosclerosis

A compound of the formula:

• ##STR51## or stereosiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein:
• X is S(O).sub.p, CH.sub.2 or NR.sup.4 ;
• A is CH.sub.2, O, S, S(O).sub.r or NR.sup.8 ;
• B is [O, S,] or NR.sup.9 ;
• Y is O, S or H.sub.2 ;
• Z is NHR.sup.5, OR.sup.5 or R.sup.5
• R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are selected independently from H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 branched alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, thienyl, furanyl, or phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, CH.sub.3 S(O).sub.t, F, or NR.sup.15 R.sup.16 ;
• R.sup.3 is H, and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, allyl, benzyl, or phenyl, each being optionally substituted with F, Cl, CH.sub.3, OCH.sub.3, or CF.sub.3 ;
• R.sup.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkynyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 cycloalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.14 aralkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 branched alkyl, F, Cl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, or CN, pyrrolidyl, or imidazolyl;
• R.sup.4, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.15, and R.sup.16 are selected independently from H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, benzyl, or phenyl;
• m is 2-8;
• n is 0-5;
• and
• p, r and t are independently 0-2.