The present invention relates to certain novel compounds of the formula (I) to processes for preparing such compounds, to their the utility in modulation of nuclear hormone receptors Liver X Receptor (LXR) .alpha. (NR1H3) and/or .beta. (NR1H2) and in treating and/or preventing clinical conditions including cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis; inflammatory diseases, Alzheimer's disease, lipid disorders (dyslipidemias) whether or not associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other manifestations of the metabolic syndrome, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. ##STR00001##