Long-and short-term trials with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have demonstrated significant reductions in cardiovascular events in patients with and without history of coronary heart disease. Statins are well-established low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering agents, but their clinical benefit is believed to result from a number of lipid and non-lipid effects beyond LDL lowering, including a rise in plasma high-density lipoprotein levels. Beyond improving the lipid profile, statins have additional non-lipid effects including benefit on endothelial function, inflammatory mediators, intima-media thickening, prothombotic factors that ultimately result in plaque stabilization. These effects arise through the inhibition of several mevalonate-derived metabolites other than cholesterol itself, which are involved in the control of different cellular functions. Although statins represent the gold standard in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease, combination therapy with other lipid-lowering drugs, as well as novel therapeutic indications, may increase their therapeutic potential. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
CITATION STYLE
Paoletti, R., Bolego, C., & Cignarella, A. (2005). Lipid and non-lipid effects of statins. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 170, 365–388. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-27661-0_13
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.