3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors and hepatic apolipoprotein B secretion.
Important advances in our understanding of the regulation of hepatic apolipoprotein B secretion have been made in the past year. A diverse group of studies have provided evidence that the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors decreases the hepatic assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Apolipoprotein B kinetic studies performed in animals and human individuals indicate that inhibition of VLDL-apolipoprotein B secretion is an important mechanism whereby reductase inhibitors decrease plasma concentrations of these lipoproteins. Studies in cultured hepatocytes and in-vivo animal models have provided insights into how reduction of cholesterol synthesis decreases apolipoprotein B secretion. A decrease in hepatic acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase activity, secondary to reduced microsomal cholesterol concentrations, has been implicated.
Huff
M W
MW
Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Burnett
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008954:Models, Biological; D019821:Simvastatin
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin