title: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in organ transplantation.
abstract: Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors reduces serum cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol blood levels including organ transplant recipients. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor also inhibits a series of immune responses and thus have the potential of exerting immunosuppressive effect in patients with organ allografts. Experimentally, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors reduces transplant arteriosclerosis. Whether this is linked to an immunosuppressive effect or not is unknown. There is little evidence that post-transplant hyperlipidemia directly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Lipid lowering with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is not indicated for all allograft recipients but should be used if other cardiovascular risk factors are present.
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Motomura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Foegh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000517:prevention & control; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors