title: Essential fatty acids as possible mediators of the actions of statins.
abstract: Statins and polyunsaturated fatty acids have similar actions: both enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, lower cholesterol levels, prevent atherosclerosis and are of benefit in coronary heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis. Statins enhance the conversion of linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid to their long chain derivatives. Animals with essential fatty acid deficiency show an increase in HMG-CoA reductase activity, which reverts to normalcy following topical application of linoleic acid. Similarly to statins, polyunsaturated fatty acids also inhibit HMG-CoA reductase activity. In view of the similarity in their actions and as statins influence essential fatty acid metabolism, it is suggested that essential fatty acids and their metabolites may serve as second messengers of the actions of statins.
authors.affiliation: EFA Sciences LLC, 1420 Providence Highway, Norwood, MA 02062, USA. undurti@hotmail.com
authors.forename: U N
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008148:Lovastatin