Statins and bone: myth or reality?
In the space of a few weeks, four articles appeared in the The Lancet and JAMA suggesting that using 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) is associated with increased bone mineral density (BMD) and a reduced fracture risk. The stimulus for these case-control studies came from reports that the statins have unexpected effects on bone, increasing bone formation in rodents. These observations offered a new insight into the potential importance of the cholesterol synthesis pathway in bone turnover and future therapeutic opportunities.
Edwards
C J
CJ
The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK.
Russell
R G
RG
Spector
T D
TD
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008798:Mevalonic Acid