Antioxidants, statins, and atherosclerosis.
Research into the oxidation of lipoproteins has yielded many new insights into the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, despite lipoprotein oxidation's biologically plausible role in atherogenesis, several studies have reported inconsistent effects of antioxidants on clinical coronary end points, in sharp contrast with the studies of lipid modification with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitors, or statins. There appears to be little support for the use of antioxidants in coronary prevention. However, the picture remains incomplete. What are the limitations of available antioxidant studies and the agents used? Until the picture can be clarified, lipid modification with strategies proved to reduce the risk for coronary events, such as statins or dietary changes in the style of the Mediterranean diet, should be better implemented in clinical practice.
Gotto
Antonio M
AM
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA. amg_editorial@med.cornell.edu
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy; D011341:Probucol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000975:Antioxidants; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D011341:Probucol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid