[Non-lipid effects of statins: myth or fact?].
Hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase-inhibitors (HMG-CoA [statins]) are currently the most effective method to pharmacologically decrease total plasma cholesterol levels. A number of multicenter studies have demonstrated, that statins administered for several years lead to a significant reduction of cardiovascular events and mortality compared with placebo. Apart from the well known LDL- and cholesterol lowering effect, statins have been postulated to exert beneficial effects on mortality due to so called 'non-lipid effects'. There is circumstantial evidence from a number of experimental studies that statins can improve endothelial function, exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, stabilize arteriosclerotic plaque and inhibit proliferation and activation of smooth muscle cells. However, the clinical implications of these beneficial 'non-lipid effects' are unclear, but appear to exert only a minor role in comparison to the lowering effect of statins on total plasma cholesterol levels.
Urbauer
Eleonora
E
Universitätsklinik für Klinische Pharmakologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin I, Wien.
Joukhadar
Christian
C
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents