title: Atherosclerosis: anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of statins.
abstract: Large clinical trials have demonstrated that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or 'statins' greatly reduce cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. The beneficial effects of statins were first assumed to result from their ability to reduce cholesterol synthesis and improve serum lipid profiles. In recent years, however, numerous pleiotropic effects of statins on atherosclerotic lesions have been described. In this review, we summarize the actions of statins on different aspects of atherosclerotic plaque development. These include endothelial dysfunction, leukocyte recruitment and inflammation, smooth muscle cell activation/proliferation, and finally plaque rupture and thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University Hospital, Foundation for Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine, 64 Avenue de la Roseraie, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. brenda.kwakchanson@medicine.unige.ch
authors.forename: Brenda R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Flore
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mulhaupt
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors