Does statin therapy influence steroid hormone synthesis?
Statins reduce cholesterol and isoprenoid de novo biosynthesis as well as receptor mediated uptake of cholesterol for steroidogenesis. The present randomized placebo-controlled trial investigated whether pravastatin (40 mg/day) reduces the plasma concentrations of steroid hormones as well as of gonadotropins. Patients (n = 22; 15 males, 7 females) were treated with pravastatin (40 mg/day) or placebo. Levels of total and LDL cholesterol, the steroid hormones estradiol, testosterone, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) as well as FSH and LH were studied. Pravastatin led to a significant reduction of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. There was no significant change in estradiol, testosterone, cortisol or DHEAS plasma concentrations. There was no compensatory change in FSH or LH. It is concluded that pravastatin does not alter steroid hormones or gonadotropins in a clinically applicable dose, which significantly reduces total and LDL cholesterol.
Böhm
M
M
Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Strasse, 66421 Homburg, Germany. boehm@med-in.uni-saarland.de
Herrmann
W
W
Wassmann
S
S
Laufs
U
U
Nickenig
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012016:Reference Values; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006728:Hormones; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D017035:Pravastatin; D006854:Hydrocortisone