title: New nonlipid effects of statins and their clinical relevance in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, statins, have been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with a wide range of cholesterol levels. Numerous cholesterol-independent effects of statins that may limit atherosclerosis are probably related to inhibition of the geranylgeranylation of GTP-binding intracellular signaling proteins and involve: improved vasoreactivity, mostly through increased NO bioavailability; decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha), C-reactive protein, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue factor with the subsequent inhibition of thrombin generation; reduced platelet activity; increased thrombomodulin expression; enhanced fibrinolysis, regulation of angiogenesis and immunomodulation. However, the clinical relevance of multiple protective effects induced by statins has not been clarified yet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Krakow, Poland. mmundas@cyf-kr.edu.pl
authors.forename: Anetta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Undas
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Celińska-Löwenhoff
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaczor
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Musial
mesh_terms: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors