title: Cholesterol-independent effects of statins and new therapeutic targets: ischemic stroke and dementia.
abstract: The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or "statins", are used as cholesterol-lowering agents worldwide. Statins inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, leading to enhanced uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the circulation via LDL receptors. This strong cholesterol-lowering action contributes to the beneficial effects of statins. For example, large clinical trials have demonstrated that statins significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. Recent research has shown that statins have other multiple actions involved in endothelial function, cell proliferation, inflammatory response, immunological reactions, platelet function, and lipid oxidation. These "pleiotropic actions" of statins probably provide a significant contribution to the reduction of cardiovascular events. This review summarizes the pleiotropic actions of statins in both basic and clinical studies. It also considers the potential for statin therapy in the treatment of stroke and dementia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Preventive Medicine, Department of Community Preventive Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan. miida@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miida
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol