title: Anti-inflammatory effects of statins: clinical evidence and basic mechanisms.
abstract: Chronic inflammation is a key feature of vascular disease states such as atherosclerosis. Multiple clinical studies have shown that a class of medications termed statins lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Originally developed to lower serum cholesterol, increasing evidence suggests that these medications have potent anti-inflammatory effects that contribute to their beneficial effects in patients. Here, we discuss the clinical and experimental evidence underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of these agents.
authors.affiliation: Program in Cardiovascular Transcriptional Biology, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Mukesh K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ridker
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors