title: Can statins suppress the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms? A review of the current evidence.
abstract: Statins possess several pleiotropic effects and have been shown in vitro and in vivo to inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators and downregulate molecules involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Recent observational studies in humans suggest that statins may have a role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) prevention or may even inhibit aneurysm expansion. In this review, we summarize the effects of statins on the vessel wall of aneurysmal aortas and currently available data concerning their inhibitory effects on aneurysm progression.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of General Surgery and Vascular Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. a_saratzis@ yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saratzis
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kitas
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saratzis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Melas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases