[Statins and endothelial dysfunction].
Studies carried out to determine the abilities of statins showed that they have multiple cholesterol-independent benefits, named pleiotropic. These effects are highly diverse and assume such properties as the improvement of endothelial dysfunction, damaged by multiple pathologic conditions, with secondary increase in NO bioavailability. Also at endothelial level, statins have the ability of diminishing the adhesion molecules expression, thus having an indirect vasodilatator role. Their antioxidant ability is manifest in various ways: decreases the superoxide radical anion production, fact that theoretically makes them useful in the treatment of other conditions like dyslipidemia or cardiovascular diseases. Their antiinflammatory role is complex and consists, among others, in the increase of antiinflammatory cytokines production, diminution of the action of the proinflammatory ones, and decrease of monocyte recruitment.


CONCLUSIONS
From this perspective, we believe the understanding of the innermost mechanisms through which statins act, their effects, and their use in other therapeutic schemes than the already accepted ones is useful.
Filip-Ciubotaru
Florina-Mihaela
FM
Disciplina de Medicina Familiei, Facultatea de Medicină, Universitatea de Medicină si Farmacie "Gr.T. Popa". Iaşi.
Manciuc
Carmen
C
Foia
Liliana
L
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide