title: Basic science review: Statin therapy--Part I: The pleiotropic effects of statins in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA-reductase) inhibitors, otherwise known as statins, are currently the medical treatment of choice for hypercholesterolemia. Hypercholesterolemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and statin therapy has led to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality from adverse cardiac events, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. In addition to achieving a therapeutic decrease in serum cholesterol levels, statin therapy appears to promote other effects that are independent of changes in serum cholesterol. These ''pleiotropic'' effects include attenuation of vascular inflammation, improved endothelial cell function, stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque, decreased vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. This article is part I of a 2-part review, and it focuses on the pleiotropic effects of statins at the cellular level.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Services, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sadowitz
authors.forename: Kristopher G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gahtan
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol