title: View of statins as antimicrobials in cardiovascular risk modification.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a complex arterial pathological development underlying heart attack and stroke and a leading cause of death in developed and now also in developing countries. The primary processes that lead to the inflammatory lipid-laden proliferative lesion, obstructing the blood flow, and referred to as atherosclerotic plaque are dyslipidaemia and inflammation. Here, we will review one of the most efficient classes of drugs indicated for management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), statins. We will assess their pleiotropic effects that emerged from CVD applications, focusing this review specifically on plausible antimicrobial activity. Only recently gaining strength, the recognition of possible antibacterial activity may extend the statin applicability for vascular as well as to other critical inflammatory conditions.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center (CSIC-ICCC), Biomedical Research Institute Sant-Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), C/ Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, Barcelona 08025, Spain Columbia University Medical Center, Oral and Diagnostic Sciences, 630 West 168th St, P&S Box 20, New York, NY 10032-3275, USA ekozarov@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Emil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kozarov
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center (CSIC-ICCC), Biomedical Research Institute Sant-Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), C/ Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, Barcelona 08025, Spain.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Padro
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center (CSIC-ICCC), Biomedical Research Institute Sant-Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), C/ Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, Barcelona 08025, Spain Cardiovascular Research Chair, UAB, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Badimon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Inflammation; Microbial infection; Statins