title: Expanding the therapeutic potential of statins by means of nanotechnology enabled drug delivery systems.
abstract: Statins are effective lipid lowering agents traditionally used for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Statins also exert a range of pleiotropic effects that make them attractive candidates for use in a wide range of disorders, in particular inflammatory and immune mediated conditions. However, the exploitation of such pleiotropic effects has been greatly hindered by poor bioavailability and adverse effects on muscles and the liver at higher doses. Nanotechnology is often suggested as the solution to this problem, as it enables an increased bioavailability of statins. Moreover, colloidal carriers can offer targeted drug delivery approaches that enable localised biological effects of statins, further reducing their potential for unwanted toxicity and adverse effects. This article reviews the available evidences for the increased potential of statin therapy when administered in nano-formulations such as nanocrystals, nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles and various nano-enabled devices.
authors.forename: Bilquis
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Romana
authors.forename: Mellissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batger
authors.forename: Clive A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Prestidge
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Health - Pharmacy, 15, Broadway, NSW 2007 Ultimo, Australia. fabio.sonvico@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sonvico
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors