Non—Lipid-lowering effects of statins on atherosclerosis

Abstract

Lipid and nonlipid mechanisms contribute to the beneficial effects of some statins on endothelial function, plaque stability and thrombus formation. The nonlipid effects of statins may contribute to alleviation of tissue ischemia and prevention of acute cardiovascular syndromes. Endothelial dysfunction is reversed by a statin and this beneficial property results, in part, from direct actions on the endothelial vasoactive factors, nitric oxide and endothelin-1. Some statins have been shown to inhibit production of proinflammatory cytokines that regulate many key functions of the vascular wall including monocyte adhesion, chemotaxis, and metalloproteinase secretion. Vascular smooth muscle cell synthetic capacity and viability is inhibited by lipophilic agents, whereas a hydrophilic agent does not interfere with this reparative response. Some statins may impede thrombogenesis by reduced activation of the extrinsic coagulation pathway, inhibition of platelet adhesion and aggregation, and improvement in the rheologic profile.

Beneficial Effects of Pitavastatin, a 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme a Reductase Inhibitor, on Cardiac Function in Ischemic and Nonischemic Heart Failure

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Statin therapy lowers morbidity and mortality in a broad range of patient populations with and without cardiovascular disease. [6][7][8][9][10] Statin therapy may also reduce the risk of HF, although patients with symptomatic and severe HF generally have been excluded from these studies.…”

Statins in Asthma: A Closer Look into the Pharmacological Mechanism of Action

“…Not only is the synthesis of cholesterol reduced by statins, but also the production of numerous isoprenoid metabolites such as geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) and farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) [16,17] . FPP and GGPP are involved in the process of protein prenylation which is an essential post-translational modification for several proteins such as Ras, Rab and protein kinases among others [18] .…”

Homocysteine in Red Blood Cells Metabolism - Pharmacological Approaches

“…Lovastatin or simvastatin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. They reduce monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, cytokine expression and MCP-1 production [101][102][103]. By limiting the influx of inflammatory cells statins may reduce the release of superoxide radicals and the oxidative modification of LDL.…”