Abstract
Hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase-inhibitors (HMG-CoA [statins]) are currently the most effective method to pharmacologically decrease total plasma cholesterol levels. A number of multicenter studies have demonstrated, that statins administered for several years lead to a significant reduction of cardiovascular events and mortality compared with placebo. Apart from the well known LDL- and cholesterol lowering effect, statins have been postulated to exert beneficial effects on mortality due to so called 'non-lipid effects'. There is circumstantial evidence from a number of experimental studies that statins can improve endothelial function, exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, stabilize arteriosclerotic plaque and inhibit proliferation and activation of smooth muscle cells. However, the clinical implications of these beneficial 'non-lipid effects' are unclear, but appear to exert only a minor role in comparison to the lowering effect of statins on total plasma cholesterol levels.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
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Antioxidants / adverse effects
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Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
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Arteriosclerosis / drug therapy*
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Arteriosclerosis / mortality
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Arteriosclerosis / physiopathology
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Cell Division / drug effects
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Cell Division / physiology
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Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
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Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology
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Humans
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
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Hypercholesterolemia / mortality
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Hypercholesterolemia / physiopathology
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Hypolipidemic Agents / adverse effects
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Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Multicenter Studies as Topic
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects*
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiopathology
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Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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Survival Rate
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Antioxidants
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
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Hypolipidemic Agents