Effects of statins on triglyceride metabolism.

Abstract

Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or "statins," have been extremely efficacious in decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia and in treating patients with dysbetalipoproteinemia, a relatively rare form of hyperlipidemia. Clinical trials have indicated that statins can significantly lower very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride levels, although the central mechanism of action of statins-i.e., increasing the number of LDL receptors-would appear to suggest that they would have no significant effect on VLDL levels. Through a review of published data from animal and human studies, this article addresses the important clinical question of how drugs that inhibit the rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol can affect triglyceride metabolism.

• Authors: H N Ginsberg
• Journal: The American journal of cardiology (Am J Cardiol) Vol. 81 Issue 4A Pg. 32B-35B (Feb 26 1998) ISSN: 0002-9149 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9526811 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Cholesterol, LDL
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Hypolipidemic Agents
• Lipoproteins, VLDL
• Receptors, LDL
• Triglycerides

Topics

• Animals
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Hypercholesterolemia (blood, drug therapy)
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III (blood, drug therapy)
• Hypolipidemic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Lipoproteins, VLDL (blood)
• Receptors, LDL (blood)
• Triglycerides (metabolism)