Abstract | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: Recent studies indicate that some of the cholesterol-independent or 'pleiotropic' effects of statins involve improving endothelial function, enhancing the stability of atherosclerotic plaques, decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation, and inhibiting the thrombogenic response. Many of these pleiotropic effects are mediated by inhibition of isoprenoids, which serve as lipid attachments for intracellular signaling molecules. In particular, inhibition of small GTP-binding proteins, Rho, Ras, and Rac, whose proper membrane localization and function are dependent upon isoprenylation, may play an important role in mediating the pleiotropic effects of statins. SUMMARY: The potential clinical implications of statin pleiotropy suggests that perhaps other biomarkers, in addition to lipid levels, should be used to gauge the full efficacy of statin therapy in patients with cardiovascular risks or that statin therapy may be effective in disease states, such as inflammatory conditions, ischemic stroke or cancer, where elevated cholesterol levels have not been shown to be a strong epidemiological risk for these diseases.
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Authors | James K Liao |
Journal | Current opinion in lipidology
(Curr Opin Lipidol)
Vol. 16
Issue 6
Pg. 624-9
(Dec 2005)
ISSN: 0957-9672 [Print] England |
PMID | 16276239
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
- Cholesterol
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Topics |
- Atherosclerosis
(blood, metabolism, prevention & control)
- Cholesterol
(blood)
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
(adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Risk Factors
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