Can statins slow the process of vascular calcification? Possibilities of lipid-lowering therapy and pleiotropic effect by statin treatment

Abstract

Widespread vascular calcification is a ubiquitous feature of aging and is prevalent in association with several atherosclerotic diseases. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to exert protective potentials against cardiovascular diseases via the lipid-lowering and/or their independent pleiotropic effects. Recently, statins have been extensively investigated as potential therapeutic agents capable of slowing the progression of vascular and valvular calcification. However, accumulating recent evidences show that there are conflicting data regarding beneficial effects of statins on progression of cardiovascular calcification. In particular, regarding coronary artery calcification, which is shown to can predict coronary events, it still remains unclear and controversial. To address the positioning of statins as therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular calcification more clearly, clinical studies by intensive therapy using statins throughout long-term period is indispensable in near future. In addition, future investigation about the detailed molecular mechanisms how statins affect calcification process in vascular cells is necessary.