Pleiotropic effects of statins

Abstract

Results of numerous epidemiologic studies indicate that elevated serum cholesterol, especially the LDL fraction, is a major cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). Epidemiologic and angiographic evidence from primary and secondary prevention studies involving several HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) indicate that decreasing elevated serum cholesterol concentration (specifically LDL-cholesterol) can reduce the incidence of CHD and/or progression of atherosclerosis and results in a decrease in associated morbidity and mortality. It has been estimated that each 1% reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentration may result in a 1% decrease in the incidence of CHD. Furthermore, an analysis of pooled data from primary and secondary prevention studies found that treatment with a statin for a median duration of 5.4 years was associated with a 31% and 21% reduction in the risk of major coronary events and total mortality, respectively. This paper deals with the pharmacology of statins, specially with the pleiotropic effects of these drugs.