Abstract
The clinical benefits of statins are strongly related to their low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering properties. However, because mevalonic acid (MVA), the product of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase reaction, is the precursor not only of cholesterol but also of nonsteroidal isoprenoid compounds, the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase may result in pleiotropic effects, independent of their hypocholesterolemic properties. The discrimination between the pleiotropic from LDL-C lowering effects may potentially be more evident during the early phase of treatment since plasma MVA levels drop up to 70% within 1-2 hours while a reduction of LDL-C, detectable after 24 hours, became significant after 6-7 days. Therefore, the deprivation of circulating MVA-derived isoprenoids in the early phase of treatment could be the main mechanism responsible for the atheroprotective effect of statins. This early window of protection in the absence of LDL-C lowering suggests that the anti-inflammatory and the pleiotropic properties of statins may have clinical importance. Therefore, acute coronary syndromes could represent a clinical condition for addressing the early benefits of statins therapy, ie, within 24 h of the event, independent of LDL-C lowering.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 611-613 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Vascular Health and Risk Management |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Keywords
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Anti-inflammatory effects of statins
- LDL lowering
- Mevalonate pathway
- Prenylated proteins
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology (medical)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Hematology
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism