Abstract
Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase or statins are effective lipid lowering drugs. The lipid lowering activity is mainly achieved through reduction of cholesterol synthesis and up-regulation of low density lipoprotein receptors that in turn clear low density lipoproteins and low density lipoprotein precursors from the blood. HMG-CoA reductase competitively blocks mevalonate, the enzyme reaction product that is the precursor not only of cholesterol but also of several non-steroidal isoprenoid compounds. Isoprenoids allow the attachment to the cell membrane of signalling proteins involved in various cell functions; their inhibition explains the so-called pleiotropic effects of statins, which include anti-inflammatory anticoagulant and immunomodulatory properties. Such pleiotropic activities have been suggested to justify the benefits of statin therapy besides the simple reduction in plasma cholesterol levels. Accelerated atherosclerosis has been reported in several autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Non-traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as inflammation, immune-mediated responses and thrombophilia, have been suggested to play a major role in sustaining premature atherosclerosis in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This review focuses on the potential use of statins as a new therapeutical tool for treating autoimmune rheumatic diseases based on their antiatherosclerotic activity and on their pleiotropic effect on inflammation, haemostasis and the immune responses.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 278-284 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | APLAR Journal of Rheumatology |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2004 |
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Keywords
- Atherosclerosis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Immunomodulation
- Inflammation
- Statins
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rheumatology
Cite this
Statins and autoimmune diseases. / Meroni, P. L.; Ventura, D.
In: APLAR Journal of Rheumatology, Vol. 7, No. 3, 11.2004, p. 278-284.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Statins and autoimmune diseases
AU - Meroni, P. L.
AU - Ventura, D.
PY - 2004/11
Y1 - 2004/11
N2 - Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase or statins are effective lipid lowering drugs. The lipid lowering activity is mainly achieved through reduction of cholesterol synthesis and up-regulation of low density lipoprotein receptors that in turn clear low density lipoproteins and low density lipoprotein precursors from the blood. HMG-CoA reductase competitively blocks mevalonate, the enzyme reaction product that is the precursor not only of cholesterol but also of several non-steroidal isoprenoid compounds. Isoprenoids allow the attachment to the cell membrane of signalling proteins involved in various cell functions; their inhibition explains the so-called pleiotropic effects of statins, which include anti-inflammatory anticoagulant and immunomodulatory properties. Such pleiotropic activities have been suggested to justify the benefits of statin therapy besides the simple reduction in plasma cholesterol levels. Accelerated atherosclerosis has been reported in several autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Non-traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as inflammation, immune-mediated responses and thrombophilia, have been suggested to play a major role in sustaining premature atherosclerosis in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This review focuses on the potential use of statins as a new therapeutical tool for treating autoimmune rheumatic diseases based on their antiatherosclerotic activity and on their pleiotropic effect on inflammation, haemostasis and the immune responses.
AB - Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase or statins are effective lipid lowering drugs. The lipid lowering activity is mainly achieved through reduction of cholesterol synthesis and up-regulation of low density lipoprotein receptors that in turn clear low density lipoproteins and low density lipoprotein precursors from the blood. HMG-CoA reductase competitively blocks mevalonate, the enzyme reaction product that is the precursor not only of cholesterol but also of several non-steroidal isoprenoid compounds. Isoprenoids allow the attachment to the cell membrane of signalling proteins involved in various cell functions; their inhibition explains the so-called pleiotropic effects of statins, which include anti-inflammatory anticoagulant and immunomodulatory properties. Such pleiotropic activities have been suggested to justify the benefits of statin therapy besides the simple reduction in plasma cholesterol levels. Accelerated atherosclerosis has been reported in several autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Non-traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as inflammation, immune-mediated responses and thrombophilia, have been suggested to play a major role in sustaining premature atherosclerosis in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This review focuses on the potential use of statins as a new therapeutical tool for treating autoimmune rheumatic diseases based on their antiatherosclerotic activity and on their pleiotropic effect on inflammation, haemostasis and the immune responses.
KW - Atherosclerosis
KW - Autoimmune diseases
KW - Immunomodulation
KW - Inflammation
KW - Statins
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=23444452929&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=23444452929&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1479-8077.2004.00103.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1479-8077.2004.00103.x
M3 - Article
VL - 7
SP - 278
EP - 284
JO - APLAR Journal of Rheumatology
JF - APLAR Journal of Rheumatology
SN - 0219-0494
IS - 3
ER -