Emerging mechanisms for secondary cardioprotective effects of statins

Emerging mechanisms for secondary cardioprotective effects of statins.

See article by Li et al. [11] (pages 130 –135) in this observations noting these secondary statin effects were issue. correct; however, the mechanisms responsible have only recently begun to come to light. In this issue of Cardiovascular Research, Li et al. [11] demonstrate that

Cardioprotective brain mechanisms.

Statins: mechanisms of neuroprotection.

Clinical trials report that the class of drugs known as statins may be neuroprotective in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and further trials are currently underway to test whether these drugs are also beneficial in multiple sclerosis and acute stroke treatment. Since statins are well tolerated and have relatively few side effects, they may be considered as viable drugs to ameliorate neurod...

Effects of Statins on Endothelium and Signaling Mechanisms

Endothelium dysfunction may result from increased production of reactive oxygen species and decreased availability of nitric oxide. Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (ie, statins) exert cholesterol-independent vasoprotective effects that are mediated, in part, through the inhibition of small G-proteins Rho and Rac. Rho negatively regulates endothelial nitri...

Immunomodulatory effects of statins: mechanisms and potential impact on arteriosclerosis.

Clinical trials with statins have demonstrated a marked reduction of cardiovascular mortality. However, it remains controversial whether these clinical benefits stem from powerful cholesterol-lowering effects of statins or whether they are due in part to their cholesterol-independent effects on vascular function, plaque growth, plaque rupture, or thrombosis. The identification of several mechan...