statins: newer roles including lipid lowering therapy

statins are most effective pharmacologically agents to decrease total plasma cholesterol level by competitive inhibition of hmg-co a reductase. apart from the well-known ldl and cholesterol lowering effect, statins have been postulated to exert other beneficial effects also called pleotropic or non-lipid effects. better understanding of various pleotropic effects of statins has prompted a new surge of interest in their use to treat or prevent a wide range of chronic and life threatening disorders. their effectiveness in treating these disorders suggests that the benefits of statins may not be limited to cholesterol lowering. however at present although the clinical implication of this beneficial non-lipid effect seems promising yet properly designed, large multicentre, prospective, control trials are going on to validate the use of statins for indication other than primary and secondary prevention of vascular disease.