Abstract
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), i.e. unstable angina and myocardial infarction, are the leading causes of death in developed countries and developing countries alike. Lipid lowering intervention studies have demonstrated a 30% risk reduction in recurrent cardiovascular events and death, despite only modest improvement in angiographic stenosis. This discrepancy suggested that cholesterol lowering by statins may lead to stabilization of vulnerable plaques rather than reducing stenosis per se. The predominant effect of statins is to lower lipid levels by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. Besides the lipid lowering effects, statins have also been shown to modulate the inflammatory status and improve endothelial function amongst others, commonly referred to as “pleiotropic effects”. In the present review we will discuss different determinants which lead to plaque vulnerability and subsequently we will expand on the plaque stabilizing or “pleiotropic” effects of statin treatment.
Keywords: Plaque vulnerability, pleiotropic, statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Pleiotropic Effects of Statins: Stabilization of the Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque?
Volume: 13 Issue: 10
Author(s): Fatima Akdim, Sander I. van Leuven, John J. P. Kastelein and Erik S. G. Stroes
Affiliation:
Keywords: Plaque vulnerability, pleiotropic, statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Abstract: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), i.e. unstable angina and myocardial infarction, are the leading causes of death in developed countries and developing countries alike. Lipid lowering intervention studies have demonstrated a 30% risk reduction in recurrent cardiovascular events and death, despite only modest improvement in angiographic stenosis. This discrepancy suggested that cholesterol lowering by statins may lead to stabilization of vulnerable plaques rather than reducing stenosis per se. The predominant effect of statins is to lower lipid levels by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. Besides the lipid lowering effects, statins have also been shown to modulate the inflammatory status and improve endothelial function amongst others, commonly referred to as “pleiotropic effects”. In the present review we will discuss different determinants which lead to plaque vulnerability and subsequently we will expand on the plaque stabilizing or “pleiotropic” effects of statin treatment.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Akdim Fatima, van Leuven I. Sander, P. Kastelein J. John and G. Stroes S. Erik, Pleiotropic Effects of Statins: Stabilization of the Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque?, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207780487548
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207780487548 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Beyond Hemostasis: The Role of Platelets in Inflammation, Malignancy and Infection
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein and Cardiovascular Risk Prediction
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Endocannabinoid Blockade and the Cardiovascular System
Current Drug Therapy Physiological Significance and Therapeutic Potential of Adrenomedullin in Pulmonary Hypertension
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Effects of Statins on Bone Markers, Bone Mineral Density and Fractures. Possible Role in Osteoporosis Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Dyslipidemia as a Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction
Current Medicinal Chemistry Neuroprotective Effects of Ginkgolide B Against Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Current Literature
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Prophylactic Neuroprotection
Current Drug Targets Antiplatelet Treatment in Stroke: New Insights
Current Pharmaceutical Design Statin Intolerance: Why and What to do – With a Focus on Diabetic People
Current Medicinal Chemistry Relationship Among Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Anthropometric and Metabolic Parameters in Subjects with Obesity
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Cell-Penetrating Peptides as a Potential Drug Delivery System for Effective Treatment of Diabetes
Current Pharmaceutical Design Headspace Analyses in Valuable and Functional Foods: Application of SPME in the Quality Control and Characterization of Olive Oils
Current Analytical Chemistry Inhibition of Interleukin-1 in the Treatment of Selected Cardiovascular Complications
Current Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Drug Repurposing for the Treatment of Staphylococcal Infections
Current Pharmaceutical Design Synthesis of New A-CD Estrogenic Compounds: D-Homo-analogs Lacking B-ring
Current Organic Chemistry Predementia and Dementia Syndromes: Possible Role of Lipoprotein Metabolism
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Biologic Therapy in Inflammatory and Immunomediated Arthritis: Safety Profile
Current Drug Safety