Abstract
The mevalonate pathway synthesizes intermediates and products such as cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids that are crucial for cell survival and function. In the human placenta, the prenylation of proteins, rather than cholesterol synthesis, represents the main "metabolic target" of mevalonate metabolism. Major cellular functions depend on isoprenylation including proliferation, migration, metabolism and protein glycosylation that are all crucial for proper development of the embryo and the placenta. Statins are inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid by NADPH. In vitro experiments using human placental explants suggest that statins elicit a detrimental effect on placental growth. However, animal and epidemiologic studies show no increase of fetal malformations after exposure to statins during pregnancy. Moreover, emerging evidence from mouse studies suggest that statins may be useful in preventing serious pregnancy complications like preeclampsia.
Keywords: Animal studies, mevalonate pathway, placental development, preeclampsia, pregnancy, statins.
Current Molecular Pharmacology
Title:Statins, Mevalonate Pathway and its Intermediate Products in Placental Development and Preeclampsia
Volume: 10
Author(s): Leonardo Ermini, Martin Post and Isabella Caniggia
Affiliation:
Keywords: Animal studies, mevalonate pathway, placental development, preeclampsia, pregnancy, statins.
Abstract: The mevalonate pathway synthesizes intermediates and products such as cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids that are crucial for cell survival and function. In the human placenta, the prenylation of proteins, rather than cholesterol synthesis, represents the main "metabolic target" of mevalonate metabolism. Major cellular functions depend on isoprenylation including proliferation, migration, metabolism and protein glycosylation that are all crucial for proper development of the embryo and the placenta. Statins are inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid by NADPH. In vitro experiments using human placental explants suggest that statins elicit a detrimental effect on placental growth. However, animal and epidemiologic studies show no increase of fetal malformations after exposure to statins during pregnancy. Moreover, emerging evidence from mouse studies suggest that statins may be useful in preventing serious pregnancy complications like preeclampsia.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ermini Leonardo, Post Martin and Caniggia Isabella, Statins, Mevalonate Pathway and its Intermediate Products in Placental Development and Preeclampsia, Current Molecular Pharmacology 2017; 10 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874467209666160112123457
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874467209666160112123457 |
Print ISSN 1874-4672 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1874-4702 |
- 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
-
Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Vascular Biology in Diabetes Mellitus: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives
Current Diabetes Reviews Recent Patents on the Upgrading of Fish by-Products
Recent Patents on Chemical Engineering Programs to Facilitate Tuberculosis Drug Discovery: The Tuberculosis Antimicrobial Acquisition and Coordinating Facility
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Comprehensive Review of Cancer Chemopreventive Agents Evaluated in Experimental Carcinogenesis Models and Clinical Trials
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension Therapy
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Marine n-3 Fatty Acids for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction and Disease Control in Rheumatoid Arthritis: “Kill Two Birds with One Stone”?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Biochemical Strategies to Anticoagulation: A Comparative Overview
Current Vascular Pharmacology Metabolism of Rhaponticin and Activities of its Metabolite, Rhapontigenin: A Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Comparative Assessment of Metabolic Syndrome and its Association with Vitamin D and Other Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Current Diabetes Reviews Hypoxia in Pre-Eclampsia: Cause or Effect?
Current Women`s Health Reviews Updated Research and Applications of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 Protein-Protein Interaction: a Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Patents Concerning Modulators of Protein Kinase C
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences Mutagenic Approaches to Modifying Gap Junction Phenotype
Current Drug Targets Subject Index To Volume 2
Current Hypertension Reviews Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Dementia
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets SiRNA Mediated Gene Silencing: Hurdles, Strategies and Applications
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Management of COVID-19 very Elderly Patients in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities: Description of a New Model and Experience in a Medicalized Nursing Home
Coronaviruses MicroRNA-30 and 145 as Targets for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: Therapeutic Feasibility and Challenges
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vascular Risk Factors and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis: Are Conventional Pharmacological Approaches Protective For Cognitive Decline Progression?
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Association of Hypothyroidism with Body Mass Index, Systolic Blood Pressure and Proteinuria in Diabetic Patients: Does treated Hypothyroidism with Thyroxine Replacement Therapy Prevent Nephropathy/Chronic Renal Disease?
Current Diabetes Reviews