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 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- 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
-
Antiapoptotic Effect of Novel Compound from Herba leonuri-Leonurine (SCM-198): A Mechanism Through Inhibition of Mitochondria Dysfunction in H9c2 Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Lectin-Like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 (LOX-1), a Relevant Target for Diabetic Vasculopathy?
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Oxidative stress and myocarditis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial [Hot Topic: Neural Control of the Vasculature: Pharmacological Targets in Vascular Disease (Guest Editors: Andrzej Loesch and Michael R. Dashwood)]
Current Vascular Pharmacology Synthesis, Characterization and Physico-chemical Properties of New 2-(4- Arylpiperazine-1-yl)-1-(3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl)ethanoles as Potential Antihypertensive Agents
Current Organic Chemistry Stacking Regression Algorithms to Predict PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the Smart City Using Internet of Things
Recent Advances in Computer Science and Communications Update on the Evaluation and Management of Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (Previously Apparent Life-Threatening Events)
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials The Effects of Italian Mediterranean Organic Diet (IMOD) on Health Status
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial (Thematic Issue: Targeting Cell Death and Proliferation Receptors in Cancer)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Optimization and Assay of Antioxidant Potential of Two Penicillium spp. by Different Procedures
Current Biotechnology Impact of Pulmonary Vascular Resistances in Heart Transplantation for Congenital Heart Disease
Current Cardiology Reviews Advantages and Limitations of Transgenic Mice: The Role of the Na<sup>+</sup>/Ca<sup>2+</sup> Exchanger in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Statins on Coronary Artery Disease: An Updated Review of the Literature
Current Cardiology Reviews Gender Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Heart Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Developing Stress Assessment forms for Thai Cancer Patients: The Thai Version of the Modified Symptoms of Stress Inventory (Modified SOSI)
Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews Myocardial Regeneration: What is the Best Approach?
Current Cardiology Reviews Meet Our Section Editor
Current Vascular Pharmacology Dietary Transition in the South Asian Diaspora: Implications for Diabetes Prevention Strategies
Current Diabetes Reviews Training Pediatric Residents for Intervention on Tobacco
Current Pediatric Reviews Essential Fatty Acids - A Review
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology