New insights into the pleiotropic effects of statins for stroke prevention

Mini Rev Med Chem. 2009 Jun;9(7):794-804. doi: 10.2174/138955709788452658.

Abstract

There is compelling evidence that treatment with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors - "statins" - the most important class of lipid lowering agents, reduces ischemic stroke incidence independent on their effect on serum cholesterol levels. In this review, the non-lipid-mediated - "pleiotropic" - effects of statins as well as their potential implication in developing new treatment strategies for stroke prevention will be discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Endothelium / drug effects
  • Endothelium / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / immunology
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Immunologic Factors / immunology
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacokinetics
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Stroke / complications
  • Stroke / pathology
  • Stroke / physiopathology
  • Stroke / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Immunologic Factors