PubMed · 12044582
Statins and ischemic stroke.
Abstract
The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins are potent inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis. Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that these agents reduce serum cholesterol levels and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. However, overlap and meta-analyses of these clinical trials suggest that the beneficial effects of statins may extend beyond their effects on serum cholesterol levels. Because statins also inhibit the synthesis of isoprenoid intermediates in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, they may have pleiotropic effects on the vascular wall. In particular, the ability of statins to decrease the incidence of ischemic stroke highlights some of their non-cholesterol effects since serum cholesterol levels are poorly correlated with the risk for ischemic stroke.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
James K Liao. 2002. Statins and ischemic stroke.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1567-5688(01)00011-3
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.