HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: Is the Endothelium the Main Target?
- 1 May 2001
- journal article
- review article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Cardiology
- Vol. 95 (1) , 9-13
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000047336
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in atherosclerosis and could be considered a response to the injury induced by major risk factors. There is evidence that endothelial dysfunction is intimately involved in the onset and the progression of cardiovascular disease through abnormalities in the production, release or degradation of endothelium-derived factors, mainly nitric oxide and endothelin 1. Several reports have shown that drugs of the statin class could have multiple beneficial effects related to endothelium-mediated vasoactive, antithrombotic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory actions. Thus, the question arises of whether endothelial cells are the main target of statin therapy, in the setting of both hypercholesterolemia and normocholesterolemia. Experimental and clinical studies are reported that could support this hypothesis.This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
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