Statins

Statins are medications which lower the level of cholesterol in blood by decreasing the synthesis of cholesterol in the human body. Statins act by inhibiting HMG Co-A Reductase, an enzyme critical for cholesterol synthesis in liver.

The major effect of statin is achieved by lowering of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. More potent statins can decrease triglyceride levels and can increase HDL ("good") cholesterol level at high doses, but clinical significance of these effects is not clear.

History

The first statins were extracted from a mold, Penicillium citrinum, and identified as inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis in 1976 by Akira Endo and Masao Kuroda of Tokyo, Japan. Subsequent studies by Brown and Goldstein established that statins act by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase.

The first statin studied in humans was compactin, renamed mevastatin, which demonstrated the therapeutic potential of this class of drugs. However, Merck developed the first statin approved for use in humans, lovastatin (formerly known as mevinolin), which was isolated from Aspergillus terreus.

Five other statins are also available. Pravastatin and simvastatin are chemically modified derivatives of lovastatin. Atorvastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin are structurally distinct synthetic compounds.

Currently available statins

• Lovastatin
• Pravastatin
• Simvastatin
• Fluvastatin
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

Controversy

Statins are very widely prescribed and there is some concern as to the side-effects of higher doses.

References

External links

• Statins (wikipedia)