In the medical and dental field, the importance and need for the study of materials and drugs for use as bone grafts or regeneration in injured areas due to the presence of fractures, infections or tumors that cause e...In the medical and dental field, the importance and need for the study of materials and drugs for use as bone grafts or regeneration in injured areas due to the presence of fractures, infections or tumors that cause extensive loss of bone tissue is observed. Bone is a specialized, vascularized and dynamic connective tissue that changes throughout the life of the organism. When injured, it has a unique ability to regenerate and repair without the presence of scars, but in some situations, due to the size of the defect, the bone tissue does not regenerate completely. Thus, due to its importance, there is a great development in therapeutic approaches for the treatment of bone defects through studies that include autografts, allografts and artificial materials used alone or in association with bone grafts. Pharmaceuticals composed of biomaterials and osteogenic active substances have been extensively studied because they provide potential for tissue regeneration and new strategies for the treatment of bone defects. Statins work as specific inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAreductase). They represent efficient drugs in lowering cholesterol, as they reduce platelet aggregation and thrombus deposition;in addition, they promote angiogenesis, reduce the β-amyloid peptide related to Alzheimer’s disease and suppress the activation of T lymphocytes. Furthermore, these substances have been used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease. By inhibiting HMG-CoAreductase, statins not only inhibit cholesterol synthesis, but also exhibit several other beneficial pleiotropic effects. Therefore, there has been increasing interest in researching the effects of statins, including Simvastatin, on bone and osteometabolic diseases. However, statins in high doses cause inflammation in bone defects and inhibit osteoblastic differentiation, negatively contributing to bone repair. Thus, different types of studies with different concentrations of statins have been studied to positively or negatively correlate this drug with bone regeneration. In this review we will address the positive, negative or neutral effects of statins in relation to bone defects providing a comprehensive understanding of their application. Finally, we will discuss a variety of statin-based drugs and the ideal dose through a theoretical basis with preclinical, clinical and laboratory work in order to promote the repair of bone defects.展开更多
The present study investigated the association between pre-treatment with a cholesterol-lowering drug(statin) or new setting hereon and the effect on the mortality rate in patients with acute ischemic stroke who recei...The present study investigated the association between pre-treatment with a cholesterol-lowering drug(statin) or new setting hereon and the effect on the mortality rate in patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous systemic thrombolysis. During a 5-year period(starting in October 2008), 542 consecutive stroke patients who received intravenous systemic thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(rt-PA) at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Germany, were included. Patients were characterized according to statins. The primary endpoint was mortality;it was assessed twice: in hospital and 3 months after discharge. The secondary outcome was the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Of the 542 stroke patients examined(mean age 72 ± 13 years;51% women, mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) score 11), 138 patients(25.5%) had been pretreated with statin, while in 190 patients(35.1%) statin therapy was initiated during their stay in hospital, whereas 193(35.6%) never received statins. Patients pre-treated with statin were older and more frequently had previous illnesses(arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and previous cerebral infarctions), but were comparably similarly affected by the stroke(NIHSS 11 vs. 11;P = 0.76) compared to patients who were not on statin treatment at the time of cerebral infarction. Patients pretreated with statin did not differ in 3-month mortality from those newly treated to a statin(7.6% vs. 8%;P = 0.9). Interestingly, the group of patients pretreated with statin showed a lower rate of in hospital mortality(6.6% vs. 17.0;P = 0.005) and 3-month mortality(10.7% vs. 23.7%;P = 0.005) than the group of patients who had no statin treatment at all. The same effect was seen for patients newly adjusted to a statin during the hospital stay compared to patients who did not receive statins(3-month mortality: 7.1% vs. 23.7%;P < 0.001). With a good functional outcome(mRS ≤ 2), 60% of patients were discharged, the majority(69.6%;P < 0.001) of whom received a statin at discharge. The rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages in the course of cranial computed tomography was independent of whether the patients were pretreated with a statin or not(8.8% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.96). Pre-treatment with statin as well as new adjustment could reveal positive effect on prognosis of intravenous thrombolyzed stroke patients. Further investigations are required. The study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the University of Lübeck(approval No. 4-147).展开更多
This review summarizes the safety and efficacy of statins in patients with cirrhosis.Due to concerns about the safety of statins in patients with impaired liver function,they have recently been investigated as a poten...This review summarizes the safety and efficacy of statins in patients with cirrhosis.Due to concerns about the safety of statins in patients with impaired liver function,they have recently been investigated as a potential treatment option in cirrhosis.The most clinically significant adverse event is statin-related myopathy,and this may be related to the high serum statin concentrations in the setting of severely impaired liver function.Rhabdomyolysis is the most serious and potentially life-threatening manifestation.It has recently been demonstrated that the recommended dose of simvastatin in patients with decompensated cirrhosis would be 20 mg/d because higher values,such as 40 mg/d,are associated with many adverse events,especially muscle injury.Likewise,simvastatin should not be administered to patients with Model for End-stage Liver Disease score>12 and/or Child-Pugh class C because of the high risk of severe muscle injury.Due to the pleiotropic effects,the focus on statins has shifted from being considered harmful to something useful.Through these effects,statins could prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients.Observational studies in large populations of patients with cirrhosis have shown that treatment with statins to decrease high cholesterol levels was associated with a reduced risk of hepatic decompensation,hepatocellular carcinoma development and death.The few randomized controlled trials in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension showed that statins lower portal pressure,quite likely through a reduction in hepatic resistance.Another large randomized controlled trial in patients with variceal bleeding showed that simvastatin in addition to standard of care did not prevent rebleeding but improved survival rate.Despite these encouraging outcomes,the quality of the evidence regarding the use of statins is low or very low due to the observational characteristics of most of the studies involved.Therefore,it is advisable to perform further randomized controlled trials on a large series of patients with hard clinical endpoints,using different statin types and varying doses.The objectives would be to prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality rather than treating cirrhosis complications to take additional information that makes it possible to add statins to the standard of care of these patients.展开更多
Statins have become a cornerstone of risk modification for ischaemic heart disease patients. A number of studies have shown that they are effective and safe. However studies have observed an early benefit in terms of ...Statins have become a cornerstone of risk modification for ischaemic heart disease patients. A number of studies have shown that they are effective and safe. However studies have observed an early benefit in terms of a reduction in recurrent infarct and or death after a myocardial infarction,prior to any significant change in lipid profile. Therefore,pleiotropic mechanisms,other than lowering lipid profile alone,must account for this effect. One such proposed pleiotropic mechanism is the ability of statins to augment both number and function of endothelial progenitor cells. The ability to augment repair and maintenance of a functioning endothelium may have profound beneficial effect on vascular repair and potentially a positive impact on clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. The following literature review will discuss issues surrounding endothelial progenitor cell(EPC) identification,role in vascular repair,factors affecting EPC numbers,the role of statins in current medical practice and their effects on EPC number.展开更多
Obesity associated dyslipidemia and its negative effects on the heart and blood vessels have emerged as a major healthcare challenge around the globe. The use of statins, potent inhibitors of hydroxyl-methyl glutaryl(...Obesity associated dyslipidemia and its negative effects on the heart and blood vessels have emerged as a major healthcare challenge around the globe. The use of statins, potent inhibitors of hydroxyl-methyl glutaryl(HMG) Co-A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, has significantly reduced the rates of cardiovascular and general mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. How statins lower plasma cholesterol levels presents a mechanistic conundrum since persistent exposure to these drugs in vitro or in vivo is known to induce overexpression of the HMG Co-A reductase gene and protein. In an attempt to solve this mechanistic puzzle, Schonewille et al, studied detailed metabolic parameters of cholesterol synthesis, interorgan flux and excretion in mice treated with 3 common statins, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin, each with its unique pharmacokinetics. From the measurements of the rates of heavy water(D_2O) and [^(13)C]-acetate incorporation into lipids, the authors calculated the rates of whole body and organ-specific cholesterol synthesis in control and statin-treated mice. These analyses revealed dramatic enhancement in the rates of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis in statin-treated mice that concomitantly elicited lower levels of cholesterol in their plasma. The authors have provided strong evidence to indicate that statin treatment in mice led to induction of compensatory metabolic pathways that apparently mitigated an excessive accumulation of cholesterol in the body. It was noted however that changes in cholesterol metabolism induced by 3 statins were not identical. While sustained delivery of all 3 statins led to enhanced rates of biliary excretion of cholesterol and its fecal elimination, only atorvastatin treated mice elicited enhanced trans-intestinal cholesterol excretion. Thus, blockade of HMGCR by statins in mice was associated with profound metabolic adaptations that reset their cholesterol homeostasis. The findings of Schonewille et al, deserve to be corroborated and extended in patients in order to more effectively utilize these important cholesterol-lowering drugs in the clinic.展开更多
Statins are a class of molecules that inhibit HMG Co A reductase. They are usually prescribed as a lipid lowering medication. However, there is accumulating evidence that statins have multiple secondary effects both r...Statins are a class of molecules that inhibit HMG Co A reductase. They are usually prescribed as a lipid lowering medication. However, there is accumulating evidence that statins have multiple secondary effects both related and unrelated to their lipid-lowering effect. This narrative review of the literature aims to provide the reader with information from clinical studies related to the effect of statin and statins' potential use in patients with liver diseases. In patients with advanced liver disease due to any etiology, statins exhibit an antifibrotic effect possibly through the prevention of hepatic sinusoidal microthrombosis. Two randomized controlled trials confirmed that statins decrease hepatic vein pressure gradient in patients with portal hypertension and improve the survival of patients after variceal bleeding. Lower rates of infections were observed in patients with cirrhosis who received statin treatment. Statins decrease the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients with advanced liver disease in general but particularly in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. Statins in patients with chronic hepatitis C likely increase the virological response to the treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and have the potential to decrease the rate of fibrosis. Finally, data from randomized controlled trials also confirmed that the addition of statin prolongs the survival of patients with advanced HCC even more than sorafenib. Statins are a very promising group of drugs especially in patients with liver disease, where therapeutic options can often be limited. Some indications, such as the prevention of re-bleeding from esophageal varices and the palliative treatment of HCC have been proven through randomized controlled trials, while additional indications still need to be confirmed through prospective studies.展开更多
BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK-9) inhibitors were confirmed by several clinical trials, but its effectiveness in routine clinical practice in China has not bee...BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK-9) inhibitors were confirmed by several clinical trials, but its effectiveness in routine clinical practice in China has not been evaluated. This study aims to describe the real world effectiveness of PCSK-9 inhibitors combined with statins compared with statins-based therapy among patients with very high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD).METHODS This is a multi-center observational study, enrolled patients from 32 hospitals who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) from January to June in 2019. There are 453 patients treated with PCSK-9 inhibitors combined with statins in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 2,610 patients treated with statins-based lipid lowering therapies in statins-based group. The lipid control rate and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE) over six months were compared between two groups.A propensity score-matched(PSM) analysis was used to balance two groups on confounding factors. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier methods was applied for MACE.RESULTS In a total of 3,063 patients, 89.91% of patients had received moderate or high-intensity statins-based therapy before PCI, but only 9.47% of patients had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) levels below 1.4 mmol/L at baseline. In the PSM selected patients, LDL-C level was reduced by 42.57% in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 30.81%(P < 0.001) in statins-based group after six months. The proportion of LDL-C ≤ 1.0 mmol/L increased from 5.29% to 29.26% in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 0.23% to 6.11% in statins-based group, and the proportion of LDL-C ≤ 1.4 mmol/L increased from 10.36% to 47.69% in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 2.99% to 18.43% in statins-based group(P < 0.001 for both). There was no significant difference between PCSK-9 inhibitor and statins-based treatment in reducing the risk of MACE(hazard ratio = 2.52, 95% CI: 0.49-12.97, P = 0.250).CONCLUSIONS In the real world, PCSK-9 inhibitors combined with statins could significantly reduce LDL-C levels among patients with very high risk of ASCVD in China. The long-term clinical benefits for patients received PCSK-9 inhibitor to reduce the risk of MACE is still unclear and requires further study.展开更多
The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma,a poor prognosis neoplasia,has risen dramatically in recent decades.Barrett’s esophagus represents the best-known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma development.Non-s...The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma,a poor prognosis neoplasia,has risen dramatically in recent decades.Barrett’s esophagus represents the best-known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma development.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs through cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and prostaglandin metabolism regulation could control cell proliferation,increase cell apoptosis and regulate the expression of growth and angiogenic factors.Statins can achieve equivalent effects through prenylation and subsequently control of cellular signaling cascades.At present,epidemiological studies are small and underpowered.Their data could not justify either medication as a chemo-preventive agent.Population based studies have shown a 43%reduction of the odds of developing an esophageal adenocarcinoma,leaving out or stating a 25%reduction in patients consuming non-aspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and a 50%reduction in those patients consuming aspirin.They have also stated a 19%reduction of esophageal cancer incidence when statins have been used.Observational studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could reduce theadenocarcinoma incidence in patients with Barrett’s esophagus by 41%,while statins could reduce the risk by 43%.The cancer preventive effect has been enhanced in those patients taking a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins(a 74%decrease).Observational data are equivocal concerning the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug subclasses.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs clearly have substantial potential for toxicity,while statins are rather safe drugs.In conclusion,both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins are promising chemopreventive agents and deserve further exploration with interventional studies.In the meanwhile,their use is justified only in patients with cardiovascular disease.展开更多
Statins [(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, HMG-CoA reductase, abbreviated HMGCR) inhibitors] inhibit cholesterol synthesis and are commonly used in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseas...Statins [(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, HMG-CoA reductase, abbreviated HMGCR) inhibitors] inhibit cholesterol synthesis and are commonly used in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that the drug can be effective in several cancers including breast cancer which is the second most frequent cancer in the world and the commonest one among women. In breast cancer cell lines statins reduce proliferation, increase apoptosis, decrease invasion and sensitize them to radiation. Clinical trials in breast cancer patients have shown positive outcome in terms of decreased recurrence rate, decreased mortality and positive role as neoadjuvant agent. They may have a particular role in treatment-resistant cases like triple-negative or inflammatory breast cancer which have a poorer prognosis. There is also evidence of their potential use in metastatic bone disease from breast cancer. When statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl CoA reductase which is the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway, the levels of mevalonate as well as its downstream products are decreased. Hence cancer growth is inhibited by reduced prenylation of CAAX proteins, N-Glycosylation of growth factor receptors and synthesis of membrane and steroid among others. Also statins are relatively cheap and can contribute to decrease the high cost of cancer treatment. However studies till now have not shown any association with decreased breast cancer incidence. In addition there are doubts regarding safety of statins when used over a prolonged period of time. Although statins are relatively safe with myotoxicity and hepatotoxicity being their major side effects, evidence regarding issues like drug interactions with anti-cancer drugs is lacking.展开更多
To the Editor:We read with great interest the recent article by Chang et al.[1].By analyzing the data of 1350 cirrhotic patients,the authors concluded that statin significantly decreases the risk of decompensation of ...To the Editor:We read with great interest the recent article by Chang et al.[1].By analyzing the data of 1350 cirrhotic patients,the authors concluded that statin significantly decreases the risk of decompensation of cirrhosis,mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)incidence,and these effects are dose dependent.展开更多
Objective:To explore the association between statin therapy and the risk of erectile dysfunction by literature review.Methods:We conducted diversities of search strategies including electronic database searches of MED...Objective:To explore the association between statin therapy and the risk of erectile dysfunction by literature review.Methods:We conducted diversities of search strategies including electronic database searches of MEDLINE,Scopus,Pubmed and Web of Science using MeSH terms,keywords and title words during the search.Reference lists of identified and public articles were reviewed.In addition,only English articles were considered and case reports were not concerned in the review.The key features of recognized applicable search studies were considered and the conclusions were summarized in a narrative review.Results:Different studies gave a consensus that erectile dysfunction was regarded as an early sign of silent cardiovascular disorder and hidden atherosclerosis.Different studies reported that statins might induce erectile dysfunction through induction of peripheral neuropathy,cognitive deficits,and reduction of circulating testosterone.However,most of recent studies illustrated that statins led to a significant improvement in erectile function and sexual health in men with age over forty years.Atorvastatin advanced endothelial nitric oxide concentrations through activation and upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and rescued phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors non-responders since nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate increased penile blood flow and improved erectile function.Conclusions:According to the assorted view of preponderance,statins improved erectile dysfunction is more dominant than statins induced erectile dysfunction.Therefore,statins regardless of its property improve erectile dysfunction through amelioration of penile endothelial dysfunction,and penile neuronal reflexes that are inter-related during sexual excitation and penile erection.展开更多
Research revealed that the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis(AS) not merely comprises of a mechanical wear and tear process yet that active biological processes, similar to those of coronary artery disease are involved,...Research revealed that the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis(AS) not merely comprises of a mechanical wear and tear process yet that active biological processes, similar to those of coronary artery disease are involved, a promising role for statins in disease-modifying therapy was suggested. However, recently, many prospective studies could not observe decreased progression nor regression of the disease. Here, we review the current knowledge on the pathomechanisms of AS and its similarities and differences with atherosclerosis. Moreover, we discuss whether there is still a place for statins in the treatment of particular AS patient subgroups.展开更多
Statins,which are competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutarylcoenzyme A reductase,reduce cholesterol blood levels and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and their related complications.In additio...Statins,which are competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutarylcoenzyme A reductase,reduce cholesterol blood levels and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and their related complications.In addition to this main activity,statins show pleiotropic effects such as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties,with applications in many pathologies.Based on their antiproliferative properties,in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated their effects on various types of cancer(i.e.,breast cancer,prostate cancer,colorectal cancer,ovarian cancer,lung cancer)with different genetic and molecular characteristics.Many positive results were obtained,but they were highly dependent on the physiochemical properties of the statins,their dose and treatment period.Combined therapies of statins and cytotoxic drugs have also been tested,and synergistic or additive effects were observed.Moreover,observational studies performed on patients who used statins for different pathologies,revealed that statins reduced the risk of developing various cancers,and improved the outcomes for cancer patients.Currently,there are many ongoing clinical trials aimed at exploring the potential of statins to lower the mortality and the disease-recurrence risk.All these results are the foundation of new treatment directions in cancer therapy.展开更多
Background: A possible association between the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the use of some commonly prescribed medications has been reported in recent studies. Most of these studies were carried out i...Background: A possible association between the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the use of some commonly prescribed medications has been reported in recent studies. Most of these studies were carried out in general populations of men who were screened for prostate cancer using the PSA test. We reported on the association between the initial PSA level and the use of statins, metformin and alpha-blockers in patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and presented for radiation therapy. Methods: Three hundred and eighty one patients treated between the years of 2000-2005 and 2009-2012 were included in this retrospective study. The information about statin, metformin and alpha-blockers use was recorded immediately prior to treatment. Differences in PSA levels prior to treatment by medication status were estimated using univariate and multivariate linear regression on log PSA values. Results: Compared with men who were not on these medications, the PSA level at presentation was 20% lower for statin users (p = 0.002) and 33% lower for metformin users (p = 0.004). We did not observe statistically significant associations between the use of statins or metformin and cancer stage, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk score, or therapy outcome. A statistically significant association between the NCCN risk score and the use of alpha-blockers was observed (p = 0.002). Conclusions: We found that statins and metformin were associated with lower PSA levels in prostate cancer patients to an extent that could influence management decisions. We found no statistically significant associations between the use of these medications and treatment outcomes.展开更多
Alzheimer’s Disease is a common form of dementia that has neurological and behavioral repercussions. It is definitively diagnosed usually via an autopsy when the following three common markers are found: flattened co...Alzheimer’s Disease is a common form of dementia that has neurological and behavioral repercussions. It is definitively diagnosed usually via an autopsy when the following three common markers are found: flattened cortical gray matter, Tau proteins and Beta-amyloid proteins. Patients suffering from Down Syndrome or Parkinson’s Disease are often associated with Alzheimer’s because they have 2 of the 3 precursors. There has been extensive research on Alzheimer’s and many studies claim that statins, a cholesterol-reducing drug, can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease resulting in low levels of beta-amyloid. However, there are several reasons to believe that this is not true and in some cases statins may even induce AD. This paper will examine the pathology of Alzheimer’s, the effect of statins and whether it truly plays a role in preventing AD.展开更多
As a class of drugs, statins have gained renown for their ability to effectively reduce cardiovascular events in both patients with heart diseases (secondary prevention)and in those who, while not with manifest he... As a class of drugs, statins have gained renown for their ability to effectively reduce cardiovascular events in both patients with heart diseases (secondary prevention)and in those who, while not with manifest heart disease (primary prevention), are at increased risk based on a variety of risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, and age.……展开更多
文摘In the medical and dental field, the importance and need for the study of materials and drugs for use as bone grafts or regeneration in injured areas due to the presence of fractures, infections or tumors that cause extensive loss of bone tissue is observed. Bone is a specialized, vascularized and dynamic connective tissue that changes throughout the life of the organism. When injured, it has a unique ability to regenerate and repair without the presence of scars, but in some situations, due to the size of the defect, the bone tissue does not regenerate completely. Thus, due to its importance, there is a great development in therapeutic approaches for the treatment of bone defects through studies that include autografts, allografts and artificial materials used alone or in association with bone grafts. Pharmaceuticals composed of biomaterials and osteogenic active substances have been extensively studied because they provide potential for tissue regeneration and new strategies for the treatment of bone defects. Statins work as specific inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAreductase). They represent efficient drugs in lowering cholesterol, as they reduce platelet aggregation and thrombus deposition;in addition, they promote angiogenesis, reduce the β-amyloid peptide related to Alzheimer’s disease and suppress the activation of T lymphocytes. Furthermore, these substances have been used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease. By inhibiting HMG-CoAreductase, statins not only inhibit cholesterol synthesis, but also exhibit several other beneficial pleiotropic effects. Therefore, there has been increasing interest in researching the effects of statins, including Simvastatin, on bone and osteometabolic diseases. However, statins in high doses cause inflammation in bone defects and inhibit osteoblastic differentiation, negatively contributing to bone repair. Thus, different types of studies with different concentrations of statins have been studied to positively or negatively correlate this drug with bone regeneration. In this review we will address the positive, negative or neutral effects of statins in relation to bone defects providing a comprehensive understanding of their application. Finally, we will discuss a variety of statin-based drugs and the ideal dose through a theoretical basis with preclinical, clinical and laboratory work in order to promote the repair of bone defects.
文摘The present study investigated the association between pre-treatment with a cholesterol-lowering drug(statin) or new setting hereon and the effect on the mortality rate in patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous systemic thrombolysis. During a 5-year period(starting in October 2008), 542 consecutive stroke patients who received intravenous systemic thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(rt-PA) at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Germany, were included. Patients were characterized according to statins. The primary endpoint was mortality;it was assessed twice: in hospital and 3 months after discharge. The secondary outcome was the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Of the 542 stroke patients examined(mean age 72 ± 13 years;51% women, mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) score 11), 138 patients(25.5%) had been pretreated with statin, while in 190 patients(35.1%) statin therapy was initiated during their stay in hospital, whereas 193(35.6%) never received statins. Patients pre-treated with statin were older and more frequently had previous illnesses(arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and previous cerebral infarctions), but were comparably similarly affected by the stroke(NIHSS 11 vs. 11;P = 0.76) compared to patients who were not on statin treatment at the time of cerebral infarction. Patients pretreated with statin did not differ in 3-month mortality from those newly treated to a statin(7.6% vs. 8%;P = 0.9). Interestingly, the group of patients pretreated with statin showed a lower rate of in hospital mortality(6.6% vs. 17.0;P = 0.005) and 3-month mortality(10.7% vs. 23.7%;P = 0.005) than the group of patients who had no statin treatment at all. The same effect was seen for patients newly adjusted to a statin during the hospital stay compared to patients who did not receive statins(3-month mortality: 7.1% vs. 23.7%;P < 0.001). With a good functional outcome(mRS ≤ 2), 60% of patients were discharged, the majority(69.6%;P < 0.001) of whom received a statin at discharge. The rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages in the course of cranial computed tomography was independent of whether the patients were pretreated with a statin or not(8.8% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.96). Pre-treatment with statin as well as new adjustment could reveal positive effect on prognosis of intravenous thrombolyzed stroke patients. Further investigations are required. The study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the University of Lübeck(approval No. 4-147).
文摘This review summarizes the safety and efficacy of statins in patients with cirrhosis.Due to concerns about the safety of statins in patients with impaired liver function,they have recently been investigated as a potential treatment option in cirrhosis.The most clinically significant adverse event is statin-related myopathy,and this may be related to the high serum statin concentrations in the setting of severely impaired liver function.Rhabdomyolysis is the most serious and potentially life-threatening manifestation.It has recently been demonstrated that the recommended dose of simvastatin in patients with decompensated cirrhosis would be 20 mg/d because higher values,such as 40 mg/d,are associated with many adverse events,especially muscle injury.Likewise,simvastatin should not be administered to patients with Model for End-stage Liver Disease score>12 and/or Child-Pugh class C because of the high risk of severe muscle injury.Due to the pleiotropic effects,the focus on statins has shifted from being considered harmful to something useful.Through these effects,statins could prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients.Observational studies in large populations of patients with cirrhosis have shown that treatment with statins to decrease high cholesterol levels was associated with a reduced risk of hepatic decompensation,hepatocellular carcinoma development and death.The few randomized controlled trials in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension showed that statins lower portal pressure,quite likely through a reduction in hepatic resistance.Another large randomized controlled trial in patients with variceal bleeding showed that simvastatin in addition to standard of care did not prevent rebleeding but improved survival rate.Despite these encouraging outcomes,the quality of the evidence regarding the use of statins is low or very low due to the observational characteristics of most of the studies involved.Therefore,it is advisable to perform further randomized controlled trials on a large series of patients with hard clinical endpoints,using different statin types and varying doses.The objectives would be to prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality rather than treating cirrhosis complications to take additional information that makes it possible to add statins to the standard of care of these patients.
文摘Statins have become a cornerstone of risk modification for ischaemic heart disease patients. A number of studies have shown that they are effective and safe. However studies have observed an early benefit in terms of a reduction in recurrent infarct and or death after a myocardial infarction,prior to any significant change in lipid profile. Therefore,pleiotropic mechanisms,other than lowering lipid profile alone,must account for this effect. One such proposed pleiotropic mechanism is the ability of statins to augment both number and function of endothelial progenitor cells. The ability to augment repair and maintenance of a functioning endothelium may have profound beneficial effect on vascular repair and potentially a positive impact on clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. The following literature review will discuss issues surrounding endothelial progenitor cell(EPC) identification,role in vascular repair,factors affecting EPC numbers,the role of statins in current medical practice and their effects on EPC number.
文摘Obesity associated dyslipidemia and its negative effects on the heart and blood vessels have emerged as a major healthcare challenge around the globe. The use of statins, potent inhibitors of hydroxyl-methyl glutaryl(HMG) Co-A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, has significantly reduced the rates of cardiovascular and general mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. How statins lower plasma cholesterol levels presents a mechanistic conundrum since persistent exposure to these drugs in vitro or in vivo is known to induce overexpression of the HMG Co-A reductase gene and protein. In an attempt to solve this mechanistic puzzle, Schonewille et al, studied detailed metabolic parameters of cholesterol synthesis, interorgan flux and excretion in mice treated with 3 common statins, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin, each with its unique pharmacokinetics. From the measurements of the rates of heavy water(D_2O) and [^(13)C]-acetate incorporation into lipids, the authors calculated the rates of whole body and organ-specific cholesterol synthesis in control and statin-treated mice. These analyses revealed dramatic enhancement in the rates of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis in statin-treated mice that concomitantly elicited lower levels of cholesterol in their plasma. The authors have provided strong evidence to indicate that statin treatment in mice led to induction of compensatory metabolic pathways that apparently mitigated an excessive accumulation of cholesterol in the body. It was noted however that changes in cholesterol metabolism induced by 3 statins were not identical. While sustained delivery of all 3 statins led to enhanced rates of biliary excretion of cholesterol and its fecal elimination, only atorvastatin treated mice elicited enhanced trans-intestinal cholesterol excretion. Thus, blockade of HMGCR by statins in mice was associated with profound metabolic adaptations that reset their cholesterol homeostasis. The findings of Schonewille et al, deserve to be corroborated and extended in patients in order to more effectively utilize these important cholesterol-lowering drugs in the clinic.
文摘Statins are a class of molecules that inhibit HMG Co A reductase. They are usually prescribed as a lipid lowering medication. However, there is accumulating evidence that statins have multiple secondary effects both related and unrelated to their lipid-lowering effect. This narrative review of the literature aims to provide the reader with information from clinical studies related to the effect of statin and statins' potential use in patients with liver diseases. In patients with advanced liver disease due to any etiology, statins exhibit an antifibrotic effect possibly through the prevention of hepatic sinusoidal microthrombosis. Two randomized controlled trials confirmed that statins decrease hepatic vein pressure gradient in patients with portal hypertension and improve the survival of patients after variceal bleeding. Lower rates of infections were observed in patients with cirrhosis who received statin treatment. Statins decrease the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients with advanced liver disease in general but particularly in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. Statins in patients with chronic hepatitis C likely increase the virological response to the treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and have the potential to decrease the rate of fibrosis. Finally, data from randomized controlled trials also confirmed that the addition of statin prolongs the survival of patients with advanced HCC even more than sorafenib. Statins are a very promising group of drugs especially in patients with liver disease, where therapeutic options can often be limited. Some indications, such as the prevention of re-bleeding from esophageal varices and the palliative treatment of HCC have been proven through randomized controlled trials, while additional indications still need to be confirmed through prospective studies.
基金supported by the China Cardiovascular Health Alliance-Advanced Fund (2019CCA-ACCESS-054)the Beijing Lisheng Cardiovascular Health Foundation Pilot Fund Key Projects。
文摘BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK-9) inhibitors were confirmed by several clinical trials, but its effectiveness in routine clinical practice in China has not been evaluated. This study aims to describe the real world effectiveness of PCSK-9 inhibitors combined with statins compared with statins-based therapy among patients with very high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD).METHODS This is a multi-center observational study, enrolled patients from 32 hospitals who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) from January to June in 2019. There are 453 patients treated with PCSK-9 inhibitors combined with statins in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 2,610 patients treated with statins-based lipid lowering therapies in statins-based group. The lipid control rate and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE) over six months were compared between two groups.A propensity score-matched(PSM) analysis was used to balance two groups on confounding factors. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier methods was applied for MACE.RESULTS In a total of 3,063 patients, 89.91% of patients had received moderate or high-intensity statins-based therapy before PCI, but only 9.47% of patients had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) levels below 1.4 mmol/L at baseline. In the PSM selected patients, LDL-C level was reduced by 42.57% in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 30.81%(P < 0.001) in statins-based group after six months. The proportion of LDL-C ≤ 1.0 mmol/L increased from 5.29% to 29.26% in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 0.23% to 6.11% in statins-based group, and the proportion of LDL-C ≤ 1.4 mmol/L increased from 10.36% to 47.69% in PCSK-9 inhibitor group and 2.99% to 18.43% in statins-based group(P < 0.001 for both). There was no significant difference between PCSK-9 inhibitor and statins-based treatment in reducing the risk of MACE(hazard ratio = 2.52, 95% CI: 0.49-12.97, P = 0.250).CONCLUSIONS In the real world, PCSK-9 inhibitors combined with statins could significantly reduce LDL-C levels among patients with very high risk of ASCVD in China. The long-term clinical benefits for patients received PCSK-9 inhibitor to reduce the risk of MACE is still unclear and requires further study.
文摘The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma,a poor prognosis neoplasia,has risen dramatically in recent decades.Barrett’s esophagus represents the best-known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma development.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs through cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and prostaglandin metabolism regulation could control cell proliferation,increase cell apoptosis and regulate the expression of growth and angiogenic factors.Statins can achieve equivalent effects through prenylation and subsequently control of cellular signaling cascades.At present,epidemiological studies are small and underpowered.Their data could not justify either medication as a chemo-preventive agent.Population based studies have shown a 43%reduction of the odds of developing an esophageal adenocarcinoma,leaving out or stating a 25%reduction in patients consuming non-aspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and a 50%reduction in those patients consuming aspirin.They have also stated a 19%reduction of esophageal cancer incidence when statins have been used.Observational studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could reduce theadenocarcinoma incidence in patients with Barrett’s esophagus by 41%,while statins could reduce the risk by 43%.The cancer preventive effect has been enhanced in those patients taking a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins(a 74%decrease).Observational data are equivocal concerning the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug subclasses.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs clearly have substantial potential for toxicity,while statins are rather safe drugs.In conclusion,both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins are promising chemopreventive agents and deserve further exploration with interventional studies.In the meanwhile,their use is justified only in patients with cardiovascular disease.
文摘Statins [(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, HMG-CoA reductase, abbreviated HMGCR) inhibitors] inhibit cholesterol synthesis and are commonly used in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that the drug can be effective in several cancers including breast cancer which is the second most frequent cancer in the world and the commonest one among women. In breast cancer cell lines statins reduce proliferation, increase apoptosis, decrease invasion and sensitize them to radiation. Clinical trials in breast cancer patients have shown positive outcome in terms of decreased recurrence rate, decreased mortality and positive role as neoadjuvant agent. They may have a particular role in treatment-resistant cases like triple-negative or inflammatory breast cancer which have a poorer prognosis. There is also evidence of their potential use in metastatic bone disease from breast cancer. When statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl CoA reductase which is the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway, the levels of mevalonate as well as its downstream products are decreased. Hence cancer growth is inhibited by reduced prenylation of CAAX proteins, N-Glycosylation of growth factor receptors and synthesis of membrane and steroid among others. Also statins are relatively cheap and can contribute to decrease the high cost of cancer treatment. However studies till now have not shown any association with decreased breast cancer incidence. In addition there are doubts regarding safety of statins when used over a prolonged period of time. Although statins are relatively safe with myotoxicity and hepatotoxicity being their major side effects, evidence regarding issues like drug interactions with anti-cancer drugs is lacking.
文摘To the Editor:We read with great interest the recent article by Chang et al.[1].By analyzing the data of 1350 cirrhotic patients,the authors concluded that statin significantly decreases the risk of decompensation of cirrhosis,mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)incidence,and these effects are dose dependent.
文摘Objective:To explore the association between statin therapy and the risk of erectile dysfunction by literature review.Methods:We conducted diversities of search strategies including electronic database searches of MEDLINE,Scopus,Pubmed and Web of Science using MeSH terms,keywords and title words during the search.Reference lists of identified and public articles were reviewed.In addition,only English articles were considered and case reports were not concerned in the review.The key features of recognized applicable search studies were considered and the conclusions were summarized in a narrative review.Results:Different studies gave a consensus that erectile dysfunction was regarded as an early sign of silent cardiovascular disorder and hidden atherosclerosis.Different studies reported that statins might induce erectile dysfunction through induction of peripheral neuropathy,cognitive deficits,and reduction of circulating testosterone.However,most of recent studies illustrated that statins led to a significant improvement in erectile function and sexual health in men with age over forty years.Atorvastatin advanced endothelial nitric oxide concentrations through activation and upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and rescued phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors non-responders since nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate increased penile blood flow and improved erectile function.Conclusions:According to the assorted view of preponderance,statins improved erectile dysfunction is more dominant than statins induced erectile dysfunction.Therefore,statins regardless of its property improve erectile dysfunction through amelioration of penile endothelial dysfunction,and penile neuronal reflexes that are inter-related during sexual excitation and penile erection.
文摘Research revealed that the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis(AS) not merely comprises of a mechanical wear and tear process yet that active biological processes, similar to those of coronary artery disease are involved, a promising role for statins in disease-modifying therapy was suggested. However, recently, many prospective studies could not observe decreased progression nor regression of the disease. Here, we review the current knowledge on the pathomechanisms of AS and its similarities and differences with atherosclerosis. Moreover, we discuss whether there is still a place for statins in the treatment of particular AS patient subgroups.
文摘Statins,which are competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutarylcoenzyme A reductase,reduce cholesterol blood levels and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and their related complications.In addition to this main activity,statins show pleiotropic effects such as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties,with applications in many pathologies.Based on their antiproliferative properties,in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated their effects on various types of cancer(i.e.,breast cancer,prostate cancer,colorectal cancer,ovarian cancer,lung cancer)with different genetic and molecular characteristics.Many positive results were obtained,but they were highly dependent on the physiochemical properties of the statins,their dose and treatment period.Combined therapies of statins and cytotoxic drugs have also been tested,and synergistic or additive effects were observed.Moreover,observational studies performed on patients who used statins for different pathologies,revealed that statins reduced the risk of developing various cancers,and improved the outcomes for cancer patients.Currently,there are many ongoing clinical trials aimed at exploring the potential of statins to lower the mortality and the disease-recurrence risk.All these results are the foundation of new treatment directions in cancer therapy.
文摘Background: A possible association between the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the use of some commonly prescribed medications has been reported in recent studies. Most of these studies were carried out in general populations of men who were screened for prostate cancer using the PSA test. We reported on the association between the initial PSA level and the use of statins, metformin and alpha-blockers in patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and presented for radiation therapy. Methods: Three hundred and eighty one patients treated between the years of 2000-2005 and 2009-2012 were included in this retrospective study. The information about statin, metformin and alpha-blockers use was recorded immediately prior to treatment. Differences in PSA levels prior to treatment by medication status were estimated using univariate and multivariate linear regression on log PSA values. Results: Compared with men who were not on these medications, the PSA level at presentation was 20% lower for statin users (p = 0.002) and 33% lower for metformin users (p = 0.004). We did not observe statistically significant associations between the use of statins or metformin and cancer stage, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk score, or therapy outcome. A statistically significant association between the NCCN risk score and the use of alpha-blockers was observed (p = 0.002). Conclusions: We found that statins and metformin were associated with lower PSA levels in prostate cancer patients to an extent that could influence management decisions. We found no statistically significant associations between the use of these medications and treatment outcomes.
文摘Alzheimer’s Disease is a common form of dementia that has neurological and behavioral repercussions. It is definitively diagnosed usually via an autopsy when the following three common markers are found: flattened cortical gray matter, Tau proteins and Beta-amyloid proteins. Patients suffering from Down Syndrome or Parkinson’s Disease are often associated with Alzheimer’s because they have 2 of the 3 precursors. There has been extensive research on Alzheimer’s and many studies claim that statins, a cholesterol-reducing drug, can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease resulting in low levels of beta-amyloid. However, there are several reasons to believe that this is not true and in some cases statins may even induce AD. This paper will examine the pathology of Alzheimer’s, the effect of statins and whether it truly plays a role in preventing AD.
文摘 As a class of drugs, statins have gained renown for their ability to effectively reduce cardiovascular events in both patients with heart diseases (secondary prevention)and in those who, while not with manifest heart disease (primary prevention), are at increased risk based on a variety of risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, and age.……