statin

statin [stat′'n]

n.

any of a class of drugs, as lovastatin, that lower the levels of LDL and cholesterol in the blood, commonly used in treating heart disease

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stat·in (stătʹn) n.

Any of a class of lipid-lowering drugs that reduce serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.

  [From the names of such lipid-lowering drugs as pravastatin.]

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▪ drug

also called  HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor 

       drug that acts to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA (5-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A) reductase, which is required for cholesterol synthesis. Examples of statins include simvastatin, pravastatin, and lovastatin. Statins are generally quite safe, but side effects may include muscle pain and fatigue. A rare side effect called myopathy, characterized by muscle degeneration, has been associated with a mutation in a gene involved in mediating liver uptake of statins.

      Statins have shown promise as antihypertensive drugs because of their ability to lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. The mechanism by which statins act to reduce blood pressure is unknown; however, scientists suspect that these drugs activate substances involved in vasodilation (relaxation of blood vessels (blood vessel)). In addition, statins appear to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques (deposits of fat in artery walls) and thus are often prescribed to reduce the chances of a thrombotic event in people with cardiovascular disease.

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