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1574259 
Journal Article 
Pleiotropic Effects of Statins - Basic Research and Clinical Perspectives 
Zhou, Q; Liao, JK 
2010 
Yes 
Circulation Journal
ISSN: 1346-9843
EISSN: 1347-4820 
74 
5 
818-826 
20424337 
WOS:000277226100002 
Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)
reductase inhibitors, which are widely used to lower serum cholesterol levels in the primary and
secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Recent experimental and clinical evidence
suggests that the beneficial effects of statins may extend beyond their cholesterol-lowering
effects, to include so-called pleiotropic effects. These cholesterol-independent effects include
improving endothelial function, attenuating vascular and myocardial remodeling, inhibiting
vascular inflammation and oxidation, and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. The mechanism
underlying some of these pleiotropic effects is the inhibition of isoprenoid synthesis by
statins, which leads to the inhibition of intracellular signaling molecules Rho, Rac and Cdc42.
In particular, inhibition of Rho and one of its downstream targets, Rho kinase, may be a
predominant mechanism contributing to the pleiotropic effects of statins. The aim of the present
review is to provide an update on the non-cholesterol-dependent statin effects in the
cardiovascular system and highlight some of the recent findings from bench to bedside to support
the concept of statin pleiotropy. (Circ J 2010; 74: 818-826) 
Cholesterol; Pleiotropic effects; Rho kinase; Statin; Vascular