Statins reduce vascular inflammation in atherogenesis: A review of underlying molecular mechanisms

• Published in: The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology Vol. 122; p. 105735
• Main Authors: Liberale, Luca, Carbone, Federico, Montecucco, Fabrizio, Sahebkar, Amirhossein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2020
• Subjects: atherogenesis; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Endothelial cells; hyperlipidemia; Inflammation; Lymphocyte; Monocytes; morbidity; mortality; smooth muscle; Statins; Monocytes; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Inflammation; Lymphocyte; Statins; Endothelial cells
• ISSN: 1357-2725; 1878-5875; 1878-5875
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2020.105735

Chronic inflammation enhances the detrimental role of dyslipidaemia during atherogenesis. Statins are among the most effective anti-atherosclerotic medications, being able to impact on both cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although these molecules have been first described as lipid-lowering medications, several lines of evidence suggest additional benefits through their “pleiotropic” anti-atherosclerotic activities. Specifically, statins can modulate vascular atherosclerotic inflammation by directly improving functions of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, platelets, and immune cells. Here, we discuss basic and clinical evidence to provide an update on the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective anti-inflammatory role of statins in atherogenesis.