Atherosclerosis: anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of statins

Large clinical trials have demonstrated that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or 'statins' greatly reduce cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. The beneficial effects of statins were first assumed to result from their ability to reduce cholesterol synthesis and improve serum lipid profiles. In recent years, however, numerous pleiotropic effects of statins on atherosclerotic lesions have been described. In this review, we summarize the actions of statins on different aspects of atherosclerotic plaque development. These include endothelial dysfunction, leukocyte recruitment and inflammation, smooth muscle cell activation/proliferation, and finally plaque rupture and thrombosis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.