Emerging Indications for Statins: A Pluripotent Family of Agents with Several Potential Applications

Title: Emerging Indications for Statins: A Pluripotent Family of Agents with Several Potential Applications

Volume: 13 Issue: 35

Author(s): Kosmas I. Paraskevas, Alexandros A. Tzovaras, Despina D. Briana and Dimitri P. Mikhailidis

Affiliation:

Keywords: Statins, emerging indications, non-lipid, cancer, osteoporosis, transplantation

Abstract: Statins are pluripotent agents exhibiting multiple non-lipid-lowering actions. Besides their established role in the management of hypercholesterolemia, statins may also have beneficial actions in other pathological conditions, namely: a) osteoporosis and osteoporosis- related bone fractures, b) cancer, c) solid organ transplantation, d) cerebrovascular events (transient ischemic attack and stroke episodes), e) various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis, f) cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure, g) renal diseases, h) rheumatoid arthritis, i) autoimmune diseases, j) sepsis, and k) allergic asthma. We reviewed the literature searching for studies that support or oppose the use of statins in each proposed indication. In some of these emerging indications, a role for statin treatment is more firmly set; for others, current evidence is more controversial. Future trials may reveal more convincing evidence that will make statin use necessary in the therapeutic management of several diseases.

Cite this article as:

Paraskevas I. Kosmas, Tzovaras A. Alexandros, Briana D. Despina and Mikhailidis P. Dimitri, Emerging Indications for Statins: A Pluripotent Family of Agents with Several Potential Applications, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (35) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782794194