<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world and in the future is expected to be the number one killer worldwide. The main cause underlying CVD is atherosclerosis. A key event in atherosclerosis initiation and progression is oxidative stress through the production of reactive oxygen species as well as endothelial dysfunction. Several pro- inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and proteins are involved in this process, complemented by activation of adhesion molecules that promote leukocyte rolling, tethering and infiltration into the sub-endothelial space. Statins represent the agent of choice since numerous clinical trials have verified that their pharmacological action extends beyond lipid lowering. Statins demonstrate direct anti-oxidant effects by scavenging free radicals and stimulating anti-oxidant enzymes while acting as regulators for cytokine, protein and adhesion molecule expression, all of which are involved in the atherosclerotic process. Statin use is considered one of the most efficient currently used interventions in managing CVD with the likely hood of remaining so in the near future.</p></abstract>

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world and in the future is expected to be the number one killer worldwide. The main cause underlying CVD is atherosclerosis. A key event in atherosclerosis initiation and progression is oxidative stress through the production of reactive oxygen species as well as endothelial dysfunction. Several pro- inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and proteins are involved in this process, complemented by activation of adhesion molecules that promote leukocyte rolling, tethering and infiltration into the sub-endothelial space. Statins represent the agent of choice since numerous clinical trials have verified that their pharmacological action extends beyond lipid lowering. Statins demonstrate direct anti-oxidant effects by scavenging free radicals and stimulating anti-oxidant enzymes while acting as regulators for cytokine, protein and adhesion molecule expression, all of which are involved in the atherosclerotic process. Statin use is considered one of the most efficient currently used interventions in managing CVD with the likely hood of remaining so in the near future.

Statins as Pleiotropic Modifiers of Vascular Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Division, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Critical Care Medicine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Statins as Pleiotropic Modifiers of Vascular Oxidative Stress and Inflammation"}

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world and in the future is expected to be the number one...

Statins as Pleiotropic Modifiers of Vascular Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Published Online: Jun 05, 2015

Page range: 43 - 54

Received: Mar 18, 2015

Accepted: Apr 20, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jccm-2015-0007

Keywords
atherosclerosis, adhesion molecules, cardiovascular disease, interleukins, inflammation, oxidative stress, statins

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Statins as Pleiotropic Modifiers of Vascular Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Published Online: Jun 05, 2015

Page range: 43 - 54

Received: Mar 18, 2015

Accepted: Apr 20, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jccm-2015-0007

Keywordsatherosclerosis, adhesion molecules, cardiovascular disease, interleukins, inflammation, oxidative stress, statins

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
atherosclerosis, adhesion molecules, cardiovascular disease, interleukins, inflammation, oxidative stress, statins