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Structure and mechanisms of action of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

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Book cover HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Part of the book series: Milestones in Drug Therapy MDT ((MDT))

Abstract

An elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration is a major risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) [1], which remains the leading cause of death in our society [2]. The efficacy of LDL reduction in the prevention of CHD has clearly been demonstrated in a number of primary and secondary intervention trials (reviewed in reference [3]). Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, constitute the most powerful class of hypolipidemic drugs currently available. Treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, has been shown to reduce plasma LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) B, and triglyceride concentrations in a variety of hypercholesterolemic subjects [3, 4–10], while modestly increasing levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol [3].

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Margaret E. Brousseau & Ernst J. Schaefer

  2. Lipid Research Laboratory, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Diabetes, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Margaret E. Brousseau & Ernst J. Schaefer

  3. Molecular Medicine, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Margaret E. Brousseau & Ernst J. Schaefer

Authors
  1. Margaret E. Brousseau
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  2. Ernst J. Schaefer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany

    Gerd Schmitz

  2. Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Klinikum, Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, D-55101, Mainz, Germany

    Michael Torzewski

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Brousseau, M.E., Schaefer, E.J. (2002). Structure and mechanisms of action of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. In: Schmitz, G., Torzewski, M. (eds) HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors. Milestones in Drug Therapy MDT. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8135-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8135-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9451-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-8135-7

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