Rajanikant G K, Zemke D, Kassab M, Majid A
Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Curr Med Chem. 2007;14(1):103-12. doi: 10.2174/092986707779313462.
Statins are currently among the most commonly prescribed agents for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Statins reduce serum cholesterol levels by reversibly inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, in the nanomolar range. Mounting evidence suggests that in addition to their vascular effects such as stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and decreased carotid intimal-medial thickness, statins have additional properties such as endothelial protection via actions on the nitric oxide synthase system as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet effects. These effects of statins might have potential therapeutic implications in various neurological disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and primary brain tumors. In this review, the major protective mechanisms of statins and their applicability to the treatment of neurological disease are summarized. Although further experiments are required, currently available data would seem to indicate that clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of statins in a number of disorders are warranted.
他汀类药物目前是预防心血管疾病最常用的处方药之一。他汀类药物通过在纳摩尔范围内可逆性抑制3-羟基-3-甲基戊二酰辅酶A还原酶（胆固醇生物合成中的限速酶）来降低血清胆固醇水平。越来越多的证据表明，除了其血管效应，如稳定动脉粥样硬化斑块和减少颈动脉内膜中层厚度外，他汀类药物还具有其他特性，如通过作用于一氧化氮合酶系统实现内皮保护以及抗氧化、抗炎和抗血小板作用。他汀类药物的这些作用可能对各种神经系统疾病，如中风、阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病、多发性硬化症和原发性脑肿瘤具有潜在的治疗意义。在这篇综述中，总结了他汀类药物的主要保护机制及其在神经疾病治疗中的适用性。尽管还需要进一步的实验，但目前可得的数据似乎表明，有必要进行临床试验以确定他汀类药物在多种疾病中的安全性和有效性。
