Abstract

RIVERA ORDONEZ, Carlos Eduardo  and  PEREZ ROMERO, Germán Enrique. Statins in: primary and secondary prevention . rev.fac.med. [online]. 2006, vol.54, n.4, pp.301-312. ISSN 0120-0011.

Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, by statins, can reduce the production of endogenous cholesterol. Different clinical trials have shown that statins reduce the incidence of stroke; in the meantime the role of cholesterol, as independent risk factor for stroke, continues to be discussed. Statins play, besides their action on the cholesterol, some pleiotropic and vasculoprotective actions in which the antioxidant activity are included, the improvement of the endothelial function, the increase of the biodisponibility of the nitric oxide, the inhibition of the inflammatory response, the modulation of the immune system and the stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque. Some animal models have shown a neuroprotective activity, of statins, by mechanisms related to up regulation of the endotelial nitric oxid sintase (eNOS). The evidence suggests that the statins would be able to diminish the risk of stroke and to improve its outcome. The studies of secondary prevention, under way, intend to show that early intervention with statins in stroke improves the short-term end point.

Keywords : hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors.

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