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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2009 Jun 9.
Published in final edited form as: Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2005;45:89–118. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.45.120403.095748

Table 1.

Statin Pleiotropy

Effect Benefit
Increased synthesis of nitric oxide Improvement of endothelial dysfunction
Inhibition of free radical release
Decreased synthesis of endothelin-1
Inhibition of LDL-C oxidation
Upregulation of endothelial progenitor cells
Reduced number and activity of inflammatory cells Reduced inflammatory response
Reduced levels of C-reactive protein
Reduced macrophage cholesterol accumulation Stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques
Reduced production of metalloproteinases
Inhibition of platelet adhesion/aggregation Reduced thrombogenic response
Reduced fibrinogen concentration
Reduced blood viscosity