FIG. 8.

Effects of statins on redox-sensitive transcriptional pathways in ECs. Statins reduce ROS generation by suppressing pro-oxidant enzymes and restoring eNOS coupling, thus preventing ROS-mediated activation of NF-κB. In addition, statins increase levels of the inhibitor IκBα, while at the same time suppressing IKK and lowering the levels, activity, and binding capacity of NF-κB. This prevents the NF-κB-mediated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in ECs. NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa B; IκBα, NF-κB inhibitor alpha; IKK, IκB kinase; ICAM, intercellular adhesion molecule; VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecule. To see this illustration in color, the reader is referred to the web version of this article at www.liebertpub.com/ars