How do statins affect metabolism?

Alternatively, statins may interfere with fatty acid metabolism through different molecular pathways. Simvastatin treatment increases metabolic indices indicating elevated activity of elongases and desaturases,17 2 enzymes that catalyze the formation of highly unsaturated long-chain fatty acids.

Can cancer patients take statins?

By exploring the effects of statins on the process of cancer at the molecular level, researchers have found that statins work against critical cellular functions that may help control tumor initiation, tumor growth, and metastasis.

How do statins prevent cancer?

Statins block HMGCR synthesis of mevalonate and are prescribed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in millions of people. Moreover, numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that statins exert anti-cancer properties by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway.

What is the molecular target of statins?

As the target of statins, the HMG-CoA reductase, is highly similar between eukaryota and archaea, statins also act as antibiotics against archaea by inhibiting archaeal mevalonate biosynthesis. This has been shown in vivo and in vitro.

What are the risks of statins?

Side effects can vary between different statins, but common side effects include:

  • headache.
  • dizziness.
  • feeling sick.
  • feeling unusually tired or physically weak.
  • digestive system problems, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or farting.
  • muscle pain.
  • sleep problems.
  • low blood platelet count.

Do statins help prostate cancer?

A 2006 Harvard study of 34,989 men linked statin use with a 49% lower risk of prostate cancer and a 61% lower risk of metastatic or fatal disease. The greatest protection was observed in the men who had been taking a statin drug the longest.

Will statins help me live longer?

The most optimistic estimates say that taking a statin could add a year to the average person’s life expectancy. Not smoking could add nearly 10 years and quitting increases life expectancy by reducing the chances of emphysema, many cancers, and heart disease.

How do statin drugs affect cell function?

Statins work by competitively blocking the active site of the first and key rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, HMG-CoA reductase. Inhibition of this site prevents substrate access, thereby blocking the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid.

What is mechanism of action of statin?

Mechanism of Action Statins are a selective, competitive inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, which is the enzyme responsible for converting HMG-CoA to mevalonate in the cholesterol synthesis pathway.