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HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors pp 1–17Cite as

Birkhäuser

History and development of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

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Part of the book series: Milestones in Drug Therapy MDT ((MDT))

Abstract

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in Western countries [1, 2]. A strong, positive correlation between high levels of plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and CHD is well established [3]. Dietary and/or pharmacological approaches aimed at lowering elevated plasma LDL appears therefore to be a logical intervention to reduce incidence of CHD or even reversing the development of coronary atherosclerosis [1, 4–8]. A number of cholesterol-lowering drugs are currently available for human use [1, 2, 9]. Among these, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, the so-called statins: atorvastatin, cerivastatinl, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin, can achieve relatively large reductions in plasma cholesterol levels and are a well-established class of drugs for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia [10]. Clinical trials have demonstrated that they can induce regression of vascular atherosclerosis, as well as reduction of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, in patients with and without coronary artery disease CAD [11–21]. These trials provide a powerful endorsement of the value of lipid-lowering therapy with a statin in patients who are at risk for CAD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Stefano Bellosta, Rodolfo Paoletti & Alberto Corsini

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  1. Stefano Bellosta
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  2. Rodolfo Paoletti
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  3. Alberto Corsini
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  1. Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany

    Gerd Schmitz

  2. Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Klinikum, Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, D-55101, Mainz, Germany

    Michael Torzewski

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Bellosta, S., Paoletti, R., Corsini, A. (2002). History and development of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. In: Schmitz, G., Torzewski, M. (eds) HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors. Milestones in Drug Therapy MDT. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8135-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8135-7_1

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