Abstract
Statins, a family of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are used primarily to reduce atherogenesis and cardiovascular morbidity. Surprisingly, they have also been shown to have immunomodulatory properties that might be of benefit for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Statins can prevent and even reverse ongoing paralysis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis--the mouse model for multiple sclerosis--and on the basis of these findings, statins are now being tested in patients with multiple sclerosis in clinical trials.
MeSH terms
- Animals
- Antigen Presentation / drug effects
- Antigen Presentation / immunology
- Antigens, Surface / immunology
- Antigens, Surface / metabolism
- Central Nervous System / drug effects*
- Central Nervous System / immunology*
- Central Nervous System / physiopathology
- Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / drug effects
- Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology
- Clinical Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
- Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
- Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
- Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
- T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes / immunology
- Treatment Outcome
Substances
- Antigens, Surface
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors