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Pravastatin at 10 mg/day does not decrease plasma levels of either amyloid-beta (Abeta) 40 or Abeta 42 in humans
Kazuhiro Ishii1, Takahiko Tokuda, Teruhiko Matsushima
1Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ten'noudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan. kazishii@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Neuroscience Letters
|October 11, 2003
Summary
This study investigated pravastatin
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Statins are hypothesized to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Epidemiological data on statin effectiveness for AD is conflicting.
- In vitro and clinical studies suggest statins reduce amyloid-beta (Abeta) levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of pravastatin on Abeta production.
- To explore the relationship between cholesterol levels and Abeta levels during pravastatin treatment.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal plasma levels of Abeta 40 and Abeta 42 were monitored.
- Pravastatin was administered to 46 hyperlipidemic patients.
- Correlation analysis was performed between cholesterol and Abeta levels.
Main Results:
- No correlation was found between plasma cholesterol levels and Abeta 40 or Abeta 42 levels.
- No correlation was observed between decreasing total cholesterol and Abeta levels.
- Patients with Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) exhibited higher LDL and lower Abeta 40 levels.
Conclusions:
- Pravastatin treatment did not correlate with changes in plasma Abeta levels in hyperlipidemic patients.
- ApoE4 may influence plasma Abeta levels through cholesterol metabolism.
- The preventative role of statins in Alzheimer's disease requires further investigation.