A Mechanism for Statin-Induced Susceptibility to Myopathy

This study aimed to identify a mechanism for statin-induced myopathy that explains its prevalence and selectivity for skeletal muscle, and to understand its interaction with moderate exercise. Statin-associated adverse muscle symptoms reduce adherence to statin therapy; this limits the effectiveness of statins in reducing cardiovascular risk. The issue is further compounded by perceived interactions between statin treatment and exercise. This study examined muscles from individuals taking statins and rats treated with statins for 4 weeks. In skeletal muscle, statin treatment caused dissociation of the stabilizing protein FK506 binding protein (FKBP12) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium (Ca²⁺) release channel, the ryanodine receptor 1, which was associated with pro-apoptotic signaling and reactive nitrogen species/reactive oxygen species (RNS/ROS)-dependent spontaneous SR Ca²⁺ release events (Ca²⁺ sparks). Statin treatment had no effect on Ca²⁺ spark frequency in cardiac myocytes. Despite potentially deleterious effects of statins on skeletal muscle, there was no impact on force production or SR Ca²⁺ release in electrically stimulated muscle fibers. Statin-treated rats with access to a running wheel ran further than control rats; this exercise normalized FKBP12 binding to ryanodine receptor 1, preventing the increase in Ca²⁺ sparks and pro-apoptotic signaling. Statin-mediated RNS/ROS-dependent destabilization of SR Ca²⁺ handling has the potential to initiate skeletal (but not cardiac) myopathy in susceptible individuals. Importantly, although exercise increases RNS/ROS, it did not trigger deleterious statin effects on skeletal muscle. Indeed, our results indicate that moderate exercise might benefit individuals who take statins.