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The Negative Effects of Statin Drugs on Cardiomyocytes: Current Review of Laboratory and Experimental Data
Aleksey Michailovich Chaulin1,2
1Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Samara State Medical University, Samara, 443099, Russia.
Abstract:
Statin drugs have long been used as a key component of lipid-lowering therapy, which is necessary for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Many studies focus on finding and refining new effects of statin drugs. In addition to the main lipidlowering effect (blocking cholesterol synthesis), statin drugs have a number of pleiotropic effects, including negative effects. The main beneficial effects of statin drugs on the components of the cardiovascular system are: anti-ischemic, antithrombotic, anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, endothelioprotective, anti-inflammatory properties, and a number of other beneficial effects. Due to these effects, statin drugs are considered one of the main therapeutic agents for the management of patients with cardiovascular pathologies. To date, many review manuscripts have been published on the myotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and diabetogenic effects of statins. However, there are no review manuscripts considering the negative effect of statin drugs on myocardial contractile cells (cardiomyocytes). The purpose of this review is to discuss the negative effects of statin drugs on cardiomyocytes. Special attention is paid to the cardiotoxic action of statin drugs on cardiomyocytes and the mechanisms of increased serum levels of cardiac troponins. In the process of preparing this review, a detailed analysis of laboratory and experimental data devoted to the study of the negative effects of statin drugs on cardiomyocytes was carried out. The literature search was carried out with the keywords: statin drugs, negative effects, mechanisms, cardiac troponins, oxidative stress, apoptosis. Thus, statin drugs can have a number of negative effects on cardiomyocytes, in particular, increased oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, damage to mitochondria and intercalated discs, and inhibition of glucose transport into cardiomyocytes. Additional studies are needed to confirm and clarify the mechanisms and clinical consequences of the negative effects of statin drugs on cardiomyocytes.
Insights
Statin drugs, while beneficial for cardiovascular health, can negatively impact heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes). This review explores statins
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Statins are primary lipid-lowering agents crucial for managing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
- Beyond cholesterol synthesis inhibition, statins exhibit pleiotropic effects, both beneficial and detrimental.
- Extensive research exists on statin-induced myotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, but their direct impact on cardiomyocytes is less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the negative effects of statin drugs specifically on myocardial contractile cells (cardiomyocytes).
- To elucidate the cardiotoxic actions of statins on cardiomyocytes and the mechanisms behind elevated cardiac troponin levels.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review and analysis of laboratory and experimental data.
- Keywords used: statin drugs, negative effects, mechanisms, cardiac troponins, oxidative stress, apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Statins can induce negative effects on cardiomyocytes, including increased oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
- Statin use is associated with damage to mitochondria and intercalated discs within cardiomyocytes.
- Inhibition of glucose transport into cardiomyocytes by statins is another identified negative effect.
Conclusions:
- Statin drugs possess a range of adverse effects on cardiomyocytes, contrary to their primary cardiovascular benefits.
- Further research is essential to fully understand the mechanisms and clinical implications of statin-induced cardiotoxicity.
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