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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
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Pleiotropic Effects of Statins: Focus on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Immunomodulation (Part I)

Ali Mahmoudi1, Niki Katsiki2,3, Michal Vrablik4

  • 1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.

Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|January 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Statins offer cardiovascular protection beyond lowering cholesterol through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Understanding these pleiotropic mechanisms can reveal new strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology
  • Pleiotropic Drug Effects
  • Immunomodulation

Background:

  • Statins are primary drugs for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention due to lipid-lowering effects.
  • Emerging evidence highlights statins' cardioprotective roles via pleiotropic mechanisms independent of cholesterol modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pleiotropic effects of statins, focusing on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory actions.
  • To discuss the clinical relevance of these effects on cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search across major databases (Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library).
  • Inclusion of experimental and clinical studies investigating statin effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune function.

Main Results:

  • Statins demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities.
  • These pleiotropic effects contribute to cardiovascular protection, independent of cholesterol reduction.
  • Statins improve endothelial function, stabilize plaques, and exhibit anti-thrombotic properties.

Conclusions:

  • Statins provide cardioprotection through diverse pleiotropic pathways.
  • Further research should optimize statin regimens and explore their non-lipid-related therapeutic potential.
  • A thorough understanding of statins' pleiotropic profile can lead to novel preventive strategies and treatments for cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
Anti-inflammatoryAntioxidantCardiovascular diseaseImmunomodulatoryPleiotropic effectsStatins

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