Synergistic effects of atorvastatin and sildenafil in cardioprotection--role of NO. of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy

摘要

HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylflutaryl coenzyme A) reductase inhibitors, or statins, were originally designed to reduce serum cholesterol levels and the development of cardiovascular disease. Statins prevent the formation of cholesterol as well as other products in the biosyn-thetic pathway, which include isoprenoid intermediates such as farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Over the years, it has become clear that use of statins extend well beyond their lipid lowering actions, and the unexpected pleiotropic effects have a major role in protecting the myocardium against ischemic injury. A number of studies have shown that statins improve cardiac function, reduce infarct size and infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils following ischemia/reperfusion injury.