Statins can also Exert Detrimental Effects on Brain Cells

Statin drugs can have profoundly different effects on brain cells - both beneficial and harmful, a new study has said.

Statin drugs can have profoundly different effects on brain cells - both beneficial and harmful, a new study has said. Statins have also been found to potentially reduce the risks of other diseases, such as dementia, apart from treating high cholesterol and lowering the risk of heart disease.

These findings support the idea that great care should be taken when it comes to decision on the dosage and type of statin given to individuals, particularly the elderly.

Cholesterol - Lipoproteins - Functions - Normal Blood Cholesterol Levels - Causes - Treatment - FAQs
Cholesterol is produced by the body (liver) and is essential for normal body functioning.

For the study, John Albers and colleagues compared the effects of two commercially used statins, simvastatin and pravastatin, on two different types of brain cells, neurons and astrocytes (support cells that help repair damage).

By directly applying the drugs to cells as opposed to administering them to animals, they could eliminate differences in the drugs' ability to cross the blood-brain barrier as a reason for any differing effects.

The researchers looked at the expression of genes related to neurodegeneration, and found that indeed, despite using biologically equivalent drug concentrations, differences were seen both between cells, and between drugs; for example, simvastatin reduced the expression of the cholesterol transporter ABCA1 by approximately 80 percent in astrocytes, while pravastatin lowered expression by only around 50 percent.

High Cholesterol | Hypercholesterolemia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
High cholesterol level in blood are a risk for heart disease and stroke. They get deposited in the wall of the arteries and clog the circulation posing a threat to life.

Another interesting difference was that while both statins decreased expression of the Tau protein - associated with Alzheimer's disease-in astrocytes, they increased Tau expression in neurons; pravastatin also increased the expression of another Alzheimer's hallmark, amyloid precursor protein (APP).

While increased levels of these two proteins may account for potential risks of disease, the researchers also note that large decreases in cholesterol proteins like ABCA1 should be considered.

Low Cholesterol Diet- The Pivotal Chemical
Cholesterol - The Pivotal Chemical in Low Cholesterol Diet

Brain cholesterol levels tend to be reduced in elderly people, and in such individuals the long-term effects of statin therapy could lead to transient or permanent cognitive impairment.

The study has been published in the October Journal of Lipid Research.

Health Benefits of Fish
Fish is one of the staple food of coastal inhabitants. Nutrition in fish includes protein, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is considered to be beneficial for heart and brain.

Source-ANI
RAS