STATINS: THE SKEPTICISM REMAINS

Though statins are portrayed as the wonder drug of the 21st century there exists lot of controversy surrounding the use of statins. Some scientists express skepticism over the use of statins. These group claim that statins are not as beneficial or safe as suggested. These scientists have questioned the use of statins on the grounds of the wide number of indications for which statins are prescribed and the declining benefits in groups at lower baseline risk of cardiovascular events. A much smaller minority , exemplified by The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics have questioned the lipid hypothesis itself and argue that elevated cholesterol has not been adequately linked to heart disease.

Statins are the highest selling drug for the past five years. The class Statins includes number of potent drug molecules, which are either fermentation –derived or synthetic. For example:

Out of all the above stated Statins Cerivastatin is the most potent but has been withdrawn due to some major side effects. Atorvastatin is the best selling Statin. Lipitor, an atorvastatin is the world best selling drug.

The history of statins dates back to 1971 when Akira Endo and Masao Kuroda of Tokyo, Japan isolated the mevastatin from Penicillium citrium.The first commercially marketed statins was lovastatin which was isolated from the mold Aspergillus terreus in 1976 by the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co.

AKIRA ENDO

Statins the HMG co enzyme reductase inhibitor is prescribed for both primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, myocardial infraction, stroke and peripheral artery disease. Research continues in other areas where statins appear to have a favorable effect: inflammation, dementia, cancer, nuclear contracts, and hypertension. Statins may be prescribed from other above stated indications in the future.

Like any other drug statins too have number of side effect but according to one of the recent research carried out in Washington, it is claimed by the researchers that statins may lessen brain function. Lead researcher Yeon –Kyun Shin, a biophysics professor at Iowa State University has shown that drugs that inhibit the liver from making cholesterol may also keep the brain from making cholesterol, which is vital to efficient brain function. If the claim is proved to be true then the future of statins seems to be dark.