Statin

Statins are drugs that lower blood cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes a rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.

HMG-CoA reductase: An enzyme that catalyzes a rate-limiting step in the mevalonate pathway, which produces cholesterol and other molecules. Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting this enzyme.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Disease caused by cholesterol-rich plaques narrowing or blocking arteries, sometimes leading to heart attack or stroke. Preventing its events is the main reason statins are prescribed.
Ezetimibe: A lipid-lowering drug that reduces intestinal absorption of cholesterol by inhibiting the NPC1L1 transporter. It lowers LDL through intestinal absorption rather than hepatic cholesterol synthesis.
Statin-associated muscle symptoms: Muscle pain, weakness, or cramps reported during statin treatment, with or without elevated creatine kinase. These symptoms are a common reason patients stop or change statin therapy.
Akira Endo: A Japanese biochemist who discovered compactin, an early inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, in a Penicillium mold. His microbial screening work led to the first statin discovery.
Mevalonate pathway: A metabolic pathway that produces cholesterol and other isoprenoid compounds from acetyl-CoA. It contains the enzyme statins inhibit and supplies several downstream products.
Primary prevention: Medical care intended to prevent a disease or event before it occurs. Statins can reduce first cardiovascular events in people at elevated risk.
PCSK9 inhibitor: A drug that increases LDL receptor availability by blocking the PCSK9 protein or its production. It can lower LDL further when statins alone are insufficient or unsuitable.
Rhabdomyolysis: Severe muscle breakdown that releases cellular contents into blood and can cause acute kidney injury. It is a rare but serious muscle injury associated with statin use.
Compactin: A fungal metabolite that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase and became the prototype for statin drugs. It was the first identified statin-like compound and inspired later drug development.

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