Statins inhibit Rho kinase activity in patients with atherosclerosis
BACKGROUND: In addition to inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, statins (HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors) decrease the formation of isoprenoid intermediates required for the activation of
key signaling pathways, including Rho/Rho kinase (ROCK). In experimental settings, statins
inhibit ROCK and reverse vascular dysfunctions in atherosclerosis, independent of
cholesterol reduction. It is not known whether statins inhibit ROCK activity in humans with
atherosclerosis. METHODS: We investigated 35 patients with stable atherosclerosis in a …
inhibitors) decrease the formation of isoprenoid intermediates required for the activation of
key signaling pathways, including Rho/Rho kinase (ROCK). In experimental settings, statins
inhibit ROCK and reverse vascular dysfunctions in atherosclerosis, independent of
cholesterol reduction. It is not known whether statins inhibit ROCK activity in humans with
atherosclerosis. METHODS: We investigated 35 patients with stable atherosclerosis in a …