Description
Pravastatin is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase that exhibits anti-hyperlipidemic, anticancer, antithrombotic, antioxidative, immunosuppressive, anti-allergic, and anti-asthma activities. Clinically, pravastatin increases expression of LDL receptors, inducing cellular LDL uptake to decrease levels of LDL and triglycerides and increase levels of HDL. In animal models of cancer, pravastatin increases the efficacy of bevacizumab when given in combination, further decreasing tumor growth and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis. Pravastatin inhibits thrombosis in animal models of atherosclerotic plaque rupture and decreases lucigenin-induced O2 radical formation in other in vivo models. Additionally, pravastatin downregulates expression of IL-17 and decreases production of Th4 cytokines and IgE, preventing airway inflammation in animal models of OVA-induced allergies.
References
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Imamura M, Okunishi K, Ohtsu H, et al. Pravastatin attenuates allergic airway inflammation by suppressing antigen sensitisation, interleukin 17 production and antigen presentation in the lung. Thorax. 2009 Jan;64(1):44-9. PMID: 18835962.
Kelesidis T, Currier JS, Huynh D, et al. A biochemical fluorometric method for asessing the oxidative properties of HDL. 2011 Dec;52(12):2341-2351. PMID: 21957198.
