Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Pages: 308-314

Journal: Molecular Neurobiology

Volume number: 48

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0893-7648

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8496-5

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Statins have proven their effectiveness in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. This class of drugs has also attracted attention as a potential treatment for dissimilar diseases such as certain types of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. What appears to be a contradiction is that, in the case of cancer, it has been suggested that statins increase apoptosis and alter levels of Bcl-2 family members (e.g., reduce Bcl-2 and increase Bax), whereas studies mainly using noncancerous cells report opposite effects. This review examined studies reporting on the effects of statins on Bcl-2 family members, apoptosis, cell death, and cell protection. Much, but not all, of the evidence supporting the pro-apoptotic effects of statins is based on data in cancer cell lines and the use of relatively high drug concentrations. Studies indicating an anti-apoptotic effect of statins are fewer in number and generally used much lower drug concentrations and normal cells. Those conclusions are not definitive, and certainly, there is a need for additional research to determine if statin repositioning is justified for noncardiovascular diseases.

Harvard Citation style: Wood, W., Igbavboa, U., Müller, W. and Eckert, G. (2013) Statins, Bcl-2, and Apoptosis: Cell Death or Cell Protection?, Molecular Neurobiology, 48(2), pp. 308-314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8496-5

APA Citation style: Wood, W., Igbavboa, U., Müller, W., & Eckert, G. (2013). Statins, Bcl-2, and Apoptosis: Cell Death or Cell Protection?. Molecular Neurobiology. 48(2), 308-314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8496-5