The Sound of Evolution
Simvastatin
Mechanism of action:
Simvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor). Simvastatin binds to HMG-CoA reductase and inhibits the conversion of HMG-CoA into mevalonate, thereby reducing cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This lowers intracellular cholesterol concentration in hepatocytes, which subsequently upregulates hepatic LDL receptor expression and enhances the uptake and breakdown of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the blood. As a result, plasma levels of LDL-C, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and triglycerides decrease, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) may rise slightly.
Reference(s):
1. Wolozin B et al. (2007). Simvastatin is associated with a reduced incidence of dementia and Parkinson's disease. BMC Med.
2. Moghadasian MH et al. (1999). Clinical pharmacology of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Life Sci.
3. Anderson TJ et al. (2016). 2016 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Adult. Can J Cardiol.