Statin Therapy for Asthma: Is Scientific Evidence in Favour or Against?
Ndubuisi N. NwobodoDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Faculty of Clinical Medicine Ebonyi State University Abakaliki (Nigeria).
Abstract: Asthma is known to be an inflammatory condition. The 3-HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) used to lower serum cholesterol level, have been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Consequently, it has been suggested that statins may affect the course and possibly reduce the severity of asthma. However, there are conflicting reports over the beneficial effects of statins in asthma. Hence, there is need for caution and high index of suspicion amongst care givers, that though available evidence points to their potential usefulness, statins may also precipitate and aggravate asthmatic conditions.
Keywords: Asthma; cholesterol; immunomodulation; inflammation; scientific evidence; statins Back to TOC