Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors) reduce plasma cholesterol and improve endothelium-dependent vasodilation, inflammation and oxidative stress. A ‘pleiotropic’ property of statins receiving less attention is their effect on the autonomic nervous system. Increased central sympathetic outflow and diminished cardiac vagal tone are disturbances characteristic of a range of cardiovascular conditions for which statins are now prescribed routinely to reduce cardiovascular events: following myocardial infarction, and in hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart failure and diabetes. The purpose of the present review is to synthesize contemporary evidence that statins can improve autonomic circulatory regulation. In experimental preparations, high-dose lipophilic statins have been shown to reduce adrenergic outflow by attenuating oxidative stress in central brain regions involved in sympathetic and parasympathetic discharge induction and modulation. In patients with hypertension, chronic kidney disease and heart failure, lipophilic statins, such as simvastatin or atorvastatin, have been shown to reduce MNSA (muscle sympathetic nerve activity) by 12–30%. Reports concerning the effect of statin therapy on HRV (heart rate variability) are less consistent. Because of their implications for BP (blood pressure) control, insulin sensitivity, arrhythmogenesis and sudden cardiac death, these autonomic nervous system actions should be considered additional mechanisms by which statins lower cardiovascular risk.
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Review Article|
November 15 2013
Statins and the autonomic nervous system
Philip J. Millar;
Philip J. Millar
*University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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John S. Floras
*University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence: Dr John S. Floras (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
June 27 2013
Revision Received:
August 27 2013
Accepted:
September 10 2013
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2014 Biochemical Society
2014
Clin Sci (Lond) (2014) 126 (6): 401–415.
Article history
Received:
June 27 2013
Revision Received:
August 27 2013
Accepted:
September 10 2013
Citation
Philip J. Millar, John S. Floras; Statins and the autonomic nervous system. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 March 2014; 126 (6): 401–415. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20130332
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