With high cholesterol levels the risk of atherosclerosis is also high. To treat the high cholesterol level there is some medications like STATINs, which are targeting the synthesis of cholesterol, the endogenous pathway.

Figure 1. Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase

Statins

Statins are a class of drugs often prescribed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (increased blood cholesterol levels), in order to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, by inhibiting the production of endogenous cholesterol through the inhibition of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme (Figure 1).

HMG-CoA reductase

It is in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. There are several INSIGs (“insulin-induced genes”)

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