Statins are bioactive molecules that reduce the levels of Low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol by blocking one of the liver enzymes. Excess deposition of LDL cholesterol (“Bad cholesterol”) results in the formation of plaques in the blood vessels thereby causing heart strokes and leading to Atherosclerosis.
The conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate is the rate limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis that takes place in the liver. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Statins act as competitive inhibitor for this enzyme which inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol.
