Researchers Find Potential Reason for Cholesterol Drug Side Effects
Fuzzy thinking and memory loss are some of the major side effects of taking statins – drugs used to lower down bad cholesterol levels. For the first time, scientists at the University of Arizona have found the possible reason for these undesirable symptoms.
The team observed unusual inflammation within the neurons, which they called "beads-on-a-string" effect. Whilst the reason for the formation of the beads is still unknown, the researchers believe that a deeper understanding of this process could help explain why some users experience side effects from taking the drug. According to Linda L. Restifo, the lead investigator, their study provides a laboratory demonstration of a problem in the neuron that is more severe than what is happening in the brains of statin users.
Neuronal Changes whilst taking Statins
The researchers compared the neuronal changes that take place in the brains of statin users with some sort of a traffic jam. Restifo explained that the neurons undergo a dramatic change in their morphology, leading to swellings that act like a traffic pileup that is so bad that it disrupts the function of the neurons. Restifo, together with Robert Kraft, a former research associate in the department of neuroscience at UA, and the lead author of the article, has been studying gene mutations for the purpose of developing treatments for autism and other cognitive disorders. In 2006, they conducted tests on fruit fly neurons using 1,040 drug compounds to investigate gene mutations that happen when neurons are exposed to the drug. Their findings showed that one mutation caused the branches of neurons to be curly rather straight, but one drug was able to correct this flaw. But something unexpected happened. They noticed that four compounds lead to bulges – an event they termed “beads-on-a-string”. Of all the drugs tested, only four caused such effect and all of them were statins.
Whilst statins could save people’s lives from the debilitating effects of high cholesterol, for some it can cause impairments. "It’s not a one drug fits all," pointed out Monica Chaung, co-researcher and a UA undergraduate researcher studying molecular and cellular biology and physiology. She found a variation in the sensitivity to statins whilst studying gene mutations.
Fortunately, cells were able to repair themselves after statin compounds have been removed. This means that the neurotoxicity was not permanent, explained Restifo.
She argued that statins have been shown to be effective in lowering bad cholesterol and preventing stroke and heart attack. However, she warned that too little is known about potential muscular, cognitive and behavioural effects of the drug.
Challenges of Future Studies
It’s too early to provide recommendations that suggest changing procedures in taking statins because more studies are needed to understand the beads-on-a-string effect. However, their findings, together with future research, could have important implications for both doctors and their patients. "There must be more research into what effects, these drugs have other than just controlling a person’s elevated cholesterol levels." said Kraft. Restifo added that open and direct patient-physician communication is very important for people using statins or those who have a family history of side effects using the drug.
The study was published in the journal Disease Models & Mechanisms.
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Research Reveals Possible Reason for Cholesterol-Drug Side Effects
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