CHOLESTEROL-SYNTHESIS INHIBITORS INHIBIT MORE THAN CHOLESTEROL-SYNTHESIS

The beneficial effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in models of pr ogressive glomerular injury may not all be due to reductions in circul ating lipoproteins and decreases in glomerular lipoprotein deposition. Indeed, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may have direct effects on glome rular mesangial cells that could explain the amelioration of renal inj ury. Specifically, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors block the synthesis of isoprenoids that are necessary for mesangial cell proliferation and o ther important cell functions. Thus, protein isoprenylation may play a critical role in the pathogenesis and treatment of lipid-induced glom erular injury.