Statins are a family of drugs that “block” the action of an enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) involved in the production of cholesterol by the body.
Lipid-lowering (understand: they reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood or cholesterolemia), statins are prescribed for prevention in patients who suffer from hypercholesterolemia associated with a significant cardiovascular risk (smokers, diabetics …) as well as in patients who have had a myocardial infarction or stroke.
Controversial statins (Tahor®, Crestor®, Lescol® …) could however constitute major allies against Covid-19. Indeed: according to a recent study conducted by researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center (in the United States), patients who take statins have a lower risk of dying if hospitalized for Covid -19 severe.
Statins, useful against severe respiratory infections
American researchers followed 1,296 patients hospitalized because of a severe infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: half of them took a daily treatment with statins. They found that 14.8% of patients taking statins died within a month of hospitalization, compared to 26.5% of patients not taking statins. Scientists therefore estimate that taking statins would reduce the risk of dying from severe Covid-19 by about 50%.
How to explain these conclusions? The researchers (who published their results in the specialized journal Nature Communications) emphasize that statins are not only lipid-lowering: these anti-cholesterol molecules would also have anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant and antiviral properties. In addition, several previous studies have already shown the benefit of statins in severe respiratory infection.
Statins are not harmless, however. These drugs are contraindicated in patients who suffer from a serious hepatic disorder – cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis … Their side effects are numerous but well known: statins can in particular be at the origin of hepatic damage (impairment of the liver). liver) and muscle lysis (cramps, muscle pain, tendonitis, etc.).
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