Lowering cholesterol is not enough to reduce hyperactivity of the immune system Date: June 13, 2019 Source: Radboud University Medical Center Summary: Despite treatment with statins, many patients with elevated cholesterol levels will still develop cardiovascular disease. It is apparent that not only cholesterol but also the immune system plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Researchers now provide a novel potential explanation for this residual cardiovascular risk, related to persistent activation of the immune system in patients with hypercholesterolemia who are treated with statins. Share: Radboud University Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference: Siroon Bekkering, Lotte C.A. Stiekema, Sophie Bernelot Moens, Simone L. Verweij, Boris Novakovic, Koen Prange, Miranda Versloot, Jeanine E. Roeters van Lennep, Henk Stunnenberg, Menno de Winther, Erik S.G. Stroes, Leo A.B. Joosten, Mihai G. Netea, Niels P. Riksen. Treatment with Statins Does Not Revert Trained Immunity in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Cell Metabolism, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.014
