Large clinical trials have demonstrated that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or 'statins' greatly reduce cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. The beneficial effects of statins were first assumed to result from their ability to reduce cholesterol synthesis and improve serum lipid profiles. In recent years, however, numerous pleiotropic effects of statins on atherosclerotic lesions have been described. In this review, we summarize the actions of statins on different aspects of atherosclerotic plaque development. These include endothelial dysfunction, leukocyte recruitment and inflammation, smooth muscle cell activation/proliferation, and finally plaque rupture and thrombosis.

中文翻译：

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动脉粥样硬化：他汀类药物的抗炎和免疫调节活性。

大型临床试验表明，HMG-CoA还原酶抑制剂或“他汀类药物”可大大降低与心血管相关的发病率和死亡率。首先假定他汀类药物的有益作用是由于它们降低胆固醇合成和改善血脂水平的能力。然而，近年来，已经描述了他汀类药物对动脉粥样硬化病变的多种作用。在这篇综述中，我们总结了他汀类药物对动脉粥样硬化斑块发展不同方面的作用。这些包括内皮功能障碍，白细胞募集和炎症，平滑肌细胞活化/增殖，最后是斑块破裂和血栓形成。