Statins, known as HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, have primarily been utilized for metabolic and angiographic medical applications because of their cholesterol-lowering effects. Similar to other drugs, statins may also induce a series of potential side effects. Statins inhibit the HMGCR (rate-limiting enzyme) activity in early stages of mevalonate pathway and then indirectly affect a number of intermediate products, including non-sterol isoprenoids (coenzyme Q10, dolichol etc.), which can result in impaired functions of body organs. Recently, scores of studies have uncovered additional functional mechanisms of statins in other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, nervous system diseases, coronary heart disease, inflammation and cancers. This review aims to summarize the positive and adverse mechanisms of statin therapy. Statin care should be taken in the treatment of many diseases including cancers. Since the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated, future studies should spend more time and efforts on basic research to explore the mechanisms of statins.

中文翻译：

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他汀类药物作为非降脂药物的多效用途

他汀类药物，称为 HMG-CoA 还原酶 (HMGCR) 抑制剂，由于其降低胆固醇的作用，主要用于代谢和血管造影医学应用。与其他药物类似，他汀类药物也可能诱发一系列潜在的副作用。他汀类药物在甲羟戊酸途径的早期阶段抑制 HMGCR（限速酶）活性，然后间接影响许多中间产物，包括非甾醇类异戊二烯（辅酶 Q10、多萜醇等），从而导致身体器官功能受损. 最近，大量研究揭示了他汀类药物在其他疾病中的其他功能机制，如糖尿病、神经系统疾病、冠心病、炎症和癌症。本综述旨在总结他汀类药物治疗的积极和不良机制。在治疗包括癌症在内的许多疾病时，应谨慎使用他汀类药物。由于其潜在机制尚未完全阐明，未来的研究应在基础研究上花费更多的时间和精力来探索他汀类药物的作用机制。