Statin treatment reduces leucine turnover, but does not affect endogenous production of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB)

Statins, or hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol. Myopathic side-effects ranging from pain and soreness to critical rhabdomyolysis are commonly reported and often lead to discontinuation. The pathophysiological mechanism is, in general, ascribed to a downstream reduction of Coenzyme Q10 synthesis, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. HMG-CoA is a metabolite of leucine and its corresponding keto acid α-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), however little is known about the changes in the metabolism of leucine and its metabolites in response to statins.
Source: Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research