Hypocholesterolemic Agents Response to Classmate

RESPONSE

Reply to Gina about Hypocholesterolemic Agents

In this thread, Gina focused on two drugs to describe how hypocholesterolemic agents function. Essentially, the said drugs were Evinacumab and Statins. One interesting thing that I found about the two hypocholesterolemic drugs is that they lower the cholesterol component (LDL-low density lipoprotein) by different percentages at different intensities and at different locations in the body. My classmate indicated that Evicanumab lowers LDL at 23% while Statins lowers LDL by 30%-50%. While the two drugs have the same mechanism of action - which is to reduce LDL levels - it is important to note that the two differences in percentages result from the fact that Statins exhibit different pharmacokinetic properties (Kee et al, 2020). The authors further suggest that apart from reducing LDL as highlighted by Gina, Statins also reduce triglycerides, reduce concentrations of blood plasma in total cholesterol, and also increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

One crucial thing that thing that I got to learn relates to side effects, some of which may be fatal. For instance, Statins may cause rhabdomyolysis which is a form of muscle injury and may present as; tendon pain, nocturnal cramping, muscle weakness, muscle tenderness, muscle pain, and fatigue (Kee et al, 2020). Apart from the said side effect, Statins may have other severe side effects which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; memory problems, liver damage, muscle cell damage, and increased type 2 diabetes (Mayo Clinic, 2022). It is important to note that cholesterol-lowering agents being used to treat cardiovascular and heart diseases can also be used in cancer prevention and therapy. Essentially, cholesterol may accumulate in tumor tissues and in cancer cells promoting tumor regression, cell migration, proliferation, and growth (Huang, 2016). Therefore, since enzymatic reactions are catalyzed by cholesterol synthesis, controlling the said process may serve as an anticancer activity by reducing cancer cell migration, proliferation, and growth (Huang, 2016).