For many decades, scientists have seen a link between excessive cholesterol in the body, especially excessive levels of the low-density lipoprotein variety, and heart disease. Cholesterol is one of the building blocks of every cell in our body, however when too much cholesterol is synthesized by the liver, or eaten in the diet, in comparison to the amount being taken away from cells, cholesterol deposits occur. These deposits harden cells, and excess cholesterol is one factor in the development of atherosclerosis, which in turn can cause all sorts of heart disease and the necessity for CABG surgery. For almost as long as cholesterol has been known to be a factor in heart disease, cholesterol reducing drugs have been developed. However, a new discovery indicating that brain function can be significantly reduced by them, has prompted Thailand heart care centers to re-think their suitable patient profile for statins.
The function of statins is to reduce the amount of cholesterol being synthesized by the liver, which makes it as part of the body's natural cell renewal system. One important organ that required cholesterol to function is the brain. In a study Yeon-Kyun Shin at Iowa State university points to the fact that lowered levels of cholesterol will affect the mechanisms by which the brain manufactures and releases neurotransmitters. The drugs prescribed by well-meaning heart centers in Thailand may be inhibiting the production and use of neurotransmitters such as glutamate, acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin. These names are familiar to most of us as playing critical roles in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis and MS.
In the study which international hospitals in Bangkok are heeding, Yeon-Kyun Shin tested the release of neurotransmitters without any cholesterol present, in a simulated environment. He then added cholesterol, and found that its presence increased neurotransmitter levels by five times. Research hospitals in Bangkok understand that cholesterol changes the shape of the protein that stimulates thinking and memory, and a lack of it means that these processes are inhibited.
The dangers of statins, especially for some people with common genetic variants, have been known for some time. Thailand hospital heart centers usually watch new statin patients and monitor their dose closely for the first few days and weeks, as a breakdown of skeletal muscle and acute kidney failure are some of the more serious conditions that can occur as side effects. Less serious problems like muscle cramps or gastrointestinal symptoms generally resolve when the dose is temporarily lowered, however, the new finding points to statins reducing brain function for the entire length of time patients take them.
Drawing on what we know of diseases in which cholesterol function is naturally repressed, such as mevalonic kinase, there are other possible side effects of statin drugs more invasive and less noticeable than the most serious. In mevalonic kinase, anemia and acidosis are two common blood conditions. Fevers and frequent, and there is an increased risk of cataracts. Bangkok heart centers, as well as major international hospitals in Bangkok, will be monitoring their cholesterol drug patients closely with the new study's results in mind.
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