Description
Pitavastatin is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase that is used to treat atherosclerosis in clinical settings. Pitavastatin exhibits anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and antioxidative activities. In vitro and in vivo, pitavastatin increases expression of LEL receptors and liver X receptors (LXRs). Pitavastatin also decreases myocarditis pathology in vivo, through inhibition of STAT3/4, decreases in production of IFN-γ and IL-17, and prevention of Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation. Additionally, pitavastatin downregulates expression of IL-6 and inhibits proliferation of lymphocytes, decreasing graft arterial disease and improving cardiac allograft rejection in animal models. In other animal models, this compound increases levels of HDL, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase; it also decreases serum triglycerides, lipid peroxides, apolipoprotein B (apoB), and total cholesterol.