Overview
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are the most prescribed drug class worldwide for cholesterol lowering. In the WikiBiome framework, statins are notable for their microbiome-modulating effects and drug repurposing potential beyond cardiovascular disease — including anti-vaginolysin activity against gardnerella vaginalis, neuroprotection in Parkinson's, and cancer chemoprevention.
Microbiome Effects
- Rosuvastatin alters gut microbiome composition during lipid-lowering therapy liu 2018 gut microbiome rosuvastatin lipid lowering.
- Simvastatin promotes Lactobacillus expansion and cholesterol metabolism in CRC context xie 2025 cholesterol crc simvastatin lactobacillus.
- Statin users show distinct gut microbiome profiles compared to non-users.
Drug Repurposing
- BV/vaginolysin: Statins deplete membrane cholesterol → reduce vaginolysin (cholesterol-dependent cytolysin) binding → attenuate Gardnerella virulence abdelmaksoud 2017 statins vaginal microbiome gardnerella vaginolysin.
- Parkinson's: Statin use associated with altered gut microbiome and potential neuroprotection mertsalmi 2023 statins parkinsons microbiome.
- Cancer: Statins show chemopreventive effects in breast and colorectal cancer dang 2025 statins breast colorectal cancer regulation.
- Preterm birth: Statin repurposing for preterm delivery prevention whitaker 2021 statins preterm delivery prevention.
Cross-References
- gardnerella vaginalis — vaginolysin inhibition by membrane cholesterol depletion
- lipid metabolism — primary therapeutic target
- pharmacomicrobiomics — drug-microbiome interaction