Mechanism: Comp. inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase, rate limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.
inhibit de novo cholesterol synthesis, deplete intracellular supply of cholesterol, dec. need to make apo B & E, dec. LDL needed to transport cholesterol
Inc. LDL receptor expression, inc. uptake of hepatic LDL
so plasma cholesterol.dec., cholesterol synthesis dec. LDL catabolism inc. VLDL synthesis dec., TG dec., HDL inc.