Simvastatin inhibits the core promoter of the TXNRD1 gene and lowers cellular TrxR activity in HepG2 cells

► Simvastatin inhibits the core promoter of the TXNRD1 gene in HepG2 cells. ► Simvastatin inhibits the mRNA levels of TrxR1 and the enzyme activity in HepG2 cells. ► Atorvastatin and fluvastatin do not influence the TrxR1 mRNA levels or TXNRD1 promotor activity. ► These findings add novel insight in the mechanism behind anticarcinogenic effects of statins.