Anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of statin therapy

► The anti-atherosclerotic effect of statins is consequence of not only cholesterol lowering but also of pleiotropic effects. ► Pleiotropic effects result from the inhibition of small GTPases which mediate cell proliferation and vascular inflammation. ► GTPase inhibition also reduces oxidative stress and increases vascular NO formation. ► Statins also induce the transcription factor KLF-2, which mediates vascular quiescence.