Study title and authors:
Negative Impact of Statins on Oligodendrocytes and Myelin Formation In Vitro and In Vivo
Steve Klopfleisch,1 * Doron Merkler,2 * Matthias Schmitz,1 Sabine Klöppner,1 Mariann Schedensack,2 Gunnar Jeserich,4 Hans H. Althaus,1 and Wolfgang Brück2,3
1Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany, 2Department of Neuropathology, University Medical Centre, Georg August University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany, 3Institute for Multiple Sclerosis Research, Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung and University Medical Centre Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany, and 4Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
This paper can be accessed at: http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/50/13609
 |
| Books: |
Oligodendrocytes are a type of brain cell. Oligodendrocytes are responsible for producing a fatty protein,
called myelin, which insulates axons, the long extensions of nerve cells (neurons). Myelinated axons transmit nerve signals much faster than unmyelinated ones. Each oligodendrocyte can supply myelin for several axons and each axon can be supplied by several oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes wrap the myelin around the axons in thin sheets like rolled up paper. This study investigated the relationship of statins and myelin formation in cultured cells and in a trial.
The study reports:
(a) Cholesterol is a major component of myelin.
(b) Statins
are drugs which lower cholesterol levels. (c) Lower cholesterol levels disrupt oligodendrocytes from producing myelin.
(d) Lack of myelin allows lesions to form on the neurons, which disrupts signals between the brain and other parts of the body leading to multiple sclerosis.
The study provides evidence that statins impair remyelination of axons by oligodendrocytes, which could lead
to multiple sclerosis. More information on this subject: Books
: Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall
