3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase mRNA in Alzheimer and control brain

Abstract

Statins are widely used pharmaceutical agents which lower plasma cholesterol by inhibiting the rate controlling enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. One epidemiological study suggests that statin therapy may provide protection against Alzheimer disease (AD). The aim of the present study was to determine the relative expression of HMG-CoA reductase mRNAs in various areas of brain as well as in peripheral organs and to compare values in AD and control cases. High levels of the mRNA were found in all areas of brain but no obvious differences were found between AD and controls. We conclude that brain has a robust capacity to synthesize cholesterol which appears to be unaffected by AD pathology.