The Pleiotropic Effects of Statins in Endocrine Disorders

BACKGROUND: The 3-Hydroxy-3-MethylGlutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, better known as statins, are used extensively in the treatment of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk reduction. They have also demonstrated a variety of non-lipid lowering, or pleiotropic effects. Pertaining to the endocrine system the benefits of statins can extend to patients with the polycystic ovarian syndrome and thyroid disease. However, there is also increasing evidence that statin use can lead to deleterious effects in different organs, including worsening glycemia and the development of diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to describe the most relevant and updated evidence regarding the pleiotropic effects of statins in endocrine disorders. METHODS: We did a systematic review of scientific articles published in PubMed regarding the effects of statins on the different aspects of the endocrine system up until June 5th of 2018. RESULTS: We identified preliminarily 61 publications, of which 4 were excluded due to having abstract format only, and 5 were excluded for not containing pertinent information to the study. CONCLUSION: Several aspects of the endocrine system have been shown to be influenced by the pleiotropic effects that statins exert, however, the benefits of statins on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality largely outweigh this deleterious effect, and statin therapy should continue to be recommended.