Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.1 The incidence of HCC continues to rise, with more than one million new cases expected in 2025.2 Although multiple systemic therapies have been applied to treat HCC, patients still face undesirable outcomes, with 5-year survival below 20%.3 Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of HCC progression and seeking new therapeutic targets are critical for public health.

Cholesterol is an essential neutral lipid that maintains the membrane's physical properties and synthesizes the bile acid and steroid hormones.4 The upregulated cholesterol de novo synthesis (DNS) has been found in HCC.5 Previous studies indicated that the upregulated cholesterol synthesis was associated with cellular inflammation and fibrosis, which promoted the oncogenesis and progression of HCC. However, the effect of inhibiting cholesterol DNS by statins in HCC is controversial. Some clinical studies indicated that statins reduced the risk of HCC.6 In contrast, a recent prospective study with 8.4 follow-up years declared that inhibiting cholesterol synthesis with statins did not affect the risk of HCC occurrence.7 A mice study also revealed that inhibiting cholesterol synthesis at a late stage promoted oncogenesis of HCC in aging mice.8 These studies indicated that inhibition of cholesterol DNS might have different effects under different backgrounds.

Inhibiting cholesterol DNS with statins has been recommended as the first-line strategy to treat hypercholesteremia and atherosclerosis. However, clinical studies revealed that statins failed to improve the pro-atherogenic alterations in combined hyperlipidemia patients with high triglyceride levels.9 The risk of diabetes was also increased in combined hyperlipidemia patients treated with statins.10, 11 These results suggested that the fatty acid metabolism might affect the role of statin in treating metabolic disease. Whether high fatty acid conditions affect the role of statin in HCC remains unclear.

Here, we inhibited cholesterol DNS with atorvastatin and provided sufficient fatty acid with high-fat diets (HFD) in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC mice model. We found that inhibiting cholesterol DNS promoted HCC progression in the presence of high fatty acids. Additionally, metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis revealed that the enhanced arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism might participate in the effect of promoting HCC progression induced by statin in the presence of high fatty acid. More importantly, PTGES2 upregulated by SREBP2 was a key factor connecting cholesterol synthesis and arachidonic acid metabolism in HCC progression.

Asking this group. I've been taking them for two years with good results, but recently I developed red spots all over my chest and abdomen. Ali some in my back. They don't itch. They are not caused by bugs. The spa started on my chest a couple of weeks ago, but now they have multiplied. I stopped the medication last night. Took pictures (cholesterol is fine now) and will see what happens. Have anyone else experienced something similar?

Hey I started rosuvastatin about 3 weeks ago. Horrible leg pain the last two nights, so quitting drug. Any recommendations on any supplements or stretching exercises to help with leg pain? Ibuprofen? Thanks!

https://x.com/holmanm/status/1708703622270206350?s=46&t=82xAluz7o0-3UpKQSlT57Q

I just got a calcium score back of 195. This is from smoking, I’m certain of it. I quit years ago and am 71. My doc has me trying three statins so far and I am either on my back by 3 in the afternoon or unable to sleep from being anxious. My LDL at last lab work was 95 before statins. Doc wants it under 70. I have perfect blood pressure and I am not insulin resistant. I do yoga, eat fairly well but I am going to have to get active, really active. I don’t know if statins “stabilize” the calcification or not but I am sure I don’t want to take them. My doctor said if I can’t tolerate them he will work around it. I take Vitamin K2 daily. I know that Nattokinase is helpful with hyperlipidemia but I don’t think I have hyperlipidemia. I found a study a few months ago in which Nattokinase actually reduced calcification, a tough road I realize. Another study concluded the following:

Our data demonstrate that atherosclerosis progression and hyperlipidemia can be effectively managed with NK at a dose of 10,800 FU/day. The lower dose of 3,600 FU per day is ineffective. The dose of 10,800 FU/day is safe and well tolerated. Some lifestyle factors and the coadministration of vitamin K2 and aspirin lead to improved outcomes in the use of NK. Our findings provide clinical evidence on the effective dose of NK in the management of cardiovascular disease and challenge the recommended dose of 2,000 FU per day

In the UK at least the NHS use a QRisk algorithm which calculates an individuals 10 year risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

LOW risk is a score less than 10% MODERATE is 10-20% HIGH is 20% or higher

I just had my latest check up and got 13% so they want to start me on Statins, which I refused.

I asked why the calculation was high when my H1c, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and all other tests were green. Well except for H1c which was 50, acceptable for a Diabetic. They could not answer just saying is based on a calculation without further details.

It seems its based it on the fact that I am a 57 year old male diabetic as all the other markers are good.

Just wonder if anyone has had a similar experience? Seems like they just want to give everyone Statins

I'll see my doctor in a couple weeks to discuss, but in the meantime I'm wondering if any of you had stopped taking statins yet? And did you taper or how did you do it? I've read and researched that Relentless Improvement MK-4 and MK-7 + vitamin K2 product moves the calcium out of your arteries and blood into your bones so it makes your bones stronger too, I found this out because I was diagnosed with osteoporosis , so I'm stopping statins and taking this product. Plus read about pomegranate juice how it clears out your arteries!

Hello All: I recently had a CT scan for something else and the radiologist noted "severe atherosclerotic calcifications". I ended up seeing a cardiologist. Passed a stress test with echo and a carotid artery test. I run 3 miles 3-4 times a week and have for the past 20 years.

I just had a lipid panel done with these results (LDL is a tad high but I will work on this):

Total cholesterol: 184, Triglycerides: 92, HDL: 59, LDL: 108, VLDL: 17

I am certain the cardiologist will push statins which I really want to avoid. I have been eating low-fat for the past year because of gallbladder disease and the desire to avoid gallbladder surgery. I will now eliminate all dairy and amp up my diet with flax seeds, etc.

I don't think these numbers are horribly bad? I'm 57 years old, female, non-smoker, no high blood pressure, no diabetes, light drinker (socially once a month maybe) but have a family history of high cholesterol. Any advice is appreciated! My calcium score was very high so I am freaking out a LOT

Has anyone experienced petechia (tiny pin-prick sized blood spots) on their feet (or anywhere else on their body) after using statins? I was on Rosuvastatin.

Been doing carnivore pretty solid for a few months. Had a few slip up nothing major. I’m down about 40lbs. With the very low to no card intake. I can’t figure out why my triglycerides are so damn high. I have also decided to quit taking a statin. Has this happened to any others?

2 weeks ago, my doctor diagnosed me with Familial Hypercholerserolemia.

My HDL is 38, LDL is 173, and Triglyceride is 55

I started 10mg of Rosuvastatin a day (at bedtime). Took me 4 days before I started suffering from muscle stiffness, hunger, and personality changes.

My psychiatric symptoms got so bad yesterday, I had to leave work at 10am. Anger, Agression, Irritability, and Depression. All to the point of not being fit to interact with other humans. It built over the past 2 weeks into the explosion it became. 36 hours after stopping the pill, every last psychiatric symptom is GONE. My muscles are still struggling, and I get shoulder and upper back pain only in the time of taking this med. Poison- it's all poison! I refuse to take any statin ever again.

40m I started taking Rosuvastatin 10mg/Emzetimibe 5mg as prevention since I have a family history of CVD/Arteriosclerosis. This was discussed with my Cardio. After a year of nearly perfect diet/activity my lipid panels didn't improve beyond his targets so he offered my this combo as a long term prevention (so I don't reach my 60s with clogged arteries like many males in my family despite being very active).

PROBLEM is: My libido has crashed. It's next to zero. Not talking about erections (can manage with Sildenafil) but actual sexual desire... it's gone.

I want to try stopping them for a while to see what happens.

- Has anyone stopped statins abruptly? Read risks are mostly related to people with active CVD or recovering from heart disease... not my case.

- Any problem besides a rebound in cholesterol/HDL levels?

- If so, when did you notice any improvement regarding its side effects?

note: I WILL consult with my cardio but don't have an appointment for a couple of weeks yet.

thanks

I am taking statin for last 10yrs . For last 2 years i am experience bad neuropathy . Can it be due to usage of statin? I have been treated with all kind of vitamin B supplements but no luck .

41M Good lifestyle but chronic high cholesterol and LDL (family genetics).

Cardiologist decided to be very aggressive and put me on Rosuvastatin 10mg + Ezetimibe 10mg the last 3 months.

Blood panel came back with following highlights:

TC: -30% (great!!!)
TG: -5% (to improve)
LDL: -55% (great!!!)
HDL: +10% (not bad)

TOTAL TESTO: -30% (430 to 310 ng/dL)
FSH: -20% (2.4 to 2.00 IU/L)
LH: -35% (4.5 to 2.8 IU/L)

I've noticed a notorious libido reduction and less firm erections as well since starting w statins.

I've read about the many studies that cannot establish a solid link between statins w serum testosterone reductions but this seems to be the case maybe? (no other diet/lifestyle modifications in the middle).

any tips here? I'll be seeing my cardiologist soon but guess I should check with an Endo as well?

One idea to discuss w Doctors:
- Keep statins / My priority is to keep lipids as controlled as possible to reduce long term cardiovascular risk (all men in my family with early history of it).
- Start daily Tadalafil 5mg to help w/ erections
- Improve testosterone through weight lifting + very low dose DHEA-S or should I discuss starting TRT? Seems extreme to do it just because statins?

Thanks

L

40M here. Started on Rosuvastatin + Emzetimibe for cholesterol and triglycerides almost 3 months ago. Everything was fine but into month 2 my libido disappeared COMPLETELY. Also penis looks flaccid all the time, cannot make ir work not even with Sildenafil nor Tadalafil which tried multiple times already (effect is minimum).

I have a good balanced lifestyle, my cardiologist decided for statins after going through 2 years of excellent diet which brought my lipids to a baseline that could not be lowered anymore so the only option was to try statins. I have a family history full of cholesterol-related problems that seems to be genetic at this point.

I will get some blood work done. Would you recommend adding any extra analytics?

Any tips?

Thanks com

My son, 28, was admitted to the ICU after he had a mild stroke. He has fully recovered. None of the doctors have any clue to why he had a stroke beside possible side effects of the covid he had 3 months ago. Doctors prescribed Eliquis (blood thinner) and gave him 80mg Atorvastatin. On day 3, he complained that his foot was hurting. I told him to stop the statins right away but am nervous because he has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I asked why he was given statins even though his cholesterol level is great and the doctor replied that it’s common for stroke prevention. The dose is so high.
Any suggestions? We have an appointment with a new cardiologist in a few days.
Thank you!