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Medical Forum / General / Cardiology / July 2006Cholesterol drugs may treat hepatitis C
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cholesterol drugs called statins may help treat hepatitis C infections, Japanese researchers reported on Friday. Tests in lab dishes suggest that some statin drugs may help stop the hepatitis C virus from replicating, they wrote in the journal Hepatology, published by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. An estimated 170 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus. The standard treatment is a combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin but it only helps about 55 percent of patients. The rest risk progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Masanori Ikeda of Okayama University in Japan and colleagues tested several statin drugs against the virus in lab dishes. All the drugs except pravastatin interfered with the virus to some degree. Fluvastatin, sold by Novartis under the name Lescol, had the strongest effect, they reported. It may be that certain proteins are required for the hepatitis C virus to replicate and that some statins block the action of these proteins, the researchers said. They tested the statins along with interferon, and found each worked even better when combined with the second drug. "We clearly demonstrated that co-treatment of interferon and fluvastatin was an overwhelmingly effective treatment," the researchers wrote. Statins -- which include Pfizer Inc.'s $10 billion-a-year Lipitor, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s Pravachol and Merck and Co. Inc.'s Zocor -- are the world's best-selling drugs, taken by millions to reduce the risk of heart attack. But they appear to affect many biological processes. An expert proposed last month that they may affect influenza viruses, including bird flu, and other research has shown they reduce the risk of cataracts. Generic statins are available in many countries and have become increasingly inexpensive. ### Must be more of that "pharma-whore researcher worldwide conspiracy" stuff. That said, Hep C is a escalating epidemic and any breakthroughs in treatment are sorely needed (although it's a long way from a lab dish to a human...). L. > WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cholesterol drugs called statins may help treat > hepatitis C infections, Japanese researchers reported on Friday. [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > > L. Yet another side effect. Cures every thing except reduced Co-Enzyme Q10. Bill  SignatureS Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. William Wagner <not-to-here-williamwag@gmail.com> wrote in news:not-to- here-williamwag-2329B3.19093607072006@sn-indi.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net: >> WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cholesterol drugs called statins may help treat >> hepatitis C infections, Japanese researchers reported on Friday. [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > > Bill I don't think that any of the (pro-statin) articles I post actually tout statins as a "cure" for anything - just that they *may* be useful in treatment. Then again, they may not. I certainly don't view them as a cure. That's your word. L. Thought L may find this of interest. Bill ................................ 1: J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006 Jun 20;47(12):2554-60. Epub 2006 May 2. Related Articles, Links Reduction of morbidity and mortality by statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mancini GB, Etminan M, Zhang B, Levesque LE, FitzGerald JM, Brophy JM. Division of Cardiology, Vancouver Hospital, Jack Bell Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. mancini@interchange.ubc.ca OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if statins (hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors [HMG-CoA]), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce cardiovascular (CV) events and pulmonary morbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. BACKGROUND: Few current COPD therapies alter prognosis. Although statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs improve outcomes in CV populations, their benefits in COPD patients both with and without concomitant heart disease has not previously been studied. METHODS: A time-matched nested case-control study of two population-based retrospective cohorts was undertaken: 1) COPD patients having undergone coronary revascularization (high CV risk cohort); and 2) COPD patients without previous myocardial infarction (MI) and newly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (low CV risk cohort). Prespecified outcomes were COPD hospitalization, MI, and total mortality. RESULTS: These drugs reduced both CV and pulmonary outcomes, with the largest benefits occurring with the combination of statins and either ACE inhibitors or ARBs. This combination was associated with a reduction in COPD hospitalization (risk ratio [RR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 0.85) and total mortality (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.52) not only in the high CV risk cohort but also in the low CV risk cohort (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.87, and RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.45, respectively). The combination also reduced MI in the high CV risk cohort (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.49). Benefits were similar when steroid users were included. CONCLUSIONS: These agents may have dual cardiopulmonary protective properties, thereby substantially altering prognosis of patients with COPD. These findings need confirmation in randomized clinical trials. PMID: 16781387 [PubMed - in process] SignatureS Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. > I don't think that any of the (pro-statin) articles I post actually tout > statins as a "cure" for anything - just that they *may* be useful in > treatment. Then again, they may not. I certainly don't view them as a > cure. That's your word. > > L. At the same time, it's worth realizing that most of these supposed statin benefits are unlikely to pan out. The evidence on avian flu and hep C comes from bench research not patient studies. When side benefits suggested in observational studies (like decreased rates of cancer) have been looked for in the randomized trials they have not been seen. The observational studies on cataracts mostly have shown no effect -- I have no idea why JAMA decided to publish the single article showing decreased rates of cataract given the negative studies already published elsewhere. Unlike the impression many readers of smc might get, statins are spectacular drugs that have been proven in randomized trials to have important effects in reducing mortality and cardiovascular events in people with cardiovascular disease. But it's not worth spending much time on every observational study or bit of bench research someone publishes showing this or that side benefit with statins -- either these results should be noticeable in the huge randomized trials already published, or, if we're talking about treatment of uncommon diseases, will require their own randomized trials. SignatureDavid Rind drind@caregroup.harvard.edu > Unlike the impression many readers of smc might get, statins are > spectacular drugs that have been proven in randomized trials to have > important effects in reducing mortality and cardiovascular events in > people with cardiovascular disease. Ok for us folks where statins cause damage. I'd like to know why lowering my total is a good thing ? If I go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-risk/HB00047 there is no mention of HDL and there is no longevity benefit. LDL size too expensive for me I'm calculated. What I am is suggesting that cholesterol is mute issue and the "Cure" is flawed in that it causes harm. CoQ-10 issues. Harvard my a.s. Bill SignatureS Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. >>Unlike the impression many readers of smc might get, statins are >>spectacular drugs that have been proven in randomized trials to have [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Bill Thank you for that coherent post. If there's an actual comment or question there, you might try again. SignatureDavid Rind drind@caregroup.harvard.edu > >>Unlike the impression many readers of smc might get, statins are > >>spectacular drugs that have been proven in randomized trials to have > >>important effects in reducing mortality and cardiovascular events in > >>people with cardiovascular disease. A> > Ok for us folks where statins cause damage. I'd like to know why > > lowering my total is a good thing ? B> > If I go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-risk/HB00047 > > there is no mention of HDL and there is no longevity benefit. LDL size > > too expensive for me I'm calculated. C> > What I am is suggesting that cholesterol is mute issue and the "Cure" > > is flawed in that it causes harm. CoQ-10 issues. > > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Thank you for that coherent post. If there's an actual comment or > question there, you might try again. A & B are are questions. C is a statement. Simple enough? Coherent... please do not try to insult me. Bill SignatureS Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. > A> > Ok for us folks where statins cause damage. I'd like to know why > >>>lowering my total is a good thing ? I haven't a clue whether statins are a good thing for you knowing nothing about you or your medical history. However, for the average person with known cardiovascular disease statins will decrease cardiovascular events by about 30% and mortality by close to 20%. Statins don't cause serious enough side effects in most patients to outweigh those sorts of benefits. > B> > If I go to > http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-risk/HB00047 > >>>there is no mention of HDL and there is no longevity benefit. LDL size >>>too expensive for me I'm calculated. When I go there, I see a cardiac risk calculator. I'm not sure what that has to do with the sentence you wrote above or what your sentence means. For what it's worth, this risk calculator does not apply to people with known cardiovascular disease (i.e. the people I was saying get clear benefits from statins). > C> > What I am is suggesting that cholesterol is mute issue and the > "Cure" > >>>is flawed in that it causes harm. CoQ-10 issues. Okay, since C is a "coherent" comment and not a question, what do you think the word "mute" means? Also, when has anyone ever suggested that statins are a "cure"? They are a drug taken chronically to treat a chronic condition, and like all drugs they have benefits and harms. In most patients with cardiovascular disease, the benefits far outweigh the harms. >>> Harvard my a.s. > > Coherent... please do not try to insult me. Gee, you think that first sentence from you might be an insult? Do you think my pointing out the incoherence of your post is harsher than that, or do you figure on Usenet you get to make nasty comments but no one should respond? SignatureDavid Rind drind@caregroup.harvard.edu > > B> > If I go to > > http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-risk/HB00047 [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > known cardiovascular disease (i.e. the people I was saying get clear > benefits from statins). see http://www.ti.ubc.ca/pages/letter.html 48 & 49 > > C> > What I am is suggesting that cholesterol is mute issue and the > > "Cure" [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > most patients with cardiovascular disease, the benefits far outweigh the > harms. Mute means it should be common knowledge everywhere but is not available readably. Many folks never heard of CoQ-10 yet no TV Crestor ad speaks of it. That is MUTE. > >>> Harvard my a.s. > > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > or do you figure on Usenet you get to make nasty comments but no one > should respond? Harvard is not you but coherent was aimed at me. Harvard is a moniker to give validity to you posts. Just as Jim with the MIT address. Post as folks and I'm sure you will be welcomed or scorned by your words. Hide like L and be treated as such. Bill SignatureS Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. William Wagner <not-to-here-williamwag@gmail.com> wrote in news:not-to- here-williamwag-C5B357.16342808072006@sn-indi.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net: >> > B> > If I go to >> > http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-risk/HB00047 [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Bill Folks my a.s. L. > Harvard is a moniker to give validity to you posts. It's my email address. Unlike lots of people who post here, I actually use my real live email address when I post. The validity of my posts or lack thereof has nothing to do with my email address. SignatureDavid Rind drind@caregroup.harvard.edu > > A> > Ok for us folks where statins cause damage. I'd like to know why > > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > or do you figure on Usenet you get to make nasty comments but no one > should respond? I'm sorry ! I always try to write like I'm addressing my best friend. My best friends and I have exchanged curse words but this medium gives me many opportunities for mistakes and a few glimpses of truth or retraction. Still a pain in the arse. Bill Hope Yale beats Harvard if that is coherent.. SignatureS Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. > Hope Yale beats Harvard if that is coherent.. Not only coherent, you have my full support in that sentiment. SignatureDavid Rind drind@caregroup.harvard.edu >> A> > Ok for us folks where statins cause damage. I'd like to know why >>>>lowering my total is a good thing ? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > known cardiovascular disease statins will decrease cardiovascular events > by about 30% and mortality by close to 20%. Evidence from published journal articles? Absolute risk comparison is nowhere near those numbers. > Statins don't cause serious enough side effects in most patients to > outweigh those sorts of benefits. The people who spoke at the June 8th news conference on Pfizer's Lipitor side effects are evidence that your comment is hopelessly out of touch with reality. Their disabilities included memory loss, cognitive damage, muscle weakness (to the extent that one man is unable to lift his 1 year old child, another no longer able to reliably hold the controls through landing a commercial airplane), neuropathy, and several suicide attempts - one tragically successful by a 16 year old boy who was prescribed Lipitor for prevention. These are severe disabilities that preclude the patient from performing work, normal recreation, and interaction with family. One resulted in death, another in near death. A recently published medical journal article showed 100% of statin patients have muscle damage identifiable on muscle biopsy after only a few months. Another recently published study showed all statin patients have measurable cognitive impacts after 6 months. Another recently published study showed neuropathy 26 times more likely in statin patients. >> B> > If I go to >> http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-risk/HB00047 [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > or do you figure on Usenet you get to make nasty comments but no one > should respond? > "David Rind" <drind@caregroup.harvard.edu> wrote in message >>I haven't a clue whether statins are a good thing for you knowing nothing [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Evidence from published journal articles? Absolute risk comparison is > nowhere near those numbers. Those would be rather astounding absolute risk benefits, since they would make the cardiovascular risk go negative in lots of people. No, they are, of course, relative risk benefits. Since the absolute risk benefit depends on the absolute risk, you can't actually give a single number. But, the absolute risk benefits for mortality in people with known cardiovascular disease are on the order of 5 to 7 percent over five to ten years. Lower than that if you don't have very bad CVD, higher than that if you are at extremely high risk. The cardiovascular event risk benefits are on the order of 10-15 percent. > The people who spoke at the June 8th news conference on Pfizer's Lipitor > side effects are evidence that your comment is hopelessly out of touch with > reality. They were there speaking because they have side effects or think they do. What percentage of the people on Lipitor in the US spoke at that news conference? > A recently published medical journal article showed 100% of statin patients > have muscle damage identifiable on muscle biopsy after only a few months. Please post the citation to this published article. > Another recently published study showed all statin patients have measurable > cognitive impacts after 6 months. That's twisting what was actually published. But even if true would not change what I said above. The measured cognitive impacts were minor and death turns out to have severe cognitive impacts in 100% of people. > Another recently published study showed neuropathy 26 times more likely in > statin patients. The published evidence on statins and neuropathy conflicts. Again, though, I in no way think statins are without harms. I think lipid lowering drugs are being overused in the US in low risk patients. But that doesn't mean that they aren't amazing drugs for the people who really need them. That you cannot see greys suggests more of a problem with how you are looking at statins than with the statins themselves. SignatureDavid Rind drind@caregroup.harvard.edu > A recently published medical journal article showed 100% of statin patients > have muscle damage identifiable on muscle biopsy after only a few months. Link, please? L. > I don't think that any of the (pro-statin) articles I post actually tout > statins as a "cure" for anything - just that they *may* be useful in > treatment. Then again, they may not. I certainly don't view them as a > cure. That's your word. > > L. You're a transparent shill. I'm not interested til they prove it'll detail my car while I sleep. Susan > x-no-archive: yes > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Susan And you are...ah....just plain old transparent? Since I have no connection whatsoever to doctors or researchers or phama (not even related to any) I'm not sure what or who I'm a shill for? That notion is only in your own mind. Yeh, I know - you've used that cute line before, "detail my car"..ha...ha..you made a funny! L. > William Wagner <not-to-here-williamwag@gmail.com> wrote in news:not-to- > here-williamwag-2329B3.19093607072006@sn-indi.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net: [quoted text clipped - 73 lines] > > L. May is a wonderful word. May may be transposed to could . I think it means ambiguity. may 1 |m?| |me?| |me?| modal verb ( 3rd sing. present may |me?|; past might |m?t| |ma?t| |m??t|) 1 expressing possibility : that may be true | he may well win. € used when admitting that something is so before making another, more important point : they may have been old-fashioned, but they were excellent teachers. 2 expressing permission : you may use a sling if you wish | may I ask a few questions? 3 expressing a wish or hope : may she rest in peace. PHRASES be that as it may despite that; nevertheless. may as well another way of saying might as well (see might 1 ). ORIGIN Old English mæg, of Germanic origin, from a base meaning Œhave power¹ ; related to Dutch mogen and German mögen, also to main 1 and might 2 . Ambiguity |?ambi?gyo?-it?| |?ømb??gj?w?di| |amb??gju??ti| noun ( pl. -ties) uncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language : we can detect no ambiguity in this section of the Act | ambiguities in such questions are potentially very dangerous. € a lack of decisiveness or commitment resulting from a failure to make a choice between alternatives : the film is fraught with moral ambiguity. ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French ambiguite or Latin ambiguitas, from ambiguus Œdoubtful¹ (see ambiguous ). Thesaurus ambiguity noun the ambiguity of the rule made it impossible to follow vagueness, obscurity, abstruseness, doubtfulness, uncertainty; formal dubiety; ambivalence, equivocation, double meaning. SignatureS Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. William Wagner <not-to-here-williamwag@gmail.com> wrote in news:not-to- here-williamwag-28C6BF.12501008072006@sn-indi.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net: > May is a wonderful word. May may be transposed to could . I think it > means ambiguity. [snip silly english lesson] Hey, you wanna talk about statins as "cures" that's your perogative. L. |
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