Suppression of the functionally coupled cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E synthase as a basis of simvastatin-dependent plaque stabilization in humans.

Background: The clinical benefits of statins are attributed to changes in plaque composition that lead to reduced metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and plaque stabilization. However, the molecular mechanism of this effect is unclear. Recently, we demonstrated enhanced expression of isoforms of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX) and PGE synthase (COX-2/mPGES) in human symptomatic plaque and provided evidence that this is associated with MMP-induced plaque rupture.