Oatp (Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide)-Mediated Transport: A Mechanism for Atorvastatin Neuroprotection in Stroke.

Background: Drug discovery for stroke is challenging as indicated by poor clinical translatability. In contrast, HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase inhibitors (ie, statins) improve poststroke neurological outcomes. This property requires transport across the blood-brain barrier via an endogenous uptake transporter (ie, Oatp1a4 [organic anion transporting polypeptide 1a4]).