The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with hyperlipidemia.
1-6 In addition to the ability of statins to decrease serum cholesterol levels, recent studies in animals showed that these agents have pharmacologic effects on bones. Mundy et al
7 recently reported substantial increases in bone formation and trabecular bone volume in female rats after 5 weeks of oral simvastatin administration. Additional animal studies indicated that statins may decrease the severity of steroid-induced osteonecrosis.
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