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Spencer Kroll MD PhD

Statins exert their action by inhibiting HMG CoA reductase that leads ultimately to an upregulation of LDL receptors. Statins inhibit thise rate limiting "committed" step in cholesterol synthesis. Upregulated LDL receptors will then more efficiently clear LDL cholesterol from the blood as it circulates through the liver. Inhibition of squalene synthesis may not have any effect on cholesterol synthesis or LDL receptor levels since there may be probably alternative pathways once mevalonic acid is produced. To my knowledge, squalene production inhibitors have been tried for cholesterol reduction with poor results.

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