HMG coenzyme A reductase inhibitors are commonly known as what?

HMG coenzyme A reductase inhibitors are pharmacological agents that specifically target and inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a crucial role in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. The primary function of these inhibitors is to reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream, which is a significant factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases.

The term "statins" refers to this class of drugs, which includes well-known medications such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin. By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, statins effectively lower cholesterol levels and have been shown to decrease the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

In contrast, the other options refer to different classes of lipid-lowering or antioxidant medications that do not function through the same mechanism as statins. Fibrates, for instance, primarily lower triglyceride levels and can raise HDL (good cholesterol) but do not inhibit HMG-CoA reductase. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors work by preventing the absorption of dietary cholesterol rather than inhibiting its synthesis. Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation in the body but are not related to cholesterol metabolism in the same manner as statins. This specificity in function