Simvastatin is a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase with K_d of 0.1-0.2 nM.

Ki: 0.1-0.2 nM (HMG-CoA reductase)

Prior to use in cell assays, simvastatin needs to be activated by NaOH in EtOH treatment. Simvastatin inhibits cholesterol synthesis in mouse L-M cell (fibroblast), rat H4II E cell (liver), and human Hep G2 cell (liver) with IC₅₀ of 19.3 nM, 13.3 nM and 15.6 nM, respectively^[1]. Simvastatin treatment leads to a dose-dependent increase in serine 473 phosphorylation of Akt within 30 minutes, with maximal phosphorylation occurring at 1.0 µM. Simvastatin (1.0 μM) enhances phosphorylation of the endogenous Akt substrate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inhibits serum-free media undergo apoptosis and accelerates vascular structure formation^[2]. Simvastatin displays anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. Simvastatin (10 μM) reduces anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibody-stimulated proliferation of PB-derived mononuclear cells and synovial fluid cells from rheumatoid arthritis blood, as well as IFN-γ release. Simvastatin (10 μM) suppresses cell-mediated macrophage TNF-γ release induced via cognate interactions by appr 30%^[3].

Simvastatin orally administration inhibits the conversion of radiolabeled acetate to cholesterol with IC₅₀ of 0.2 mg/kg^[1]. Simvastatin (4 mg/day) orally administration for 13 weeks to rabbits fed an atherogenci cholesterol-rich diet, returns the cholesterol-induced increases in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol to normal level^[4]. Simvastatin (6 mg/kg) produces an increase in LDL receptor-dependent binding and increases the number of hepatic LDL receptors in rabbits fed a diet containing 0.25% cholesterol^[5]. Simvastatin influences inflammation independent of its effect on plasma cholesterol level. In cynomolgus monkeys consumed an atherogenic diet, Simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) induces a 1.3-fold less macrophage content in lesions, and 2-fold less vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-1beta, and tissue factor expression, companied by a 2.1-fold increases in lesional smooth muscle cell and collagen content^[6].

• [1]. Slater, E.E., et al. Mechanism of action and biological profile of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. A new therapeutic alternative. Drugs, 1988. 36 Suppl 3: p. 72-82.

  [2]. Kureishi, Y., et al. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin activates the protein kinase Akt and promotes angiogenesis in normocholesterolemic animals. Nat Med, 2000. 6(9): p. 1004-10.

  [3]. Leung BP, et al. A novel anti-inflammatory role for simvastatin in inflammatory arthritis. J Immunol. 2003 Feb 1;170(3):1524-30.

  [4]. Kobayashi M, et al. Preventive effect of MK-733 (simvastatin), an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, on hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1989 Jan;49(1):125-33.

  [5]. Ishida F, et al. Comparative effects of simvastatin (MK-733) and pravastatin (CS-514) on hypercholesterolemia induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1990 Feb 23;1042(3):365-73.

  [6]. Sukhova GK, et al. Statins reduce inflammation in atheroma of nonhuman primates independent of effects on serum cholesterol. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2002 Sep 1;22(9):1452-8.

  [7]. Zhongzhong Liu, et al. Pretreatment Donors after Circulatory Death with Simvastatin Alleviates Liver Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through a KLF2-dependent Mechanism in Rat. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 24 July 2017.

For assessment of Akt protein kinase activity in vitro, substrate (2 μg histone H2B or 25 μg eNOS peptide) is incubated with Akt immunoprecipitated from cell lysate using goat polyclonal anti-Akt1 antibody. Kinase reactions are initiated following the addition of reaction components to a final concentration of ATP (50 μM) containing 10 μCi of ³²P-γATP, dithiotreitol (1 mM), HEPES buffer (20 mM, pH 7.4), MnCl₂ (10 mM), MgCl₂ (10 mM). After incubation for 30 min at 30°C, phosphorylated histone H2B is visualized after SDS-PAGE (15%) and autoradiography. To estimate the extent of ³²P incorporation into eNOS peptides, each reaction mixture is measured by spotting onto phosphocellulose disc filter and the amount of phosphate incorporated is measured by Cerenkov counting. The wild-type peptide sequence is 1174-RIRTQSFSLQERHLRGAVPWA-1194, and the mutant eNOS peptide is identical except that serine 1179 is substituted by alanine. MCE has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Thirty-nine adult male cynomolgus monkeys are initially fed a moderately atherogenic diet containing 0.28 mg cholesterol per calorie of diet, with 16.7% from protein, 45.1% from lipids, and 38.1% from carbohydrates. After consuming the atherogenic diet for 3 months, the monkeys are divided into 3 groups (n=13 each) that are equivalent in their total plasma cholesterol (TPC), LDL-C, and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations; these groups consume the atherogenic diet and receive statin (or control) treatment for an additional 15 months. Control monkeys are fed the atherogenic diet with no added statins. Prava-treated monkeys have 40 mg Prava/kg body wt per day added to the atherogenic diet. Simvastatin (Simva)-treated monkeys consumed 20 mg Simva/kg body wt per day. MCE has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

• [1]. Slater, E.E., et al. Mechanism of action and biological profile of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. A new therapeutic alternative. Drugs, 1988. 36 Suppl 3: p. 72-82.

  [2]. Kureishi, Y., et al. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin activates the protein kinase Akt and promotes angiogenesis in normocholesterolemic animals. Nat Med, 2000. 6(9): p. 1004-10.

  [3]. Leung BP, et al. A novel anti-inflammatory role for simvastatin in inflammatory arthritis. J Immunol. 2003 Feb 1;170(3):1524-30.

  [4]. Kobayashi M, et al. Preventive effect of MK-733 (simvastatin), an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, on hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1989 Jan;49(1):125-33.

  [5]. Ishida F, et al. Comparative effects of simvastatin (MK-733) and pravastatin (CS-514) on hypercholesterolemia induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1990 Feb 23;1042(3):365-73.

  [6]. Sukhova GK, et al. Statins reduce inflammation in atheroma of nonhuman primates independent of effects on serum cholesterol. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2002 Sep 1;22(9):1452-8.

  [7]. Zhongzhong Liu, et al. Pretreatment Donors after Circulatory Death with Simvastatin Alleviates Liver Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through a KLF2-dependent Mechanism in Rat. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 24 July 2017.

418.57

C₂₅H₃₈O₅

79902-63-9

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere

10 mM in DMSO

Simvastatin is prepared in vehicle (DMSO 0.1%)^[7].

* "<1 mg/ml"="" means="" slightly="" soluble="" or="" insoluble.="" "≥"="" means="" soluble,="" but="" saturation="">

• [1]. Slater, E.E., et al. Mechanism of action and biological profile of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. A new therapeutic alternative. Drugs, 1988. 36 Suppl 3: p. 72-82.

  [2]. Kureishi, Y., et al. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin activates the protein kinase Akt and promotes angiogenesis in normocholesterolemic animals. Nat Med, 2000. 6(9): p. 1004-10.

  [3]. Leung BP, et al. A novel anti-inflammatory role for simvastatin in inflammatory arthritis. J Immunol. 2003 Feb 1;170(3):1524-30.

  [4]. Kobayashi M, et al. Preventive effect of MK-733 (simvastatin), an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, on hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1989 Jan;49(1):125-33.

  [5]. Ishida F, et al. Comparative effects of simvastatin (MK-733) and pravastatin (CS-514) on hypercholesterolemia induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1990 Feb 23;1042(3):365-73.

  [6]. Sukhova GK, et al. Statins reduce inflammation in atheroma of nonhuman primates independent of effects on serum cholesterol. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2002 Sep 1;22(9):1452-8.

  [7]. Zhongzhong Liu, et al. Pretreatment Donors after Circulatory Death with Simvastatin Alleviates Liver Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through a KLF2-dependent Mechanism in Rat. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 24 July 2017.