Researchers Find Why Statins Can Cause Muscle Pain
In short
- Statins can attach to a protein in muscle cells and hold open a calcium channel.
- The channel leak can potentially damage muscle tissue, the researchers found.
- Advanced imaging technology made the mechanism visible.
Why the Good News Desk likes this one
Statins prevent heart attacks and strokes for many people, but muscle pain has been a reason some stop taking them. The finding names a specific mechanism, a protein that releases calcium in muscle cells. Whether this leads to safer drugs or treatments is not yet stated in the source.
From ScienceDaily
Scientists have uncovered a surprising reason why statins, the widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs that help prevent heart attacks and strokes, can sometimes cause muscle pain, weakness, and even severe muscle damage. Using advanced imaging technology, researchers discovered that statins can attach to a crucial protein in muscle cells and force open a channel that normally controls calcium flow. This causes calcium to leak continuously, potentially damaging muscle tissue.
