Statins could be useful in organ transplantation

Statins have an effect on the immune system that is completely independent of their conventional use in reducing cholesterol levels.

Scientists in Switzerland have elucidated the mechanism by which statins seem able to confer benefit on patients receiving heart transplants. Their observations may lead to a reduction in the heavy use of potent drugs such as cyclosporin for all transplant patients (Nature Medicine 2000;6:1399-402).

Whereas the beneficial …