Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: A study conducted by researchers in China has identified a mechanism through which statins, commonly prescribed for cardiovascular disease, can increase the risk of glucose intolerance and diabetes.
- The study found that a gut microbiome deficient in Clostridium bacteria could lead to altered bile acid profiles, affecting glucose metabolism.
Statins are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol the liver makes and helping it remove cholesterol already in the blood.
They also lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol.
Statins can also help stabilize plaque, a waxy substance that can build up in arteries and interfere with blood flow.
