Epigenetics, cholesterol lowering and diabetes: a comparative study of statins and HDAC inhibitors

Abstract

Statins are widely used to lower cholesterol and thus reduce cardiovascular risk, although they increase diabetes risk. Butyrate, which is produced by gut bacteria and alters gene expression through epigenetic means, lowers cholesterol and protects against diabetes in animals. This thesis compares the effects of statins and butyrate on epigenetics, cholesterol metabolism and glucose metabolism in cultured cells. Both statins and butyrate lowered cellular cholesterol and impaired insulin secretion, although they acted through different mechanisms.