Cerivastatin inhibits cholesterol synthesis via the mevalonate pathway by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. HMG-CoA reductase is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid, the rate-limiting step of cholesterol synthesis by this pathway. Cerivastatin bears a chemical resemblance to the reduced HMG-CoA reaction intermediate that is formed during catalysis. Cerivastatin, like fluvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, is one of the synthetically derived statins. Cholesterol biosynthesis accounts for approximately 80% of cholesterol in the body; thus, inhibiting this process can significantly lower cholesterol levels.
References