This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Hypolipidemic, Subject name: Pharmacology
Lovastatin causes 
Select and explain. 
A. Increased LDL receptor, B. Decreased HDL cholesterol, C. Decreased LDL cholesterol, D. Increased SGOT/SGPT ratio
A: Increased LDL receptor
Answer: A: Increased LDL receptor 
Explanation: Ans. is 'a' and 'c' i.e., Increased LDL receptor and Decreased LDL cholesterol Statins -Mechanism of action -Decrease the synthesis of cholesterol by inhibition of rate limiting enzyme HMG CoA. reductase.Effect on lipids Decrease in lipids Decrease Triglycerides Increase HDLStatins decrease synthesis of cholesterol by liver (inhibition of HMG CoA reductase). This leads to compensatory increase in LDL receptor expression on liver cells.Increased LDL receptor causes increase uptake and catabolism of IDL and LDL. This reduces LDL and IDL concentration.Other important points about statinsStatins are administered at bed time to obtain maximum effectiveness.Simvastatin is more potent than lovastatinSimvastatin has extensive first pass metabolismPravastatin causes decrease in fibrinogen level.Statins cause myopathy and lens opacity