A Painful Side Effect of Statins Explained After Decades of Mystery

Researchers from Columbia University and the University of Rochester found a possible mechanism behind statin muscle side effects.

In mouse studies and cryo-electron microscopy, statins such as simvastatin appeared to bind to the ryanodine receptor 1 in muscle cells.

That binding may force the channel open, causing calcium leakage that could help explain statin-associated muscle symptoms and, in severe cases, muscle damage.

The finding could improve understanding of statin intolerance and help guide safer cholesterol-treatment use.