Q.

Which of the following is a commercial blood cholesterol lowering agent               [2019]

1 Lipases  
2 Cyclosporin A  
3 Statin  
4 Streptokinase  

Ans.

(3)

Statins are products of fermentation activity of yeast Monascus purpureus which resemble mevalonate and are competitive inhibitors of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl or HMG CoA reductase. This inhibits cholesterol synthesis. Statins are, therefore, used in lowering blood cholesterol, e.g., lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin.