Protein 'fights cholesterol drugs'

Research into the effect of protein on cholesterol-lowering drugs also showed that resistin increases the production of LDL in human liver cells, and reduced the liver's ability to clear "bad" cholesterol out of the body.

The protein accelerated the accumulation of LDL in arteries, leading to a narrowing of the blood vessels and an increased risk of heart disease.

Dr Shirya Rashid, from McMaster University in Canada, who led the research into the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs, said:

The discovery of resistin's role in raising cholesterol could lead to new therapeutic drugs that target the protein, she believes.

Dr Rashid's team showed that resistin increases the production of LDL in human liver cells, and reduced the liver's ability to clear "bad" cholesterol out of the body.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs taken by millions of people may sometimes not work effectively because of a protein secreted by fat tissue, say scientists.

Statins reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" form of cholesterol linked to heart disease. But up to 40% of those taking them are resistant to their effects, according to the authors of the new research.

The reason may be a fat-generated protein called resistin, scientists believe.

It not only causes high levels of LDL, but also counteracts the beneficial effects of statins.