Lowering Cholesterol Increases Serotonin (and Dopamine) In Humans

[haidut]

In addition to increasing chances of getting cancer, lowering cholesterol with drugs seems to have another dangerous side effect. According to this study, in just 4 weeks statin use increased serotonin (and dopamine).

Hormonal changes with cholesterol reduction: a double-blind pilot study. - PubMed - NCBI

 

[narouz]

And thanks for this one too, haidut!

 

[Danmcakes]

I think the study found that decreasing cholesterol led to an increase in dopamine and serotonin levels...My guess is Haidut just accidentally misread it....unless I have missed something here which is also possible..

"Following cholesterol-lowering drug treatment, the
patients in our sample had significant increases in
plasma dopamine and HVA levels concomitant
with a significant reduction in total serum choles-
terol levels. Plasma levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA
did not significantly change, although a trend
toward an increase in serotonin levels was
observed. Serum levels of a glucocorticoid (cortisol)
and sex steroid (testosterone) and of the steroid
precursor (pregnenolone) did not significantly
change. This is despite a significant decrease in
levels of cholesterol, which is the immediate pre-
cursor of pregnenolone. This latter finding suggests
that compensatory steroidogenic mechanisms
maintain steroidal homeostasis in the face of cholesterol reduction."

 

[Dante]

Increase in both dopamine and serotonin, no idea how to interpret this

 

[haidut]

I think the study found that decreasing cholesterol led to an increase in dopamine and serotonin levels...My guess is Haidut just accidentally misread it....unless I have missed something here which is also possible..

"Following cholesterol-lowering drug treatment, the
patients in our sample had significant increases in
plasma dopamine and HVA levels concomitant
with a significant reduction in total serum choles-
terol levels. Plasma levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA
did not significantly change, although a trend
toward an increase in serotonin levels was
observed. Serum levels of a glucocorticoid (cortisol)
and sex steroid (testosterone) and of the steroid
precursor (pregnenolone) did not significantly
change. This is despite a significant decrease in
levels of cholesterol, which is the immediate pre-
cursor of pregnenolone. This latter finding suggests
that compensatory steroidogenic mechanisms
maintain steroidal homeostasis in the face of cholesterol reduction."

Ooops, yes I misread it. OK, I will edit the original post. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Danmcakes]

Ooops, yes I misread it. OK, I will edit the original post. Thanks for pointing it out.

You're welcome...at least I know for sure now that you are human:)

 

[thyrulian]

I think the study found that decreasing cholesterol led to an increase in dopamine and serotonin levels...My guess is Haidut just accidentally misread it....unless I have missed something here which is also possible..

"Following cholesterol-lowering drug treatment, the
patients in our sample had significant increases in
plasma dopamine and HVA levels concomitant
with a significant reduction in total serum choles-
terol levels. Plasma levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA
did not significantly change, although a trend
toward an increase in serotonin levels was
observed. Serum levels of a glucocorticoid (cortisol)
and sex steroid (testosterone) and of the steroid
precursor (pregnenolone) did not significantly
change. This is despite a significant decrease in
levels of cholesterol, which is the immediate pre-
cursor of pregnenolone. This latter finding suggests
that compensatory steroidogenic mechanisms
maintain steroidal homeostasis in the face of cholesterol reduction."

It seems that (chronic) stress suppresses the function of monoamine oxidase A and this would provide further confirmation of that along with the importance of cholesterol in restraining stress!