HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors Inhibit HCV RNA Replication of HCV Genotype 1b but Not 2a

Replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is regulated by statin, one of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reducatase (HMG CoA reductase) inhibitors that block mevalonate pathway and cholesterol biosyntheis, which has been used usefully for health improvement and disease control in clinic. In order to know which statin can be used to inhibit HCV replication, we examined the effects of HCV genotype 1b replication by 6 kinds of statins with different structure. We treated six statins to HCV genotype 1b replicon cell. Atorvastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, mevastatin, and lovastatin inhibited HCV RNA replication and HCV protein expression in HCV genotype 1b replicon cells, though pravastatin did not affect HCV replication. In order to know whether inhibition of HCV replication by statin is depended on HCV genotype, we treated the statins to HCV genotype 2a producing cells, and investigated HCV RNA replication and HCV protein expression. HCV RNA replication and protein expression was not affected in HCV genotype 2a producing cells by treatment of statins and cholesterol inhibitor. These results suggest that HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol inhibitors might be used depending on HCV genotype. In addition, inhibition of HCV genotype 1b replication by statins has been depended on structure of various statins which should be seriously selected for HCV clinic. In future, we will study on inhibition of another HCV genotype replication by HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol inhibitors.