A primary cholesterol-lowering drug can also prevent flu and other viruses from replicating.

What is it about?

Influenza and other viruses readily infect cells in culture and, in replicating, they surround themselves with lipid (fat) membranes. Interfering with the processing of these lipids prevents the replication of these viruses as determined by several criteria. Atorvastatin (Lipitor (r) works well at concentrations similar to those used to lower cholesterol, but blocking individual pathways to synthesis of fats or cholesterol does not.

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Why is it important?

Using a widely-used medicine or something similar, it should be possible to reduce the severity of a recently-acquired flu infection. This approach could be potentially valuable against other viruses as well, and its potential as a prophylactic (preventive) treatment remains to be explored.