Statins inhibit cholesterol synthesis and are prescribed to those at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The widespread use of these drugs has promoted interest in their other effects: this study shows that statins affect phagocyte functions. Pre-treatment with statins increased the capacity of human neutrophils and macrophages to kill various bacteria in vitro, but paradoxically, statins decreased the ability of neutrophils to phagocytose Staphylococcus aureus or induce the oxidative burst
