Lanosterol synthase disease prevention and treatment (see Disease Relevance, below). Interest has grown in lanosterol synthase inhibitors as drugs to lower blood cholesterol and treat atherosclerosis. The widely popular statin drugs currently used to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol function by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity. Because this enzyme catalyzes the formation of precursors far upstream of (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene and cholesterol, statins may negatively influence amounts of intermediates required for other biosynthetic pathways (e.g. synthesis of isoprenoids, coenzyme Q). Thus, lanosterol synthase, which is more closely tied to cholesterol biosynthesis than HMG-CoA reductase, is an attractive drug target. Lanosterol synthase inhibitors are thought to
Masquerade in Blood the second and last for drummer Atomic Steif, since the former was arrested in 1996 for possession of drugs, while the latter left the band for personal reasons. "Masquerade in Blood" continues in the same crossover thrash vein as their previous studio effort "Get What You Deserve" (which was released in the previous year), however it is most notable for introducing a new groove metal style, with "overwhelming" death metal being present on select songs. AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia gave the album two stars out of five, noting it as being "something of a return to form" for the band. However,