Chinese researchers have discovered a new compound that can help lower cholesterol¹ levels in the blood.

中国研究人员发现了一种新的化合物，可以帮助降低血液中的胆固醇水平。

Long-term high levels of cholesterol in the blood can cause atherosclerosis, which may lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

血液中如果长期存在高水平的胆固醇，会导致动脉粥样硬化，进而引发心脑血管疾病。

Statins are the main clinical cholesterol-lowering drugs and are widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, statins increase side effects after treatment.

他汀类药物是目前临床上主要的降胆固醇药物，广泛应用于心脑血管疾病的防治。然而，采用他汀类药物治疗会产生副作用。

After a series of compound design and activity analysis, researchers from Wuhan University discovered a new compound that can lower cholesterol.

武汉大学的科研人员经过一系列化合物设计、优化和活性分析，发现了这种可以降低胆固醇的新化合物。

The compound Cmpd 81 reduced cholesterol levels as well as the formation of atherosclerotic plaques² in mice with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. When this compound is combined with statins, it can further lower cholesterol levels.

这一化合物在高胆固醇血症和动脉粥样硬化小鼠模型中试验时，可降低胆固醇水平和减少动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成。这一化合物和他汀类药物联合应用时，可进一步降低胆固醇水平。

The research has broad application prospects³ in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The screening system in the research as well as the compound have been put in for patent applications.

这一研究成果在心脑血管疾病的治疗中具有广阔的应用前景。目前，此项研究相关的筛选系统和化合物均已申请专利。

The research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

这项最新研究成果发表在《自然通讯》期刊上。