Component

Lovastatin hydroxy acid / monacolin KA

Context-specific entity; species, compartment and exposure are stated on each claim.

7 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

Read recorded mechanisms Open recursive mind map

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What acts on it

  1. The original monacolin K study prepared acid forms by saponifying lactones in 0.1 N NaOH at 50 degrees C for two hours.

    Lovastatin / monacolin K lactone → Lovastatin hydroxy acid / monacolin KA source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary PDF, Methods p334
    experimental_model
    Chemical preparation for the 1980 biochemical study.
    limitations
    These laboratory conditions are not a claim about the rate or enzyme of human conversion.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    Opening the lactone ring produces a different chemical form.
    primary_references
    [7380744] Monacolin K, a new hypocholesterolemic agent that specifically inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. · 1980 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7380744/ · DOI 10.7164/antibiotics.33.334

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 44–50

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Chemical preparation for the 1980 biochemical study. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-acid-preparation Opening the lactone ring produces a different chemical form. The original monacolin K study prepared acid forms by saponifying lactones in 0.1 N NaOH at 50 degrees C for two hours. Model: Chemical preparation for the 1980 biochemical study. Limitations: These laboratory conditions are not a claim about the rate or enzyme of human conversion. Evidence access: Primary PDF, Methods p334 [7380744] Monacolin K, a new hypocholesterolemic agent that specifically inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. · 1980 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7380744/ · DOI 10.7164/antibiotics.33.334
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. Twelve products labeled 600 mg per capsule contained 0.00–2.30 mg monacolin KA per capsule, alongside variable lactone and total monacolins.

    Red yeast rice → Lovastatin hydroxy acid / monacolin KA source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract
    experimental_model
    Commercial formulations analyzed in 2006–2008.
    limitations
    Do not infer acid/lactone proportions from the red yeast rice mass on a label.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    Acid-form content also varied.
    primary_references
    [20975018] Marked variability of monacolin levels in commercial red yeast rice products: buyer beware! · 2010 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20975018/ · DOI 10.1001/archinternmed.2010.382

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 28–34

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Commercial formulations analyzed in 2006–2008. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-acid-variability Acid-form content also varied. Twelve products labeled 600 mg per capsule contained 0.00–2.30 mg monacolin KA per capsule, alongside variable lactone and total monacolins. Model: Commercial formulations analyzed in 2006–2008. Limitations: Do not infer acid/lactone proportions from the red yeast rice mass on a label. Evidence access: Primary abstract [20975018] Marked variability of monacolin levels in commercial red yeast rice products: buyer beware! · 2010 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20975018/ · DOI 10.1001/archinternmed.2010.382
    Complete structured claim and evidence

Where it participates (unsigned role)

  1. Gemfibrozil 600 mg twice daily increased lovastatin-acid peak concentration and exposure area after LipoCol Forte in 13 volunteers.

    Gemfibrozil → Human plasma exposure to lovastatin hydroxy acid source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_access
    Primary full text PMC3513969
    experimental_model
    Human short-course gemfibrozil followed by one LipoCol Forte capsule.
    limitations
    The trial did not establish a unique responsible transporter or enzyme, nor measure a muscle-injury incidence.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    A coadministered drug increased exposure to the active acid.
    primary_references
    [23227093] Interaction between Red Yeast Rice and CYP450 Enzymes/P-Glycoprotein and Its Implication for the Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Lovastatin. · 2012 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23227093/ · DOI 10.1155/2012/127043
    trigger_kind
    biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 164–170

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human short-course gemfibrozil followed by one LipoCol Forte capsule. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-gemfibrozil-acid A coadministered drug increased exposure to the active acid. Gemfibrozil 600 mg twice daily increased lovastatin-acid peak concentration and exposure area after LipoCol Forte in 13 volunteers. Model: Human short-course gemfibrozil followed by one LipoCol Forte capsule. Limitations: The trial did not establish a unique responsible transporter or enzyme, nor measure a muscle-injury incidence. Evidence access: Primary full text PMC3513969 [23227093] Interaction between Red Yeast Rice and CYP450 Enzymes/P-Glycoprotein and Its Implication for the Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Lovastatin. · 2012 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23227093/ · DOI 10.1155/2012/127043
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. In the same experiment, lovastatin-acid peak concentration rose about fourfold and exposure area about fivefold.

    Double-strength grapefruit juice in the 1998 lovastatin study → Human plasma exposure to lovastatin hydroxy acid source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract
    experimental_model
    Ten healthy volunteers; 80 mg prescription lovastatin.
    limitations
    First-pass CYP3A4 inhibition was the proposed explanation, not a measured effect on all red yeast rice products.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    The two chemical forms had different exposure changes.
    primary_references
    [9585793] Grapefruit juice greatly increases serum concentrations of lovastatin and lovastatin acid. · 1998 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9585793/ · DOI 10.1016/S0009-9236(98)90034-0

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 188–194

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Ten healthy volunteers; 80 mg prescription lovastatin. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-grapefruit-acid The two chemical forms had different exposure changes. In the same experiment, lovastatin-acid peak concentration rose about fourfold and exposure area about fivefold. Model: Ten healthy volunteers; 80 mg prescription lovastatin. Limitations: First-pass CYP3A4 inhibition was the proposed explanation, not a measured effect on all red yeast rice products. Evidence access: Primary abstract [9585793] Grapefruit juice greatly increases serum concentrations of lovastatin and lovastatin acid. · 1998 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9585793/ · DOI 10.1016/S0009-9236(98)90034-0
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. Itraconazole 100 mg daily for four days increased lovastatin peak concentration about 15-fold and exposure area more than 15-fold after a 40 mg dose in ten volunteers.

    Itraconazole → Human plasma exposure to lovastatin source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract
    experimental_model
    Randomized crossover prescription-lovastatin study; lovastatin-acid exposure also increased.
    limitations
    The numerical magnitude belongs to this drug regimen, not to untested red yeast rice preparations.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    A drug interaction can substantially change constituent exposure.
    primary_references
    [9690949] Different effects of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics of fluvastatin and lovastatin. · 1998 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9690949/ · DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1998.00034.x

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 196–202

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Randomized crossover prescription-lovastatin study; lovastatin-acid exposure also increased. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-itraconazole A drug interaction can substantially change constituent exposure. Itraconazole 100 mg daily for four days increased lovastatin peak concentration about 15-fold and exposure area more than 15-fold after a 40 mg dose in ten volunteers. Model: Randomized crossover prescription-lovastatin study; lovastatin-acid exposure also increased. Limitations: The numerical magnitude belongs to this drug regimen, not to untested red yeast rice preparations. Evidence access: Primary abstract [9690949] Different effects of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics of fluvastatin and lovastatin. · 1998 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9690949/ · DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1998.00034.x
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  4. In 14 volunteers, single doses of one, two or four LipoCol Forte capsules produced dose-related lovastatin and lovastatin-acid exposure; one capsule twice daily for five days produced no significant accumulation.

    LipoCol Forte red yeast rice preparation studied in 2012 → Human plasma exposure to lovastatin hydroxy acid source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_access
    Primary full text PMC3513969
    experimental_model
    Human fed-state dose and repeat-dose study; 600 mg per capsule.
    limitations
    Does not establish identical kinetics for other formulations, chronic use or interacting-drug conditions.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    The measured product had a defined short-term exposure profile.
    primary_references
    [23227093] Interaction between Red Yeast Rice and CYP450 Enzymes/P-Glycoprotein and Its Implication for the Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Lovastatin. · 2012 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23227093/ · DOI 10.1155/2012/127043
    trigger_kind
    biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 148–154

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human fed-state dose and repeat-dose study; 600 mg per capsule. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-lipocol-dose-response The measured product had a defined short-term exposure profile. In 14 volunteers, single doses of one, two or four LipoCol Forte capsules produced dose-related lovastatin and lovastatin-acid exposure; one capsule twice daily for five days produced no significant accumulation. Model: Human fed-state dose and repeat-dose study; 600 mg per capsule. Limitations: Does not establish identical kinetics for other formulations, chronic use or interacting-drug conditions. Evidence access: Primary full text PMC3513969 [23227093] Interaction between Red Yeast Rice and CYP450 Enzymes/P-Glycoprotein and Its Implication for the Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Lovastatin. · 2012 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23227093/ · DOI 10.1155/2012/127043
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  5. Monacolin K inhibited lipid labeling from acetate or HMG-CoA, but did not inhibit incorporation from supplied mevalonate at concentrations up to 10 mM.

    Lovastatin / monacolin K lactone → Mevalonate source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary PDF, p335 visually inspected
    experimental_model
    Rat liver cell-free nonsaponifiable-lipid synthesis; lactone and acid preparations tested.
    limitations
    A biochemical bypass is not a clinical repletion strategy; the 10 mM figure applies to tested monacolin concentrations, not human exposure.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    Supplying the downstream intermediate bypassed the inhibited step in this assay.
    primary_references
    [7380744] Monacolin K, a new hypocholesterolemic agent that specifically inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. · 1980 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7380744/ · DOI 10.7164/antibiotics.33.334

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 68–74

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Rat liver cell-free nonsaponifiable-lipid synthesis; lactone and acid preparations tested. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-mevalonate-bypass Supplying the downstream intermediate bypassed the inhibited step in this assay. Monacolin K inhibited lipid labeling from acetate or HMG-CoA, but did not inhibit incorporation from supplied mevalonate at concentrations up to 10 mM. Model: Rat liver cell-free nonsaponifiable-lipid synthesis; lactone and acid preparations tested. Limitations: A biochemical bypass is not a clinical repletion strategy; the 10 mM figure applies to tested monacolin concentrations, not human exposure. Evidence access: Primary PDF, p335 visually inspected [7380744] Monacolin K, a new hypocholesterolemic agent that specifically inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. · 1980 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7380744/ · DOI 10.7164/antibiotics.33.334
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.

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