What does this 'may' mean?

Question

Role of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Neurological Disorders: Progress to Date
Abstract:
Inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase (statins) are cholesterol-lowering agents that dramatically
reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with established cardiovascular disease. In addition, they exhibit pleiotropic effects that operate independently of lipid modification.
Statin administration results in greater nitric oxide bioavailability, improved endothelial
function, enhanced cerebral blood flow, immune modulation with anti-inflammatory action,
decreased platelet aggregation and antioxidant activity. Some or all of these effects may
improve outcome or ameliorate symptoms in neurological disorders. This article examines the potential role of statins in treating stroke, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and
Parkinson's disease. Studies are ongoing in this controversial area, but there are no firm
conclusions. The appropriateness of initiating statin therapy for neurological disorders is not
established at this time. The exception is stroke, in which recurrence is significantly reduced
by statin therapy.

Guess you guys read fast, so put the whole abstract here. The may in red is what I'm referring to. Does it mean 'is possible to' or 'can', my choice is the first, but don't know if it's right. Thanks in advance.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Statin administration produces certain results. (five or six of them) Your author doesn't put any "maybe's" in the first link. But he puts a double maybe into the next link (as to whether they're beneficial in the treatment of the listed neurological disorders. Some or all of these five or six may - The "or" allows that perhaps #3 - or #5 - or both - have no effect at all in treating the listed neurological dosorders. He admits there are no firm conclusions. Among the others, there may be some benefits.

So he neither confirms nor denies. He doesn't rule out that some, or any one, of these five or six "effects of statins" may be beneficial in treating some of the listed neurological diseases. Neither does he claim positive evidence of specific benefits.

The reason I say five or six effects is that I don't understand this phrase: << decreased platelet aggregation and antioxidant activity >> . Does he mean both are decreased, or only platelet aggregation?? (Is antioxidant activity increases or decreased?)

Edit.<< The may in red is what I'm referring to. Does it mean 'is possible to' or 'can', >>

In this case, I see "is possible to" and "can" as synonymous (along with "may").

A masterpiece in noncommittment

The only thing he commits to is this: << they exhibit pleiotropic effects that operate independently of lipid modification. >>

Further, as to the the effectiveness in treating neurological disorders, he adds a third "maybe" by his remark, << improve outcome or ameliorate symptoms >> , which evokes the now-popular adage, "You're not treating the disease, you're just treating the symptoms."

- A.

Ecopsy · Answer

AvangiThe reason I say five or six effects is that I don't understand this phrase: << decreased platelet aggregation and antioxidant activity >> . Does he mean both are decreased, or only platelet aggregation?? (Is antioxidant activity increases or decreased?)

Edit.<< The may in red is what I'm referring to. Does it mean 'is possible to' or 'can', >>

In this case, I see "is possible to" and "can" as synonymous (along with "may").

A masterpiece in noncommittment

The only thing he commits to is this: << they exhibit pleiotropic effects that operate independently of lipid modification. >>

First I'd like to thank you for you time.

I think only platelet aggregation is decreased, so there should be six effects.

The "can" I used meant "be able to".

btw, can I substitute the "independently of" in the last sentence I quoted for "besides".
Best Wishes. -EP

Avangi · Answer

I'm assuming you want to replace "independently of" with "besides," or you want to substitute "besides" for "independently of."

If you do exactly what you suggest, it will not make sense.

You can say, "They exhibit pleiotropic effects besides (in addition to) producing lipid modification."

I'm not sure I can explain this. Why did I have to change the verb?

"Exhibiting an effect" and "producing an effect" seem the same, but there's a subtle difference. If you want me to go into it, let me know.

Your suggested change would read, "They exhibit pleiotropic effects that operate besides lipid modification." I'm sure you didn't mean that.

I'm not sure where we are on "may" and "can." Are you saying that "is possible to" = "be able to," or are you asking if that is so - or something else?

Rgdz, - A.

Ecopsy · Answer

Thank you again, A.
The first part of your reply makes me know how much attention I should pay when communicating with a native speaker. And I also see how precise English language is in this case. The two points are even more important than the question itself. I now no longer think I can post without making mistakes(misunderstanding) without the help of a dictionary. So next time I'll put more effort to make others know what exactly I'm meaning.
About the verb "can", I'm not saying "is possible to"="be able to", but I think it can have two meanings in different sentences, the first is close to "is possible to" and the second is "be able to", is this true. The following are examples:
1.Tom can write when he is two.
2.This can't be true.
-EP

Avangi · Answer

You're right about "can." The answer to number 16 can be "plus 6.2." It can also be "minus 6.2."

Her Testarossa can do zero to sixty in 3.9 seconds.

Don't let worries about perfection stiffle you. Sometimes it's good to just let it flow. At other times it's good to go for the details.

Anonymous · Answer

"May" communicates the idea of possibility.  "Can" carries the idea of possibility too, but because "Can' also is used to communicate ability - it conveys more certainty than "May".

What does this 'may' mean?

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