Cholesterol-lowering effect of hydroxychloroquine in patients with rheumatic disease: Reversal of deleterious effects of steroids on lipids

doi:10.1016/0002-9343(90)90345-E

The American Journal of Medicine

Volume 89, Issue 3, September 1990, Pages 322-326

https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9343(90)90345-E Get rights and content

Abstract

purpose: The effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and high- (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.

patients and methods: A total of 155 women were divided into the following treatment groups: Group A: patients taking HCQ and no steroids (n = 58); Group B: patients taking steroids and no HCQ (n = 35); Group C: patients receiving both HCQ and steroids (n = 18); and Group D: patients receiving neither HCQ nor steroids (n = 44).

results: HCQ therapy had a high statistical association with low serum levels of cholesterol (181 mg/dL; p = 0.0006), triglycerides (106 mg/dL; p = 0.0459), and LDL (101 mg/dL; p = 0.0004), irrespective of concomitant steroid administration. The HCQ-treated group (A) had lower cholesterol (181 mg/dL; p = 0.0039) and LDL (101 mg/dL; p = 0.007) levels than those receiving neither HCQ nor steroids (205 mg/dL) and 128 mg/dL) (Group D). No HDL differences were observed.

conclusion: The effects of HCQ do not appear to be due to changes in diet or weight, and the drug was well tolerated. Although the mechanism of cholesterol lowering by HCQ is not known, this drug deserves further investigation for its lipid-lowering properties.

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Citation Excerpt :
An additional indirect effect of HCQ on thrombosis is its ability to improve blood lipid profile. Studies in SLE and RA patients treated with steroids have evidenced lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels [92]. These data were confirmed in further SLE cohorts treated with HCQ in association with steroids: the treatment decreased total cholesterol and VLDL level and increased HDL cholesterol [93,94].
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Clinical studyCholesterol-lowering effect of hydroxychloroquine in patients with rheumatic disease: Reversal of deleterious effects of steroids on lipids

Abstract

J Biol Chem

J Biol Chem

Metabolism

Atherosclerosis

Am J Med

Am J Med

J Lipid Res

Biochem Pharmacol

Biochim Biophys Acta

Prevention of post-operative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Br Med J

Platelets, drugs and thrombosis

Prevention of post-operative deep vein thrombosis in legs by orally administered hydroxychloroquine

Br Med J

Prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis by hydroxychloroquine sulfate and heparin

Surg Gynecol Obstet

Does hydroxychloroquine sulfate prevent clot formation in systemic lupus erythematosus?

Arthritis Rheum

Inhibition of hepatic cholesterol synthesis by chloroquine

Lipids

Biological activity of some oxygenated sterols

Science

Can chloroquine be of value in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia?

Artery

Serum lipoprotein in active rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory arthritides. II. Effects of anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying drug treatment

Arch Intern Med

Clinical study
Cholesterol-lowering effect of hydroxychloroquine in patients with rheumatic disease: Reversal of deleterious effects of steroids on lipids