Potential mechanisms leading to the abnormal lipid profile in patients with rheumatoid arthritis versus healthy volunteers and reversal by tofacitinib.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Tofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Systemic inflammation is proposed to play a fundamental role in the altered lipid metabolism associated with RA; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We undertook this study to compare cholesterol and lipoprotein kinetics in patients with active RA with those in matched healthy volunteers.

Methods

This was a phase I open-label mechanism-of-action study. Cholesterol and lipoprotein kinetics were assessed with (13) C-cholesterol and (13) C-leucine infusions. RA patients were reevaluated after receiving oral tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily for 6 weeks.

Results

Levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholest

SUBMITTER: Charles-Schoeman C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5024065 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature