Positive pleiotropic effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor on vitiligo

• Main Authors: Jobin Jean, Bergeron Jean, Gagné Claude, Noël Martin, Poirier Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2004-05-01
• Series: Lipids in Health and Disease
• Online Access: http://www.lipidworld.com/content/3/1/7

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are commonly used in medicine to control blood lipid disorder. Large clinical trials have demonstrated that statins greatly reduces cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality in patients with and without coronary artery disease. Also, the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors has been reported to have immunosuppressive effects.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe an unusual case of regression of vitiligo in a patient treated with high dose simvastatin. The relation between simvastatin and regression of vitiligo in this case report may be related to the autoimmune pathophysiology of the disease.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This unexpected beneficial impact provides another scientific credence to the hypothesis that immune mechanisms play a role in the development of vitiligo and that the use of statins as immuno-modulator could be of use not only for treatment relative to organ transplant but in other pathologies such as vitiligo.</p>