Effects of Hypolipidemic Drugs on Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, systematic, inflammatory disease in which multiple metabolic and immunologic disturbances lead to lipid abnormalities, impaired glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and numerous metabolic disorders. In clinical practice, the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of lipid abnormalities are statins and fibrates. Statins are characterized by pleiotropic effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antiproliferative. They work by reducing the concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque. Fibrates are medications, which help to lower triglycerides, LDL, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels and increase lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In recent years, many new drugs were found to normalize the lipid profile in patients with psoriasis: glitazones (pioglitazone, troglitazone), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Pioglitazone improves the lipid profile, including the decrease of triglycerides, fatty acids, and LDL, as well as the increase of HDL. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs decrease modestly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The purpose of this study is to assess the current state of knowledge on the effect of different hypolipidemic treatments on the course of psoriasis. The study includes literature from medical databases PubMed and Google Scholar. We were browsing PubMed and Google Scholar until the beginning of December. The systematic review includes 41 eligible original articles.

Automated summary

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects various metabolic and immune processes, leading to lipid abnormalities, impaired glucose tolerance, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Statins and fibrates are commonly used drugs for treating lipid abnormalities in clinical practice. Statins reduce LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques, while fibrates lower triglycerides and LDL levels and increase HDL. New drugs like glitazones and GLP-1 receptor agonists have also shown potential in normalizing lipid profiles in psoriasis patients.