Title:The Beneficial Therapy with Colchicine for Atherosclerosis via Anti-inflammation and Decrease in Hypertriglyceridemia
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Michael Spartalis*, Eleftherios Spartalis, Eleni Tzatzaki, Diamantis I. Tsilimigras, Demetrios Moris, Christos Kontogiannis, Vaios Vasileios Kaminiotis, Stavroula A. Paschou, Sofia Chatzidou, Gerasimos Siasos, Vassilis Voudris and Dimitrios C. Iliopoulos
Affiliation:Division of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Division of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, "Aghia Sophia" Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, University of Athens, 11528 Athens, 1st Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, 11527 Athens, Division of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens
Keywords:Atherosclerosis, colchicine, coronary, inflammation, myocardial infarction, triglyceride.
Abstract:Background: Lipid-lowering therapy and control of cardiovascular risk factors are the
current recommendations of atherosclerotic disease management. Despite optimal treatment the rate
of acute coronary syndrome events remains high. Inflammation plays an essential role in the pathophysiology
of atherosclerotic plaque formation, progression and rupture, which conclusively causes
acute clinical episodes.
Objective: This review aims to give a conceptual description of the potential therapeutic benefits and
effects of colchicine in inflammation-mediated atherosclerotic disease and hypertriglyceridemia.
Method: A complete literature survey was performed using the PubMed database search to collect
available information regarding colchicine, atherosclerosis, and hypertriglyceridemia.
Results: A total of 42 studies met the selection criteria for inclusion in the review. Inflammation is a
well-known key mediator of atherogenesis in coronary artery disease. Colchicine has direct antiinflammatory
effects by inhibiting critical inflammatory signaling networks as the inflammasome,
pro-inflammatory cytokines, and expression of adhesion molecules, preventing both local
chemoattraction of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and systemic inflammation including the
decrease of the release of IL-1β by the neutrophils.
Conclusion: Colchicine reduces the levels of inflammatory markers, stabilizes the coronary plaque,
leads to more favorable cardiac healing after damage, and reduces the acute coronary syndromes
event recurrence. Colchicine reduces the myocardial infarct size, myocardial fibrosis, and improves
the hemodynamic parameters. Several studies report the potential attenuating role of colchicine on
triglyceride levels. Current evidence though regarding the pathophysiological mechanism of colchicine’s
triglyceride-lowering effect remains scarce.
