Serum Cholesterol—Lowering Activity of Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
- Stephen D. Nimer, MD;
- Richard E. Champlin, MD;
- David W. Golde, MD
Abstract
Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a glycoprotein hormone that stimulates the growth of hematopoietic progenitor cells and enhances the functional activity of mature myeloid effector cells. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was administered to eight patients with severe aplastic anemia in an attempt to restore adequate hematopoiesis. Profound decreases in serum cholesterol concentrations were observed during GM-CSF therapy that were not dependent on changes in the patients' peripheral blood cell counts. Serum cholesterol levels decreased by an average of 37% during treatment, reaching levels of less than 4.40 mmol/L in all patients. Serum cholesterol concentrations returned to baseline in all patients after discontinuation of GM-CSF therapy. Treatment with GM-CSF prominently alters cholesterol homeostasis in vivo, although the mechanism of this effect is unknown. Our results suggest that GM-CSF may be potentially useful in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and, possibly, in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
(JAMA 1988;260:3297-3300)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to the Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, CHS Bldg, Room 42-121, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1678 (Dr Nimer).
