Effect of glucocorticoids on serum lipid profile and endothelial function and arterial wall mechanics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of glucocorticoids on lipid profile, endothelial function and arterial wall mechanics in children. METHODS: Thirty patients who had received glucocorticoids for 4 to 8 wk were compared with 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Baseline evaluation included weight, height, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), lipid profile and Ultrasonographic evaluation of brachial artery for endothelial dependant as well as endothelial independent vasodilatation and evaluation of common carotid artery for intima media thickness (IMT) and arterial wall mechanics. All of these parameters were evaluated two more times- after 4 wk of steroid therapy and 2 wk after stopping the drug. RESULTS: Patients were found to have significant increase in BMI; systolic and diastolic BP; total and LDL cholesterol and carotid IMT and also a decrease in cross sectional compliance (CSC) after 4 wk of steroid therapy (oral prednisolone). However, all these parameters returned towards baseline, 2 wk after stopping the drug. No endothelial dysfunction was observed in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Four to eight wk of glucocorticoids use in children leads to reversible changes in BMI, systolic and diastolic BP, total and LDL cholesterol, carotid IMT and CSC.