Drug-induced dyslipoproteinemia: a report of two cases

We describe two cases of atypical dyslipoproteinemia due to drug-induction. This secondary form of lipoprotein abnormality is unique because the newly available drug, miconazole, apparently directly delipidated the alpha-lipoproteins in the bloodstream. On closer study we found that the delipidation was caused by the vehicle rather than the fungicide--more specifically, only by the polyethoxylated castor oil in the vehicle. It affects serum lipoproteins both in vitro and in vivo, and the effect is species-specific. In vitro studies indicate that it preferentially delipidates high-density lipoprotein rather than low-density lipoprotein. Because its effects on the serum lipoproteins of rats resemble those on man, and because aortic lesions were produced in rats injected daily (90 mL/L) with this substance, caution is indicated in long-term use of drugs containing this chemical component in the vehicle.