ATHEROSCLEROSIS PREVENTION IN PEDIATRIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (APPLE)

该子项目是利用NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为中心，不一定是研究者所在机构。这项研究正在进行，以了解一种名为阿托伐他汀（也称为立普妥）的药物是否会降低10至21岁SLE儿童的胆固醇水平，减少炎症，减轻心脏，中风和循环系统问题。许多SLE患者血液中的脂质（脂肪）水平较高。胆固醇是一种特殊类型的血脂。当血管变硬，发炎（血管壁增厚）并被这些脂肪阻塞时，这种情况称为动脉粥样硬化。患有SLE的成年人发生动脉粥样硬化的风险特别高。即使SLE患者血液中胆固醇水平不高，也会发生动脉粥样硬化。动脉粥样硬化会增加心脏病发作、中风、血液循环问题的风险，并可能缩短人的寿命。阿托伐他汀属于一个名为“他汀类药物”的药物家族，是降低胆固醇的药物。这些药物已被证明可以降低胆固醇水平，减缓动脉粥样硬化的过程，并改善高血胆固醇水平成人的生活质量和寿命。阿托伐他汀已被美国食品和药物管理局（FDA）批准用于治疗成人高胆固醇。阿托伐他汀最近被FDA批准用于治疗由遗传性疾病引起的危险的高胆固醇儿童。它不被批准用于胆固醇水平正常的儿童或患有SLE或其他疾病的儿童。 这项研究将测试阿托伐他汀是否比安慰剂（糖丸，看起来像研究药物，但对身体没有影响）更好地减缓胆固醇水平正常和异常的儿童和SLE青少年的动脉粥样硬化过程，当与其他降胆固醇策略一起使用时。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This research study is being done to find out whether or not a drug called atorvastatin, also known as Lipitor¿, will lower cholesterol levels, decrease inflammation, and lessen heart, stroke and circulatory problems in children with SLE between the ages of 10 through 21 years. Many people with SLE have high levels of lipids (fats) in their blood. Cholesterol is a special type of blood lipid. When blood vessels become hardened, inflamed (thickening of the walls of the vessel) and blocked by these fats, this condition is called atherosclerosis. Adults with SLE are at especially high risk for developing atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can occur in people with SLE even if they do not have high cholesterol levels in their blood. Atherosclerosis increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, problems with circulation, and may shorten one's life. Atorvastatin belongs to a family of drugs called 'statins' which are cholesterol lowering medications. These drugs have been proven to reduce cholesterol levels, slow the process of atherosclerosis and improve quality and length of life in adults with high blood cholesterol levels. Atorvastatin has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high cholesterol in adults. Atorvastatin was recently approved by the FDA to treat children with dangerously high cholesterol caused by an inherited disease. It is not approved for use in children with normal cholesterol levels or in those with SLE, or other conditions. This study will test whether or not Atorvastatin will work better than a placebo (sugar pill) that looks like the study drug but has no effect on the body) at slowing the process of atherosclerosis in children with normal and abnormal cholesterol levels and adolescents with SLE when used with other cholesterol-lowering strategies.