Hydroxychloroquine increased cholesterol transfer to high-density lipoprotein in systemic lupus erythematosus: A possible mechanism for the reversal of atherosclerosis in the disease.

The present study is the first to demonstrate that HCQ promoted a higher transfer of unesterified cholesterol which may account for the increased HDL levels in lupus patients under HCQ. This desirable effect may underlie the reported reduced atherosclerosis in SLE.