Eprotirome, a thyromimetic lipid-lowering molecule

Eprotirome is a synthetic thyromimetic molecule, acting preferentially on beta receptors of thyroid hormones and inducing a lipid-lowering effect particularly on LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides.

A paper in the NEJM of March 2010 reports the results of a clinical trial studying the effects of eprotirome, at doses of 25, 50 and 100 micrograms (i.e. doses close to those used with levothyroxine), for 3 months, on blood lipids. Eprotirome, used in addition to simvastatin, elicited a lowering of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides (but also a slight decrease of HDL cholesterol) with little disturbances of the thyroid hormonal balance (TSH, T3 unchanged but T4 decreased) and without heart rate increase and weight loss (raw data concerning heart rate and weight are not given).

This study was continued for only 3 months, with only 137 people and is not sufficient for evaluating the interest of this new molecule.

More on thyroid hormones.

Note: an antagonist of thyroid hormones would be welcome in the therapeutic arsenal.