Doxycycline Outcomes in Lupus Erythematosus

Cardiovascular disease, specifically from atherosclerosis, is the major cause of mortality in SLE in developed countries. In a recent study the investigators have shown that high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) is higher in SLE patients with (versus without) coronary calcium, a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. In an ongoing two year intervention trial of atorvastatin, the investigators will determine if statins retard coronary calcium and reduce hs-CRP. However, 10% of the patients in the trial were intolerant of statins. The investigators want to now investigate whether there are additional, and potentially safer ways, to reduce hs-CRP in SLE. In this study, the investigators will determine if doxycycline reduces hs-CRP and other vascular inflammatory markers including interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), soluble inter cell adhesion molecule (s-ICAM-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in SLE.