Doxycycline Outcomes in Lupus Erythematosus: (DOLE)

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.