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DOXYCYCLINE FOR HEART DISEASE
A study from the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York shows that very low-doses of the antibiotic, doxycycline, reduce blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) by nearly 50 percent in patients hospitalized for blocked arteries leading to their hearts.
Fifty patients with weak hearts were given a placebo or 20 mg of doxycycline twice a day, which is one fifth the dose used to treat acne. Six months later, those taking the antibiotic had almost half the blood levels of C-Reactive Protein as those given placebos. C-reactive protein measures inflammation, most commonly caused by infection, and is a better predictor of heart attacks and sudden death than blood cholesterol. Other studies show that heart attacks are associated with infection with chlamydia and other bacteria and that they may be prevented by taking antibiotics. This study shows that a beneficial dose of antibiotic is far lower than that used to treat infections.
Dr. David Brown, Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, presented November 18 at the 2002 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA).
Checked 9/3/05