The effects of terbinafine on the lipid profile in humans and rabbits

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of the azole antifungal agent, allylamine terbinafine, on the lipid profile of patients attending the dermatology clinics and any changes in serum creatinine associated. In order to compare the results between people and rabbits, we also want to investigate the lipid profile of normolipidemic rabbits and any changes in serum creatinine related to the use of these antifungal drugs in the experimental animals. Methods: In this study the effects of the antifungal drugs, terbinafine on the levels of serum lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoproteins and lowdensity lipoproteins) and serum creatinine were investigated in humans and rabbits. Blood samples were taken before and 1 week following drug treatment. Blood samples were analyzed using commercially available kits.Treatment of humans with terbinafine (250 mg/day) for one week had no significant effects on serum triglycerides, total cholesterol HDL-cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol levels. Results: Treatment with terbinafine for 1 week to humans produced no significant changes in serum creatinine. Treatment of rabbits with terbinafine (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) for six weeks produced significant reductions in serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDLcholesterol levels. HDL-cholesterol levels, however, were not significantly changed. Conclusion: The present results demonstrate that terbinafine, an allylamine antifungal drug, has no significant effects on the serum lipids of humans. The results demonstrate that terbinafine has produced significant reductions in serum lipids (except HDL-cholesterol) in rabbits. This discrepancy in the results between rabbits and humans may be explained by differences in the enzyme squalene epoxidase (SE).