In vivo uptake of Azithromycin in human coronary plaques

The repeated detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in human coronary plaques(1, 2) and the infiltration of coronary plaques with macrophages(3) have raised interest in antibiotic treatment of coronary artery disease. In fact, macr olide treatment of patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease has sh own some salutary effects.(4,5) Possible mechanisms for this beneficial eff ect include a suppression of macrophage activity, a decrease in the concent ration of markers of inflammation or a direct antibiotic effect against C. pneumoniae in the coronary plaque.(4-6) The coronary plaque seems therefore to be an attractive target for macrolide action. However, in vivo uptake o f macrolides into human coronary plaques as a prerequisite of local action has not been reported so far.