 SLE systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by accelerated atherosclerosis. The risk of suffering an acute myocardial infarction among premenopausal women with SLE is 50 times higher than control women of the same age. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are frequent in SLE. Lipid metabolism in SLE, as in other insulin resistant states, is characterized by high triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, normal LDL cholesterol or slightly increased and an increase in LDLs susceptibility to oxidation. 