title: Anti-free-radical and neutrophil-modulating properties of the nitrovasodilator, nicorandil.
abstract: The nitrovasodilator, nicorandil, is a clinically effective antianginal agent. We tested whether nicorandil may also possess anti-free-radical characteristics, since the nicotinamide moiety of its molecular structure is a known hydroxyl radical scavenger. In vitro production of hydroxyl radicals by hypoxanthine plus xanthine oxidase in the presence of iron produced a marked degradation of deoxyribose. Nicorandil and the structural analogs, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, produced significant inhibition of deoxyribose breakdown at concentrations equipotent to the classical hydroxyl radical scavenger, mannitol. Nicorandil also produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of superoxide anion production by canine neutrophils that were activated with either phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan. This inhibition could not be mimicked by the analog, nicotinamide. While equimolar concentrations of nitroglycerin produced less inhibition of superoxide anion generation in opsonized zymosan-activated neutrophils than that observed with nicorandil, nitroglycerin did not alter free-radical production in PMA-stimulated neutrophils. Glyburide, the ATP-sensitive potassium-channel blocker, did not reverse the action of nicorandil on neutrophils. Thus, nicorandil is a uniquely different nitrovasodilator with anti-free-radical and neutrophil-modulating properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Pieper
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D020108:Nicorandil; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D006878:Hydroxides; D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013481:Superoxides; D009536:Niacinamide; D020108:Nicorandil; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D005905:Glyburide