The effects on lipids, blood viscosity and platelet aggregation of combined use of niceritrol (Perycit) and a low dose of acetylsalicylic acid.
Forty-six elderly patients (mean age 60 years) suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM), or essential or arteriosclerotic hypertension (HT) were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as a control, group 2 was administered 1500 mg niceritrol, group 3 was administered 162 mg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and group 4 was administered both 1500 mg niceritrol and 162 mg ASA/day for 8 weeks. Niceritrol lowered serum levels of beta-lipoprotein and total cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol, usually in 8 weeks. ASA did not affect the lipid-lowering effects of niceritrol. Platelet aggregation induced by epinephrine (1 microgram/ml), collagen (1 microgram/ml), and ADP (2 microM) was depressed in groups 2, 3 and 4. Degrees of depression were higher in groups administered ASA (groups 3 and 4) than in the group administered niceritrol alone (group 2). Plasma fibrinogen levels were lowered in groups administered niceritrol (groups 2 and 4) in 8 weeks. Apparent whole blood viscosity measured at shear rates of 37.6/s and 376/s was improved only in group 4 in 8 weeks, while hematocrit did not change during the study. Because flushing, the most frequent side effect of niceritrol, can be easily controlled by a low dose of ASA, and because the combination of the 2 drugs has some beneficial effects on blood rheology, this combination is considered worthwhile for treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009531:Niceritrol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009539:Nicotinic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*
D008055:Lipids; D009539:Nicotinic Acids; D005340:Fibrinogen; D009531:Niceritrol; D001241:Aspirin