title: Effects of the long-term administration of nicorandil on vascular endothelial function and the progression of arteriosclerosis.
abstract: This study compared the effects of long-term administration of nicorandil and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on vascular endothelial function and the progression of arteriosclerosis. Forty-two patients with ischemic heart disease were randomly allocated to receive nicorandil (N group; 15 mg/d) or ISDN (I group, 40 mg/d). Twelve normal subjects served as controls. Vascular endothelial function and the progression of arteriosclerosis (intima-media thickness, IMT), as determined by carotid vascular ultrasound, were assessed 1 week before and 3 months after drug administration. Reactive hyperemia was induced in the forearm for 5 minutes, and the percentage change in the diameter of the brachial artery (% change in flow-mediated dilation, %FMD) was calculated. FMD was significantly lower in CAD groups than in controls. The %FMD significantly decreased (7.2 +/- 1.9 to 4.2 +/- 2.8) in the I group, while rising from 6.8 +/- 1.6 to 8.0 +/- 2.0 in the N group. IMT increased by 0.036 +/- 0.015 mm in the I group but showed no significant change in the N group (-0.01 +/- 0.012 mm). Thus, ISDN deteriorates IMT and FMD, whereas a beneficial effect of nicorandil is seen on FMD with no effect on IMT. Long-term treatment with nicorandil may be desirable for prevention of cardiovascular events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ehime National Hospital, Ehime, Japan. msekiya@ehime-nh.go.jp
authors.forename: Michihito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekiya
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Funada
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohtani
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akutsu
authors.forename: Kouki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020108:Nicorandil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D020108:Nicorandil; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate