Anti-inflammatory drugs and atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Inflammation contributes to the formation and progression of atherosclerosis and the therapeutic potential of some anti-inflammatory drugs has been evaluated for possible antiatherosclerotic effects. This review will briefly describe the mechanisms underlying the inflammation-atherosclerosis connection, the effect of various anti-inflammatory therapies on atherosclerotic disease and a sampling of the potential targets and agents under evaluation.


RESULTS
Some agents with anti-inflammatory properties appear to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis or subsequent risk for cardiovascular events, while others have been disappointing. The anti-inflammatory actions of statins have been linked retrospectively with their favorable effects on atherosclerosis progression and clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular safety of COX-2 inhibitors is being assessed prospectively in patients with atherosclerosis. Potential new therapeutic agents targeting other inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress are being evaluated in animal models and clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the contributory inflammatory pathways in atherosclerosis, the properties of existing and novel anti-inflammatory agents are being carefully and actively evaluated in cardiovascular disease. Advances in our understanding of both atherosclerosis and the inflammatory contributors may play an important role in future strategies to decrease the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Moubayed
Sami P
SP
Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Heinonen
Therese M
TM
Tardif
Jean-Claude
JC
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D008074:Lipoproteins