title: Continuous therapy with transdermal nitroglycerin does not affect biomarkers of vascular inflammation and injury in healthy volunteers.
abstract: Continuous exposure to nitroglycerin (GTN) results in development of tolerance and is associated with increased free radical production and abnormal endothelial function. Elevated plasma biomarkers of inflammation have been shown to be associated with endothelial dysfunction in most cardiovascular conditions. It remains unclear whether exposure to GTN is also associated with increased biomarkers of endothelial and vascular injury or vascular inflammation. In an investigator-blind study, a total of 28 healthy volunteers were randomized to continuous therapy with GTN (0.6 mg/h 24 h/day for 7 days) or no therapy. Venous blood was collected on day 0 and day 7. Plasma levels of markers such as asymmetric dimethyl-arginine (ADMA), human soluble P-selectin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and oxidized low-density lipoproteins were measured. The levels of blood markers on day 0 were similar in the control and GTN-treated groups. After 7 days of GTN exposure, there were no significant changes in the different markers of vascular inflammation and injury either in the GTN or control group (all p > 0.5). The present study documents that prolonged continuous therapy with transdermal GTN therapy is not associated with changes in markers of vascular inflammation and injury.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada.
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: DiFabio
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gori
authors.forename: David J A
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D019007:P-Selectin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C487735:dimethylarginine; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D001120:Arginine; D005996:Nitroglycerin