Effects of high-dose modified-release nicotinic acid on atherosclerosis and vascular function: a randomized, placebo-controlled, magnetic resonance imaging study.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine the effects of high-dose (2 g) nicotinic acid (NA) on progression of atherosclerosis and measures of vascular function.


BACKGROUND
NA raises high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and is widely used as an adjunct to statin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease. Although changes in plasma lipoproteins suggest potential benefit, there is limited evidence of the effects of NA on disease progression when added to contemporary statin treatment.


METHODS
We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 2 g daily modified-release NA added to statin therapy in 71 patients with low HDL-C (<40 mg/dl) and either: 1) type 2 diabetes with coronary heart disease; or 2) carotid/peripheral atherosclerosis. The primary end point was the change in carotid artery wall area, quantified by magnetic resonance imaging, after 1 year.


RESULTS
NA increased HDL-C by 23% and decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 19%. At 12 months, NA significantly reduced carotid wall area compared with placebo (adjusted treatment difference: -1.64 mm(2) [95% confidence interval: -3.12 to -0.16]; p = 0.03). Mean change in carotid wall area was -1.1 +/- 2.6 mm(2) for NA versus +1.2 +/- 3.0 mm(2) for placebo. In both the treatment and placebo groups, larger plaques were more prone to changes in size (r = 0.4, p = 0.04 for placebo, and r = -0.5, p = 0.02 for NA).


CONCLUSIONS
In statin-treated patients with low HDL-C, high-dose modified-release NA, compared with placebo, significantly reduces carotid atherosclerosis within 12 months. (Oxford Niaspan Study: Effects of Niaspan on Atherosclerosis and Endothelial Function; NCT00232531).
Lee
Justin M S
JM
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford and Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Oxford, United Kingdom.
Robson
Matthew D
MD
Yu
Ly-Mee
LM
Shirodaria
Cheerag C
CC
Cunnington
Colin
C
Kylintireas
Ilias
I
Digby
Janet E
JE
Bannister
Thomas
T
Handa
Ashok
A
Wiesmann
Frank
F
Durrington
Paul N
PN
Channon
Keith M
KM
Neubauer
Stefan
S
Choudhury
Robin P
RP
D000368:Aged; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D009525:Niacin