title: Combination of Azathioprine and Aminosalicylate Treatment Prevent Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women with Ulcerative Colitis by Reducing Inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with involvement of the immune system. Chronic inflammatory diseases have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but few studies have assessed this risk in patients with UC and the influence of drug treatment. Thus, we evaluated the risk of development of CVD in women with UC in clinical remission, considering the drug treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one women with UC participated in this study: 12 used aminosalicylates (ASA group) and 9 used azathioprine added to aminosalicylates (AZA+ASA group). The healthy control group was matched for age. We evaluated blood pressure, body composition, and biochemical and immunological parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the respective control group, the UC groups showed expansion of body fat and less lean body mass. Blood pressure, pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and anti-oxidized LDL antibodies were higher in UC groups. Only AZA+ASA group showed increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β). Framingham scores showed higher risk of CVD in UC groups. UC groups were compared and women treated with azathioprine showed reduction of total protein, globulin, ESR, and lymphocytes, with increased IL-6, TNF, IL-10, and TGF-β.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that women with UC in clinical remission have a higher risk for development of atherosclerosis and CVD when compared to the control group, while women treated with azathioprine seem more protected than those treated only with aminosalicylates, due to better regulation of the inflammatory process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lana Claudinez
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Villela
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lorrayne Gonçalves
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alda Jusceline
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Leonel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edenil Costa
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.affiliation: Department General Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria de Lourdes Meirelles
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Noviello
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and ALFA Institute of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria de Lourdes de Abreu
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jacqueline I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Leite
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D010131:Aminosalicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; D010131:Aminosalicylic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine