Effects of atorvastatin and aspirin combined therapy on inflammatory responses in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

This study was conducted to compare the effects of atorvastatin plus aspirin combined therapy on inflammatory responses, endothelial cell function, and blood coagulation system in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to aspirin monotherapy. The patients were randomized into atorvastatin plus aspirin combined therapy group and aspirin monotherapy group. Reduced total cholesterol in the combined therapy group was found in a short term of medication for 14 days. On postoperative day (POD)-14, inhibitory effects of the combined therapy on whole blood aggregation as well as platelet activation assessed by flow cytometry were stronger than those of the monotherapy. Furthermore, cytokine, cytokine receptors, c-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein in the combined therapy group were down-regulated on POD-14. At the same time, circulating levels of thromboxane A₂, vascular endothelial growth factor and thrombin–antithrombin III complex as well as P-selectin, L-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were down-regulated, while E-selectin and transforming growth factor-β1 was up-regulated. Atorvastatin plus aspirin combined therapy may improve inflammatory responses, accelerated platelet function, vascular endothelial cell function, blood coagulation system at the early stage such as 14th day after CABG. In conclusion, atorvastatin and aspirin combined therapy may bring beneficial effects to the patient after CABG.     

不同剂量阿司匹林干预对非ST 段抬高性急性冠脉综合征患者机体炎症 水平及血管内皮功能的影响

目的:探讨不同剂量阿司匹林对接受保守治疗的非ST段抬高性ACS患者机体炎症水平及血管内皮功能的影响,为ACS患者阿司匹林的应用提供更充分的临床依据。方法:200例患者以不稳定型心绞痛和非ST段抬高性心肌梗死分层后随机分2组,阿司匹林高剂量治疗组,阿司匹林低剂量治疗组。阿司匹林高剂量组患者在入院给予300mg阿司匹林负荷后继以150mg/d治疗。阿司匹林低剂量组患者入院给予150mg负荷后继以75mg/d维持,两组患者其余基础的治疗一致。患者在入院时及干预1周后,抽取静脉血检测患者血炎症因子hs-CRP、IL-6、TNF-α及反应血管内皮功能的NO、ET-1的变化。结果:①经治疗后,2组患者的炎症因子水平均显著下降,P<0.05或P<0.01;同时发现高剂量阿司匹林具有更显著的抗炎及改善血管内皮功能的作用,两组间指标比较,差异显著,P<0.05。②在因出现不良反应而终止试验的人数方面,两组间无显著性差异,P>0.05。结论:高剂量阿司匹林具有更显著拮抗机体炎症及改善血管内皮功能的作用,值得在ACS患者的治疗中进行推广应用。     

Differential effect of atorvastatin and tacrolimus on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells

Although considered promising for use in drug-eluting stents (DES), tacrolimus failed clinically. Tacrolimus inhibits growth factor production but can also act as a growth factor on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). This unexpected proliferative stimulus could reverse the beneficial effects of the drug on restenosis. We hypothesized that tacrolimus' association with statins, which lower cholesterol and impair cell proliferation, could restore tacrolimus' beneficial effect by abrogating the aberrant proliferative stimulus. Additionally, since maintenance of endothelial function represents a challenge for new-generation DES, we investigated the combined effect of tacrolimus and atorvastatin on endothelial cells. Human VSMC and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were incubated with 100 nM tacrolimus and increasing doses of atorvastatin (0-3.0 μM). Atorvastatin plus tacrolimus dose-dependently inhibited VSMC proliferation. The percentage of cells incorporating 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in their DNA was 49 ± 14% under basal conditions, 62 ± 15% (P = 0.01) with tacrolimus, 40 ± 22% with 3 μM atorvastatin, and 30 ± 7% (P < 0.05) with 3 μM atorvastatin plus tacrolimus. Atorvastatin downregulated β-catenin, Erk1 and Erk2, and cyclin B in tacrolimus-stimulated VSMC. In contrast, atorvastatin plus tacrolimus did not affect proliferation of endothelial cells. The percentage of HUVEC incorporating BrdU in their DNA was 47 ± 8% under basal conditions, 58 ± 6% (P = 0.01) with tacrolimus, 45 ± 4% with 3 μM atorvastatin, and 49 ± 1% with 3 μM atorvastatin plus tacrolimus. Both agents stimulated endoglin production by HUVEC. Taken together, these results suggest that, when combined with tacrolimus, atorvastatin exerts a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect on VSMC. In contrast, atorvastatin acts in concert with tacrolimus in HUVEC to stimulate production of endoglin, a factor that has an important role in endothelial repair. Our study supports the conclusion that prevention of postcoronary in-stent restenosis and late thrombosis may benefit of concomitant association of tacrolimus and high doses of atorvastatin.     

Statins attenuate high mobility group box-1 protein induced vascular endothelial activation : a key role for TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) has recently been implicated as a proinflammatory cytokine that plays critical roles in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Atorvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the cardiovascular system beyond its cholesterol-lowering property. The aim of our study was to investigate whether atorvastatin inhibits HMGB1-induced vascular endothelial activation, and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. In this study, we found that atorvastatin, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 μM, effectively and in a dose-dependent manner inhibited HMGB1-induced endothelial cells (ECs) activation. Incubation of ECs with 10 μM atorvastatin reduced adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and E-selectin) expression concomitant with a significant inhibition in HMGB1-stimulated leukocyte-endothelial adhesion. Further experiments showed that atorvastatin markedly suppressed HMGB1-induced Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression, Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity in ECs. Similar effects were also observed in ECs pretreated with the TLR4- specific inhibitor CLI-095, suggesting an important role of TLR4/NF-κB pathway. These findings indicate that atorvastatin attenuates HMGB1-induced vascular endothelial activation. The underlying mechanism involves, at least in part, inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB-dependent signaling pathway, which provied the new evidence for therapeutic application of statins to target inflammatory processes in cardiovascular disease.     

Thrombin and vascular inflammation

Vascular endothelium is a key regulator of homeostasis. In physiological conditions it mediates vascular dilatation, prevents platelet adhesion, and inhibits thrombin generation. However, endothelial dysfunction caused by physical injury of the vascular wall, for example during balloon angioplasty, acute or chronic inflammation, such as in atherothrombosis, creates a proinflammatory environment which supports leukocyte transmigration toward inflammatory sites. At the same time, the dysfunction promotes thrombin generation, fibrin deposition, and coagulation. The serine protease thrombin plays a pivotal role in the coagulation cascade. However, thrombin is not only the key effector of coagulation cascade; it also plays a significant role in inflammatory diseases. It shows an array of effects on endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes, and platelets, all of which participate in the vascular pathophysiology such as atherothrombosis. Therefore, thrombin can be considered as an important modulatory molecule of vascular homeostasis. This review summarizes the existing evidence on the role of thrombin in vascular inflammation.     

氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林治疗老年冠心病的临床疗效观察

目的：探讨氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林治疗老年冠心病（CHD）的临床疗效和安全性。方法：60例老年CHD患者随机分为治疗组和对照组。对照组采用阿司匹林治疗,治疗组采用氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林治疗,治疗4周后观察血小板聚集率（PAG）和凝血功能。结果：治疗4周后,治疗组PAG显著下降,APTT显著上升,与治疗前和对照组比较均有显著性差异（P〈0.05）;两组治疗前后PT、PA变化差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。两组均未出现不良反应。结论：阿斯匹林联合氯吡格雷治疗老年CHD患者,较单用阿斯匹林治疗更能有效地抑制血小板聚集和预防血栓形成,并能得到更好的临床疗效。     

Platelets induce endothelial tissue factor expression in a mouse model of acid-induced lung injury

Although the lung expresses procoagulant proteins under inflammatory conditions, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we addressed lung endothelial expression of tissue factor (TF), which initiates the coagulation cascade and expression of which signifies development of a procoagulant phenotype in the vasculature. To establish the model of acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI), we intranasally instilled anesthetized mice with saline or acid. Then 2 h later, we isolated pulmonary vascular cells for flow cytometry and confocal microscopy to detect the leukocyte antigen, CD45 and the endothelial markers VE-cadherin and von Willebrand factor (vWf). Acid increased both the number of vWf-expressing cells as well as TF and P-selectin expressions on these cells. All of these effects were markedly inhibited by treating mice with antiplatelet serum, suggesting the involvement of platelets. The increased expressions of TF, vWf, and P-selectin in response to acid also occurred in platelets. Moreover, the effects were replicated in endothelial cells derived from isolated, blood-perfused lungs. However, the effect was inhibited completely in lungs perfused with platelet-depleted and, to a lesser extent, with leukocyte-depleted blood. Acid injury increased endothelial expressions of the platelet proteins, CD41 and CD42b, providing evidence that platelet proteins were transferred to the vascular surface. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were implicated in these responses, in that the endothelial and platelet protein expressions were inhibited. We conclude that acid-induced ALI causes NOX2-mediated ROS generation that activates platelets, which then generate a procoagulant endothelial surface.     

氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林治疗老年冠心病的临床疗效观察

目的:探讨氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林治疗老年冠心病(CHD)的临床疗效和安全性。方法:60例老年CHD患者随机分为治疗组和对照组。对照组采用阿司匹林治疗,治疗组采用氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林治疗,治疗4周后观察血小板聚集率(PAG)和凝血功能。结果:治疗4周后,治疗组PAG显著下降,APTT显著上升,与治疗前和对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05);两组治疗前后PT、PA变化差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组均未出现不良反应。结论:阿斯匹林联合氯吡格雷治疗老年CHD患者,较单用阿斯匹林治疗更能有效地抑制血小板聚集和预防血栓形成,并能得到更好的临床疗效。     

Thrombelastographic haemostatic status and antiplatelet therapy after coronary artery bypass surgery (TEG-CABG trial): assessing and monitoring the antithrombotic effect of clopidogrel and aspirin versus aspirin alone in hypercoagulable patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Hypercoagulability, assessed by the thrombelastography (TEG) assay, has in several observational studies been associated with an increased risk of post-procedural thromboembolic complications. We hypothesize that intensified antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin, as compared to aspirin alone, will improve saphenous vein graft patency in preoperatively TEG-Hypercoagulable coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) patients and reduce their risk for thromboembolic complications and death postoperatively. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial, with an open-label design with blinded evaluation of graft patency. TEG-Hypercoagulability is defined as a TEG maximum amplitude above 69 mm. Two hundred and fifty TEG-Hypercoagulable patients will be randomized to either an interventional group receiving clopidogrel 75 mg daily for three months (after initial oral bolus of 300 mg) together with aspirin 75 mg or a control group receiving aspirin 75 mg daily alone. Monitoring of antiplatelet efficacy and on-treatment platelet reactivity to clopidogrel and aspirin will be conducted with Multiplate aggregometry. Graft patency will be assessed with Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) at three months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The present trial is the first randomized clinical trial to evaluate whether TEG-Hypercoagulable CABG patients will benefit from intensified antiplatelet therapy after surgery. Monitoring of platelet inhibition from instituted antithrombotic therapy will elucidate platelet resistance patterns after CABG surgery. The results could be helpful in redefining how clinicians can evaluate patients preoperatively for their postoperative thromboembolic risk and tailor individualized postoperative antiplatelet therapy. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT01046942.     

阿托伐他汀改善冠心病患者血管内皮功能的临床研究

目的：观察短期阿托伐他汀治疗对高胆固醇血症的冠心病患者血管内皮功能的影响。方法：78例高胆固醇血症患者每日口服阿托伐他汀共8周,服药前后测量患者血清的总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（IDIrC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）和氧化低密度脂蛋白（ox-LDL）以及NO值,并用彩色多普勒超声测定反应性充血时肱动脉内径的变化。结果：高胆固醇血症患者经阿托伐他汀8周治疗后,血清的TC、TG、LDL-C和ox-LDL明显下降,血清的HDL-C以及NO值明显增加,反应性充血时肱动脉内径扩张程度明显增加,这些与治疗前相比有明显差异。结论：阿托伐他汀治疗能使高胆固醇血症的冠心病患者血脂改变,NO值增加,血管内皮功能改善。     

Pannexin channel and connexin hemichannel expression in vascular function and inflammation

Control of blood flow distribution and tissue homeostasis depend on the tight regulation of and coordination between the microvascular network and circulating blood cells. Channels formed by connexins or pannexins that connect the intra- and extracellular compartments allow the release of paracrine signals, such as ATP and prostaglandins, and thus play a central role in achieving fine regulation and coordination of vascular function. This review focuses on vascular connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels. We review their expression pattern within the arterial and venous system with a special emphasis on how post-translational modifications by phosphorylation and S-nitrosylation of these channels modulate their function and contribute to vascular homeostasis. Furthermore, we highlight the contribution of these channels in smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in the regulation of vasomotor tone as well as how these channels in endothelial cells regulate inflammatory responses such as during ischemic and hypoxic conditions. In addition, this review will touch on recent evidence implicating a role for these proteins in regulating red blood cell and platelet function.     

硫酸镁联合拉贝洛尔对重度子痫前期患者凝血功能、氧化应激及血管内皮功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨硫酸镁联合拉贝洛尔对重度子痫前期患者凝血功能、氧化应激及血管内皮功能的影响。方法：选择2020年1月~2022年9月期间来安徽医科大学附属巢湖医院就诊的重度子痫前期患者94例。采用随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（硫酸镁治疗,47例）和研究组（硫酸镁联合拉贝洛尔治疗,47例）。两组均于治疗前后观察收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）、24 h尿蛋白量（24hUP）、凝血功能、氧化应激及血管内皮功能的变化情况,同时观察两组用药安全性。结果：治疗后,研究组SBP、DBP、24hUP低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,研究组内皮素-1（ET-1）低于对照组,一氧化氮（NO）高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,研究组丙二醛（MDA）低于对照组,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,研究组纤维蛋白原（Fg）、D-二聚体（D-D）低于对照组,凝血酶原时间（PT）、凝血活酶时间（APTT）高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：拉贝洛尔联合硫酸镁治疗重度子痫前期患者,可减少24hUP,有效降低血压,改善凝血功能和血管内皮功能,减轻氧化应激损伤。     

Thematic review series: The immune system and atherogenesis. Cytokines affecting endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vascular disease

The cellular and extracellular matrix accumulations that comprise the lesions of atherosclerosis are driven by local release of cytokines at sites of predilection for lesion formation, and by the specific attraction and activation of cells expressing receptors for these cytokines. Although cytokines were originally characterized for their potent effects on immune and inflammatory cells, they also promote endothelial cell dysfunction and alter smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype and function, which can contribute to or retard vascular pathologies. This review summarizes in vivo studies that have characterized endothelial- and smooth muscle-specific effects of altering cytokine signaling in vascular disease. Although multiple reports have identified cytokines as pivotal players in endothelial and SMC responses in vascular disease, they also have highlighted the need to delineate the critical genes and specific cellular functions regulated by individual cytokine signaling pathways.     

P2Y12 blocker monotherapy after percutaneous coronary intervention

For secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) antiplatelet therapy is essential. For patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) temporary dual antiplatelet platelet therapy (DAPT: aspirin combined with a P2Y12 blocker) is mandatory, but leads to more bleeding than single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin. Therefore, to reduce bleeding after a PCI the duration of DAPT is usually kept as short as clinically acceptable; thereafter aspirin monotherapy is administered. Another option to reduce bleeding is to discontinue aspirin at the time of DAPT cessation and thereafter to administer P2Y12 blocker monotherapy. To date, five randomised trials have been published comparing DAPT with P2Y12 blocker monotherapy in 32,181 stented patients. Also two meta-analyses addressing this novel therapy have been presented. P2Y12 blocker monotherapy showed a 50–60% reduction in major bleeding when compared to DAPT without a significant increase in ischaemic outcomes, including stent thrombosis. This survey reviews the findings in the current literature concerning P2Y12 blocker monotherapy after PCI.     

不同剂量阿伐他汀联合阿司匹林治疗原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化的临床研究

目的:探讨不同剂量阿托伐他汀联合阿司匹林治疗原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化的临床疗效。方法:选取2015年1月-2016年12月在我院治疗的原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化患者80例,随机分为对照组和实验组,每组40例。实验组给予口服高剂量阿托伐他汀(40 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)治疗,对照组给予口服高剂量阿托伐他汀(20 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)治疗,疗程均为3个月。观察和比较两组患者治疗前后的总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high-density lipoproteincholesterol,HDL-C)、甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)、收缩压(systolic blood pressure,SBP)、舒张血压(diastolic blood pressure,DBP)以及颈动脉斑块分级。结果:两组治疗后的SBP、DBP、血清TC、TG和LDL-C水平均较治疗前显著降低,血清HDL-C水平较治疗前明显升高,且实验组SBP、DBP、血清TC、TG和LDL-C水平均显著低于对照组(P0.05),血清HDL-C水平明显高于对照组(P0.05)。实验组颈动脉斑块0-Ⅰ级的比例显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:口服高剂量阿托伐他汀(40 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)治疗原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化较低剂量阿托伐他汀(20 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)疗效更好,可以有效降低血压,调节血脂并改善患者预后。     

过敏性紫癜患者银杏达莫注射液治疗前后血管内皮功能、凝血功能的变化及相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨过敏性紫癜（HSP）患者银杏达莫注射液治疗前后血管内皮功能、凝血功能的变化,并分析HSP患者血管内皮功能与凝血功能的相关性。方法：选择2018年2月至2020年2月期间我院收治的HSP患者93例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（n=46）和观察组（n=47）,其中对照组给予糖皮质激素治疗,观察组给予银杏达莫注射液治疗,对比两组疗效、血管内皮功能、凝血功能的变化及紫癜性肾炎的发生率,并分析HSP患者血管内皮功能与凝血功能的相关性。结果：观察组治疗2周后的总有效率95.74%（45/47）,较对照组的76.09%（35/46）升高（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗2周后血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、内皮素-1（ET-1）水平均降低,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗2周后纤维蛋白原（FIB）、D-二聚体（D-D）、血小板计数（PLT）均降低,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）,凝血酶原时间（PT）、活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、凝血酶时间（TT）均升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组紫癜性肾炎发生率对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。观察组患者中VEGF、ET-1均与FIB、D-D、PLT呈正相关,而与PT、APPT、TT呈负相关（P<0.05）。结论：HSP的发病过程中存在血管内皮细胞损伤及血液高凝状态,采用银杏达莫注射液治疗HSP患者,疗效显著,可有效改善患者血管内皮功能、凝血功能,且血管内皮功能与凝血功能存在一定的相关性。     

阿托伐他汀改善冠心病患者血管内皮功能的临床研究

目的:观察短期阿托伐他汀治疗对高胆固醇血症的冠心病患者血管内皮功能的影响。方法:78例高胆固醇血症患者每日口服阿托伐他汀共8周,服药前后测量患者血清的总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)以及NO值,并用彩色多普勒超声测定反应性充血时肱动脉内径的变化。结果:高胆固醇血症患者经阿托伐他汀8周治疗后,血清的TC、TG、LDL-C和ox-LDL明显下降,血清的HDL-C以及NO值明显增加,反应性充血时肱动脉内径扩张程度明显增加,这些与治疗前相比有明显差异。结论:阿托伐他汀治疗能使高胆固醇血症的冠心病患者血脂改变,NO值增加,血管内皮功能改善。     

Statins reverse renal inflammation and endothelial dysfunction induced by chronic high salt intake

High salt intake (HS) is a risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease. Indeed, HS may promote blood-pressure-independent tissue injury via inflammatory factors. The lipid-lowering 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors exert beneficial lipid-independent effects, reducing the expression and synthesis of inflammatory factors. We hypothesized that HS impairs kidney structure and function in the absence of hypertension, and these changes are reversed by atorvastatin. Four groups of rats were treated for 6 wk in metabolic cages with their diets: normal salt (NS); HS, NS plus atorvastatin and HS plus atorvastatin. We measured basal and final body weight, urinary sodium and protein excretion (U(Prot)V), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). At the end of the experimental period, cholesterolemia, creatinine clearance, renal vascular reactivity, glomerular volume, cortical and glomerular endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression were measured. We found no differences in SBP, body weight, and cholesterolemia. HS rats had increased creatinine clearence, U(Prot)V, and glomerular volume at the end of the study. Acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation decreased by 40.4% in HS rats (P < 0.05). HS decreased cortical and glomerular eNOS and caused mild glomerular sclerosis, interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration, and increased cortical expression of TGF-β1. All of these salt-induced changes were reversed by atorvastatin. We conclude that long-term HS induces inflammatory and hemodynamic changes in the kidney that are independent of SBP. Atorvastatin corrected all, suggesting that the nitric oxide-oxidative stress balance plays a significant role in the earlier stages of salt induced kidney damage.     

Interaction with damaged vessel wall in vivo in humans induces platelets to express CD40L resulting in endothelial activation with no effect of aspirin intake

Activated platelets express CD40L on their plasma membrane and release the soluble fragment sCD40L. The interaction between platelet surface CD40L and endothelial cell CD40 leads to the activation of endothelium contributing to atherothrombosis. Few studies have directly demonstrated an increased expression of platelet CD40L in conditions of in vivo platelet activation in humans, and no data are available on its relevance for endothelial activation. We aimed to assess whether platelets activated in vivo at a localized site of vascular injury in humans express CD40L and release sCD40L, whether the level of platelet CD40L expression attained in vivo is sufficient to induce endothelial activation, and whether platelet CD40L expression is inhibited by aspirin intake. We used the skin-bleeding-time test as a model to study the interaction between platelets and a damaged vessel wall by measuring CD40L in the blood emerging from a skin wound in vivo in healthy volunteers. In some experiments, shed blood was analyzed before and 1 h after the intake of 500 mg of aspirin. Platelets from the bleeding-time blood express CD40L and release soluble sCD40L, in a time-dependent way. In vivo platelet CD40L expression was mild but sufficient to induce VCAM-1 expression and IL-8 secretion in coincubation experiments with cultured human endothelial cells. Moreover, platelets recovered from the bleeding-time blood activated endothelial cells; an anti-CD40L antibody blocked this effect. On the contrary, the amount of sCD40L released by activated platelets at a localized site of vascular injury did not reach the concentrations required to induce endothelial cell activation. Soluble monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a marker of endothelium activation, was increased in shed blood and correlated with platelet CD40L expression. Aspirin intake did not inhibit CD40L expression by platelets in vivo. We concluded that CD40L expressed by platelets in vivo in humans upon contact with a damaged vessel wall activates endothelium; aspirin treatment does not inhibit this mechanism.     

Nitric oxide and cardiovascular effects: new insights in the role of nitric oxide for the management of osteoarthritis

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator in both health and disease. In addition to its effects on vascular tone and platelet function, it plays roles in inflammation and pain perception that may be of relevance in osteoarthritis. Many patients with osteoarthritis take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) long term for pain control. Over recent years concern has been raised about the possible cardiovascular side effects of NSAIDs. The reasons for this possible increased cardiovascular risk with NSAIDs are not yet entirely clear, although changes in blood pressure, renal salt handling and platelet function may contribute. Recently, drugs that chemically link a NSAID with a NO donating moiety (cyclo-oxygenase-inhibiting NO-donating drugs [CINODs]) were developed. NO is an important mediator of endothelial function, acting as a vasodilator and an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, and having anti-inflammatory properties. The potential benefits of CINODs include the combination of effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions with NO release, which might counterbalance any adverse cardiovascular effects of NSAIDs. Effects of CINODs in animal studies include inhibition of vasopressor responses, blood pressure reduction in hypertensive rats and inhibition of platelet aggregation. CINODs may also reduce ischemic damage to compromised myocardial tissue. In addition, endothelial dysfunction is a recognized feature of inflammatory arthritides, and therefore a drug that might provide slow release of NO to the vasculature while treating pain is an attractive prospect in these conditions. Further studies of the effects of CINODs in humans are required, but these agents represent a potential exciting advance in the management of osteoarthritis.