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Reducing side effects of painkillers
September 13, 2006Cardiff University researchers have increased the understanding of why some painkillers increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The most commonly prescribed medications for treating conditions such as arthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which include, for example, ibuprofen. These drugs reduce pain, fever and inflammation but also carry a greater risk of cardiovascular side effects in some patients. However, the factors that cause such adverse effects were unknown.
Now a team in Cardiff University's School of Medicine, working with colleagues at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, have discovered a link with levels of nitric oxide in the blood.
Blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, dilating the artery and increasing blood flow. Patients with cardiovascular disease and arthritis have lower blood vessel nitric oxide levels.
Dr Valerie O'Donnell, of the School of Medicine's Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology at Cardiff University said: "We have found that reducing nitric oxide levels in some rodents makes them more likely to suffer cardiovascular side effects from NSAIDs, such as increased blood pressure. Although this is a small study, it will be important now to look at whether this happens in humans. It may mean that monitoring nitric oxide, or replacing it in certain individuals may help decrease the risk of side effects."
Cardiff University
Blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, dilating the artery and increasing blood flow. Patients with cardiovascular disease and arthritis have lower blood vessel nitric oxide levels.
Dr Valerie O'Donnell, of the School of Medicine's Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology at Cardiff University said: "We have found that reducing nitric oxide levels in some rodents makes them more likely to suffer cardiovascular side effects from NSAIDs, such as increased blood pressure. Although this is a small study, it will be important now to look at whether this happens in humans. It may mean that monitoring nitric oxide, or replacing it in certain individuals may help decrease the risk of side effects."
Cardiff University
Nitric Oxide Current Events and Nitric Oxide News RSSMayo Clinic discovery may help diabetic gastric problem
Mayo Clinic researchers have found what may provide a solution to one of the more troubling complications of diabetes -- delayed gastric emptying or gastroparesis.
New lights on the pathogenic mechanisms of liver cirrhosis with ascites
The pathogenic mechanisms implicated in the failure of intestinal barrier in cirrhosis have not been fully elucidated as yet and remains to be investigated.
Erectile dysfunction related to sleep apnea may persist, but is treatable
For sufferers of sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED) is often part of the package. New research indicates that ED in cases of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may be linked to the chronic intermittent hypoxia-oxygen deprivation- (CIH) that patients with OSAS experience during episodes of obstructed breathing.
The benefits of green tea in reducing an important risk factor for heart disease
More evidence for the beneficial effect of green tea on risk factors for heart disease has emerged in a new study reported in the latest issue of European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.
Watermelon May Have Viagra-Effect
A cold slice of watermelon has long been a Fourth of July holiday staple. But according to recent studies, the juicy fruit may be better suited for Valentine's Day.
Hypoxia training suppresses harmful cardiac nitric oxide production during heart attack
Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas have demonstrated that, contrary to prevailing dogma, hypoxia can be remarkably beneficial to the heart. These discoveries, to be reported in the June 2008 issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, may lead to a new paradigm to protect hearts of patients at risk of coronary disease.
Cocoa could be a healthy treat for diabetic patients
For people with diabetes, sipping a mug of steaming, flavorful cocoa may seem a guilty pleasure. But new research suggests that indulging a craving for cocoa can actually help blood vessels to function better and might soon be considered part of a healthy diet for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Major 'missed' biochemical pathway emerges as important in virtually all cells
A new study by Duke University researchers provides more evidence that the nitric oxide (NO) system in the life of a cell plays a key role in disease, and the findings point to ways to improve treatment of illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
Girls and children exposed to tobacco smoke benefit more from montelukast (singulair)
Girls and children exposed to tobacco smoke respond particularly well to montelukast (Singulair) according to researchers at National Jewish Medical and Research Center.
Nitrates in vegetables protect against gastric ulcers
Fruits and vegetables that are rich in nitrates protect the stomach from damage. This takes place through conversion of nitrates into nitrites by the bacteria in the oral cavity and subsequent transformation into biologically active nitric oxide in the stomach.
More Nitric Oxide Current Events and Nitric Oxide News Articles
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 | Nitric Oxide And The Kidney: Physiology and Pathophysiology by Michael S. Goligorsky, Steven S. Gross A number of remarkable recent breakthroughs have made the study of nitric oxide one of the most exciting fields in physiology and pathophysiology. This authoritative edited volume reviews the progress to date and opens perspectives to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The contributors are leading authorites, in most cases the investigators who have pioneered the ideas explored in ... |
 | Cellular and Molecular Biology of Nitric Oxide by Laskin/Laskin "Provides the latest advances in the explosive growth of nitric oxide (NO) study-covering the behavior of this highly reactive molecule in a wide variety of physiologicial processes, including respiration, blood pressure, neurotransmission, nospecific host defense, and wound... |
 | Radicals for Life: the various forms of nitric oxide by Ernst van Faassen Radicals for Life: the Various Forms of Nitric Oxide provides an up-to-date overview of the role of nitrosocompounds and nitrosyl-iron complexes in physiology. Nitrosocompounds can be considered as stabilised forms of nitric oxide, one of the most important regulatory molecules in physiology today. Many nitrosocompounds share some of the physiological functions of nitric oxide, and may be formed... |
 | Methods in Enzymology, Volume 359: Nitric Oxide, Part D: Oxide Detection, Mitochondria and Cell Functions, and Peroxynitrite Reactions (Methods in Enzymology) The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still... |
 | Nitric Oxide Part B: Physiological and Pathological Processes (Methods in Enzymology) Nitric oxide, recently named"Molecule of the Year"by the journal Science, impinges on a wide range of fields in biological research, particularly in the areas of biomedicine and cell and organismal biology, as well as in fundamental chemistry. This volume and its companion Volume 268 highlight methods used to research the physiology and toxicity of nitric oxide in cellular and organismal systems.... |
 | Nitric Oxide Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology) A collection of cutting-edge techniques for measuring nitric oxide and the enzyme that produces it in biological tissues and fluids. These readily reproducible methods can be used to measure novel nitric oxide-related products such as protein nitration and nitrosation, as well as to express nitric oxide synthase in basic research and gene therapy using viral... |
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