Concurrent treatment with renin-angiotensin system blockers and acetylsalicylic acid reduces nuclear factor κB activation and C-reactive protein expression in human carotid artery plaques

Katherine J.E. Sattler, Julie E. Woodrum, Offer Galili, Monica Olson, Saquib Samee, Fredric B. Meyer, Xiang Yang Zhu, Lilach O. Lerman, Amir Lerman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Purpose - The local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and cyclooxygenase-2 contribute to the activation of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and C-reactive protein (CRP). We hypothesized that the combination of RAS blockers (RASb) and ASA reduces NFκB and CRP within atherosclerotic plaques. Methods - Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were divided into groups according to treatment (RASb-acetylsalicylic acid [ASA], ASA, RASb, and control). The expression of NFκB, CRP, and CD40L was analyzed through Western blots in the obtained plaques. Results - Plaques from patients treated with the combination of RASb and ASA showed lower expression of NFκB (25.4±9.8 densitometric units [DU]) than those of the control group (57.6±13.2 DU, P=0.03) as well as lower expression of CRP (20.9±9.6 DU) than those of the other treatment groups (ASA 86.1±13 DU, RASb 88.4±31 DU, controls 67.8±18.6, P=0.004). A negative expression of NFκB was associated with a reduced incidence of symptoms compared with a positive expression (5/33 [15.1%] versus 14/35 [40%], P=0.031). Conclusions - The combined treatment with RASb and ASA decreases the expression of inflammatory markers in atherosclerosis in humans. This study supports the role of the local RAS and cyclooxygenase-2 in the progression of atherosclerosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14-20
Number of pages7
JournalStroke
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2005

Keywords

  • Aspirin
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Carotid endarterectomy
  • Growth factors
  • Inflammation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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