Good EVening My Friends,
Thought you would like to know.
Acetaminophen May Have Potential as Antioxidant
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 1998--
Research Shows Pain Reliever May Help Protect Against Changes
Leading to Hardening of Arteries
New research suggests that acetaminophen, a widely used pain reliever,
may help protect the blood from changes leading to hardening of the
arteries -- a condition that contributes to hundreds of thousands of
deaths per year from stroke, heart attack, and other forms of
cardiovascular disease.
Addison A. Taylor, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology,
Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Experimental Therapeutics,
Houston, presented the findings at today's session of the Thirteenth
IUPHAR Congress of Pharmacology in Munich.
Dr. Taylor reported findings in 12 healthy human volunteers suggesting
an association between the use of acetaminophen at recommended doses
and a significant inhibition of the oxidation of certain low-density
lipoproteins, which carry the form of cholesterol commonly described as
"bad cholesterol."
"The oxidation of cholesterol-containing, low-density lipoproteins is
one of the main processes involved in the formation of arterial plaque,
which accumulates in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to
hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerotic disease," explained Dr.
Taylor.
"While further study is required to make any definitive association
between acetaminophen and a protective effect in patients at risk of
cardiovascular disease, what we observed is promising and may suggest a
potential clinical role for acetaminophen as an antioxidant," said Dr.
Taylor. Antioxidants are substances that counteract the damaging
effects of oxygen in tissues. Vitamin E, which is among the more
commonly known antioxidant agents, is believed to provide protection
against certain forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other
conditions.
The study conducted by Dr. Taylor and his associates was a randomized,
blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving the administration of eight
doses of acetaminophen (1,000 mg doses every six hours). Plasma samples
from patients who received acetaminophen were then compared with those
from patients who received no treatment.
Dr. Taylor noted that the results of this study support those reported
by other investigators.
"Although our research was the first to examine the effects of
acetaminophen on low-density lipoproteins in humans, other
investigators have reported similar findings in laboratory settings,"
said Dr. Taylor. "The next step will be to confirm these findings in
larger studies, both in animals and in humans."
Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to coronary heart disease and
stroke. Coronary heart disease is the country's number one killer of
both men and women, while stroke claims an estimated 150,000 U.S. lives
each year.
Baylor College of Medicine is a leading research and teaching
institution. The college's Center for Experimental Therapeutics
examines the effects of drugs on man with special emphasis on
cardiovascular disease.
CONTACT:
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
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HOPe this information Benefits those that are using or being
administered with this medicine.
God Bless
marty auslander
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