New Research Suggests Acetaminophen May Reduce Risk of Hardening of the Arteries

Houston (PROTEXT) - New research from Baylor College ofMedicine in Houston suggests the pain reliever acetaminophen mayhelp protect against atherosclerosis, the life-threateningcondition commonly referred to as "hardening of the arteries." (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991110/NYW002 ) The findings, presented at today's session of the AmericanHeart Association in Atlanta, suggest that acetaminophen mayexert an anti-atherosclerotic effect when administered to animalsin doses therapeutically relevant to man, according to leadinvestigator Dr. Addison A. Taylor, Professor of Medicine andPharmacology and Chief, Division of Hypertension and ClinicalPharmacology at Baylor. "Last year, we reported findings in healthy human volunteersindicating acetaminophen may have a potential antioxidanteffect," explained Taylor. "We documented an association betweenthe use of acetaminophen at recommended doses and a significantinhibition of the oxidation of certain low-density lipoprotein(LDL) components, which carry the form of cholesterol commonlydescribed as 'bad cholesterol'." Encouraged by their findings, Taylor and his colleaguesproceeded to examine other cardiovascular indices that may bebeneficially affected by acetaminophen. The Baylor research teaminduced above-normal levels of cholesterol in rabbits, half ofwhich received doses of acetaminophen comparable to therecommended doses for humans. "At the end of the 12-week study, we examined the rabbits forevidence of fatty streaking in the aorta, an early manifestationof atherosclerosis. The rabbits that received acetaminophen had50 percent less fatty streaking compared with controls," saidTaylor. "Although further research is necessary to draw any definitiveconclusions, our findings, together with those reported by otherinvestigators, are helping to build a body of evidence suggestingthat acetaminophen may help protect against cardiovasculardisease," noted Taylor. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a majorcontributor to coronary heart disease and stroke. Coronary heartdisease is the country's number one killer of both men and women,while stroke claims an estimated 160,000 U.S. lives each year.ots Original Text Service: Baylor College of Medicine Internet:http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Angela Mendoza of BaylorCollege of Medicine (USA) 713-798-4712, or amendoza@bcm.tmc.eduPhoto: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991110/NYW002 PRN Photo Desk, (USA) 888-776-6555 or201-369-3467

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