Biomaterial Database

Nicotinic acid: pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action. 2008

Andreas Gille, and Erik T Bodor, and Kashan Ahmed, and Stefan Offermanns

Institute of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Pharmacological doses of nicotinic acid induce a profound change in the plasma levels of various lipids and lipoproteins. The ability of nicotinic acid to strongly increase the plasma concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has in recent years led to an increased interest in the pharmacological potential of nicotinic acid. There is increasing evidence that nicotinic acid alone or in addition to LDL cholesterol-lowering drugs can reduce the progression of atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The clinical use of nicotinic acid is, however, hindered by harmless but unpleasant side effects, especially by a strong cutaneous vasodilation called flushing. The recent discovery of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR109A (HM74A or PUMA-G) as a receptor for nicotinic acid has allowed for better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the metabolic and vascular effects of nicotinic acid. On the basis of recent progress in understanding the pharmacological effects of nicotinic acid, new strategies are in development to better exploit the pharmacological potential of nicotinic acid. New drugs acting via the nicotinic acid receptor or related receptors, as well as new co-medications that suppress unwanted effects of nicotinic acid, will most likely be introduced as new therapeutic options in the treatment of dyslipidemia and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006949	Hyperlipidemias	Conditions with excess LIPIDS in the blood.	Hyperlipemia,Hyperlipidemia,Lipemia,Lipidemia,Hyperlipemias,Lipemias,Lipidemias
D009525	Niacin	A water-soluble vitamin of the B complex occurring in various animal and plant tissues. It is required by the body for the formation of coenzymes NAD and NADP. It has PELLAGRA-curative, vasodilating, and antilipemic properties.	Nicotinic Acid,3-Pyridinecarboxylic Acid,Enduracin,Induracin,Lithium Nicotinate,Niacin Aluminum Salt,Niacin Ammonium Salt,Niacin Calcium Salt,Niacin Cobalt (2+) Salt,Niacin Copper (2+) Salt,Niacin Hydrochloride,Niacin Iron (2+) Salt,Niacin Lithium Salt,Niacin Lithium Salt, Hemihydrate,Niacin Magnesium Salt,Niacin Manganese (2+) Salt,Niacin Potassium Salt,Niacin Sodium Salt,Niacin Tartrate,Niacin Tosylate,Niacin Zinc Salt,Nicamin,Nico-400,Nicobid,Nicocap,Nicolar,Nicotinate,Wampocap,3 Pyridinecarboxylic Acid,Aluminum Salt, Niacin,Hydrochloride, Niacin,Nico 400,Nico400,Nicotinate, Lithium,Potassium Salt, Niacin,Sodium Salt, Niacin,Tartrate, Niacin,Tosylate, Niacin
D011978	Receptors, Nicotinic	One of the two major classes of cholinergic receptors. Nicotinic receptors were originally distinguished by their preference for NICOTINE over MUSCARINE. They are generally divided into muscle-type and neuronal-type (previously ganglionic) based on pharmacology, and subunit composition of the receptors.	Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors,Nicotinic Receptors,Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor,Nicotinic Receptor,Acetylcholine Receptor, Nicotinic,Acetylcholine Receptors, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic Acetylcholine,Receptors, Nicotinic Acetylcholine
D002318	Cardiovascular Diseases	Pathological conditions involving the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM including the HEART; the BLOOD VESSELS; or the PERICARDIUM.	Adverse Cardiac Event,Cardiac Events,Major Adverse Cardiac Events,Adverse Cardiac Events,Cardiac Event,Cardiac Event, Adverse,Cardiac Events, Adverse,Cardiovascular Disease,Disease, Cardiovascular,Event, Cardiac
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000960	Hypolipidemic Agents	Substances that lower the levels of certain LIPIDS in the BLOOD. They are used to treat HYPERLIPIDEMIAS.	Antihyperlipidemic,Antilipemic,Antilipemic Agents,Antilipemic Drug,Hypolipidemic Agent,Hypolipidemic Drug,Antihyperlipemics,Antihyperlipidemics,Antilipemic Drugs,Antilipemics,Hypolipidemic Drugs,Agent, Hypolipidemic,Agents, Antilipemic,Agents, Hypolipidemic,Drug, Antilipemic,Drug, Hypolipidemic,Drugs, Antilipemic,Drugs, Hypolipidemic
D050197	Atherosclerosis	A thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of ARTERIES that occurs with formation of ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUES within the ARTERIAL INTIMA.	Atherogenesis,Atherogeneses,Atheroscleroses