Biotech Values

[apljack]

Re: Niacin treatment and artery plaque size

Thanks DT. It looks like my bet on the previous reason for the early study discontunation is likely due to robust positive effects of Niacin treatment.

aj

A new imaging study supports niacin's positive effect on change in carotid artery wall area:

http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/19/1787?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Justin+MS+Lee&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT

"Results: NA increased HDL-C by 23% and decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 19%. At 12 months, NA significantly reduced carotid wall area compared with placebo (adjusted treatment difference: –1.64 mm2 [95% confidence interval: –3.12 to –0.16]; p = 0.03). Mean change in carotid wall area was –1.1 ± 2.6 mm2 for NA versus +1.2 ± 3.0 mm2 for placebo. In both the treatment and placebo groups, larger plaques were more prone to changes in size (r = 0.4, p = 0.04 for placebo, and r = –0.5, p = 0.02 for NA)."