[Terutroban and endothelial TP receptors in atherogenesis].

Abstract

Treatment of thrombotic diseases implicates the use of anti-platelet agents, anti-coagulants and pro-fibrinolytic substances. Amongst the anti-platelet drugs, aspirin occupies a unique position. As soon as it became evident that the major action of aspirin is indirect blockade, through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), of the production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a powerful vasoconstrictor and platelet activator, research for new anti-thrombotics that interact more specifically with the production and/or the action of TXA2 was started. Terutroban (S 18886) is a selective antagonist of TP receptors, the receptors for TXA2, that are present on platelets and on vascular smooth muscle cells, but also on endothelial cells. The role played by the platelet and smooth muscle cell TP receptors in thrombotic disease is well known, and preclinical and clinical studies with terutroban have illustrated the powerful antithrombotic effects of this agent. The implication of endothelial TP receptors in the development of atherosclerotic disease has only been examined during the past five years and studies with terutroban have been crucial for understanding the role of these endothelial receptors in cardiovascular physiopathology. The goal of the present review is to discuss the arguments in favour of the hypothesis suggesting that activation of endothelial TP receptors, by causing expression of adhesion molecules, favours adhesion and infiltration of monocytes/macrophages in the arterial wall, thereby stimulating the development of atherosclerosis. The review will also highlight the important contribution of the studies performed with terutroban in this research area. The triple activity (anti-thrombotic, anti-vasoconstrictor, anti-atherosclerotic) observed with terutroban in preclinical studies, stressed by the first results in clinical development, places terutroban as an innovative drug with a unique potential for treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

• Authors: Tony J Verbeuren
• Journal: Medecine sciences : M/S (Med Sci (Paris)) Vol. 22 Issue 4 Pg. 437-43 (Apr 2006) ISSN: 0767-0974 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Terutroban et récepteurs TP endothéliaux dans l'athérogenèse.
• PMID: 16597416 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Apolipoproteins E
• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Fibrinolytic Agents
• Naphthalenes
• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
• Propionates
• Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2
• Thromboxane A2
• Cholesterol
• terutroban
• Aspirin

Topics

• Animals
• Apolipoproteins E (deficiency)
• Aspirin (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Atherosclerosis (drug therapy, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Cell Adhesion Molecules (biosynthesis)
• Cholesterol (metabolism)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Dogs
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Endothelium, Vascular (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Fibrinolytic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Foam Cells (drug effects, metabolism)
• Guinea Pigs
• Humans
• Macrophages (pathology)
• Mice
• Mice, Knockout
• Models, Biological
• Monocytes (pathology)
• Naphthalenes (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Propionates (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 (antagonists & inhibitors, physiology)
• Swine
• Thromboxane A2 (biosynthesis, physiology)