Forty-six elderly patients (mean age 60 years) suffering from
diabetes mellitus (DM), or essential or arteriosclerotic
hypertension (HT) were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as a control, group 2 was administered 1500 mg
niceritrol, group 3 was administered 162 mg
acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and group 4 was administered both 1500 mg
niceritrol and 162 mg ASA/day for 8 weeks.
Niceritrol lowered serum levels of
beta-lipoprotein and total
cholesterol and increased
HDL cholesterol, usually in 8 weeks. ASA did not affect the
lipid-lowering effects of
niceritrol. Platelet aggregation induced by
epinephrine (1 microgram/ml),
collagen (1 microgram/ml), and
ADP (2 microM) was depressed in groups 2, 3 and 4. Degrees of depression were higher in groups administered ASA (groups 3 and 4) than in the group administered
niceritrol alone (group 2). Plasma
fibrinogen levels were lowered in groups administered
niceritrol (groups 2 and 4) in 8 weeks. Apparent whole blood viscosity measured at shear rates of 37.6/s and 376/s was improved only in group 4 in 8 weeks, while hematocrit did not change during the study. Because
flushing, the most frequent side effect of
niceritrol, can be easily controlled by a low dose of ASA, and because the combination of the 2 drugs has some beneficial effects on blood rheology, this combination is considered worthwhile for treatment and prevention of
atherosclerosis.