Extended Release Niacin Reduces Cardiovascular Inflammatory Marker Lp-PLA2....Tufts-New England Medical Center
Niacin, in conjunction with statin therapy, reduces lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), an important new marker of inflammation associated with heart disease and stroke due to plaque rupture, according to a study published in the September 15, 2006, issue of The American Journal of Cardiology. The study, conducted at Tufts-New England Medical Center, evaluated 54 patients who were assigned either 1,000 mg daily extended release niacin or placebo, in addition to their existing drug regimen, primarily statins, ACE inhibitors, and aspirin.

The study shows that when extended release niacin was administered to stable heart disease patients for three months, Lp-PLA2 levels were reduced by 20 percent (p<0.05), while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) remained unchanged. Lp-PLA2 levels were measured by the PLAC test from diaDexus. The PLAC test is a simple blood test that measures the concentration of the enzyme Lp-PLA2, identifying people at high risk for heart disease and stroke associated with atherosclerosis, who may not be identified by traditional risk factors.