The protective effects of naproxen against interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)- induced damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most widely used medications in the world. Naproxen is an NSAID with relatively low selectivity for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), thereby having decreased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. However, it is unclear whether naproxen might provide protection against atherosclerosis, an underlying cause of numerous cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In the present study, we exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells to interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), a key cytokine involved in atherogenesis, with or without naproxen. Our findings indicate that naproxen could protect against IL-1ß-induced damage by improving cell viability and preventing cell death. Additionally, naproxen suppressed the expression of the cytokines IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and downregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tissue factor (TF) induced by IL-1ß. Importantly, naproxen also inhibited the attachment of monocytes to endothelial cells, which was achieved through Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6)-mediated reduced expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin. These findings suggest that naproxen may aid in the prevention of atherosclerosis by exerting cardioprotective effects beyond low COX-2-selectivity.

Magnetic navigation system and CT roadmap-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention: a comparison to the conventional approach.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) has been successfully integrated with the magnetic navigation system (MNS) to facilitate a roadmap-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to compare this new approach of PCI versus conventional PCI regarding the difference of contrast usage, x-ray exposure, procedure success, and in-hospital expenses. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with stable coronary artery disease and coronary artery lesions of ≥70% diameter stenosis diagnosed by both pre-procedure CTCA and coronary angiography (CAG) were enrolled to receive the MNS and CT roadmap-assisted PCI. Another 38 patients were consecutively recruited to receive conventional PCI, matched with the MNS group by the vessel and lesion type base on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association criteria. RESULTS: Regarding the process of the guidewire placement, wherein the technical difference of the two procedures exists, the median contrast usage for guidewire crossing was significantly lower in the MNS group than in the conventional group [0.0 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 0.0-3.0 mL) vs 5.0 mL (IQR, 3.1-6.8 mL); P<.001], with zero contrast usage in 25 of the 44 guidewire placements in the MNS group, but in none of the conventional group; the radiation dosage for guidewire crossing in the MNS group was also significantly lower than in the conventional group (235.8 µGym² [IQR, 134.9-455.1 µGym²] vs 364.4 µGym² [IQR, 223.4-547.2 µGym²]; P=.033). There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning the total contrast usage, total radiation dosage of the PCI, the procedural fees, or the overall in-hospital expenses. All of the enrolled vessels were successfully intervened in both groups. CONCLUSION: In PCI of simple lesions, the application of CT guidance and magnetic navigation had modest impacts on radiation dosage and contrast usage for wire crossing, but no impact on overall radiation dosage or contrast usage for the procedure. In addition, the use of CT roadmap and MNS was likely more expensive compared to PCI using conventional radiographic technique.