Abstract
Aspirin is widely used by diabetic individuals as a prophylactic for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recently, the role of adhesion molecules on the development of atherosclerosis has been studied.However, the effects of aspirin on the expression of adhesion molecules in vivo has not been studied. In this study, 14 patients with type 2 diabetes and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis were given low-doses (81 mg/day) of aspirin for 12 weeks. HbA1c, lipids, blood pressure, and soluble adhesion molecules were measured before and after treatment. Fourteen patients of comparable age, sex, and carotid atherosclerosis status assigned to a control group. Throughout the study period, the treatment modalities for diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were not altered in either group. In both groups, HbA1c, lipids, and blood pressure did not change before and after treatment. Serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin did not change before and after treatment in the control group. In contrast, the serum concentrations of ICAM-1 decreased significantly after aspirin therapy (from 214.2ng/ml±16.1ng/ml to 193.0ng/ml±14.2ng/ml, p<0.05). Serum concentrations of VCAM-1 and E-selectin did not change significantly in aspirin-treated patients. Our results suggest that the anti-atherogenic effects of aspirin are explained, at least in part, by the reduced expression of ICAM-1.
