METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ATTENUATING TNF-A-MEDIATED MONOCYTE-ENDOTHELIAL INTERACTION AND IMPROVED FLOW-MEDIATED VASODILATION IN HYPERLIPIDEMIA USING HOPS TETRAHYDRO ISO-ALPHA ACIDS AND NIACIN

摘要

Disclosed are methods and compositions combining the anti-inflammatory tetrahydro iso-alpha acids (THIAA) from hops with niacin for improving endothelial function. The THIAA/niacin mixture inhibited various TNF-a-induced cytokines in human aortic endothelial cells and in THP-1 monocytic cells, and was significantly more efficacious than niacin alone. The effects of THIAA and niacin on endothelial-regulated flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was tested in dyslipidemic volunteers. The 12-week treatment resulted in a clinically relevant FMD increase compared to a trend toward decrease in placebo. THIAA/niacin treatment also improved total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and uric acid.