Inflammation and Vascular Function in Atherosclerosis

Inflammation and Vascular Function in Atherosclerosis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether reducing inflammation in blood vessels with an aspirin-like drug called salsalate will improve blood vessel function.

To test the hypothesis that inhibition of I [kappa] B kinase [beta] (IĸKβ), an inflammatory mediator, by high dose salsalate, will restore insulin-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in subjects with atherosclerosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Non-smoking adult subjects with known atherosclerosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled hypertension (> 140/90 mmHg)
• Untreated hypercholesterolemia (LDL > 160 mg/dL)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Alanine Aminotransferase > 150
• Creatinine > 1.4 mg/dL
• Concommitant use of warfarin