Effects of nicorandil on systemic inflammation and oxidative stress induced by percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with coronary heart disease

Objective The present study investigated the effects of a bolus intracoronary injection of nicorandil on systemic inflammation and oxidative stress induced by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) were enrolled into the CAG group (n = 30). Patients undergoing PCI were randomly divided into the PCI (n = 30) and PCI + nicorandil groups (n = 30). Results Blood taken from patients in the placebo group 24 hours after PCI exhibited significant increases in the expression of inflammatory indicators and mild increases in the expression of anti-inflammatory indicators. The intracoronary injection of nicorandil reversed the elevation of inflammatory indicators and significantly increased the levels of anti-inflammatory indicators in the blood of patients with PCI. Blood taken from patients in the placebo group 24 hours after PCI also displayed significant decreased superoxide dismutase levels and increased malondialdehyde levels. Nicorandil treatment reversed these changes of oxidative stress marker levels. Conclusions These results indicated the possible medical application of intracoronary injections of nicorandil for reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in the peripheral blood of patients undergoing PCI.