Nicorandil in Atherosclerosis Risk in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA is associated with significant risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Atherosclerosis is notably accelerated in RA patients, driven by a combination of chronic systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and traditional CV risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.

the conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), effectively control joint inflammation and disease activity, but doesnot affect the risk of atherosclerosis.

Nicorandil is a hybrid drug that combines nitrate-like vasodilatory properties with the activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels. It has been extensively studied in cardiovascular medicine for its vasodilatory, anti-ischemic, and endothelial-stabilizing effects. Recent preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that nicorandil also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, making it a promising candidate for vascular protection in inflammatory conditions such as RA.

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a validated, non-invasive imaging biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis. It reflects structural arterial changes and is predictive of future cardiovascular events. In RA, CIMT is frequently elevated even in the absence of overt CV disease, correlating with disease duration, activity, and systemic inflammation. Changes in CIMT serve as a surrogate endpoint for evaluating the progression or regression of atherosclerosis in interventional trials.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has emerged as a promising biomarker for predicting atherosclerotic risk. Elevated Lp(a) levels contribute to accelerated atherogenesis by promoting endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and recruitment of pro-inflammatory immune cells within the vascular wall. Patients with RA often exhibit elevated Lp(a) levels compared to healthy individuals, which has been associated with a higher risk of atherosclerosis. Among autoimmune disorders, RA exhibits the strongest association with elevated Lp(a) in the context of atherosclerosis.

both will be used to assess risk reduction.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18-70 years, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria.
• Receiving conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy for at least 3 months.
• Willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests, and other study procedures.

Exclusion criteria

• Chronic autoimmune disease other than rheumatoid arthritis.
• RA patients receiving biological DMARDs (bDMARDs).
• Patients on lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., statins, fibrates).
• Patients with metabolic or endocrine disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia).
• Severe renal or hepatic impairment.
• Any history of malignancy.
• Current pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Current acute or chronic infection.
• Currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or device within 30 days prior to screening.
• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to nicorandil or any of its components.