Niacin: Does it Affect 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine Levels in Patient with Low HDL Cholesterol?

We aimed to determine whether niacin improve plasma HDL-cholesterol levels by decreasing 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosıne (8-OHdG) as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage or not. Patients (n=32) with low HDL-cholesterol levels (≤ 40 mg/dl) were included in the study. Lipoprotein profiles (total cholesterol, HDL-C, and total triglycerides) were measured in all patients. LDL-C was calculated as described by Friedewald et al. Before and after 16 week of niacin therapy serum 8-OHdG was measured. There were significant difference between pre and post treatment plasma HDL-C and 8-OHdG levels. We concluded that niacin may raise HDL-C levels. The improvement of plasma HDL-C levels may have a protective effect on endothelial dysfunction. By reducing the level of 8-OHdG, niacin may decrease DNA damage. Thus, niacin therapy may be consider as an alternative to statins or fibrates in patients in whom fail to sufficiently correct low HDL-C levels.