Effect of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, VIA-2291 (Atreleuton), on epicardial fat volume in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The association between inflammation and atherosclerosis has been well described in the literature. There is now mounting evidence in support of adipose tissue as a reservoir for inflammatory markers. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been shown to associate with coronary atherosclerosis and found to be a predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events. This study, VIA-EAT, assesses the change in epicardial fat volume (EFV) after treatment with an investigational anti-inflammatory agent (VIA-2291) in a cohort of post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

METHODS

This study is derived from a post-hoc analysis of a previously conducted randomized clinical trial (NCT00358826). Patients were recruited for a prospective, double-blind, multi-center randomized trial of a 5-lipooxygenase inhibitor or placebo in a 3:1 randomization, including doses of placebo, and 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg of active treatment. Cardiac computed tomography was performed at baseline and at 24 weeks after treatment with VIA-2291. EAT and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) were measured using previously published methodology. A Pearson correlation test was used to determine the relationship between change in epicardial fat and change in plaque composition.

RESULTS

We analyzed 54 pre- and post-treatment scans. There were no major differences between traditional cardiovascular risk factors among the 4 randomized study arms. There was a significant decrease in EAT and PAT in patients in the treatment arms vs. placebo, -3.0 ± 8.2mm3 and -3.9 ± 10.9mm3 vs. 1.7 ± 7.5mm3 and 1.4 ± 10.7mm3 (p = 0.001), respectively. The changes in EAT and PAT were more pronounced in patients taking 100 mg of the drug vs. placebo: 4.2 ± 9.6mm3, -7.6 ± 8.5mm3, p = 0.0001, respectively. In a subgroup analysis, reduction in epicardial fat volume correlated with reduction in total atherosclerotic plaque volume across all VIA treatment groups, r = 0.52 (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors including age, gender, body mass index, dyslipidemia and smoking, VIA-2291 decreases EAT and PAT in individuals with recent ACS. Treatment with the drug also appears to alter plaque volume and composition.