Health & Medicine

NSAIDS Increase Risk of Heart Disease, But Not All; Vit C Prevents Cell Death

Michael Finn
First Posted: May 02, 2016 04:00 AM EDT

Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen have been found to increase the risk of heart disease based on a previous study. However, researchers from the University of California, have revealed other reasons why these drugs are harmful to the heart tissue.

Through an extensive study of heart cells from mice and rats, the team of researchers has discovered several effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as:

According to Aldrin Gomes, an associate professor of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior at the UC Davis, they are aware that these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had side effects and that it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. But with the research findings, the mechanisms behind this have been determined, according to the professor.

Comparing naproxen, which is known to be the safest NSAID available, with other stronger anti-inflammatory drug like meclofenamate sodium, the scientists have discovered that:

The study, which was published recently in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular radiology, further suggests that taking antioxidant such as vitamin C can avoid cardiac cell death without affecting the ability of the drug to provide pain relief, News-Medical reported.

See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone

More on SCIENCEwr