Studies on the mechanism of flush induced by nicotinic acid

Flush is a common side effect of nicotinic acid therapy in patients. The effect is present as long as the level of nicotinic acid increases in the plasma. The mechanism of flush after nicotinic acid has been studied in the ears of guinea-pigs in vivo. The threshold dose of nicotinic acid (1-3 mg/kg) to raise the skin temperature of the ears and to increase the cyclic AMP level of this tissue was similar. Indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid which inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins markedly reduce the duration and intensity of the flush. In isolated slices from guinea-pig ears, nicotinic acid increased the level of cyclic AMP; this effect was inhibited by indomethacin. The stimulating action of prostaglandin E1 on the cyclic AMP level of the ear slices was not inhibited by indomethacin. Since administration to man of both cyclic AMP and prostaglandin E1 produces flush it is suggested that nicotinic acid may induce flush by the formation of some prostaglandin which then increases the formation of cyclic AMP.