Ex-vivo effect of roxithromycin on human and rat arterial vasoactivity.

Background: Prior studies have suggested that inflammation and possibly bacterial infections play a role in atherogenesis and in the clinical pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Treatment with the macrolide antibiotics has been associated with improved outcome from cardiovascular disease, although the mechanism through which they exert their effects may be unrelated to their antibiotic properties. Drugs that exert a vasodilator effect on arteries have been associated with attenuated atherogenesis and improved outcome from cardiovascular disease.