Re: ATP Cofactors -- Ferventer was right!

I suppose CZ modified my initial link, but here's the abstract:

The antidyslipidemic drug nicotinic acid (niacin) has been used for decades. One of the major problems of the therapeutical use of nicotinic acid is a strong cutaneous vasodilation called flushing, which develops in almost every patient taking nicotinic acid. Nicotinic acid-induced flushing has been shown to be mediated by the nicotinic acid receptor GPR109A and to involve the formation of vasodilatory prostanoids. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying this short-term effect are unknown. Here, we show that epidermal Langerhans cells are essential for the cutaneous flushing response induced by nicotinic acid. Langerhans cells respond with an increase in [Ca2+]i to nicotinic acid and express prostanoid synthases required for the formation of the vasodilatory prostanoids prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin D2. Depletion of epidermal Langerhans cells but not of macrophages or dendritic cells abrogates nicotinic acid-induced flushing. These data unexpectedly identify epidermal Langerhans cells as essential mediators of nicotinic acid-induced flushing and may help to generate new strategies to suppress the unwanted effects of nicotinic acid. In addition, our results suggest that Langerhans cells besides their immunological roles are also involved in the local regulation of dermal blood flow.

The prostaglandin E2 and D2 are of particular interest. The reason flushing becomes less and less comes from overuse of the E2 and D2 release, vasodilating the cutaneous layers of the skin less with continued use of niacin. I had the same issue with hyperstimulation with the initial niacin use, it felt like I was going out of my mind. Would not recomment starting with a high dose. Wean up slowly.