Tetrahydrobiopterin restores endothelial function in long-term smokers

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 71 - 75
• Main Authors: Ueda, Seiji, Matsuoka, Hidehiro, Miyazaki, Hiroshi, Usui, Michiaki, Okuda, Seiya, Imaizumi, Tsutomu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.01.2000; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Antioxidants - administration & dosage; Antioxidants - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biopterins - administration & dosage; Biopterins - analogs & derivatives; Biopterins - blood; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Brachial Artery - drug effects; Brachial Artery - physiology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Nitric Oxide - physiology; Smoking - physiopathology; Vasodilation - drug effects; Vasodilation - physiology; GTN; HDL; NO; NOS; ANOVA; LDL; HbA1c; FMV; l-NMMA; BH4; Human; Prevention; Tetrahydrobiopterin; Toxicity; Defective operation; Tobacco smoking; Cardiovascular disease; Complication; Male; Supplementation; Endothelium

OBJECTIVES We sought to test whether tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) supplementation improves nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity in smokers. BACKGROUND In smokers, endothelium-derived NO bioactivity is impaired. BH4 is an essential cofactor of NO synthase, and its deficiency decreases NO bioactivity. METHODS S...