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Endothelial dysfunction in aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive, stroke-prone rat: effects of therapy with verapamil and trandolapril alone and in combination.

The effects of chronic therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor trandolapril and/or Ca2+ antagonist verapamil on endothelial and vascular smooth muscle (VSM) function were studied in spontaneously hypertensive, stroke-prone rats (SHRSP). Dosages decreasing systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 20% were administered orally (p.o.) by gavage as monotherapy or combination therapy for 8 weeks, beginning at age 6 weeks. Combination therapy dosages were the same as those used in monotherapy (trandolapril 0.7 mg/kg/day verapamil 20 mg/kg/day) in one group; the second group received only half the monotherapy dosage. The study was placebo-controlled and performed in parallel groups. Isometric tension was measured in aortic rings suspended in organ chambers (95% C2/5% CO2; 37 degrees C). SBP decreased in all groups, as compared with placebo [30-47 mm Hg, analysis of variance (ANOVA), p < 0.05], but decrease was more pronounced in rats receiving high-dose combination (76 mm Hg, ANOVA, p < 0.05). In norepinephrine (NE)-contracted rings, endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) was augmented similarly with all forms of therapy (maximal relaxations 89-94%) as compared with placebo (64 +/- 6%, p < 0.05). In contrast, the response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was similar in all groups (NS). In quiescent rings, ACh elicited endothelium-dependent contractions (in the presence of N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine, L-NAME) that were not affected by therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Genetic factors associated with endothelial dysfunction affect the early onset of coronary artery disease in Korean males.

The maintenance of balance between nitric oxide (NO) and the superoxide anion is required for proper functioning of the endothelium. To investigate the relationship between genetic factors associated with endothelial function and the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) gene a/b polymorphism and NADH/NADPH oxidase p22 phox gene C242T polymorphism were examined in 305 Korean male CAD patients and 215 healthy male control subjects. The beta-fibrinogen gene H1/H2 polymorphism was also analyzed. Both ecNOS a/b and p22 phox C242T polymorphisms were found to be associated with the development of CAD in the study population (p=0.020 and 0.011, respectively). When the association was analyzed by age, statistical significance was retained only in those <51 years (p=0.021 and 0.025 for the a/b and the C242T polymorphism, respectively) and not in those >51 years of age (p=0.155 and 0.278 respectively). However, the distribution of the beta-fibrinogen H1/H2 genotypes was not found to be associated with the development of CAD in either the < or =50 (p = 0.611) or >50 groups (p = 0.188). The ecNOS gene a/b polymorphism and the NADH/NADPH oxidase p22 phox gene C242T polymorphism were found to be significantly associated with the development of CAD in Korean male patients less than 51 years old.

Adult↗

Endocardial endothelial dysfunction and heart failure.

Like vascular endothelium, the EE plays a role in transendothelial transport, in coagulant and thrombotic processes, and in interactions with inflammatory cells. In addition, EE is involved in the modulation of cardiac performance of subjacent myocardium. EE dysfunction includes insufficient as well as excessive performance of any of its multiple functions. Dysfunction can progress from a disturbed modulation of myocardial performance and an imbalance in the release of growth factors to changes in EE cytoskeletal organization, with concomitant changes in transendothelial permeability, and in extreme cases, to loss of endothelial integrity and frank denudation. Structural and functional impairment of EE and of endocardial interstitial cells may be primary or secondary to the disease. Mechanical stress, various hormones and cytokines can initiate EE dysfunction. EE dysfunction may influence the development of cardiac failure in endo(myo)cardial fibrosis (Loeffler's endocarditis and carcinoid syndrome) and in dilated cardiomyopathy. Although Bouillaud, in 1836, was referring to endocarditis when stating: (quote: see text) his statement may presently find a much broader field of applicability in cardiology.

Animals↗

Morphological and biochemical effects of immunosuppressive drugs in a capillary tube assay for endothelial dysfunction.

Immunosuppressive drugs common in clinical transplantation are known to have untoward effects on the vascular system. The effects of some drugs, notably cyclosporin A (CyA), have been studied on the vascular system, while those of others have not. In the vascular system, endothelial cells are the predominant cell type exposed to intravascular concentrations of immunosuppressive drugs. We therefore studied the effects of drugs common in clinical transplantation on endothelial cells in a capillary tube assay. The endothelial cells in the capillary tubes are morphologically more similar to those in the microvasculature than endothelial cells in monolayers. We studied the kinetics and extent of capillary tube formation and prostacyclin (PGI2) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) release from the in vitro capillaries to determine the morphological and biochemical effects of five immunosuppressive agents on endothelial function. We found a significant difference in the morphological and biochemical effects of the two common calcineurin inhibitors, CyA and tacrolimus (FK506) on capillary morphology in vitro. The former had a pronounced injurious effect on the morphology of the in vitro capillaries, while the latter did not. CyA also significantly increased ET-1 release by the capillaries, but FK506 did not. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was the only other agent that had a moderately injurious effect on the morphology of the in vitro capillaries. Sirolimus (rapamycin) and dexamethasone, similar to FK506, had no effect on the capillary morphology. All these agents, except dexamethasone, increased PGI2 release. Our data suggest that CyA adversely affects the morphology of the microvasculature and that this is mediated, at least partly, by an increased ET-1 release by endothelial cells exposed to CyA. These findings describe a novel effect of CyA and MMF on endothelial cells that could be relevant to understanding the mechanisms of immunosuppressive drug-mediated endothelial injury in clinical transplantation.

Cell Survival↗

Intracellular Ca2+ homeostatic regulation and 4-hydroxynonenal-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction.

The aldehydic lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is known to compromise erythrocyte passive Ca2+ permeability and to irreversibly inhibit the plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+-transport. To measure the effects of HNE on passive and active Ca2+ transport in endothelial cells, we first characterized 45Ca2+ uptake and efflux in cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC). PAEC exchanged 45Ca2+ to a cumulative near-isotopic equilibrium of about 4.5 pmole 45Ca2+/10(6) cells in 120 min at 37 degrees C. This Ca2+ pool was diminished by thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid, oligomycin B, and sodium azide. In contrast, ouabain enhanced Ca2+ uptake capacity from 5.17 to 5.77 pmole/10(6) cells. Accumulated 45Ca2+ was extruded at rate of 8.7 fmole 45Ca2+/10(6) cells/min or shunted rapidly by the ionophore A23187. HNE increased total 45Ca2+ accumulation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner by as much as 562% with an EC50 of 64.0 wM. Concomitant morphological analysis of PAEC revealed vacuolization, nuclear swelling, cell shrinking, and cell detachment. Initial structural changes, such as vacuolization, began well before any changes in Ca2+ accumulation were observed. These functional and morphological changes indicate that HNE significantly increases intracellular Ca2+ accumulation in vascular endothelium, which may explain the cytotoxic effects associated with HNE exposure and provide further evidence that atherogenic effects of HNE may, in part, be caused by disturbances in Ca2+ homeostasis.

Aldehydes↗

Effects of antioxidant supplementation on postprandial oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction: a single-blind, 15-day clinical trial in patients with untreated type 2 diabetes, subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress may be of crucial importance in the pathogenesis of endothelial damage. Furthermore, there is understood to be a relationship between endothelial damage, glycemic control, disorders of lipid metabolism, and coagulative hemostatic disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated within- and between-group changes in various circulating markers of oxidation-reduction balance and endothelial function after a balanced moderate-fat meal with and without antioxidant supplementation in patients with early-stage, untreated type 2 diabetes mellitus; subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); and healthy controls. METHODS: In this single-blind, controlled clinical study, groups of patients with type 2 diabetes and subjects with IGT were identified and compared with a group of healthy controls. All groups followed a controlled, well-balanced diet for 10 days before and throughout the study. Before and after consumption of a standardized moderate-fat meal, plasma levels of oxidants (malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, oxidized low-density lipoprotein), the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase, and markers of endothelial function (NO, endothelin-1, von Willebrand factor [vWF], vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1]) were determined. These measures were then reassessed after 15 days of standard antioxidant treatment consisting of a thiol-containing antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine 600 g/d), a bound antioxidant (vitamin E 300 g/d), and an aqueous phase antioxidant (vitamin C 250 mg/d). The efficacy of antioxidant treatment in reversing abnormalities in oxidation-reduction balance after a moderate-fat meal was assessed by evaluating changes in plasma levels of ROS on the morning of the 16th day following an overnight fast. Safety was monitored in terms of adverse events, vital signs, physical findings, and laboratory values. RESULTS: The study included 46 patients with type 2 diabetes (23 men, 23 women; mean [SD] age, 41 [3] years; mean body mass index [BMI], 24 [2] kg/m(2)), 46 with IGT (23 men, 23 women; mean age, 39 [3] years; mean BMI, 23 [3] kg/m(2)), and 46 control subjects (23 men, 23 women; mean age, 40 [1] years; mean BMI, 22 [1] kg/m(2)). Before supplementation, all 3 groups had significantly increased levels of oxidants, vWF, and VCAM-1 (all, P < 0.001) and significantly decreased levels of antioxidants and NO (both, P < 0.001) after consumption of a moderate-fat meal. After 15 days of antioxidant treatment, significant improvements in these measures were seen in all groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed changes in oxidation-reduction balance, NO bioavailability, and nonthrombogenic endothelial factors after a moderate-fat meal in patients with type 2 diabetes and those with IGT, but these postprandial changes were reverse in all subjects after 15 days of standard antioxidant supplementation. These findings suggest that the use of anti-oxidants may have decreased oxidative stress in these subjects.

Acetylcysteine↗

Pulmonary arterial endothelial dysfunction potentiates hypercapnic vasoconstriction and alters the response to inhaled nitric oxide.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertensive crisis can be initiated by episodes of hypercapnic acidosis. Hypercapnic vasoconstriction in the newborn pulmonary arterial circulation may be modulated by endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) by the endothelial cell and effectively treated with inhalation of NO. METHODS: Sixteen 48-hour-old piglets were randomized to receive a hypercapnic challenge after administration of either saline vehicle or the NO synthase inhibitor N-omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA). Pulmonary arterial pressure, flow, and radius measurements were taken at baseline, after infusion of vehicle or L-NA, during hypercapnia (inspired fraction of carbon dioxide, 0.15), and during inhalation of NO (100 ppm). Fourier analysis was used to calculate input mean impedance, reflecting distal arteriolar vasoconstriction, and characteristic impedance, reflecting proximal arterial geometry and distensibility. RESULTS: Input mean impedance was increased with L-NA administration. Animals pretreated with L-NA also underwent a much larger increase in input mean impedance with exposure to hypercapnia than untreated animals. Characteristic impedance increased in the treated animals, but not in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: In the newborn pulmonary arterial circulation, endogenous NO production by the endothelial cell modulates resting tone distally, but not proximally. In addition, lack of a functional endothelium markedly potentiates the distal vasoconstrictor response to hypercapnia and produces proximal vasoconstriction. Despite impaired endothelial function, inhaled NO remains an effective vasodilator in hypercapnic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Reduced nitric oxide production by endothelial cells in cirrhotic rat liver: endothelial dysfunction in portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intrahepatic vascular resistance is regulated in part by the vasoconstricting and relaxing effects of compounds such as endothelin and nitric oxide (NO). Although the hepatic endothelium is likely to be a prominent source of NO via production by endothelial cell NO synthase (ecNOS), this isoform has not been described in sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs). The aim of this study was to determine whether ecNOS is produced by SECs, and, if so, to determine whether ecNOS- (mRNA/protein) or SEC-dependent production of NO varies after liver injury. METHODS: A cDNA encoding a 279-bp fragment homologous to bovine ecNOS was isolated and used to detect rat ecNOS mRNA. Liver injury and/or cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation or administration of CCl4. NOS activity was quantitated and the presence of NO was detected with highly sensitive nitrite and cGMP assays. RESULTS: ecNOS mRNA and protein (detected by immunoblot) were present only in SECs. Neither ecNOS mRNA abundance nor protein levels varied after liver injury induced by bile duct ligation or repeated CCl4 administration, including in animals with cirrhosis. Because inducible NOS is induced after bile duct ligation but not after CCl4-induced cirrhosis, we examined NOS activity and nitrite- and NO-dependent cGMP production after the latter form of injury. NOS activity and nitrite and cGMP production were significantly reduced in SECs from cirrhotic animals compared with controls (P < 0.05, n = 4-6). CONCLUSIONS: SECs are an important source of ecNOS in the liver; although ecNOS mRNA and protein levels in SECs do not seem to vary with liver injury, ecNOS function is altered, resulting in diminished NO release in SECs from cirrhotic livers. These data have important implications for the pathogenesis of intrahepatic portal hypertension as well as other disorders in which endothelia may be damaged.

Animals↗

Do intraocular angiotensin II levels, plasma prothrombotic factors and endothelial dysfunction contribute to proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

PURPOSE: To investigate whether diabetic retinopathy (DR) is associated with abnormalities in: (i) aqueous humour Angiotensin I (Ang I) and Angiotensin II (Ang II) levels; and (ii) plasma Ang I, soluble P-selectin, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), endothelial markers and haemorheological abnormalities. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of diabetic patients and healthy controls undergoing cataract surgery. RESULTS: 21 diabetic patients (12 males; mean age 67.0 years) were studied. Plasma levels of Ang II were lower in diabetics compared with controls (p<0.05). There were no differences in mean aqueous Ang I and Ang II levels in diabetics with or without proliferative DR compared with controls. Mean systolic blood pressure was higher in Group 1 patients (p=0.02). Patients with DR also demonstrated high Lp (a) and abnormal haemorheological factors (fibrinogen, white cell count). CONCLUSION: Ang I and Ang II do not significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of DR. Patients with DR also had abnormal Lp (a) and haemorheological factors. The role of hypertension in the pathogenesis of DR needs further evaluation.

Aged↗

C-peptide inhibits leukocyte-endothelium interaction in the microcirculation during acute endothelial dysfunction.

C-peptide is a cleavage product that comes from processing proinsulin to insulin that induces nitric oxide (NO) -mediated vasodilation. NO modulates leukocyte-endothelium interaction. We hypothesized that C-peptide might inhibit leukocyte-endothelium interaction via increased release of endothelial NO. Using intravital microscopy of the rat mesentery, we measured leukocyte-endothelium interactions after administration of C-peptide to the rat. Superfusion of the rat mesentery with either thrombin or L-NAME consistently and significantly increased the number of rolling, adhering, and transmigrated leukocytes. C-peptide significantly attenuated either thrombin- or L-NAME-induced leukocyte-endothelium interactions in rat mesenteric venules. A control scrambled sequence of C-peptide characterized by the same amino acid composition in a randomized sequence failed to inhibit leukocyte-endothelium interactions. These effects of C-peptide were associated with decreased surface expression of the cell adhesion molecules P-selectin and ICAM-1 on the microvascular endothelium. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA levels were increased in rats injected with C-peptide. This enhanced eNOS expression was associated with a marked increase in basal NO release from the aorta of C-peptide-treated rats. We conclude that C-peptide is a potent inhibitor of leukocyte-endothelium interaction and that this effect is specifically related to inhibition of endothelial cell adhesion molecules via maintenance of NO release from the vascular endothelium.

Animals↗

Calcium entry blockade may prevent cyclosporin A-induced hypersensitivity to angiotensin II and endothelial dysfunction in the rat aorta.

Vascular smooth muscle dysfunction after chronic treatment with cyclosporin A was in part explained by chronically augmented calcium influx leading to calcium overload. The potential protective effect of calcium antagonism with diltiazem as regards endothelial and vascular smooth muscle reactivity was investigated during chronic treatment with cyclosporin A. Male Wistar rats were orally treated for 6 weeks with either cyclosporin A (30 mg.kg-1 x day-1 in 1 ml, n = 8), with the vehicle alone (n = 10), with diltiazem (60 mg.kg-1 x day-1, n = 10) or with a combination of cyclosporin A and diltiazem (30 mg.kg-1 x day-1 and 60 mg.kg-1 x day-1, n = 8), respectively. Rings of the isolated thoracic aorta were mounted in organ chambers to measure isometric force. Chronic treatment with diltiazem alone did not affect the responsiveness to any of the drugs tested, but the augmentation of contractions to angiotensin II (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) after treatment with cyclosporin, was prevented by co-treatment with diltiazem. Co-treatment with diltiazem, however, did not affect the response to potassium chloride (20-80 mM), endothelin-1 (10(-9) to 10(-7) M) or phenylephrine (10(-9) to 10(-6) M). Endothelium-dependent relaxations to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, 10(-10) to 10(-7) M) and acetylcholine (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) were reduced in cyclosporin A treated rats. Co-treatment with diltiazem normalized the response to CGRP. The response to acetylcholine was not significantly affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II↗

Oral L-arginine improves endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: L-Arginine is a nitric oxide precursor, which augments endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in hypercholesterolemic humans and animals. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is attenuated in patients with hypertension; however the effects of oral L-arginine on endothelial function of the conduit arteries in patients with essential hypertension have not previously been investigated. METHODS: In a prospective randomized double blind trial, 35 patients with essential hypertension received either 6 g L-arginine (18 subjects) or placebo (17 subjects). Patients were examined for flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilatation of the brachial artery before and 1.5 h after administration of L-arginine or placebo. At the end of the protocol the nitrate-induced, endothelium-independent vasodilatation was evaluated. RESULTS: Two groups of L-arginine and placebo were similar regarding age, sex, blood lipids, smoking, diabetes, coronary artery disease, body mass index, intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, clinics blood pressure and baseline brachial artery parameters. Administration of L-arginine or placebo did not change significantly heart rate, blood pressure, baseline diameter, blood flow or reactive hyperemia. L-Arginine resulted in a significant improvement of flow-mediated dilatation (1.7+/-3.4 vs. 5.9+/-5.4%, P=0.008) while placebo did not significantly change this parameter (3.0+/-2.7 vs. 3.1+/-2.2%, P=ns). The effect of L-arginine on flow-mediated dilatation was significantly different from the effect of placebo (P=0.05). L-Arginine did not significantly influence nitrate-induced dilatation (16+/-6.9 vs. 17.7+/-6.7%, P=ns). CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of L-arginine acutely improves endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery in patients with essential hypertension. The long-term effects of L-arginine in these patients require further investigation.

Administration, Oral↗

Reduction of obesity, as induced by leptin, reverses endothelial dysfunction in obese (Lep(ob)) mice.

Obesity is a major health care problem and is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity. Leptin, a neuroendocrine hormone released by adipose tissue, is important in modulating obesity by signaling satiety and increasing metabolism. Moreover, leptin receptors are expressed on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and mediate angiogenesis. We hypothesized that leptin may also play an important role in vasoregulation. We investigated vasoregulatory mechanisms in the leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mouse model and determined the influence of leptin replacement on endothelial-dependent vasorelaxant responses. The direct effect of leptin on EC nitric oxide (NO) production was also tested by using 4, 5-diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate staining and measurement of nitrate and nitrite concentrations. Vasoconstrictor responses to phenylephrine, norepinephrine, and U-46619 were markedly enhanced in aortic rings from ob/ob mice and were modulated by NO synthase inhibition. Vasorelaxant responses to ACh were markedly attenuated in mesenteric microvessels from ob/ob mice. Leptin replacement resulted in significant weight loss and reversal of the impaired endothelial-dependent vasorelaxant responses observed in ob/ob mice. Preincubation of ECs with leptin enhanced the release of NO production. Thus leptin-deficient ob/ob mice demonstrate marked abnormalities in vasoregulation, including impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilation, which is reversed by leptin replacement. These findings may be partially explained by the direct effect of leptin on endothelial NO production. These vascular abnormalities are similar to those observed in obese, diabetic, leptin-resistant humans. The ob/ob mouse may, therefore, be an excellent new model for the study of the cardiovascular effects of obesity.

Animals↗

Hemodialysis and L-arginine, but not D-arginine, correct renal failure-associated endothelial dysfunction.

In end-stage renal failure (ESRF) symptomatic hemodialysis-related hypotension may prevent effective provision of renal replacement therapy. Endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase accumulate in ESRF and are cleared by dialysis. We, therefore, hypothesised that removal of these inhibitors by hemodialysis would increase endothelial nitric oxide generation and promote venodilation. In vivo responses of norepinephrine preconstricted dorsal hand veins to locally active doses of acetylcholine (an activator of nitric oxide synthase) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN; a nitric oxide donor) were examined in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for ESRF and in healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Patient studies were undertaken before and after dialysis. Studies before dialysis were repeated with co-infusion of either L-arginine or its inactive enantiomer D-arginine. Venodilation in response to acetylcholine was impaired before, and corrected by, dialysis whereas venodilation to GTN was similar before and after dialysis. Venodilation in response to acetylcholine before dialysis was restored by co-infusion of L- but not D-arginine. Therefore, patients with ESRF undergoing hemodialysis have impaired acetylcholine-mediated venodilation consistent with the accumulation in ESRF of functionally important inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase that are cleared by dialysis.

Adult↗

Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and endothelial dysfunction in IDDM.

OBJECTIVE: While elevated blood levels of homocyst(e)ine represent an independent risk factor for macrovascular disease, we assessed the link between hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and diabetic microvascular diseases. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma levels of homocyst(e)ine and thrombomodulin (TM), markers of endothelial cell damage, were measured before and 3 h after oral methionine loading in 75 patients with IDDM and 40 healthy control subjects matched for sex and age. Exclusion criteria were hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, or positive family history for cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: IDDM patients had higher pre- and postload plasma levels of homocyst(e)ine than did healthy control subjects (12.0 vs. 7.7 mumol/l and 27.6 vs. 16.0 mumol/l; P < 0.001). Of 75 IDDM patients, 26 had plasma homocyst(e)ine levels above the normal range (means +/- 2 SD of values obtained in the control group). These IDDM patients with hyperhomocyst(e)inemia had higher plasma TM levels (62.2 vs. 38.2 ng/ml, P < 0.001), higher albumin excretion rates (485 vs. 115 mg/l, P < 0.005), and a higher prevalence of late diabetic complications (nephropathy, 76 vs. 33%; retinopathy, 69 vs. 51%; neuropathy, 57 vs. 41%; and macroangiopathy, 57 vs. 33%) compared with IDDM patients with normal plasma homocyst(e)ine. In vitro experiments with human umbilical vein cells showed an increased release of TM into the culture supernatant only when endothelial cells were pretreated with advanced glycation end product (AGE)-albumin before L-homocystine was added. A synergistic action of homocyst(e)ine and AGEs might contribute to vascular complications in patients with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia is common in nephropathic diabetic patients and may contribute to the enhanced morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases characteristically observed in IDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Administration, Oral↗

Coronary endothelial dysfunction from ischemia and reperfusion: effect of reactive oxygen metabolite scavengers.

Using anesthetized mongrel dogs exposed to 60 min of ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 60 min of reperfusion, we examined the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and dimethylthiourea (DMTU) on evidence of endothelial injury in coronary rings studied in vitro. In 13 dogs treated with saline rings from the normal left circumflex coronary artery (LCF) relaxed by 98 +/- 4% when exposed to 10(-5) M acetylcholine whereas rings from the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) relaxed by 79 +/- 7% (p less than 0.05). In the same rings maximum relaxation with the ionophore A23187 was 107 +/- 5% versus 87 +/- 8% (p less than 0.05) for the LCF and the LAD, respectively. Comparisons of concentration-response curves through a range of doses of both acetylcholine and A23187 revealed significant differences for both vasodilators between the LCF and the LAD (p less than 0.01 for each). Nine dogs were treated with bovine SOD infused in the left atrium the last 20 min of ligation and throughout reperfusion (140 units/kg/min) and six other dogs were treated with DMTU 500 mg/kg i.v. given the last 30 min of the ligation period. Neither SOD nor DMTU prevented endothelial injury in the LAD. Despite pretreatment with these agents, there were significant reductions in maximum relaxation and in total concentration-response curves in the LAD as compared with the results in rings from the LCF with both acetylcholine and A23187. There were normal responses to nitroprusside in both the LCF and LAD in all three experimental groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗