Cited by 427Nitric Oxide and Endothelin EffectsCardiovascular Health and Disease PreventionFolate and B Vitamins Research

Tetrahydrobiopterin improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation by increasing nitric oxide activity in patients with Type II diabetes mellitus

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Heitzer, T., Krohn, K., Albers, S., Meinertz, T.·2000·Diabetologia

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis Tetrahydrobiopterin is an essential cofactor of nitric oxide synthase, and its deficiency decreases nitric oxide bioactivity. Our aim was to find whether supplementation of tetrahydrobiopterin could improve endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients.Methods Forearm blood flow responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (0.75-3.0 microg x 100 ml(-1) x min(-1)) and to the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (0.1-1.0 microg x 100 ml(-1) x min(-1)) before and during concomitant intra-arterial infusion of tetrahydrobiopterin (500 microg/min) were measured by venous occlusion plethysmography in 12 control subjects and 23 patients with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.Results In control subjects, tetrahydrobiopterin had no effect on the dose-response curves to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. In contrast, in diabetic patients, the attenuated endothelium-dependent vasodilation to acetylcholine was considerably improved by concomitant treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin, whereas the endothelium-independent vasodilation was not affected. This beneficial effect of tetrahydrobiopterin in diabetic patients could be completely blocked by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine.Conclusion/interpretation These findings suggest the possibility that endothelial dysfunction in Type II diabetes might be related to decreased availability of tetrahydrobiopterin.

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Authors
Heitzer, T., Krohn, K., Albers, S., & Meinertz, T.
Affiliations
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
Venue
Diabetologia
Published
2000-10-26
Volume
43
Issue
11
Pages
1435-1438
ISSN
  • 0012-186X (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-0428
OpenAlex
W2164765386
Cited by
427
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 27
FWCI
11.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Diabetologia (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Folate and B Vitamins Research
Keywords
tetrahydrobiopterin, endothelial dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, endothelium-dependent vasodilation, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase cofactor, acetylcholine, forearm blood flow, L-NMMA, nitric oxide bioavailability
MeSH terms
Acetylcholine, Biopterins, Blood Flow Velocity, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Endothelium, Vascular, Enzyme Inhibitors, Female, Forearm, Humans, Infusions, Intra-Arterial, Male, Middle Aged, Nitric Oxide, Nitroprusside, Plethysmography, Vasodilation, Vasodilator Agents, Nitric Oxide Synthase, omega-N-Methylarginine

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