Abstract
Objective
Vascular endothelial nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis is reported to be decreased in
patients with atherosclerosis. The primary aim of the present study was to determine
whether whole body NO production is decreased in patients with established coronary
atherosclerosis (CA) as compared to healthy control (HC) subjects. As a secondary
aim, we wished to ascertain whether whole body NO biosynthesis is inversely related
to plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels.
Design
Whole body NO production was assessed by measuring the amount of [15N]-nitrate excreted in urine, following intravenous administration of l-[15N]2-arginine.
Subjects
19 CA and 13 HC.
Results
Mean urinary [15N]-nitrate excretion was not different between the CA (113.1 ± 13.9 nmol/mmol creatinine) and HC (129.9 ± 15.4 nmol/mmol creatinine) groups, and was not different in CA subjects taking nitrates
as compared to those not taking nitrates. Linear regression analysis revealed a strong
inverse correlation between [15N]-nitrate excretion and plasma Hcy concentration (r = 0.475, p = 0.012). In contrast, no relationship was observed between [15N]-nitrate excretion and age, blood pressure (systolic or diastolic), plasma cholesterol
(including subfractions), triglycerides or glucose.
Conclusions
Whole body NO production is inversely related to plasma Hcy, but is not related either
to established coronary atherosclerosis or to the presence of other cardiovascular
risk factors.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 28, 2007
Accepted:
June 19,
2007
Received in revised form:
May 30,
2007
Received:
March 11,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
