Tetrahydrobiopterin and Dysfunction of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Coronary Arteries

Abstract

The present study suggests that hydrogen peroxide may be a mediator of endothelium-dependent relaxations in coronary arteries depleted of tetrahydrobiopterin. This initially compensatory response, triggered by a dysfunctional nitric oxide synthase, may represent an important mechanism underlying oxidative vascular injury.