Biomaterial Database

Tetrahydrobiopterin, a cofactor for nitric oxide synthase, produces endothelium-dependent dilation of mouse pial arterioles. 1997

W I Rosenblum

Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Pathology, Richmond 23298, USA.

OBJECTIVE Tetrahydrobiopterin (THBP) is an essential cofactor for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is responsible for the synthesis of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) responsible for mediating the vasorelaxation produced by acetylcholine (ACh). Previous publications suggest that EDRFACh is continuously synthesized and released from the endothelium of mouse pial arterioles. If so, then one may predict that addition of THBP will increase the local production of EDRFACh and produce an endothelium-dependent relaxation that can be blocked by application of a known inhibitor of NOS. This study tests the prediction. METHODS The pial vessels were observed at a continuously suffused craniotomy site by means of intravital television microscopy. The effects of topically applied THBP on diameter were monitored before and after endothelial damage and before and after local treatment with the NOS inhibitor N-guanidino-L-monomethyl arginine (LNMMA). The endothelial damage was produced by a helium-neon laser in the presence of Evans blue dye. RESULTS A dose-dependent relaxation was produced by 10(-3) and 10(-2) mol/L THBP. The response was virtually eliminated by endothelial injury. LNMMA 10(-6) mol/L also greatly inhibited dilation. CONCLUSIONS The data are consistent with all reports that THBP is a cofactor for constitutive endothelial NOS. The data are consonant with previous results suggesting that EDRFACh is continually synthesized and released. It appears that THBP increases this synthesis and consequently the local level of released EDRFACh. The continuous spontaneous synthesis/release of EDRFACh modulates basal tone and, according to other studies, helps maintain a platelet-free endothelial surface.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008813	Mice, Inbred ICR	An inbred strain of mouse that is used as a general purpose research strain, for therapeutic drug testing, and for the genetic analysis of CARCINOGEN-induced COLON CANCER.	Mice, Inbred ICRC,Mice, ICR,Mouse, ICR,Mouse, Inbred ICR,Mouse, Inbred ICRC,ICR Mice,ICR Mice, Inbred,ICR Mouse,ICR Mouse, Inbred,ICRC Mice, Inbred,ICRC Mouse, Inbred,Inbred ICR Mice,Inbred ICR Mouse,Inbred ICRC Mice,Inbred ICRC Mouse
D009131	Muscle, Smooth, Vascular	The nonstriated involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels.	Vascular Smooth Muscle,Muscle, Vascular Smooth,Muscles, Vascular Smooth,Smooth Muscle, Vascular,Smooth Muscles, Vascular,Vascular Smooth Muscles
D010841	Pia Mater	The innermost layer of the three meninges covering the brain and spinal cord. It is the fine vascular membrane that lies under the ARACHNOID and the DURA MATER.	Mater, Pia,Maters, Pia,Pia Maters
D002536	Cerebral Arteries	The arterial blood vessels supplying the CEREBRUM.	Arteries, Cerebral,Artery, Cerebral,Cerebral Artery
D004730	Endothelium, Vascular	Single pavement layer of cells which line the luminal surface of the entire vascular system and regulate the transport of macromolecules and blood components.	Capillary Endothelium,Vascular Endothelium,Capillary Endotheliums,Endothelium, Capillary,Endotheliums, Capillary,Endotheliums, Vascular,Vascular Endotheliums
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000975	Antioxidants	Naturally occurring or synthetic substances that inhibit or retard oxidation reactions. They counteract the damaging effects of oxidation in animal tissues.	Anti-Oxidant,Antioxidant,Antioxidant Activity,Endogenous Antioxidant,Endogenous Antioxidants,Anti-Oxidant Effect,Anti-Oxidant Effects,Anti-Oxidants,Antioxidant Effect,Antioxidant Effects,Activity, Antioxidant,Anti Oxidant,Anti Oxidant Effect,Anti Oxidant Effects,Anti Oxidants,Antioxidant, Endogenous,Antioxidants, Endogenous
D001160	Arterioles	The smallest divisions of the arteries located between the muscular arteries and the capillaries.	Arteriole
D001708	Biopterins	Pterin derivatives based on 2-amino-6-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-4(1H)-pteridinone. Biopterins are natural products that have been considered as growth factors for some insects. Biopterins are cofactors for the AROMATIC AMINO ACID hydroxylases and NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Deficiencies in BIOPTERINS metabolism (e.g., lowered TETRAHYDROBIOPTERIN) are associated with neurological deterioration (e.g., HYPERPHENYLALANINAEMIA).	2-Amino-6-((1S,2R)-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-4(1H)-pteridinone,2-Amino-6-((1S,2S)-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-4(1H)-pteridinone,2-Amino-6-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-4(8H)-pteridinone,2-amino-6-((1R,2R)-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-4(3H)-pteridinone,4(1H)-Pteridinone, 2-amino-6-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-, (S-(R,S))-,6-Biopterin,Biopterin,D-threo-Biopterin,L-Biopterin,L-erythro-Biopterin,L-threo-Biopterin,2-Amino-6-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-4(1H)-pteridinone,Dictyopterin,Orinapterin,6 Biopterin,D threo Biopterin,L Biopterin,L erythro Biopterin,L threo Biopterin