Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation Research
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation Research. 2000;87:566-573

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Shinozaki, K.
Right arrow Articles by Kashiwagi, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Shinozaki, K.
Right arrow Articles by Kashiwagi, A.
Related Collections
Right arrow Coronary circulation
Right arrow Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Right arrow Oxidant stress
Right arrow Endothelium/vascular type/nitric oxide
(Circulation Research. 2000;87:566.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.


Integrative Physiology

Oral Administration of Tetrahydrobiopterin Prevents Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Oxidative Stress in the Aortas of Insulin-Resistant Rats

Kazuya Shinozaki, Yoshihiko Nishio, Tomio Okamura, Yuichi Yoshida, Hiroshi Maegawa, Hideto Kojima, Masahiro Masada, Noboru Toda, Ryuichi Kikkawa, Atsunori Kashiwagi

From the Third Department of Medicine (K.S., Y.N., H.M., H.K., R.K., A.K.) and Department of Pharmacology (T.O., N.T.), Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan; and Laboratory of Biochemistry (Y.Y., M.M.), Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University, Matsudo, Japan.

Correspondence to Dr Atsunori Kashiwagi, Third Department of Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa-cho, Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan. E-mail kasiwagi{at}belle.shiga-med.ac.jp

Abstract—We have reported that a deficiency of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an active cofactor of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), contributes to the endothelial dysfunction through reduced eNOS activity and increased superoxide anion (O2-) generation in the insulin-resistant state. To further confirm this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of dietary treatment with BH4 on endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation and vascular oxidative stress in the aortas of insulin-resistant rats. Oral supplementation of BH4 (10 mg · kg-1 · d-1) for 8 weeks significantly increased the BH4 content in cardiovascular tissues of rats fed high levels of fructose (fructose-fed rats). Impairment of endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation in the aortic strips of the fructose-fed rats was reversed with BH4 treatment. The BH4 treatment was associated with a 2-fold increase in eNOS activity as well as a 70% reduction in endothelial O2- production compared with those in fructose-fed rats. The BH4 treatment also partially improved the insulin sensitivity and blood pressure, as well as the serum triglyceride concentration, in the fructose-fed rats. Moreover, BH4 treatment of the fructose-fed rats markedly reduced the lipid peroxide content of both aortic and cardiac tissues and inhibited the activation of 2 redox-sensitive transcription factors, nuclear factor-{kappa}B and activating protein-1, which were increased in fructose-fed rats. The BH4 treatment of control rats did not have any significant effects on these parameters. These results indicate that BH4 augmentation is essential for the restoration of eNOS function and the reduction of vascular oxidative stress in insulin-resistant rats.


Key Words: tetrahydrobiopterin • insulin • endothelium • free radicals




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
C. Antoniades, C. Shirodaria, T. Van Assche, C. Cunnington, I. Tegeder, J. Lotsch, T. J. Guzik, P. Leeson, J. Diesch, D. Tousoulis, et al.
GCH1 Haplotype Determines Vascular and Plasma Biopterin Availability in Coronary Artery Disease: Effects on Vascular Superoxide Production and Endothelial Function
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 8, 2008; 52(2): 158 - 165.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
N. Sasaki, T. Yamashita, T. Takaya, M. Shinohara, R. Shiraki, M. Takeda, N. Emoto, A. Fukatsu, T. Hayashi, K. Ikemoto, et al.
Augmentation of Vascular Remodeling by Uncoupled Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in a Mouse Model of Diabetes Mellitus
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., June 1, 2008; 28(6): 1068 - 1076.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
M. J. Crabtree, C. L. Smith, G. Lam, M. S. Goligorsky, and S. S. Gross
Ratio of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin to 7,8-dihydrobiopterin in endothelial cells determines glucose-elicited changes in NO vs. superoxide production by eNOS
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, April 1, 2008; 294(4): H1530 - H1540.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Exp PhysiolHome page
M. T. Kearney, E. R. Duncan, M. Kahn, and S. B. Wheatcroft
Insulin resistance and endothelial cell dysfunction: studies in mammalian models
Exp Physiol, January 1, 2008; 93(1): 158 - 163.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
E. R. Duncan, S. J. Walker, V. A. Ezzat, S. B. Wheatcroft, J.-M. Li, A. M. Shah, and M. T. Kearney
Accelerated endothelial dysfunction in mild prediabetic insulin resistance: the early role of reactive oxygen species
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2007; 293(5): E1311 - E1319.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Nephrol Dial TransplantHome page
E. Podjarny, J. Bernheim, G. Hasdan, D. Karsh, G. Rashid, J. Green, B. Katz, and J. Bernheim
Additive renoprotective effect of candesartan and tetrahydrobiopterin in rats after 5/6 nephrectomy
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., July 1, 2007; 22(7): 1864 - 1872.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
Y. Hattori, S. Hattori, X. Wang, H. Satoh, N. Nakanishi, and K. Kasai
Oral Administration of Tetrahydrobiopterin Slows the Progression of Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mice
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., April 1, 2007; 27(4): 865 - 870.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
J. D. Widder, T. J. Guzik, C. F.H. Mueller, R. E. Clempus, H. H.H.W. Schmidt, S. I. Dikalov, K. K. Griendling, D. P. Jones, and D. G. Harrison
Role of the Multidrug Resistance Protein-1 in Hypertension and Vascular Dysfunction Caused by Angiotensin II
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., April 1, 2007; 27(4): 762 - 768.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A. L. Moens and D. A. Kass
Tetrahydrobiopterin and Cardiovascular Disease
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., November 1, 2006; 26(11): 2439 - 2444.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol.Home page
A. C. Grobe, S. M. Wells, E. Benavidez, P. Oishi, A. Azakie, J. R. Fineman, and S. M. Black
Increased oxidative stress in lambs with increased pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary hypertension: role of NADPH oxidase and endothelial NO synthase
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, June 1, 2006; 290(6): L1069 - L1077.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
L. V. d'Uscio and Z. S. Katusic
Increased vascular biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2006; 290(6): H2466 - H2471.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
U. Forstermann and T. Munzel
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Vascular Disease: From Marvel to Menace
Circulation, April 4, 2006; 113(13): 1708 - 1714.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
W. J. Lee, I. K. Lee, H. S. Kim, Y. M. Kim, E. H. Koh, J. C. Won, S. M. Han, M.-S. Kim, I. Jo, G. T. Oh, et al.
{alpha}-Lipoic Acid Prevents Endothelial Dysfunction in Obese Rats via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., December 1, 2005; 25(12): 2488 - 2494.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
G. D'Angelo, A. A. Elmarakby, D. M. Pollock, and D. W. Stepp
Fructose Feeding Increases Insulin Resistance but Not Blood Pressure in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Hypertension, October 1, 2005; 46(4): 806 - 811.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
K. A. Blackwell, J. P. Sorenson, D. M. Richardson, L. A. Smith, O. Suda, K. Nath, and Z. S. Katusic
Mechanisms of aging-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation: role of tetrahydrobiopterin
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 1, 2004; 287(6): H2448 - H2453.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
T. Nystrom, A. Nygren, and A. Sjoholm
Tetrahydrobiopterin increases insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2004; 287(5): E919 - E925.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Physiol. Rev.Home page
R. Stocker and J. F. Keaney Jr.
Role of Oxidative Modifications in Atherosclerosis
Physiol Rev, October 1, 2004; 84(4): 1381 - 1478.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Nephrol Dial TransplantHome page
E. Podjarny, G. Hasdan, J. Bernheim, G. Rashid, J. Green, Z. Korzets, and J. Bernheim
Effect of chronic tetrahydrobiopterin supplementation on blood pressure and proteinuria in 5/6 nephrectomized rats
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., September 1, 2004; 19(9): 2223 - 2227.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
P. N. Chander, O. Gealekman, S. V. Brodsky, S. Elitok, A. Tojo, M. Crabtree, S. S. Gross, and M. S. Goligorsky
Nephropathy in Zucker Diabetic Fat Rat Is Associated with Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress: Prevention by Chronic Therapy with a Peroxynitrite Scavenger Ebselen
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., September 1, 2004; 15(9): 2391 - 2403.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
R. Nagata, Y. Nishio, O. Sekine, Y. Nagai, Y. Maeno, S. Ugi, H. Maegawa, and A. Kashiwagi
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (-468 Gly to Ala) at the Promoter Region of Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Protein-1c Associates with Genetic Defect of Fructose-induced Hepatic Lipogenesis
J. Biol. Chem., July 9, 2004; 279(28): 29031 - 29042.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
M. d. C. P. Franco, Z. B. Fortes, E. H. Akamine, E. M. Kawamoto, C. Scavone, L. R. G. de Britto, M. N. Muscara, S. A. Teixeira, R. C. A. Tostes, M. H. C. Carvalho, et al.
Tetrahydrobiopterin improves endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress in microvessels of intrauterine undernourished rats
J. Physiol., July 1, 2004; 558(1): 239 - 248.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. J. Jarvisalo, T. Lehtimaki, and O. T. Raitakari
Determinants of Arterial Nitrate-Mediated Dilatation in Children: Role of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein, Endothelial Function, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Circulation, June 15, 2004; 109(23): 2885 - 2889.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
S. Kawashima and M. Yokoyama
Dysfunction of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Atherosclerosis
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., June 1, 2004; 24(6): 998 - 1005.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
N. J. Alp and K. M. Channon
Regulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase by Tetrahydrobiopterin in Vascular Disease
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., March 1, 2004; 24(3): 413 - 420.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Endocr. Rev.Home page
V. Fonseca, C. Desouza, S. Asnani, and I. Jialal
Nontraditional Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes
Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2004; 25(1): 153 - 175.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
K. Shinozaki, K. Ayajiki, Y. Nishio, T. Sugaya, A. Kashiwagi, and T. Okamura
Evidence for a Causal Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Vascular Dysfunction Associated With Insulin Resistance
Hypertension, February 1, 2004; 43(2): 255 - 262.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
H. D. I. Anderson, D. Rahmutula, and D. G. Gardner
Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} Inhibits Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase Gene Promoter Activity in Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells
J. Biol. Chem., January 9, 2004; 279(2): 963 - 969.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Exp. Biol. Med.Home page
E. R. Werner, A. C.F. Gorren, R. Heller, G. Werner-Felmayer, and B. Mayer
Tetrahydrobiopterin and Nitric Oxide: Mechanistic and Pharmacological Aspects
Experimental Biology and Medicine, December 1, 2003; 228(11): 1291 - 1302.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
Z. Bagi, A. Koller, and G. Kaley
Superoxide-NO interaction decreases flow- and agonist-induced dilations of coronary arterioles in Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, October 1, 2003; 285(4): H1404 - H1410.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J.-S. Zheng, X.-Q. Yang, K. J. Lookingland, G. D. Fink, C. Hesslinger, G. Kapatos, I. Kovesdi, and A. F. Chen
Gene Transfer of Human Guanosine 5'-Triphosphate Cyclohydrolase I Restores Vascular Tetrahydrobiopterin Level and Endothelial Function in Low Renin Hypertension
Circulation, September 9, 2003; 108(10): 1238 - 1245.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
Y. Hattori, N. Nakanishi, K. Akimoto, M. Yoshida, and K. Kasai
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor Increases GTP Cyclohydrolase I mRNA and Tetrahydrobiopterin in Vascular Endothelial Cells
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., February 1, 2003; 23(2): 176 - 182.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
B. A. Habecker, M. G. Klein, N. C. Sundgren, W. Li, and W. R. Woodward
Developmental Regulation of Neurotransmitter Phenotype through Tetrahydrobiopterin
J. Neurosci., November 1, 2002; 22(21): 9445 - 9452.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
M. M. Tarpey
Sepiapterin Treatment in Atherosclerosis
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., October 1, 2002; 22(10): 1519 - 1521.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
O. Sekine, Y. Nishio, K. Egawa, T. Nakamura, H. Maegawa, and A. Kashiwagi
Insulin Activates CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins and Proinflammatory Gene Expression through the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
J. Biol. Chem., September 20, 2002; 277(39): 36631 - 36639.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
M. E. Hyndman, S. Verma, R. J. Rosenfeld, T. J. Anderson, and H. G. Parsons
Interaction of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and tetrahydrobiopterin on endothelial function
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2002; 282(6): H2167 - H2172.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
G. Nickenig and D. G. Harrison
The AT1-Type Angiotensin Receptor in Oxidative Stress and Atherogenesis: Part I: Oxidative Stress and Atherogenesis
Circulation, January 22, 2002; 105(3): 393 - 396.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
K. Shinozaki, A. Hirayama, Y. Nishio, Y. Yoshida, T. Ohtani, T. Okamura, M. Masada, R. Kikkawa, K. Kodama, and A. Kashiwagi
Coronary endothelial dysfunction in the insulin-resistant state is linked to abnormal pteridine metabolism and vascular oxidative stress
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 1, 2001; 38(7): 1821 - 1828.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
Z. S. Katusic
Vascular endothelial dysfunction: does tetrahydrobiopterin play a role?
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2001; 281(3): H981 - H986.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone SystemHome page
M.-S. Zhou, A. Adam, and L. Raij
Review: Interaction among angiotensin II, nitric oxide and oxidative stress
Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, March 1, 2001; 2(1_suppl): S59 - S63.
[PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
A. D. Dobrian, M. J. Davies, S. D. Schriver, T. J. Lauterio, and R. L. Prewitt
Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Obesity-Induced Hypertension
Hypertension, February 1, 2001; 37(2): 554 - 560.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
M. E. Hyndman, S. Verma, R. J. Rosenfeld, T. J. Anderson, and H. G. Parsons
Interaction of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and tetrahydrobiopterin on endothelial function
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2002; 282(6): H2167 - H2172.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]