endothelin-1 and symmetric-dimethylarginine

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral beraprost sodium, a prostaglandin I2 analogue, on symptoms of intermittent claudication in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans. The research design consisted of a before and after treatment study without comparison groups. The subjects comprised arteriosclerosis obliterans patients who experienced intermittent claudication. Furthermore, this study aimed to assess the mechanism of action of beraprost sodium via blood sampling and measurements of flow-mediated vasodilatation before and after treatment.. The study was performed prospectively in 7 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans. Beraprost sodium (40 microg) was orally administered to 7 patients at study entry, followed by administration of 120 microg/day for 12 weeks. Blood sampling and measurements of flow-mediated vasodilatation were performed before and after treatment at study entry, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. Treadmill exercise tests were performed three times at study entry, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured at rest and after exercise.. Pain-free walking distances increased by 138% at 12 weeks after treatment. Maximum walking distances increased by 133%. The ABI was significantly increased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment at rest. Endothelin-1 levels tended to be decreased at 1 h after administration of 40 microg beraprost sodium. N(G),N(G)-dimethyl-L-arginine, nitrate ions, and flow-mediated vasodilatation.. Beraprost sodium tended to decrease endothelin-1 levels and improved symptoms of intermittent claudication in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Ankle Brachial Index; Arginine; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans; Biomarkers; Endothelin-1; Epoprostenol; Exercise Test; Exercise Tolerance; Humans; Intermittent Claudication; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vasodilation; Vasodilator Agents; Walking

Topics: Adult; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Arginine; Chronic Disease; Endothelin-1; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Prognosis; Thrombosis; Young Adult

The present experiments were designed to investigate the ability to produce nitric oxide, concentrations of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and asymmetric N(G), N(G)-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) in endothelial cells, endothelin-1 within the vessel wall, and the degree of intimal hyperplasia (intima/media ratio) in perimenopausal human uterine arteries. According to the tentative classification based on basal cyclic GMP levels, 16 arteries could be grouped into groups I and II consisting of eight each. Net production of the nucleotide was significantly higher in group I than that in group II. Concentration of L-NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 content were significantly higher in group II. All specimens from group I were histologically normal, whereas mild to severe intimal hyperplasia was observed in group II specimens. Although considerable individual variations were detectable in the intima/media ratio, L-NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 (n = 35 each), there were significant and positive correlations between three parameters, indicating that intimal hyperplasia became greater as L-NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 were increased. These results suggest that endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in endothelial cells and endothelin-1 within the vessel wall are important markers of intimal hyperplasia.

Topics: Adult; Arginine; Arteries; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Climacteric; Cyclic GMP; Endothelin-1; Endothelium, Vascular; Enzyme Inhibitors; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Hyperplasia; In Vitro Techniques; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; omega-N-Methylarginine; Tunica Intima; Tunica Media; Uterus