(Circulation. 1996;94:6-9.)
© 1996 American Heart Association, Inc.
Articles |
the Medizinische Klinik III, Kardiologie, Universitat Freiburg, Germany.
Correspondence to Thomas Munzel, MD, Universitatskrankenhaus Eppendorf, Abteilung fur Kardiologie, Martinistr 55, 20246 Hamburg, FRG.
| Abstract |
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Methods and Results Forearm blood flow responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (7.5, 15, 30, and 60 µg/min) and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (1, 3, and 10 µg/min) were measured by venous occlusion plethysmography in 10 control subjects and 10 chronic smokers. Drugs were infused into the brachial artery, and forearm blood flow was measured for each drug before and during concomitant intra-arterial infusion of the antioxidant vitamin C (18 mg/min). In control subjects, vitamin C had no effect on forearm blood flow in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. In contrast, in chronic smokers the attenuated forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine were markedly improved by concomitant administration of vitamin C, whereas the vasodilator responses to sodium nitroprusside were not affected.
Conclusions The present studies demonstrate that the antioxidant vitamin C markedly improves endothelium-dependent responses in chronic smokers. This observation supports the concept that endothelial dysfunction in chronic smokers is at least in part mediated by enhanced formation of oxygen-derived free radicals.
Key Words: smoking endothelium free radicals antioxidants
| Introduction |
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Vitamin C is a strong reducing agent known to act as an antioxidant in vitro and in vivo.8 Vitamin C very effectively protects lipids in human plasma against peroxidative damage by scavenging oxygen-derived free radicals.9 In addition, epidemiological studies have shown that smokers have a significantly lower plasma level of vitamin C compared with nonsmokers.10
Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether the antioxidant vitamin C can improve endothelium-dependent vasodilation in chronic smokers.
| Methods |
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Study Protocol
All studies were performed in a temperature-controlled room in the postabsorptive state. Under local anesthesia and sterile conditions, a 20-gauge polyethylene catheter was inserted into the brachial artery of the nondominant arm for infusion of drugs. Forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography as recently described.3 Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures and heart rate were determined at the contralateral arm with a Dinamap (845 oscillometric) blood pressure recorder. Forearm vascular resistance was calculated as the ratio of mean blood pressure to forearm blood flow and expressed as units reflecting mm Hg·mL-1·min-1·100 mL tissue-1.
Baseline measurements were obtained during intra-arterial infusion of 0.9% saline at a rate of 1.66 mL/min. To assess endothelium-dependent vasodilation, acetylcholine chloride was administered at increasing concentrations (7.5, 15, 30, and 60 µg/min). Sodium nitroprusside was infused as an endothelium-independent vasodilator (1, 3, and 10 µg/min). Each concentration of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was infused for a 5-minute period. Forearm blood flow was measured during the last 2 minutes of the infusion period.
After another rest period of at least 40 minutes, vitamin C (sodium ascorbate, Merck) was administered intra-arterially to test the effects of vitamin C on forearm blood flow response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Concentration and infusion rate of vitamin C (total dose about 1 g) was chosen to reach local forearm concentrations, which have been demonstrated to inhibit superoxide anion-mediated lipid peroxidation.11 Moreover, a similar concentration of vitamin C has been reported recently to improve endothelial function in patients with diabetes mellitus.12
We also measured plasma cholinesterase activity in both groups by using a cholinesterase activity assay (kinetic color test, Merck) to address a potentially confounding influence of cholinesterase to our results (normal range, 2300 to 7200 U/L).
Statistical Analysis
All values are reported as mean±SEM. Group comparisons with respect to baseline characteristics were performed by unpaired t test. To test for differences in the overall dose-response relationship in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside with and without vitamin C, a two-way ANOVA for repeated measures was applied. Statistical significance was accepted at a level of
=5%.
| Results |
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Effects of Intra-arterial Acetylcholine and Sodium Nitroprusside on Forearm Blood Flow in Control Subjects and Chronic Smokers
Increasing concentrations of acetylcholine dose-dependently increased forearm blood flow in control subjects from 3.2±0.2 to maximally 19.9±0.5 mL·min-1·100 mL-1 and decreased forearm vascular resistance from 29.7±2.4 to maximally 4.6±0.1 mL·min-1·100 mL-1. The vasodilator responses to acetylcholine were significantly (P<.05) attenuated in chronic smokers compared with nonsmoking control subjects (increase maximally from 3.0±0.28 to 12.2±1.1 mL·min-1·100 mL-1). In contrast, the increases in forearm blood flow in response to the endothelium-independent nitrovasodilator sodium nitroprusside were comparable in both groups (Figs 1
and 2
).
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Effects of Vitamin C on Forearm Blood Flow Responses to Acetylcholine and Nitroprusside
In control subjects, concomitant infusion of vitamin C did not alter responses to either acetylcholine or nitroprusside. In contrast, in chronic smokers vitamin C markedly improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to acetylcholine (P<.05) while having no effect on vasodilation induced by the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (Figs 1
and 2
). Since we did not observe significant changes in mean arterial pressure, changes in forearm vascular resistance mirrored changes in forearm blood flow.
| Discussion |
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With these studies we found a marked attenuation of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in forearm resistance vessels in chronic smokers compared with healthy control subjects. This observation is in agreement with previous observations showing in chronic smokers blunted endothelium-dependent vasodilation of large and small arteries in response to pharmacological (such as acetylcholine3 ) and/or mechanical stimuli (such as shear stress4 ). The precise mechanism of smoking-related endothelial dysfunction is not well understood but is probably multifactorial. Blunted responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators may be explained in general by a nonspecific attenuation of the vasodilator capacity of the vessel at the vascular smooth muscle level, by diminished nitric oxide formation within endothelial cells, or may be secondary to enhanced degradation of nitric oxide as the result of endothelial and/or smooth muscle production of oxygen-derived free radicals.
A nonspecific attenuation of the vasodilator capacity of forearm resistance arteries is not very likely, since the vasodilator responses to the endothelium-independent nitrovasodilator nitroprusside were preserved. We also can exclude a confounding influence of the cholinesterase activity on our results, since the cholinesterase activity did not differ between smokers and nonsmokers and vitamin C per se had no stimulatory effect on the cholinesterase activity (see "Results").
More recent experimental and clinical data strongly demonstrate evidence for increased oxidative stress being responsible for endothelial dysfunction in chronic smokers.6 7 Cigarette smoke (especially the gas phase) contains large amounts of free radicals and prooxidants such as NO, NO2, peroxinitrite, transition metals, phenols, epoxides, and nitrosamines.2 The particulate phase contains high concentrations of lipophilic quinones, which in biological systems undergo redox cycling to produce oxidant species such as O2-· and H2O2.2 These two compounds can form the highly reactive OH· radical at site-specific locations where catalytic iron is available.2 Furthermore, O2-· from cigarette smoke may reach the vascular endothelium and can then react with NO·,13 reducing the vasoactive levels of NO· and diminishing the response to endothelium-dependent vasodilators via formation of peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-), a highly reactive intermediate with strong cytotoxic potency.13 14 Thus, the damaging free radicals in cigarette smoke may cause either direct arterial wall injury or more may initiate and/or accelerate secondary processes including depletion of antioxidants (such as vitamin C or vitamin E9 ), protein peroxidation,15 and activation of phagocyte-platelet-endothelial cell interactions.16 17 Oxygen-derived free radicals within the vasculature may initiate a vicious cycle by oxidizing lipids or lipoprotein(a), which in turn may inhibit endothelium-dependent vasodilation directly18 or indirectly by the formation of superoxide anions.19 Recently, we demonstrated a close inverse relationship between antibody titers against oxidized LDL and acetylcholine-induced changes in forearm blood flow in chronic smokers, suggesting that oxidized LDL may be involved in endothelial dysfunction in chronic smokers.3 Further imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants within the vasculature also may be operative in smokers, since plasma levels of vitamin C are in general lower compared with healthy control subjects,10 a phenomenon that appears to reflect increased metabolism as the result of oxidant load rather than decreased food intake.20
In the present study, the acute administration of the antioxidant vitamin C markedly improved endothelium-mediated vasodilatation in chronic smokers while having no significant effects on endothelium-independent vasodilation induced by sodium nitroprusside. This finding strongly suggests that the antioxidant vitamin C decreases oxidative stress within the vasculature of chronic smokers by directly scavenging oxygen-derived free radicals11 such as superoxide anions or hydroxyl radicals. Further antioxidant mechanisms of vitamin C may include an inhibition of smoke-induced leukocyte adhesion and aggregation to endothelial cells,21 protection from oxidized LDL-induced leukocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium, and protection of LDL against atherogenic modification9 22 (see Fig 3A
). The chemical reaction between superoxide and vitamin C is a protonation of superoxide leading to the perhydroxyl radical (HO2· [Reference 23]) or eventually to H2O2 (Reference 24) (see Fig 3B
).
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| Conclusions |
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Received April 15, 1996; accepted May 7, 1996.
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A. Natali, A. M. Sironi, E. Toschi, S. Camastra, G. Sanna, A. Perissinotto, S. Taddei, and E. Ferrannini Effect of Vitamin C on Forearm Blood Flow and Glucose Metabolism in Essential Hypertension Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., November 1, 2000; 20(11): 2401 - 2406. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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P. A. Kaufmann, T. Gnecchi-Ruscone, M. di Terlizzi, K. P. Schafers, T. F. Luscher, and P. G. Camici Coronary Heart Disease in Smokers : Vitamin C Restores Coronary Microcirculatory Function Circulation, September 12, 2000; 102(11): 1233 - 1238. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. Tomasian, J. F. Keaney Jr., and J. A. Vita Antioxidants and the bioactivity of endothelium-derived nitric oxide Cardiovasc Res, August 18, 2000; 47(3): 426 - 435. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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J.-M. Halimi and A. Mimran Renal effects of smoking: potential mechanisms and perspectives Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., July 1, 2000; 15(7): 938 - 940. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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C. M Loria, M. J Klag, L. E Caulfield, and P. K Whelton Vitamin C status and mortality in US adults Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2000; 72(1): 139 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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R. A Riemersma, K. F Carruthers, R. A Elton, and K. A. Fox Vitamin C and the risk of acute myocardial infarction Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2000; 71(5): 1181 - 1186. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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O. T. Raitakari, M. R. Adams, R. J. McCredie, K. A. Griffiths, R. Stocker, and D. S. Celermajer Oral vitamin C and endothelial function in smokers: short-term improvement, but no sustained beneficial effect J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 1, 2000; 35(6): 1616 - 1621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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B. Szekacs, W. Dachman, and Z. Vajo Alterations of Venous Drug Reactivity in Humans: Acquired and Genetic Factors Angiology, May 1, 2000; 51(5): 361 - 366. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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T. Heitzer, C. Brockhoff, B. Mayer, A. Warnholtz, H. Mollnau, S. Henne, T. Meinertz, and T. Munzel Tetrahydrobiopterin Improves Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Chronic Smokers : Evidence for a Dysfunctional Nitric Oxide Synthase Circ. Res., February 4, 2000; 86 (2): e36 - e41. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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T. Neunteufl, U. Priglinger, S. Heher, M. Zehetgruber, G. Soregi, S. Lehr, K. Huber, G. Maurer, F. Weidinger, and K. Kostner Effects of vitamin E on chronic and acute endothelial dysfunction in smokers J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 1, 2000; 35(2): 277 - 283. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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B. Frei On the Role of Vitamin C and Other Antioxidants in Atherogenesis and Vascular Dysfunction Experimental Biology and Medicine, December 1, 1999; 222(3): 196 - 204. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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M. Jeserich, T. Schindler, M. Olschewski, M. Unmussig, H. Just, and U. Solzbach Vitamin C improves endothelial function of epicardial coronary arteries in patients with hypercholesterolaemia or essential hypertension--assessed by cold pressor testing Eur. Heart J., November 2, 1999; 20(22): 1676 - 1680. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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T. J. Anderson Assessment and treatment of endothelial dysfunction in humans J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 1, 1999; 34(3): 631 - 638. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. Tousoulis, G. Davies, and P. Toutouzas Vitamin C Increases Nitric Oxide Availability in Coronary Atherosclerosis Ann Intern Med, July 20, 1999; 131(2): 156 - 157. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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S. Ramasamy, G. R. Drummond, J. Ahn, M. Storek, J. Pohl, S. Parthasarathy, and D. G. Harrison Modulation of Expression of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase by Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, a Phenolic Antioxidant in Cultured Endothelial Cells Mol. Pharmacol., July 1, 1999; 56(1): 116 - 123. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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N. Gokce, J. F. Keaney Jr, B. Frei, M. Holbrook, M. Olesiak, B. J. Zachariah, C. Leeuwenburgh, J. W. Heinecke, and J. A. Vita Long-Term Ascorbic Acid Administration Reverses Endothelial Vasomotor Dysfunction in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Circulation, June 29, 1999; 99(25): 3234 - 3240. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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A. C Carr and B. Frei Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 1999; 69(6): 1086 - 1107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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R. Wever, P. Boer, M. Hijmering, E. Stroes, M. Verhaar, J. Kastelein, K. Versluis, F. Lagerwerf, H. van Rijn, H. Koomans, et al. Nitric Oxide Production Is Reduced in Patients With Chronic Renal Failure Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., May 1, 1999; 19(5): 1168 - 1172. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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W. G. Mayhan and G. M. Sharpe Chronic exposure to nicotine alters endothelium-dependent arteriolar dilatation: effect of superoxide dismutase J Appl Physiol, April 1, 1999; 86(4): 1126 - 1134. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. E. Newby, R. A. Wright, C. Labinjoh, C. A. Ludlam, K. A. A. Fox, N. A. Boon, and D. J. Webb Endothelial Dysfunction, Impaired Endogenous Fibrinolysis, and Cigarette Smoking : A Mechanism for Arterial Thrombosis and Myocardial Infarction Circulation, March 23, 1999; 99(11): 1411 - 1415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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R. Heller, F. Munscher-Paulig, R. Grabner, and U. Till L-Ascorbic Acid Potentiates Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Endothelial Cells J. Biol. Chem., March 19, 1999; 274(12): 8254 - 8260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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T. Heitzer, S. Y. Herttuala, E. Wild, J. Luoma, and H. Drexler Effect of vitamin E on endothelial vasodilator function in patients with hypercholesterolemia, chronic smoking or both J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 1, 1999; 33(2): 499 - 505. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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F. Perticone, R. Ceravolo, R. Maio, G. Ventura, S. Iacopino, G. Cuda, P. Mastroroberto, M. Chello, and P. L. Mattioli Calcium antagonist isradipine improves abnormal endothelium-dependent vasodilation in never treated hypertensive patients Cardiovasc Res, January 1, 1999; 41(1): 299 - 306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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T. Motoyama, H. Kawano, K. Kugiyama, O. Hirashima, M. Ohgushi, R. Tsunoda, Y. Moriyama, Y. Miyao, M. Yoshimura, H. Ogawa, et al. Vitamin E administration improves impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with coronary spastic angina J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 15, 1998; 32(6): 1672 - 1679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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T. S. Jackson, A. Xu, J. A. Vita, and J. F. Keaney Jr Ascorbate Prevents the Interaction of Superoxide and Nitric Oxide Only at Very High Physiological Concentrations Circ. Res., November 2, 1998; 83(9): 916 - 922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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W. G. Mayhan and G. M. Sharpe Superoxide dismutase restores endothelium-dependent arteriolar dilatation during acute infusion of nicotine J Appl Physiol, October 1, 1998; 85(4): 1292 - 1298. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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B. W. Mays, T. Ripple, M. T. Eginton, G. R. Seabrook, R. A. Cambria, J. B. Towne, and J. A. Freischlag Smoking Cessation Reverses Arterial Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation Injury Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, September 1, 1998; 32(5): 407 - 413. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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H. Moreno Jr., S. Chalon, A. Urae, O. Tangphao, A. K. Abiose, B. B. Hoffman, and T. F. Blaschke Endothelial dysfunction in human hand veins is rapidly reversible after smoking cessation Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 1998; 275(3): H1040 - H1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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P. Minuz, G. Andrioli, M. Degan, S. Gaino, R. Ortolani, R. Tommasoli, V. Zuliani, A. Lechi, and C. Lechi The F2-Isoprostane 8-Epiprostaglandin F2{alpha} Increases Platelet Adhesion and Reduces the Antiadhesive and Antiaggregatory Effects of NO Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., August 1, 1998; 18(8): 1248 - 1256. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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R. O. Cannon III Role of nitric oxide in cardiovascular disease: focus on the endothelium Clin. Chem., August 1, 1998; 44(8): 1809 - 1819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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R. Campisi, J. Czernin, H. Schoder, J. W. Sayre, F. D. Marengo, M. E. Phelps, and H. R. Schelbert Effects of Long-term Smoking on Myocardial Blood Flow, Coronary Vasomotion, and Vasodilator Capacity Circulation, July 14, 1998; 98(2): 119 - 125. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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K. Kugiyama, T. Motoyama, O. Hirashima, M. Ohgushi, H. Soejima, K. Misumi, H. Kawano, Y. Miyao, M. Yoshimura, H. Ogawa, et al. Vitamin C attenuates abnormal vasomotor reactivity in spasm coronary arteries in patients with coronary spastic angina J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 1, 1998; 32(1): 103 - 109. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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S. Thorne, M. J. Mullen, P. Clarkson, A. E. Donald, and J. E. Deanfield Early endothelial dysfunction in adults at risk from atherosclerosis: different responses to L-arginine J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 1, 1998; 32(1): 110 - 116. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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S. Taddei, A. Virdis, L. Ghiadoni, A. Magagna, and A. Salvetti Vitamin C Improves Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation by Restoring Nitric Oxide Activity in Essential Hypertension Circulation, June 9, 1998; 97(22): 2222 - 2229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. B. Cines, E. S. Pollak, C. A. Buck, J. Loscalzo, G. A. Zimmerman, R. P. McEver, J. S. Pober, T. M. Wick, B. A. Konkle, B. S. Schwartz, et al. Endothelial Cells in Physiology and in the Pathophysiology of Vascular Disorders Blood, May 15, 1998; 91(10): 3527 - 3561. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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W. G. Mayhan and G. M. Sharpe Nicotine impairs histamine-induced increases in macromolecular efflux: role of oxygen radicals J Appl Physiol, May 1, 1998; 84(5): 1589 - 1595. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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S. Sugiyama, K. Kugiyama, M. Ohgushi, T. Matsumura, Y. Ota, H. Doi, N. Ogata, H. Oka, and H. Yasue Supersensitivity of atherosclerotic artery to constrictor effect of cigarette smoke extract Cardiovasc Res, May 1, 1998; 38(2): 508 - 515. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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H. Watanabe, M. Kakihana, S. Ohtsuka, and Y. Sugishita Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Ascorbate on the Preventive Effect of Nitrate Tolerance in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure Circulation, March 10, 1998; 97(9): 886 - 891. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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J. T Powell Vascular damage from smoking: disease mechanisms at the arterial wall Vascular Medicine, February 1, 1998; 3(1): 21 - 28. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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M. P. Reilly, J. A. Lawson, and G. A. FitzGerald Eicosanoids and Isoeicosanoids: Indices of Cellular Function and Oxidant Stress J. Nutr., February 1, 1998; 128(2): 434 - 434. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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G. D. Plotnick, M. C. Corretti, and R. A. Vogel Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins on the Transient Impairment of Endothelium--Dependent Brachial Artery Vasoactivity Following a Single High-Fat Meal JAMA, November 26, 1997; 278(20): 1682 - 1686. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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T. Motoyama, H. Kawano, K. Kugiyama, O. Hirashima, M. Ohgushi, M. Yoshimura, H. Ogawa, and H. Yasue Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the brachial artery is impaired in smokers: effect of vitamin C Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, October 1, 1997; 273(4): H1644 - H1650. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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U. Solzbach, B. Hornig, M. Jeserich, and H. Just Vitamin C Improves Endothelial Dysfunction of Epicardial Coronary Arteries in Hypertensive Patients Circulation, September 2, 1997; 96(5): 1513 - 1519. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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H. H. Ting, F. K. Timimi, E. A. Haley, M.-A. Roddy, P. Ganz, and M. A. Creager Vitamin C Improves Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Forearm Resistance Vessels of Humans With Hypercholesterolemia Circulation, June 17, 1997; 95(12): 2617 - 2622. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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M. Skatchkov, L.L. Larina, A.A. Larin, N. Fink, and E. Bassenge Urinary Nitrotyrosine Content as a Marker of Peroxynitrite-induced Tolerance to Organic Nitrates Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, January 1, 1997; 2(2): 85 - 96. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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A. Huang, J. A. Vita, R. C. Venema, and J. F. Keaney Jr. Ascorbic Acid Enhances Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase Activity by Increasing Intracellular Tetrahydrobiopterin J. Biol. Chem., June 2, 2000; 275(23): 17399 - 17406. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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R. Heller, A. Unbehaun, B. Schellenberg, B. Mayer, G. Werner-Felmayer, and E. R. Werner L-Ascorbic Acid Potentiates Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthesis via a Chemical Stabilization of Tetrahydrobiopterin J. Biol. Chem., January 5, 2001; 276(1): 40 - 47. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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