Increased superoxide production in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus: role of nitric oxide synthase.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hypertension and diabetes are important independent risk factors for increased oxidative stress and increased cardiovascular risk. The combination of hypertension and diabetes results in a dramatic increase in cardiovascular risk. Enhanced oxidative stress in hypertension and diabetes is linked to decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability because of its interaction with vascular superoxide (O(2)(*-)), derived predominantly from NAD(P)H-dependent oxidases. When uncoupled from essential cofactors, NO synthase III (NOS III) can also produce O(2)(*-). We studied platelet superoxide production in patients with hypertension alone and in patients with coexistent diabetes mellitus, investigating the contribution of NOS III uncoupling to platelet superoxide production.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Gel-filtered platelets were obtained and were stimulated with Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and O(2)(*-) production was detected using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Superoxide production was significantly higher in patients with diabetes and hypertension (6.4 +/- 1.6 pmol/min/10(8) platelets) than in patients with hypertension (1.6 +/- 0.6 pmol/min/10(8) platelets) (P < .04). After incorporation of N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 1 mmol/L), O(2)(*-) detection increased in 40% of patients with diabetes and hypertension and in 87% of patients with hypertension. This expected response results from L-NAME inhibition of NO production preventing NO scavenging of O(2)(*-). A reduction in O(2)(*-) production in response to L-NAME occurred in the remaining patients and indicates O(2)(*-) production by the uncoupled NOS III enzyme.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides first published evidence that NOS III can reside in the uncoupled state in patients with hypertension and, to a greater extent, in patients with coexisting hypertension and diabetes, and that it contributes significantly to increased superoxide production in these disease states.

• Authors: Lana J Dixon, Sinead M Hughes, Keith Rooney, Aine Madden, Adrian Devine, William Leahey, Welby Henry, G Dennis Johnston, Gary E McVeigh
• Journal: American journal of hypertension (Am J Hypertens) Vol. 18 Issue 6 Pg. 839-43 (Jun 2005) ISSN: 0895-7061 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15925745 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Biphenyl Compounds
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Onium Compounds
• diphenyliodonium
• Superoxides
• NOS3 protein, human
• Nitric Oxide Synthase
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
• Quinacrine
• NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Biphenyl Compounds (pharmacology)
• Blood Platelets (metabolism)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (blood, complications)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hypertension (blood, complications)
• In Vitro Techniques
• Luminescent Measurements
• Male
• Middle Aged
• NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (pharmacology)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
• Onium Compounds (pharmacology)
• Oxidative Stress (physiology)
• Quinacrine (pharmacology)
• Superoxides (metabolism)