Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of human blood vessels is essential to adaptation and regulation of peripheral blood flow, and is mediated by endogenously produced
nitric oxide. Endothelial function is impaired in many pathologic states, especially in
coronary heart disease. We questioned in this study whether exogenous
nitric oxide (NO) would restore endothelial dysfunction in peripheral arteries of patients with
coronary artery disease (CAD). In a randomized double-blinded case-control assay, we used computerized A-mode ultrasonography to measure diastolic diameters of the brachial artery before and after
hyperemia in two groups of 10 patients with CAD. Each group received orally either placebo or 12 mg
molsidomine a day for 48 h. In the
molsidomine group, FMD was improved with a 60% increase after the first intake of
molsidomine, and the same trend was observed after the last intake, although less pronounced. Significant increase in diastolic diameter was observed after the last
molsidomine intake, but not after the first one. Thus
molsidomine has an early positive effect on FMD in addition to a delayed
vasodilator effect. Improvement of endothelial dysfunction by
molsidomine in patients with CAD may uncover new therapeutic perceptive in the use of nitrovasodilators.