Effects of changing the availability of the substrate for nitric oxide synthase by L-arginine administration on coronary vasomotor tone in angina patients with angiographically narrowed and in patients with normal coronary arteries

Am J Cardiol. 1998 Nov 1;82(9):1110-3, A6. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(98)00563-3.

Abstract

We assessed the effects of intracoronary administration of substance P, LNMMA, L-arginine, and nitroglycerin in patients with normal coronary angiograms and in patients with coronary artery disease. LNMMA constricted (p <0.01) and both substance P and nitroglycerin dilated normal and diseased proximal and distal segments and stenoses (p <0.01). L-Arginine reversed the effect of LNMMA in all segments and caused greater dilation of the diseased arteries, including stenoses (p <0.05), indicating that there is a relative deficiency of L-arginine in diseased coronary arteries.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angina Pectoris / physiopathology*
  • Arginine / pharmacology*
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Artery Disease / physiopathology*
  • Coronary Vessels / physiopathology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism*
  • Nitroglycerin / pharmacology
  • Substance P / pharmacology
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • Vasoconstriction / physiology*
  • omega-N-Methylarginine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • omega-N-Methylarginine
  • Substance P
  • Arginine
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitroglycerin