Tetrahydrobiopterin, superoxide, and vascular dysfunction.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Vasquez-Vivar J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2852262 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Tetrahydrobiopterin, superoxide, and vascular dysfunction.
Free radical biology & medicine 20090721 8
(6R)-5,6,7,8-Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) is an endogenously produced pterin that is found widely distributed in mammalian tissues. BH(4) works as a cofactor of aromatic amino acid hydroxylases and nitric oxide synthases. In the vasculature a deficit of BH(4) is implicated in the mechanisms of several diseases including atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetic vascular disease, and vascular complications from cigarette smoking and environmental pollution. These ill-effects are connected to the abi ...[more]
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