Vascular and metabolic effects of the haem oxygenase-1 inducer haem arginate in subjects with the metabolic syndrome: A translational cross-over study

• Published in: Diabetes & vascular disease research 2016-01, Vol.13 (1), p.41-48
• Main Authors: Dekker, Douwe, Dorresteijn, Mirrin J, Peters, Wilbert HM, Bilos, Albert, Pennings, Sebastiaan WC, Wagener, Frank ADTG, Smits, Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcholine - pharmacology; Adult; Aged; Arginine - pharmacology; Bilirubin - metabolism; Cross-Over Studies; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Female; Ferritins - drug effects; Ferritins - metabolism; Glucose Clamp Technique; Heme - metabolism; Heme - pharmacology; Heme Oxygenase-1 - drug effects; Heme Oxygenase-1 - genetics; Heme Oxygenase-1 - metabolism; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Male; Metabolic Syndrome - metabolism; Metabolic Syndrome - physiopathology; Middle Aged; Nitroglycerin - pharmacology; Random Allocation; RNA, Messenger - drug effects; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Translational Medical Research; Vasodilation - drug effects; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1479-1641; 1752-8984
• DOI: 10.1177/1479164115605047

This translational randomized and vehicle-controlled cross-over study was performed to assess the impact of haem arginate treatment on haem oxygenase-1 induction, endothelial function and insulin sensitivity in subjects with the metabolic syndrome (n = 14). Both treatment periods consisted of 5 days. Haem arginate or vehicle (l-arginine) was administered intravenously on Days 1 and 3. Forearm blood flow in response to acetylcholine and nitroglycerine was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography (Day 3), insulin sensitivity by a hyperinsulinaemic clamp procedure (Day 5). Haem arginate did not improve endothelial function or insulin sensitivity but significantly reduced the vasodilator response to nitroglycerine (p