Effects of l- and d-arginine on the basal tone of human diseased coronary arteries and their responses to substance P

• Published in: Heart (British Cardiac Society) 1999-05, Vol.81 (5), p.505-511
• Main Authors: Tousoulis, D, Tentolouris, C, Crake, T, Katsimaglis, G, Stefanadis, C, Toutouzas, P, Davies, G J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Arginine - pharmacology; Atherosclerosis; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary Angiography; coronary artery disease; Coronary Disease - diagnosis; Coronary Disease - physiopathology; Coronary heart disease; Coronary vessels; Coronary Vessels - drug effects; Coronary Vessels - physiopathology; Endothelium; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Female; Heart; Heart attacks; Humans; Isomerism; l-arginine; Male; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nitric oxide; Nitroglycerin - pharmacology; Risk factors; Studies; Substance P - pharmacology; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology; vasomotor tone
• ISSN: 1355-6037; 1468-201X
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.81.5.505

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of substance P administration alone and in combination withl- and d-arginine in patients with normal angiograms and in patients with coronary artery disease. DESIGN Intracoronary infusions of (a) normal saline, (b) the receptor mediated nitric oxide stimulant substance P (5.6 and 27.8 pmol/min) before and afterl- or d-arginine (50 and 150 μmol/min), and (c) glyceryl trinitrate (250 μg bolus) were given to 17 patients with coronary artery disease and stable angina, and to six patients with normal angiograms. The diameter of angiographically normal proximal and distal segments and coronary stenoses were measured by computerised quantitative angiography. RESULTS l-arginine administration was associated with significant dilatation of stenoses (p