Coexistence of impairment of endothelium-derived nitric oxide and platelet-derived nitric oxide in patients with coronary risk factors.

Impairment of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) has been demonstrated in patients with coronary risk factors in some studies, as well as impaired platelet-derived nitric oxide (PDNO) in other studies. However, no study has examined whether these impairments coexist. In 24 patients with coronary risk factors, femoral vascular endothelial function was assessed with acetylcholine (ACh: 50, 100, 200 and 400 μg/min) and endothelium-independent vascular function with nitroglycerin (NTG; 50, 100, 200 μg/min) using a Doppler flow-wire technique, as well as ADP (5 μmol/L)-induced PDNO release with an NO-specific electrode. The ACh-mediated percent change in femoral vascular resistance index (% change of FVRI) and PDNO release had a significant correlation with the number of risk factors. The ACh-mediated % change of FVRI, but not that with NTG, significantly correlated with the PDNO release. Both EDNO and PDNO bioactivities are impaired in patients with coronary risk factors and there is a common mechanism. (Circ J 2002; 66: 837 - 840)