Tetrahydrobiopterin: Pleiotropic roles in cardiovascular pathophysiology

Journal article

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) functions as a cofactor in several important enzyme systems. Substantial evidence implicates BH4 as a key regulator of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the setting of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Investigators have now taken early steps in addressing the potential of BH4 as a therapeutic strategy. However, it has become more apparent that the role of BH4 in other enzymatic pathways, including other NOS isoforms and the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, may have a bearing on important aspects of cardiovascular homeostasis. Together with eNOS, these enzymes may play key roles in diverse cardiovascular disease states such as ischaemia-reperfusion injury, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac autonomic function and pulmonary hypertension. This review provides an overview of the role of BH4 in cardiovascular pathophysiology.

Authors: Cunnington, C; Channon, K

• Journal: Heart
• Volume: 96
• Issue: 23
• Pages: 1872-1877
• Publication date: 2010-12-01
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2009.180430
• EISSN: 1468-201X
• ISSN: 1355-6037
• Language: English