Role of nitric oxide, tetrahydrobiopterin and peroxynitrite in glucose toxicity-associated contractile dysfunction in

L B Esberg1, J Ren

  • 1Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences, Laramie, WY 82071-3375, USA.

Diabetologia
|August 5, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High glucose impairs heart cell function by increasing nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. Scavengers for these molecules and the NOS cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) protected against diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Diabetic Complications
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased nitric oxide (NO) production.
  • NO can react with superoxide (O(2)(-)) to form peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)).
  • These reactive species are implicated in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of NO, O(2)(-), ONOO(-), and the NOS cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) in high glucose-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of scavengers for these molecules in mitigating diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured ventricular myocytes were exposed to normal or high glucose conditions.
  • Various scavengers and inhibitors were used, including L-NMMA (NOS inhibitor), SOD (superoxide dismutase), urate and MnTBAP (ONOO(-) scavengers), and BH(4).
  • Myocyte mechanics, NOS activity, and protein expression were assessed.

Main Results:

  • High glucose significantly impaired myocyte shortening, velocity, and relaxation, associated with reduced cytosolic Ca(2+) rise.
  • Cardiac dysfunction induced by high glucose was ameliorated by urate, MnTBAP, L-NMMA, BH(4), and SOD.
  • High glucose increased NOS activity and eNOS expression, which were attenuated by L-NMMA and BH(4), respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and the NOS cofactor BH(4) contribute to glucose-induced cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction.
  • These findings suggest a significant role for NO and ONOO(-) in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
  • Targeting these pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for diabetic heart disease.