The amount of blood flowing to the different parts of the body is regulated by the autonomic
(automatic) nerves and by local factors produced by the blood vessels. Nitric oxide (NO) is
one of the most important of these metabolic factors. If the production of NO is slowed or
stopped the amount of blood to the different parts of the body is decreased. There is
increasing knowledge that NO mechanisms are impaired in a number of medical conditions. NO
function is reduced in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis (hardening of the
arteries) such as hypercholesterolemia (patients with high cholesterol), or diabetes
mellitus, and is also impaired in smokers. This NO "deficiency" is believed to contribute to
the greater cardiovascular risk that marks these patient populations. This study is designed
to examine if endothelial nitric oxide is an important control mechanism of blood pressure
under normal conditions, and if impairment of nitric oxide contributes to hypertension.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University Medical Center