The regulation of vascular tetrahydrobiopterin bioavailability

Vascul Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;58(3):219-30. doi: 10.1016/j.vph.2012.08.002.

Abstract

6R l-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for several enzymes including phenylalanine hydroxylase and the nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Oral supplementation of BH4 has been successfully employed to treat subsets of patients with hyperphenylalaninaemia. More recently, research efforts have focussed on understanding whether BH4 supplementation may also be efficacious in cardiovascular disorders that are underpinned by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability. Whilst numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated a positive association between enhanced BH4 and vascular function, the efficacy of orally administered BH4 in human cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Furthermore, interventions that limit BH4 bioavailability may provide benefit in diseases where nitric oxide over production contributes to pathology. This review describes the pathways involved in BH4 bio-regulation and discusses other endogenous mechanisms that could be harnessed therapeutically to manipulate vascular BH4 levels.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • Biopterins / administration & dosage
  • Biopterins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Biopterins / metabolism
  • Biopterins / pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Phenylketonurias / drug therapy
  • Phenylketonurias / physiopathology

Substances

  • Biopterins
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase
  • sapropterin