Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)

Editor

Personal info

View

About

Terms

Javascript disabled

Please enable Javascript support in your browser to use this application.

Instructions on how to enable JavaScript on different browsers can be found here: http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=23852.

[edit this page]

Horowitz, J.D.

Thiol-containing agents in the management of unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction.

The development of unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction is a process of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation associated with local coronary vasoconstriction. Regional deficiencies in endothelial vasodilator function, due to reduced formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), may predispose to platelet aggregation and coronary vasoconstriction. Nitroglycerin (NTG), frequently utilized in the management of unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction, undergoes bioconversion, via a sulfhydryl-dependent process, to nitric oxide, which is identical or closely related to EDRF. Other products of the nitrate bioconversion "cascade" are various S-nitrosothiols, which, like nitric oxide, activate soluble guanylate cyclase, inducing increased formation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. NTG potentially may act to correct a localized deficiency of EDRF effect, at both the vasculature and platelet levels. In patients with unstable angina, hemodynamic effects and therapeutic efficacy of intravenously infused NTG may be attenuated within hours. Combined therapy with NTG and intravenously infused N-acetylcysteine (NAC) results in potentiation of hemodynamic responses to NTG, markedly augments the effects of NTG on platelet aggregation, and reduces the incidence of acute myocardial infarction in patients with severe unstable angina pectoris. The combination of NTG with intermittent NAC infusion may increase the risk of hypotensive episodes in such patients, whereas continuous coinfusion of the drugs is better tolerated. The combination of NTG with thiol-containing agents, such as NAC, may be of therapeutic value in unstable angina pectoris and in evolving acute myocardial infarction. This is currently under investigation.[1]

References

Thiol-containing agents in the management of unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Horowitz, J.D. Am. J. Med. (1991) [Pubmed]

Annotations and hyperlinks in this abstract are from individual authors of WikiGenes or automatically generated by the WikiGenes Data Mining Engine. The abstract is from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.About WikiGenes Open Access Licence Privacy Policy Terms of Use apsburg

The world's first wiki where authorship really matters (Nature Genetics, 2008). Due credit and reputation for authors. Imagine a global collaborative knowledge base for original thoughts. Search thousands of articles and collaborate with scientists around the globe.