Effects of a nitrate-free interval on tolerance, vasoconstrictor sensitivity and vascular superoxide production

Abstract OBJECTIVES In the present study, we tested whether a nitrate-free interval is able to prevent increases in vascular superoxide (O2•−) and the development of hypersensitivity to vasoconstrictors and whether this may result in restoration of vascular nitroglycerin (NTG) sensitivity. BACKGROUND Intermittent NTG-patch treatment (12 h patch on/patch off) has been shown to increase ischemic periods in patients with stable coronary arteries, suggesting a rebound-like situation during the patch-off period. Recently, we demonstrated that long-term treatment with NTG induces tolerance, which was in part related to increases in vascular O2•− and increased vasoconstrictor sensitivity. METHODS …