The recently published research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was conducted by collaborating scientists from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and Dr. John F. Keaney, Jr., and Dr. Joseph A. Vita at the Boston University School of Medicine.
In three recent reports, these researchers have outlined how patients with a healthy level of vitamin C in their bloodstream - which was provided in one study by a daily 500 milligram supplement - had blood vessels with significantly improved "vasodilation," or the ability to relax and avoid dangerous constriction. Similar findings were also made with one prescription drug.
"These studies are providing a new perspective on heart disease," said Balz Frei, professor and director of the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU. "Atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries, are still a serious health concern, but they don't necessarily mean a person will suffer a heart attack or stroke. It appears there are also other key factors in the health of blood vessels, and they may be influenced by vitamin C."
In tracing the biological underpinnings of heart disease, Frei said, scientists are honing in on the ability of a naturally-produced compound in the body, nitric oxide, that helps relax blood vessels, inhibits the aggregation of platelets and the formation of blood clots, and decreases the risk of plaque rupture - all of which are relevant to actually having a heart attack or stroke.
Studies suggest that nitric oxide can be "inactivated" by superoxide
radicals, which are the reactive oxygen compounds often present with high
cholesterol levels. When nitric oxide availability is improved, it reduces
the presence of unst
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Contact: Balz Frei
balz.frei@orst.edu
541-737-5075
Oregon State University
19-Jun-1998