Endothelium-Specific GTP Cyclohydrolase I Overexpression Restores Endothelial Function in Aged Mice

This study tested the hypothesis that endothelium-specific GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH I) overexpression (Tg-GCH) restores age-associated endothelial dysfunction in vivo. Aortic GTPCH expression and serum nitric oxide (NO) release were measured young aged mice. rings from wild-type (WT) mice Tg-GCH suspended for isometric tension recording. A hind limb ischemia model was used to measure blood flow recovery. Aged showed reduced aorta decreased NO levels serum. Compared with WT mice, significantly elevated restored impaired aortic relaxation response acetylcholine, constriction L-NAME. Importantly, displayed a significant increase recovery compared reduction contributes aging-associated dysfunction, which can be retarded by Tg-GCH.