Superoxide Generation in Directional Coronary Atherectomy Specimens of Patients With Angina Pectoris

Abstract
Objective— NADH/NADPH oxidase is an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vasculature. Recently, we demonstrated that p22phox, an essential component of this oxidase, was expressed in human coronary arteries and that its expression was enhanced with the progression of atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to investigate its functional importance in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. For this aim, the expression of p22phox, the distribution of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), and the generation of ROS in directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) specimens were examined. Methods and Results— DCA specimens were obtained from patients with stable or unstable angina pectoris. The distribution of p22phox and of oxidized LDL was examined by immunohistochemistry. The generation of superoxide in DCA specimens was assessed by the dihydroethidium method and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. ROS were closely associated with the distribution of p22phox and oxidized LDL....

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