[Tetrahydrobiopterin Synthesis and Biological Function].

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for aromatic amino acid hydroxylases and all three nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms. It has protective effects as an antioxidant and scavenger of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. It also serves as a cofactor in both normal physiologic and pathological states.

[Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on apoptosis of sinusoidal endothelial cells caused by ethanol: experiment with rats].

Objective: To investigate the cell death pattern of sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) caused by ethanol and the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on this cell death, as well as the underlying mechanism involving Ets-1 and Caspase-8.

Methods: SECs were isolated from male Wistar rats and cultured in medium containing ethanol (25 - 100 mmol/L). VEGF (20 - 30 ng/ml) was added into the medium to be co-incubated for up to 6 h.