Role of xanthine oxidase in conduit artery endothelial dysfunction in cigarette smokers.

Xanthine oxidase contributes to oxidant stress and has been proposed as a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction. We studied the role of xanthine oxidase in conduit artery endothelial dysfunction in 12 smokers and 12 controls. Conduit artery vasodilation was impaired in smokers (4.3%) compared with controls (7.9%) (p = 0.006) and improved with xanthine oxidase inhibition in smokers (9.2%, p <0.001).