| abstract |
A composition comprising one or more nitric oxide donors and an antioxidant is disclosed. The nitric oxide donor of the present invention provide a substrate for the generation of nitric oxide; coupled with the antioxidant, the present compositions therefore serve to raise nitric oxide levels in a patient while minimizing peroxynitrite production. As a result, vasorelaxation or vasodilation is experienced without the tissue and cellular damage associated with other methods of NO generation. Methods for treating a patient for illnesses in which vasoconstriction occurs or is a symptom are therefore also disclosed. The methods generally comprise administering a NO donor concurrently or sequentially with an antioxidant to the patient to be treated in an amount effective to induce the desired level of vasorelaxation. |