Contrasting impact of nitroxyl and nitric oxide on the diabetic heart and vasculature

Drugs that release two structurally-related and naturally-occurring molecules called nitroxyl or nitric oxide, improve heart and blood vessel function in healthy individuals, but whether these beneficial effects are maintained in type 2 diabetes is unclear. This thesis highlights the superior ability of nitroxyl-releasing drugs in particular to promote contraction and relaxation of the heart, and dilation of blood vessels, in type 2 diabetes. It also demonstrates that nitroxyl-releasing drugs upregulate antioxidant defence in this setting. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of nitroxyl-releasing drugs in cardiovascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes, such as heart failure.