Ceramide-induced disruption of endothelial nitric oxide synthase dimerization in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) is not secondary to peroxynitrite formation

An estimated 23.6 million individuals in the United States have diabetes and of those 90-95% have type II diabetes. Cardiovascular complications (e.g., hypertension and vascular dysfunction) are four-fold more prevalent in patients with type II diabetes. To gain insight into mechanisms responsible for ceramide-induced endothelial dysfunction, BAECs were incubated with palmitate to precipitate endogenous ceramide biosynthesis.