Changes of potassium channels in thoracic aorta of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice in early stage

AIM:To investigate the changes of potassium channels in thoracic aorta of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse in the early stage of diabetes mellitus.METHODS:The effects of 60 mmol/L KCl, phenylephrine (PE), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were measured and concentration-response curves to SNP were determined in the presence and in the absence of the inhibitors of potassium channels on the thoracic aortic rings of diabetic and age-matched control mice in vitro. RESULTS:STZ-diabetic mice showed a significant increase in the maximum contractile response and sensitivity of thoracic aorta to 60 mmol/L KCl and PE. The endothelium-independent relaxation response to SNP was increased by diabetes and were decreased significantly by pretreatment of the vessels with 1 mmol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA), 1 mmol/L 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and 10 μmol/L glibenclamide in diabetes thoracic aorta. Only 4-AP decreased relaxation response to SNP in age-matched control mice. The -logIC₅₀ difference of TEA in thoracic aorta rings of diabetes was significantly higher than age-matched control mice.CONCLUSION:In early stage of diabetes mellitus, the opening or expression of K_Ca channels is significantly enhanced.The opening of K_ATP channels is also enhanced in this stage.     

iNOS-GC-cGMP signaling activation might be involved in vascular hyporeactivity in endotoxemic rats

AIM: To evaluate the activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-guanylate cyclase(GC)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP) signaling on vascular hyporeactivity in endotoxemic rats. METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: sham operation group (sham group), lipopolysaccharide group(LPS group), LPS+polymyxin B group (LPS+PMX-B group) and polymyxin B group (PMX-B group). Cannulation of the carotid artery was performed to record mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). The levels of plasma NO, iNOS and TNF-α were detected. The tension of the thoracic aortic rings was measured by a biological analytical system. RESULTS: Compared with sham group, MABP in LPS group was significantly lower (P<0.01), whereas MABP in LPS+PMX-B group was significantly higher than that in LPS group (P<0.05), and no statistical difference of MABP between PMX-B group and sham group was observed (P>0.05). The plasma levels of NO and iNOS in LPS group were significantly higher than those in sham group and LPS+PMX-B group (P<0.01). The contraction of isolated thoracic aortic rings stimulated by phenylephrine and the relaxation response by acetylcholine in LPS group were significantly lower than those in sham group (P<0.01), whereas those in LPS+PMX-B group were significantly improved (P<0.01). The vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors was completely reversed by pretreatment either with aminoguanidine, a selective iNOS inhibitor, or with methylene blue, an inhibitor of NO-sensitive GC. CONCLUSION: The iNOS-GC-cGMP signaling activation might be involved in vascular hyporeactivity in LPS-induced endotoxemic rats. Polymyxin B partly reverses the vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors by reducing the level of serum TNF-α, which may be mediated by the iNOS-GC-cGMP signal pathways to attenuate the overexpression of iNOS and NO production.     

Role of vascular remodeling for urotensin Ⅱ in rat thoracic aorta after balloon injury

AIM: To explore the possible effect of UII in the process of remodeling after vascular injury. METHODS: The rat model of balloon injury in thoracic aorta was established. Male rats were randomized to 4 groups (n=5), including sham injury group, injury group, UII group (UII pumped into the rats after thoracic aorta balloon injury at 1.0 nmol·kg-1·h-1) and urantide group (urantide pumped into the rats after thoracic aorta balloon injury at 10 nmol·kg-1·h-1). At 21 days, the thoracic aortas were taken out to measure the changes of pathology, the expression of UII, the proliferation of VSMC and the expression of collagen. RESULTS: (1) At the 21 days after operations, the systolic blood pressure was higher in UII group than that in injury group ［(140.0±10.0) mmHg vs (132.0±3.4) mmHg, P>0.05］. The systolic blood pressure was also obviously higher than that in urantide group ［(140±10.0) mmHg vs (128.0±2.4) mmHg, P<0.05］. (2) Urotensin Ⅱ was expressed strongly in the injured area after thoracic aorta injury. (3) In contrast to injury group, the intimal thicken in urotensin Ⅱ group enhanced, the decrease in lumen area was marked (0.13±0.05 vs 0.07±0.02, P<0.05), the cell proliferation index was markedly increased (0.74±0.16 vs 0.40±0.11, P<0.01), and the expression of collagen was also markedly increased (counted as IOD, 318±127 vs 78±26, P<0.01). (4) In contrast to injury group, the decrease in lumen area was not abolished (0.09±0.03 vs 0.07±0.02, P>0.05) after chronic infusion of urotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist urantide, the cell proliferation index was markedly increased (0.73±0.15 vs 0.40±0.11, P<0.01) and the expression of collagen was not statistically increased (counted as IOD, 200±79 vs 78±26, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Urotensin Ⅱ expresses strongly in the myointimal cells after thoracic aorta injury in rat. The extra UII enhances the proliferation of VSMC and expression of collagen in the myointimal, increases the stenosis of injured vasculature, indicating that UII might take part in the process of repairing after vessel injury.     

Improvement of vascular hyporesponsiveness in rats with sepsis by protein C activator from Agkistrodon acutusvenom

AIM:To investigate the effects of protein C activator (PCA) from Agkistrondon acutusvenom (AAV) on the tension of thoracic aorta rings isolated from the rats with sepsis. METHODS:The model of sepsis was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). SD rats were randomly divided to 6 groups (n=6): sham group, LPS group, PCA intervention group (LPS+PCA, PCA at doses of 0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg) and LPS+ polymyxin B (at dose of 0.2 mg/kg) group. Using perfusion experiment in vitro, the tension of the aortic rings was measured by biological signal analytical system. RESULTS:The values of MABP, HR, LVDP and ±dp/dtmax were significantly lower in LPS group than those in sham group and LPS+PCA groups. Compared with sham group, the relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) and the contractile response of aorta rings induced by phenylephrine (Phe) were significantly decreased in LPS group, which were increased significantly in PCA intervention group (especially at dose of 0.6 mg/kg) compared with LPS group. The dose-response curve of aorta contraction with denuded endothelium induced by Phe shifted down significantly in LPS group compared with sham group, and no significant difference between LPS group and PCA intervention group was observed. Also no statistical difference was found in non-endothelium dependent relaxation of aortic rings induced by sodium nitroprusside among the groups. Pretreatment of N-nitro-L-arginine methl ester and methylene blue increased the contraction amplitude of aortic rings induced by Phe. CONCLUSION: PCA from AAV effectively reverses the hypoergia of the vessels in rats with sepsis through protecting vascular endothelium, the mechanism of which may be mediated by inhibiting NO-GC-cGMP signal transduction pathway.     

Effect of heat shock protein 70 expression induced by glutamine on vascular hyporeactivity in rats caused by LPS

AIM: To observe the effect of heat shock protein 70(HSP70) expression induced by glutamine on Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides(LPS)-induced vascular hyporeactivity in rats.METHODS: Twenty four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into: the control group (n=8);LPS shock group (n=8);glutamine(Gln) treated group (Gln 0.75 g·kg-1 iv,n=8).6 h after LPS shock,phenylephrine (PE,0.5-2.5 μg·kg-1 ) was applied intravenously to all groups and the percentage increase in mean arterial pressure(MAP) was detected,respectively.The concentration-response curves of aorta rings were obtained by cumulative addition of phenylephrine (PE),and PE Emax,EC50 were calculated.The blood concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA),TNF-α and IL-6 were assayed in all groups 30 min and 360 min after LPS shock,respectively.The expressions of HSP70 from heart and aorta were also assayed after 6 h LPS shock.RESULTS: The MAP level induced by PE significantly decreased by 51.4% in LPS shock group compared with the control (P<0.05).However,PE induced MAP level increased by 17.5% in Gln group compared with LPS shock group (P<0.05).Emax and EC50 to PE were significant reduced in LPS shock group compared with control group (P<0.05),but significantly improved in Gln group (P<0.05).The expressions of HSP70 from heart and aorta were much higher in Gln group than those in LPS shock group (P<0.05).The blood concentrations of TNF-α,IL-6 and MDA were much lower in Gln group than those in LPS shock group.CONCLUSION: Glutamine effectively improves α-adrenergic receptor-mediated vascular reactivity through inducing the expression of HSP 70,reducing inflammatory cytokine release and peroxide biosynthesis in LPS shock.These results suggest that glutamine have potential beneficial therapeutic effect for septic shock patients.     

Vasodilatatory effect and mechanism of CH2Cl2 extract of flos magnoliae on isolated rat thoracic aorta

AIM: To characterize the vasodilatatory effect of CH₂Cl₂ extract of flos magnoliae (CEF) on isolated rat thoracic aorta and to elucidate its possible mechanism. METHODS: The thoracic aorta was isolated from male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and the isometric tension of aortic rings with or without endothelium was measured. RESULTS: CEF (0.1-1 000 mg/L) produced concentration-dependent, endothelium-independent relaxations in phenylephrine (PE)-contracted aortic rings. The maximum relaxation induced by CEF was 78.68%±6.03% in endothelium intact rings and 64.98%±13.90% in endothelium removed rings while the forskolin (1 μmol/L)-induced vasodilation was obtained as 100%. The vasodilatatory effect of CEF was not statistically inhibited by 10 μmol/L glibenclamide (Glib), 3 mmol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA), 100 μmol/L BaCl₂ and 10 μmol/L 1H- -oxadiazole- -quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) in the preparations without endothelium. The CEF pre-treatment significantly inhibited vasoconstrictions to angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), prostaglandin F_2α, (PGF_2α), dopamine (Dopa), vasopressin (Vaso), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and PE by 91.31%, 82.11%, 95.32%, 90.53%, 72.22% and 83.63%, respectively (P<0.01). In Ca²⁺-free medium treated endothelium removed aortic ring, incubation with CEF at concentration of 82 mg/L significantly attenuated intracellular Ca²⁺ release by PE. In Ca²⁺-free + high potassium medium incubated aortic rings without endothelium, CEF (82 mg/L) markedly inhibited potassium-stimulated Ca²⁺-dependent contraction which was mainly due to Ca²⁺ influx (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: CEF induced vasorelaxation is mainly related to interfering intracellular calcium homeostasis by blocking Ca²⁺ influx and intracellular Ca²⁺ release.     

Effects of vasoconstrictor and endothelium-dependent relaxationagent on thoracic aortic rings of diabetes mice

AIM: To discuss the effects of vasoconstrictor and endothelium-dependent relaxation agent on the thoracic aortic rings in different stages of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to establish diabetic model in C57BL/6J mice. At the 17th, 22nd, 28th week, diabetic and age-matched control mice were sacrificed respectively and the effects of vasoconstrictors: phenylephrine (PE), 60 mmol/L KCl and endothelium-dependent relaxation agent respectively (ACh) were measured in two groups using thoracic aortic rings. RESULTS: The level of fasting plasma glucose concentration 2 weeks after STZ treatment increased higher (≥11.1 mol/L) in STZ-induced diabetic mice than that in age-matched controls, and maintained at this level in entire experiment course. On the contrary, the weight was decreased significantly. The responses of thoracic aortic rings in STZ-induced diabetic mice to PE were increased, unaltered and increased at the 17th, 22nd, 28th weeks, respectively compared to that in age-matched controls. The responses to 60 mmol/L KCl were also increased in all stages. While the responses to ACh were increased, unaltered and decreased at the 17th, 22nd, 28th weeks, respectively compared to that in age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: The responses of thoracic aortic rings to vasoconstrictor enhance in STZ-induced diabetic mice. However, the endothelial functions potentiate initially due to compensation, and then lower exhibiting endothelial damage.     

Effects of platelet-derived growth factor on vasoconstriction of the vascular vessels in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) on vasoconstriction of the vascular vessels. METHODS: The contractile effects of PDGF-BB at different concentrations on the rat thoracic aortic rings and the effects of verapimil, indomerthacin, phentolamine and propranolol on the response of the thoracic aortic rings were observed by using the technique of vascular perfusion in vitro, and norepinephrine was used to severe as control. RESULTS: PDGF-BB showed a remarkable contractile effect on the thoracic aorta rings of rats in a dose-dependent manner, more potent than norepinephrine at the same molar concentration. Verapimil and propranolol inhibited the contractile effect of PDGF-BB on the rat thoracic rings, but the effect of indomerthacin and phentolamine on the vasoconstriction of PDGF-BB was not observed. CONCLUSION: PDGF-BB significantly contracts the thoracic aorta rings of rats in dose-dependent and non-endothelium-dependent manners. Verapimil and propranolol inhibits the contractile effect of PDGF-BB on the rat thoracic rings.     

中甘21号

AIM: To observe the pathological role of 3-nitrotynosine (3-NT) on Escherichia coli LPS-induced vascular hyporeactivity in rats and the therapeutic effect of antioxidants. METHODS: Forty male SD rats weighting from 200 g to 250 g were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (n=10); LPS shock group (n=10); uric acid-treated group (n=10); melatonin-treated group (n=10). 6 h after LPS shock, phenylephrine (0.5-2.5 μg·kg-1) was applied intravenously to all groups and the percentage increase in MAP was detected, respectively. The concentration-response curve of aorta rings from all groups rats were obtained by cumulative addition of phenylephrine (PE), and PE Emax, EC50 were calculated. The concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate/nitrite and 3-NT were assayed in all groups 6 h after LPS shock. RESULTS: The MAP level induced by PE significantly decreased to 54.60% in LPS shock rats compared with the control (P<0.05). However, PE induced MAP level increased 37.70% and 43.05% in uric acid and melatonin treated rats, respectively, compared with the LPS shock rats (P<0.05). The maximum response and EC50 to PE were significant reduced in LPS shock rats ［Emax, 35.30%±9.80%; EC50, (15.70±4.50)nmol/L］ compared with control group ［Emax, 100%; EC50, (4.71±2.04)nmol/L, P<0.05］; but the reactivity of aorta to PE was improved obviously in uric acid and melatonin treated groups (P<0.05). The plasma concentration of MDA, nitrate/nitrite and 3-NT were much lower in uric acid and melatonin groups than those in LPS shock group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 3-NT is an important pathological factor on vascular hyporeactivity in LPS shock. Antioxidants effectively improve α-adrenergic receptor-mediated vascular reactivity in LPS shock rats partially by removing lipid peroxidative production, reducing nitric oxide and 3-NT biosynthesis in LPS shock. These results suggest that antioxidants have potential beneficial therapeutic effect for septic shock patients.     

Curcumin ameliorates high glucose-induced dysfunction of vasoconstriction via heme oxygenase-1 and GC pathway

AIM: To explore the protective effect of curcumin on high glucose-induced decrease in contraction of isolated rat aortic rings, and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The thoracic aortic rings with endothelium of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on a bath system. Isometric contractions of aortic rings were measured. HO activity was also evaluated. RESULTS: (1)Four hours after incubated with 44 mmol/L of glucose (high glucose), the vascular contraction responses to phenylephrine (PE) decreased compared to control group (containing 11 mmol/L of glucose). (2)Coincubation with curcumin (3×10-11-3×10-10 mol/L) and high glucose, the high glucose-induced decrease in contraction responses to PE of arteries was partly inhibited. (3)Four hours after incubation with curcumin, the HO activity in thoracic aorta increased. ZnPP, an inhibitor of HO-1, completely abrogated the protection effect of curcumin. (4)Methylene blue, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase (GC), partly abolished the protective effect of curcumin. CONCLUSION: Curcumin prevents the high glucose-induced decrease in contraction responses to PE in intact aortic rings. The mechanism might be mainly involved in the activation of HO-1 and GC.     

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on expression of ICAM-1 in rabbit aorta and HUVECs induced by high lipid levels

AIM: To investigate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) induced by high lipid levels in rabbit aorta and human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs), and the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in this process.METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the cultured HUVEC were divided into control group, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) group, ox-LDL+DHEA group, ox-LDL+DHEA+ATRA group and DHEA group. The HUVECs in all groups were treated with the corresponding reagents for 24 h. The expression of ICAM-1 at mRNA and protein levels in all groups were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. For in vivo experiments, the rabbits were divided into control group, high lipid group, high lipid+DHEA group, high lipid+DHEA+ATRA group and DHEA group. The rabbits in all groups were fed with the corresponding diets for 10 weeks. The expression of ICAM-1 in the rabbit aorta at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression of ICAM-1 in the HUVECs in ox-LDL group was significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05). Compared with ox-LDL group, the expression of ICAM-1 in ox-LDL+DHEA group was obviously decreased (P<0.05). The expression of ICAM-1 was similar in both control group and DHEA group (P>0.05). The expression of ICAM-1 was similar in both ox-LDL+DHEA group and ox-LDL+DHEA+ATRA group (P>0.05). The expression of ICAM-1 in the rabbit aorta in high lipid group was significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05). Compared with high lipid group, the expression of ICAM-1 in high lipid+DHEA group was obviously decreased (P<0.05). No remarkable difference in the expression of ICAM-1 between control group and DHEA group was observed (P>0.05), so did between high lipid+DHEA group and high lipid+DHEA+ATRA group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: DHEA inhibits high lipid-induced ICAM-1 expression in rabbit aorta and HUVECs. That may be one of the mechanisms of antiatherosclerotic effect of DHEA. ATRA seems no positive effect on DHEA function.     

Inhibitory effect of iron on vasodilatation in the isolated rat aorta

AIM: The objectives of the present study were to examine the effect of iron on relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The thoracic aortic rings of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on bath system. Vasodilatation of aortic rings preconstricted with 10^-6 mol/L of phenylephrine (PE) was measured. RESULTS: (1) Exposure of endothelium-intact aortic rings to ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) for 30 min caused a significant reduction in the relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh). Pretreatment with L-arginine (L-Arg) before incubation with FAC did not reverse the inhibition of relaxation response to ACh completely. (2) In endothelium-intact aortic rings, L-Arg relaxed the PE preconstricted vessels. Exposure to FAC for 30 min caused the decrease in the relaxation response to L-Arg. There was no difference in the relaxation response to nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, between endothelium-denuded arteries treated with or without FAC. (3) Dimethyl sulfoxide had no effect on the inhibition of relaxation to ACh by FAC in endothelium-intact rings. Pretreatment of arteries with glutathione and catalase prevented the decrease in relaxation responses to ACh induced by FAC. (4) The nitric oxide synthase activity was (56.49±2.49)×10³U/g protein in normal aorta with endothelium, while after incubation with FAC for 30 min, it reduced to (25.15±5.75)×10³U/g protein ( P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Inactivation of nitric oxide synthase and decrease in intracellular glutathione level might mediate iron-induced inhibition of arterial relaxation responses to ACh.     

Atorvastatin inhibits atherogenesis by RXRα-mediated depressing oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic ApoE-/- mice with fat-rich diet

AIM: To explore the effects of atorvastatin (Atorv) on atherosclerosis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice with fat-rich diet and the possible mechanism. METHODS：C57 mice served as control. ApoE-/- mice (n=34) fed with high-fat diet were randomly divided into ApoE-/- group, STZ-ApoE-/- group and STZ-ApoE-/-+Atorv group. Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was performed to create diabetic animal model. Blood glucose was determined by glucose oxidase method. Blood lipid levels were detected by enzymic method or selective homogeneous method. The plaque area in the thoracic aorta was measured by HE staining. The protein level of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunit gp91phox in the thoracic aorta was determined by Western blotting. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in blood and thoracic aorta homogenates were detected by Fenton reaction and Griess reagent. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were isolated from healthy umbilical cords by collagenase I and cultured. ROS production was detected by flow cytometry. NADPH oxidase activity was measured using lucigenin assay.Effects of retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) on inhibition of oxidative stress by atorvastatin were evaluated by RNA interference and plasmid transfection. RESULTS：(1) Compared with C57 group, the plaque areas of the thoracic aorta in ApoE-/- group were increased. No difference of the fasting glucose between the 2 groups was observed. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), thoracic aorta gp91phox protein and ROS in blood and thoracic aorta homogenates were higher in ApoE-/- group than those in C57 group. (2) Compared with ApoE-/- group, the plaque areas of the thoracic aorta in STZ-ApoE-/- group were further enlarged ［(314.13±35.72) μm2 vs (215.88±34.19) μm2, P<0.05］. The levels of blood glucose, TG, TC and LDL-C, thoracic aorta gp91phox protein and ROS in blood and thoracic aorta homogenates were higher in STZ-ApoE-/- group than those in ApoE-/- group (P<0.05). (3) Compared with STZ-ApoE-/- group, the plaque areas of the thoracic aorta in STZ-ApoE-/- +Atorv group were reduced ［(217.47±24.56） μm2 vs （314.13±35.72） μm2, P<0.05］. The levels of blood glucose, LDL-C, TC, HDL-C and TG showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. Thoracic aorta gp91phox protein level and ROS production in blood and thoracic aorta homogenates were lower in STZ-ApoE-/- +Atorv group than those in STZ-ApoE-/- group (P<0.05). (4) High glucose-induced increases in NADPH oxidase activity and gp91phox expression were significantly inhibited by atorvastatin (10-6 mol/L) in HUVECs. The inhibitory effects of atorvastatin on high glucose-induced ROS production and NADPH oxidase activation were largely impaired when the cells were transfected with RXRα siRNA. However, the effect of atorvastatin was significantly strengthened when RXRα was over-expressed in the HUVECs transfected with RXRα plasmid. CONCLUSION：Atorvastatin inhibits atherogenesis by depressing high glucose-induced oxidative stress in diabetic ApoE-/- mice with fat-rich diet. The anti-oxidative stress effect of atorvastatin is mediated by RXRα.     

Effects of 15-HETE and ERK1/2 on pulmonary artery constriction in chronic hypoxic rats

AIM:The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the extracellular signal regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway was involved in 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE)-induced chronic hypoxic pulmonary artery (PA) constriction and whether ERK1/2 activity was influenced by 15-HETE, for clarifying the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). METHODS:Rats were placed in hypoxic box with fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) 0.12 for 9 days to make hypoxic models, while those lived in FiO₂ 0.21 served as normal controls. Heart and lungs were taken out from chest and PA in diameter of 1-1.5 mm was isolated and cut into rings with 3 mm long for tension studies in organ baths. The ring tensions before and after adding 15-HETE were compared. Influences of ERK1/2 upstream kinase inhibitor U0126 as well as endothelium integrity on 15-HETE-induced HPV were observed. Expression and activity of ERK1/2 in cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) treated with 15-HETE for different times and concentrations were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS:15-HETE significantly constricted PA rings from hypoxic rats, and the response of the hypoxic rings were significantly greater than that of normoxic ones (P<0.05). U0126 significantly reduced vasoconstriction induced by 15-HETE both in endothelium-intact and -denuded rings (both were P<0.05). Western blotting results showed 15-HETE enhanced activity of ERK1/2 in PASMCs, increasing with concentration and decreasing with time. CONCLUSION:15-HETE upregulates activity of ERK1/2 in PASMCs of rats. The activation of ERK1/2 is an important step in 15-HETE- induced HPV in rats.     

Effect of insulin on the secretion of VEGF and its receptor in serum-free cultured bovine thoracic aortic endothelial cells

AIM: This study was designed to investigate the secretion of VEGF and its receptor (flt-1 or flk-1/KDR) protein by cultured bovine thoracic aortic endothelial cells treated with various insulin concentrations. METHODS: Endothelial cells was isolated from bovine thoracic aorta, and cultured in serum-free medium, then incubated with different insulin concentrations (30 mU/L, 300 mU/L, 3 000 mU/L). The level of VEGF and its receptor (flt-1 or flk-1/KDR) protein were detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: As compared with no insulin group, the expression of VEGF protein in low insulin concentration (30 mU/L and 300 mU/L) groups were significantly increased (P＜0.01). The expression of VEGF protein in high insulin concentration (3 000 mU/L) group was significantly decreased (P＜0.05). Howerer, no difference of the expression of VEGF receptor (flt-1 or flk-1/KDR) protein among all groups (P＞0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION: Low concentration insulin up-regulates the VEGF protein expression while high concentration insulin down-regulates the VEGF protein expression in bovine thoracic aortic endothelial cells, but insulin had no directly effect on the VEGF receptor (flt-1 or flk-1/KDR) protein expression in bovine thoracic aortic endothelial cells.     

Vasorelaxant effect and underlying mechanism of EtOAc extract from Chrysanthemum morifolium in rat thoracic aorta

AIM: To investigate the vasorelaxant effect and mechanism of EtOAc extract from Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat (CME). METHODS: The effects of CME on the contraction of rat thoracic aorta were examined. RESULTS: CME caused concentration-dependent relaxation of aorta rings precontricted with phenylephrine and K+. The effect in endothelium-intact aorta was more effective than that in endothelium-deduced aorta. NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester, methylene blue and glibenclamide attenuated the effect of CME significantly. However, indomethacin, propranolol, tetraethylammonium, BaCl2, 4-aminopyridine and 5-hydroxydecanoate did not affect CME effect. The effect of SKF-525A combined with L-NAME had no obvious difference with that of L-NAME on CME-induced relaxation. NOS activity in aorta was increased markedly by CME in vitro. CME did not reduced the contraction elicited by PE in Ca2+-free medium, but reduced the contraction induced by PE in K+-free solution or Ca2+ free following input Ca2+. CONCLUSION: CME induces both endothelium-dependent and independent relaxation. NO and cGMP are likely involved in the endothelium-dependent relaxation, inhibition of voltage-dependent or receptor-operate Ca2+ channel and activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channel contribute in part to the endothelium-independent relaxation by CME.     

Effects of eplerenone on expression and activity of aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase in hypertensive rats induced by high-salt intake

AIM: To explore the effects of eplerenone on the expression and activity of aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) in high salt-induced hypertensive rats.METHODS: Male Wistar rats(4 week old, weighting 50～60 g) were randomly divided into control group, high-salt diet group and eplerenone group. The rats in control group were fed with ordinary rodent animal diet, the rats in high-salt group and eplerenone group were exposed to 5% salt diet for 16 weeks and administrated with the same dosage of saline or eplerenone(40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) by gavage for 4 weeks, respectively. Systolic blood pressure(SBP) was measured by tail-cuff every 2 weeks. The rats were sacrificed after 16 weeks and the thoracic aorta was collected. The aldosterone content in the aorta was measured by ELISA. The protein levels of mineralocorticoid receptor(MR) and eNOS were determined by Western blot. The activitie of constitutive NOS(cNOS) was measured by chemocolorimetry. The protein localization of eNOS, neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) and MR was observed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: A process of 8-week high-salt diet increased SBP gradually. SBP in the rats exposure to high salt for 16 weeks was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05). After 4 weeks of eplerenone treatment, SBP in the rats was significantly lower than that before treatment(P<0.05). Compared with control group, the aldosterone content in the aorta were significantly increased in high-salt diet group and eplerenone group(P<0.05), the expression level of MR also increased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with control group, both eNOS protein expression(P<0.05) and cNOS activity in high-salt diet group were significantly decreased(P<0.05). The protein expression of eNOS as well as cNOS activity in aorta increased significantly in eplerenone group compared with high-salt diet group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Aldosterone content in aorta of high-salt-induced hypertensive rats increases significantly. Aldosterone attenuates the protein expression of eNOS and reduces the enzyme activity through the activation of mineralocorticoid receptor. The selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone enhances the protein expression of eNOS and its activity, thereby improves eNOS function.     

Significance of NF-кB in immunopathogenesis of Graves disease

AIM:To investigate the activity of NF-кB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with Graves disease (GD) and the significance in immunopathogenesis of GD.METHODS:Peripheral blood was collected from 22 untreated GD, 20 treated GD with tapazole more than 1 year, and 25 healthy volunteers.PBMCs were isolated from the blood by histopaque-1077 density-gradient centrifugation.The activity of NF-кB in PBMCs was analyzed using gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).The contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were tested by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS:The activity of NF-кB in PBMCs of untreated GD group was increased remarkably, compared with that in the treated group and control (P<0.05).The contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in untreated group were significantly higher than those in treated GD and control group (P<0.05).A positive correlation between NF-кB activity and IL-6 level in untreated GD group and treated GD group was observed.CONCLUSION:The activity of NF-кB in PBMCs with GD patients is increased significantly, which might play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of GD.     

Vasodilatation induced by Jumi extraction and its mechanisms

AIM: The objectives of the present study were to examine the effect of Jumi (JM) extraction on relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings, and to elucidate its mechanisms. METHODS: The thoracic aortic rings with and without endothelium of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on a bath system. Vasodilatation of aortic rings preconstricted with 10-6 mol/L of phenylephrine (PE) was measured. RESULTS: JM extraction (0.5-8 g/L) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings. The extent of relaxation was larger in endothelium-intact aortic rings than that in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. Both L-NAME［a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor］ and high potassium (20 mmol/L KCl) partly abolished the relaxation action of JM extraction in endothelium-intact aortic rings. Pretreatment with L-NAME also inhibited the relaxation response to JM extraction in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. After incubation with JM extraction, NOS activities enhanced both in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings. CONCLUSION: JM extraction causes relaxation of aortic rings through endothelium-dependent and independent pathways. The mechanisms might be involved in NOS and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor.