Progress in roles of MNX1 antisense RNA 1 in malignant tumor

MNX1 antisense RNA 1 （MNX1-AS1） is a newly discovered long non-coding RNA （lncRNA）, which is highly dysregulated in various carcinomas and its expression level is closely related to the overall survival and prognosis of patients. MNX1-AS1 regulates the occurrence and development of carcinomas by endogenous competitive adsorption of miRNA, regulating cell cycle, inducing epithelial mesenchymal transformation and activating multiple signaling pathways. The in-depth study of the carcinogenesis of MNX1-AS1 is useful for the early diagnosis, targeted therapy and prognostic assessment of relevant carcinomas. This article reviews the roles of MNX1-AS1 in malignant tumor.     

Effect of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on viability and apoptosis of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cells by regulating miR-363-3p expression

AIM To investigate the mechanism of long noncoding RNA （lncRNA） FEZF1-AS1 regulating microRNA-363-3p （miR-363-3p） on the viability and apoptosis of lipopolysaocharide （LPS）-induced vascular endothelial cells. METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were cultured in vitro. pcDNA-NC, pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1, anti-miR-NC, anti-miR-363-3p, miR-NC and miR-363-3p mimics were transfected into the HUVECs and LPS stimulation was applied for 24 h. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The dual-luciferase reporter experiment was used to verify the targeted regulation of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. Western blot was used to determined the expression of cyclin D1, Ki67 and cleaved caspase-3. RESULTS Compared with control group, the expression level of FEZF1-AS1 in LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the expression level of miR-363-3p was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with pcDNA-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with anti-miR-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in anti-miR-363-3p+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Dual-luciferase reporter experiment confirmed that FEZF1-AS1 targeted miR-363-3p. Compared with miR-NC+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group, the cell viability in miR-363-3p+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly increased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Over-expression of FEZF1-AS1 promotes the viability and inhibits apoptosis of LPS induced vascular endothelial cells by inhibiting the expression of miR-363-3p.     

胡萝卜肉质根发育期间果胶的组成与变化

以国内具有代表性的5个胡萝卜品种为试材, 研究其肉质根发育期(播种后60～100 d) 果胶的组成及变化规律, 为胡萝卜品质育种和综合利用果胶含量较高的品种提供参考依据。结果表明: 5个胡萝卜品种的水溶性果胶(WSP) 、草酸溶性果胶(OSP) 、总果胶( TP) 含量均随肉质根的发育呈上升趋势, 酸溶性果胶(ASP) 含量因品种不同呈上升趋势或无显著性变化。在肉质根发育期间, 5个品种的果胶均以ASP为主, 占TP的75.2%～91.3%; 其次是OSP, 占TP 5.8% ～17.9%; 再次是WSP, 占2.9%～8.9%。至收获时, 橘红一号的TP含量最高, 达到12.585 mg/g, 其它4个品种的TP含量没有显著性差异,5个品种在果胶组成与含量和硬度的关系方面均未表现出相关性。     

Effect of tea-polyphenols on the activation of NF-κB and the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in THP-1 cells incubated with VLDL,LDL or ox-LDL

AIM:To investigate the effect of tea-polyphenols (TP) on the activation of NF-κB and the expression of TGF-β₁ mRNA in THP-1 cells (a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line). METHODS:THP-1 cells were incubated with the different concentrations of TP, VLDL, LDL or ox-LDL. In the THP-1 cellls, the nuclear malposition rate of NF-κB was detected with immunohistochemistry technique, the positive index of the TGF-β₁ mRNA expression was detected by hybridization in situ, and accumulation of total cholesterol (TC) in cells incubated with 0.4-40 μg/L TP was determined with oxidase assay. RESULTS:The nuclear malposition rate of NF-κB, the positive index of the TGF-β₁ mRNA expression and TC in THP-1 cells incubated with 0.4-40 μg/L of TP were lower than those with 0 μg/L of TP in TP-V group, TP-L group and TP-O (P＜0.05). The differences of these markers in THP-1 cells incubated with more than 40 μg/L TP in TP-V group, TP-L group and TP-O were not statistically significant, compared with TP-C group (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION:TP inhibited the activation of NF-κB, the expression of TGF-β₁ mRNA and the foam cell formation in the mono-macrophage.     

A precipitation-weighted landscape structure model to predict potential pollution contributions at watershed scales

Context

The impact of landscape structure—often described by landscape composition and configuration—on ecological processes is well-known. Appropriately quantifying landscape structure that critically affect nutrient processes within watersheds remains challenging.

Objective

A precipitation-weighted landscape structure model (LSM) was developed to predict nutrient concentrations at a large number of watersheds.

Methods

The LSM was developed based on the landscape location features including topography and precipitation within the watershed. The inequality function of Lorenz curve was used to quantify the spatial structure of different landscape types. The LSM was fitted and validated using the measurements of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in 132 watersheds. Regression models predicted the spatial patterns of TN and TP concentrations in 1578 watersheds of the Haihe River Basin, China.

Results

(1) Predictive models can explain 64 and 52% of the variation in total TN and TP, respectively. (2) Agricultural and residential lands served as nutrient sources. The contributions of agricultural land were 18 and 21% while those of residential land were 46 and 38% to TN and TP concentrations, respectively. (3) Grassland and forest land were nutrient sinks. Grassland had major contributions of 22 and 30% to TN and TP concentrations, respectively. The contributions of forest land were 7 and 11% to TN and TP concentrations, respectively.

Conclusions

The LSM focuses on the nutrient processes and is feasible to implement across a large number of watersheds. This study provides useful implications for quantifying landscape structure and predicting potential pollution under different landscape scenarios.

     

Effect of tea-polyphenols on the lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activity in atherosclerosis rabbits

AIM: To investigate the effect of tea-polyphenols (TP) on the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activity in atherosclerosis (AS) rabbits. METHODS: The rabbits feeding lipodiet were taken in 200 μg·g^-1·d^-1 TP through the experiment. The LPL and HL activity in the plasma of rabbits were detected. The LPL activity in the arteria tissue and HL activity in liver tissue were estimated with histochemistry technique. RESULTS: The LPL and HL activity in the plasma were not significantly different between premier and post experiment in AS rabbits (P＞0.05), between AS group and control group (P＞0.05). The LPL activity in the arteria tissue were not different between AS group and control group (P＞0.05). HL activity in liver tissue in AS group was significantly lower than control group (P＜0.05), but TP group was higher than AS group (P＜0.05). In TP group, the TC and LDL-c level in plasma were lower (P＜0.05), and the area of atherosclerosis plaque were smaller than those in AS group (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: TP increased HL activity in liver tissue in AS rabbits, which correlated with decreasing the TC and LDL-c level in plasma and the area of atherosclerosis plaque.     

Tripchlorolide activates p-ERK and induces autophagy in lung cancer A549 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of tripchlorolide (TP) on proliferation and autophagy of human lung cancer A549 cells, and explore its mechanism. METHODS: MTT assay was performed to analyze the effect of TP on the viability of human lung cancer A549 cells. The A549 cells were treated with TP, and their autophagy was observed under the fluorescence microscope through acridine orange staining. Green fluorescence spots were observed by fluorescence microscopy through GFP-LC3 plasmid transfection experiment. The levels of LC3 and p-ERK in the A549 cells after TP treatment were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The viability of human lung cancer A549 cells was significantly inhibited by TP in a dose-time dependent manner (P<0.05). The number of the intracellular acidic follicles dyed with bright red fluorescence was significantly increased after TP treatment in A549 cells. The number of green dot-like congregate autophagosomes in cell cytoplasm was significantly increased after TP treatment in the A549 cells transfected with GFP-LC3 plasmid, while the normal treatment only induced a few cells with autophagosome formation. At the same time, we did not observe the dot-like congregate autophagosomes after TP treatment in the A549 cells transfected with GFP-control plasmid. Compared with control group, the expression of LC3-Ⅱ protein was up-regulated in A549 cells after TP treatment (P<0.01). Furthermore, treatment with TP in A549 cells for 48 h also led to a significant upregulation of phosphorylated form of ERK (P<0.01). In contrast, no significant change in the levels of total ERK protein was observed. Compared with 100 nmol/L TP group, TP+3-MA group down-regulated the protein levels of LC3-Ⅱ (P<0.01) and p-ERK (P<0.01) in the A549 cells. CONCLUSION: TP significantly inhibits the growth of A549 lung cancer cells and induces the autophagy, which may be correlated with upregulation of p-ERK protein.     

Effect of tea polyphenols on the contractile function of the papillary muscles of right ventricle in diabetic rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of tea polyphenols (TP) on the contractile function of the papillary muscles of right ventricle in the sixth and eighth week diabetic rats and the control rats. METHODS: Rats were induced to diabetic by an intravenous injection of alloxan. The papillary muscles of right ventricle in the sixth and eighth week diabetic rats were segregated and superfused with oxygenated Tyrode's solution. The contractile function and functional change under the electric stimulation state was recorded and compared between diabetic group and control group. RESULTS: 1/2 diastole interval elongation (P<0.05) and the depression of +dT/dtmax (P<0.01) and -dT/dtmax (P<0.05) of the papillary muscles of right ventricle were showed in the 6th week diabetic rats, while further damages, such as tension addition (P<0.01), 1/2 diastole interval elongation (P<0.01) and the depression of +dT/dtmax (P<0.01) and -dT/dtmax (P<0.01) in 8th week diabetic rats were also observed. TP at certain concentrations (15-120 mg/L) did not produce any effect on the 8th week diabetic rat's papillary muscle, but the positive muscle strength has been showed in the control rats and the sixth week diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: TP produces the positive muscle strength in the early diabetic cardiomyopathy, but has no beneficial effect on serious impaired diabetic myocardium.     

粉果番茄新品种宝禄1号的选育

宝禄1号是以TP35187自交系为母本,以TP36024自交系为父本配制而成的粉果番茄一代杂种。中熟,生育期190d(天)左右,开花到采收45d(天)左右,植株生长势强,第1穗花节位为第7~8节,果实粉红色,扁圆形,单果质量185.7g左右,硬度好,果肉厚,可溶性固形物含量4.40%。每667m2产量达7545kg左右。适合在西北、华北、华东地区早春温室和大棚早春、秋延栽培。     

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiate toward endothelial lineage in vitro

AIM：To investigate the cytological basis and differentiating conditions of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs) differentiated into cells of the endothelial lineage in vitro.METHODS：hMSCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and fractionated on a 1 073 g/L Percoll.The combination of VEGF165 and various matrix proteins including fibronectin (FN) and typeⅠ collagen (Col) was used to induce hMSCs in vitro.Cells were characterized by immunohistochemistry,cytochemistry,FACS and ultrastructure to identify and detect the differentiated population and markers.RESULTS：hMSCs was positive for KDR.PAS reaction was positive and ultrastructure of hMSCs showed glycogen-pool in ectoplasm.Glycogen reducing or disappear suggested that stem cells have occurred differentiation.Induction of hMSCs resulted in the increase of KDR,β1 integrin and CD34.CONCLUSION：hMSCs were induced to a transit population (TP) that differentiated toward the endothelial progenitor cells (EPC),but not a really EPC.hMSCs pedigree diagram of differentiation was hMSCs→TP→EPC→endothelial cells (ECs).     

山茶属8种野生资源的生化特性研究

对贵州省山茶属的皱叶瘤果茶、威宁短柱茶、四球茶、小黄花茶、狭叶瘤果茶、美丽红山茶、长柱红山茶和油茶等8种植物叶片的研究表明:过氧化物酶同工酶(POD)谱带型相似,且均有3条明显的谱带,各种间谱带的强弱差异因生态环境而聚类;POD是由单基因编码的单肽酶。酯酶同工酶(EST)谱带型和强弱在各种间具有明显差异,但都有1条相同的谱带;EST谱带型及强弱差异因种类而异,同样依生态环境而聚类。超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力和茶多酚(TP)含量的种间差异系数(c.v.)分别为26.19和79.60,SOD活力与其叶绿素含量和TP含量皆无显著相关。TP含量与其叶绿素含量呈极显著正相关。     

Effects of pruning intensity on the biochemical status of shoot buds in three mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars planted at high density

Summary

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees grown at high density show a decline in flowering and fruiting after good fruiting years as a result of various factors. Annual pruning can restore production and productivity in such trees. Chlorophyll, total sugars (TS), total phenolics (TP), and proline contents as well as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, were measured in the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 seasons in shoot buds with a few leaves in three mango cultivars (‘Amrapali’, ‘Mallika’, and ‘Dashehari’). Trees were grown at high density in an orchard and the aforesaid parameters were measured 1 month after different degrees of pruning (Stage I) and after subsequent fruit bud differentiation (FBD; Stage II). Severely-pruned mango trees had the highest contents of chlorophyll a, while chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents were found to be highest in moderately-pruned trees. Lightly-pruned trees had the highest contents of reducing sugars (RS), whereas TS contents were highest in severely-pruned trees. The contents of RS and TS increased in shoot buds during the FBD stage. A moderate intensity of pruning significantly increased TP contents, while the lowest TP contents were recorded in non-pruned trees. ‘Off’-year shoots had higher TP contents than ‘on’-year shoots. Irrespective of pruning intensity, shoot buds of ‘Mallika’ trees had the highest PPO activities, with lower levels in ‘Amrapali’ and ‘Dashehari’ shoot buds. PPO activities were reduced at the FBD stage in ‘on’-year shoots. Severely-pruned trees had the highest PPO activities, while the lowest PPO activities were recorded in lightly-pruned trees. Shoot bud proline contents were found to be highest in non-pruned trees, and decreased with increasing pruning intensity. Thus moderate pruning can be adopted in high density orchards to obtain sustainable production with improved maintenance of canopy architecture.     

Total phenolics and flavonoids and total antioxidant capacity in pistachio (Pistachia vera L.) nuts in relation to cultivars and storage conditions

The effects of cultivar, drying and storage conditions on total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), measured with ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and radical scavenging capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl or DPPH) assays, of in-shell and unpeeled kernels of ripe pistachios were investigated. Drying was carried out at 45 °C for 34 h to approximately 5% moisture in kernels and storage of dried nuts in packaging atmosphere of dry air or N₂ at 1 °C or 20 °C for 6 or 12 months. At harvest, each cultivar showed its highest values for each measured variable and TP ranged from 16.2 to 7.9 mg gallic acid equiv. g⁻¹ d.w., TF from 7.2 to 3 mg catechin equiv. g⁻¹ d.w., FRAP from 132.5 to 58.8 μmol Trolox equiv. g⁻¹ d.w., and DPPH from 122.6 to 45.7 μmol Trolox equiv. g⁻¹ d.w. Drying resulted in losses in all cultivars that averaged approximately 14.2%, 14.1%, 11.9% and 12.2% for TP, TF, FRAP and DPPH, respectively, while during 12-month storage the corresponding losses in dried kernels averaged approximately 24.7%, 21.8%, 30.3% and 32.4%. Decreases in all measured variables were advanced by storage time, but prevented by low temperature and packaging in N₂ atmosphere. Among the studied cultivars, Pontikis, Aegina, Bronte and Cerasola showed higher values of TP, TF and TAC than Sirora, Kerman, Joley and Mumtaz in all cases, while Pontikis the highest in most cases. The effects of cultivar, time, temperature and packaging atmosphere during storage were all significant on TP, TF, FRAP and DPPH. Strong correlations were also found among the measured variables.     

柑橘果皮果胶及其酶活性对皱皮果形成的影响

 研究‘红127’甜橙和‘红江橙’的果皮果胶质、果胶甲酯酶( PE) 及皱皮果率的差异。结果表明, 抗皱皮的‘红127’甜橙皱皮果发生率为7.06% , 而‘红江橙’皱皮果发生率高达28.03%; 皱皮出现在阴面果皮占86%以上。‘红江橙’PE在果实成熟时(12月15日) 比成熟前( 10月1日) 增加2.6倍, 水溶性果胶(WP) 增加8.27倍, 总果胶( TP) 增加65% , 盐酸可溶性果胶(HP) 减少54%。‘红127’甜橙果皮的PE变化较小。PE与WP极显著正相关, 与HP极显著负相关。‘红江橙’TP、WP及PE明显高于‘红127’甜橙, 而HP以‘红127’甜橙的高。阴面比阳面果皮有较多的TP、WP和PE, HP则以阳面果皮为高。皱皮果的TP、WP、PE高于正常果, 而HP则少于正常果。六偏磷酸盐可溶性果胶( PP) 在两种果实上没有差异。     

十九种植物净化生活污水总氮及总磷能力的比较

研究了吉林市松花江沿岸耐湿能力较强的19种植物对生活污水中总氮、总磷的净化效果。结果表明:植物对城市生活污水具有一定的净化作用,不同植物的净化效果具有一定差异;洋铁酸模对总氮的净化效果最好,最高净化率为29.14%;彩叶草对总磷的净化效果最好,最高净化率为58.04%;泽泻、戟叶蓼、彩叶草、马蔺、水芹对生活污水中总氮、总磷综合净化能力较高,可用于污水净化植物景观的构建。     

Antioxidant potency of white (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) and Chinese (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis (Lour.)) cabbage: The influence of development stage,cultivar choice and seed selection

The accumulation of total phenols (TP, Folin-Ciocalteu method) and total flavonoids (TF, colorimetric assay with AlCl₃) and the evolution of antioxidant capacity (FRAP assay, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays) have been monitored in juices of Croatian white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) cultivars Vara?dinski and Ogulinski, as well as Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis), at various developmental stages. Measurements were performed every four weeks, starting from planting to full maturity, throughout the course of eight months. In the first 8–12 weeks, the TP and TF contents as well as antioxidant capacity increased significantly in all analyzed juice samples and in most even doubled. This rapid increase was followed by a gradual decrease in values derived from all assays, over the course of 12–30 weeks, to the final values which were in all cases lower than the values measured at week 4. The results also point to significant variability in TP and TF contents and antioxidant capacity at the fully mature stage between white and Chinese cabbage juices and between juices extracted from cultivars Ogulinski and Vara?dinski.     

Effect of scale color on the antioxidant capacity of onions

The bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) has been cultivated for thousands of years and used as an important component of human diet. Recent studies suggest that onions can be used to cure, reduce, or prevent some of the health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, antidiabetic, asthma, antibiosis, and prebiotic effects due to its high antioxidant effect. In this study, we determined the antioxidant capacities of a wide range of onion cultivars; nine commercial cultivars and five advance selections differing in color. The variables tested include bulb size, scale color, total phenolic (TP), total antioxidant activity determined by both “Ferric reducing ability of plasma” (FRAP) and “Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity” (TEAC). We found that yellow onion had the greatest TP content (3.7 mg GAE/g dw); and, the red group had higher TP mean than the white group (2.2 mg GAE/g dw vs. 1.1 mg GAE/g dw). For the antioxidant capacity measurements, the red group had the greatest means by both methods (15.4 μmol TE/g dw and 9.3 μmol TE/g dw for TEAC and FRAP). Yellow onions had higher TEAC (14.7 μmol TE/g dw vs. 8.7 μmol TE/g dw) and FRAP values (9.8 μmol TE/g dw vs. 5.6 μmol TE/g dw) than white onions. Among the cultivars tested great differences of TP, TEAC and FRAP was observed. The TP content of Me-Tan 88 (8.3 mg GAE/g dw) was two times higher than the yellow group. Yellow color Dayton had the greatest TEAC (20.5 μmol TE/g dw) and FRAP (12.3 μmol TE/g dw) means followed by yellow color Me-Tan 88 (19.4 and 11.4 μmol TE/g dw). The two antioxidant measurements were found to be highly correlated (0.99) where absolute values of FRAP were about 40% less than those of TEAC. The values of TEAC and FRAP were significantly correlated by TP with similar rs (0.74 and 0.73, respectively). TP, TEAC and FRAP were significantly and positively correlated to soluble solids (0.41, 0.43, and 0.40, respectively). Our results suggested that the red onions had higher antioxidant activities than yellow and white onions although yellow onions had the richest phenolic contents.     

茶多酚的保健作用研究进展

茶多酚为茶叶的主要功效成分,对人体具有独特的保健和治疗作用。介绍茶多酚的组成及理化性质、毒理性质,对茶多酚在抗衰老和清除自由基,抗癌及抗辐射,除臭及清除牙垢,降血脂、抗过敏及杀菌等几个方面的研究进展进行了综述。并对茶多酚的发展前景作了展望。     

Physical properties of media for container-grown crops. II. Peat mixes

The effect of addition of sand, perlite, polystyrene and pumice in half and quarter proportions and in various particle sizes, on physical properties of peat mixes was studied. Coarse sand had no effect on air space (AS), while fine sand reduced AS and at the higher rate the value fell to an unsatisfactory level. At the higher rate of coarse sand addition, easily available water (EAW) fell to an unsatisfactory level. Fine sand increased EAW. Total porosity (TP) and water-buffering capacity (WBC) were generally reduced as a result of sand addition. The addition of coarse perlite at the higher rate increased the AS, while fine perlite at both rates and medium perlite at the high rate reduced AS. The effect of addition of coarse and fine perlite on EAW was similar to sand addition. Total porosity was reduced by coarse perlite and by medium perlite addition at the higher rate. The addition of polystyrene increased AS, but decreased EAW and the value fell to an unacceptable level at the high rate of application. Bulk density, WBC and TP were decreased by the addition of polystyrene. The addition of a standard grade of pumice had no effect on AS, but the EAW, WBC and TP were reduced. However, only in the case of WBC was the reduction below the critical level.     

Role of Rho kinase in diabetic vascular endothelial dysfunction

AIM: To investigate the role of Rho kinase in diabetic vascular endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: SD rats, genetic db/db diabetic model and high-fat diet-induced obese mice were used in this study. The thoracic aorta of the rats or mice were isolated and suspended in organ bath or myograph for measurement of the changes in isometric tensions. The levels of phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) were determined by Western blotting. Thromboxane B₂(TXB₂),prostaglandin F_2α(PGF_2α) and thromboxane receptor (TP receptor) activators in artery were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was attenuated by TP receptor activation, which was ameliorated by Rho kinase inhibitors. The improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by inhibition of Rho kinase was abolished by pretreatment with the inhibitor of eNOS. Consistently, the level of phosphorylated eNOS was inhibited by TP receptor activation, which was reversed by inhibition of Rho kinase. The endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was also improved by Rho kinase inhibitors in diabetic and obese animals. The levels of TXB₂ and PGF_2α in the arteries were increased in diabetic animals compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: Rho kinase plays a role in diabetic endothelial dysfunction, which may be related to TP receptor activation and eNOS inhibition.