Role of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway in inhibitory effects of puerarin on ox-LDL-induced TF expression in vascular endothelial cells

AIM:To explore the role of phosphatidylinositiol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (PI3K/Akt/eNOS) signaling pathways in the inhibitory effects of puerarin on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced tissue factor (TF) expression in vascular endothelial cells.METHODS:The mRNA expression of TF was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.The protein levels of TF and Akt was determined by Western blot.The content of the nitric oxide (NO) was measured by nitrate reduction method.RESULTS:Compared with control group,incubating endothelial cells with ox-LDL significantly induced TF expression at mRNA and protein levels and the dephosphorylation of Akt protein,and decreased NO production.Incubation of the endothelial cells with puerarin for 1 h and then treatment of the cells with ox-LDL decreased the TF expression at mRNA and protein levels,increased Akt protein phosphorylation and intracellular NO content.Co-incubation of the endothelial cells with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and puerarin for 1 h and then treatment of the cells with ox-LDL augmented the TF expression at mRNA and protein levels and the Akt protein dephosphorylation,and decreased NO production.Co-incubation of the endothelial cells with eNOS inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and puerarin significantly decreased the inhibitory effect of puerarin on ox-LDL-induced TF expression at mRNA and protein levels in the endothelial cells,and reduced Akt protein phosphorylation and NO production.CONCLUSION:Puerarin inhibits ox-LDL-induced TF expression at mRNA and protein levels in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells via activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

Role of nephrin in preventing angiotensinⅡ-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement in glomerular podocytes

AIM: To investigate the role of nephrin, a slit diaphragm-associated protein, in angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ)-induced cytoskeleton rearrangement in podocytes. METHODS: Immortalized mouse podocytes were exposed to AngⅡ (10^-8 mol/L) with or without AngⅡ receptor antagonist lorsatan and Akt inhibitor LY294002. FITC-conjugated phalloidin was used to stain F-actin, and semi-quantitative system with cortical F-actin score (CFS) was introduced to analyze the degree of actin cytoskeleton arrangement. The expression of nephrin was assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR,RT-PCR and Western blotting. Undifferentiated podocytes were transfected with pcDNA3.1-mNPHS1 plasmid containing the full length of nephrin. The stably transfected cell line was generated by G418 selection. Phosphorylation level of Akt was assessed by Western blotting, and F-actin distribution was further evaluated in transfected cells exposed to AngⅡ or not. RESULTS: Cytoskeletal rearrangements including cortical F-actin ring formation and stress fiber attenuation were observed in Ang II-and LY294002-stimulated podocytes. Pretreatment with losartan significantly prevented Ang II-induced actin cytoskeleton reorganization. The mRNA and protein levels of nephrin and phosphorylation of Akt were obviously decreased in the podocytes exposed to Ang II, which were dramatically reversed by pcDNA3.1-mNPHS1 transfection. Transfection of pcDNA3.1- mNPHS1 induced the formation of short filopodia and partially prevented AngⅡ-induced F-actin remodeling. CONCLUSION: PI3K/Akt signaling is a common downstream pathway of nephrin and Ang Ⅱ. Nephrin is able to stabilize AngⅡ-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

PPARs ligands antagonizes Ang-induced decrease in endothelial NO production by upregulating eNOS expression

AIM: We hypothesized that PPARγ ligands stimulate endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO) release to protect the vascular wall. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ciglitazone (Cig) and fenofibrate (Fen) on angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)-induced decrease in endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression and NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were preincubated for 24 h with Cig (10-7, 10-6, 10-5, 10-4 mol/L) or Fen (10-5 and 10-4 mol/L), then incubated for 12 h with 10-7 mol/L AngⅡ. Total RNA was extracted, and the expression of mRNA and protein of eNOS was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. NO production was measured by Griees method. RESULTS: In the presence of 10-7 mol/L AngⅡ for 12 h, NO production in cultured HUVECs was decreased (P<0.01). Cig and Fen pretreatments enhanced NO production (P<0.01) and antagonized Ang-induced decrease in eNOS mRNA and protein levels in HUVECs. CONCLUSION: PPARγ activator, ciglitazone, and PPARα activator, fenofibrate, antagonize Ang-induced decrease in endothelial NO production by directly upregulating eNOS expression.     

Antagonistic effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker candesartan on angiotensin II-induced proliferation of primary acute myeloid leukemia cells

AIM: To explore the antagonistic effect and mechanism of candesartan on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation of primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML)cells. METHODS: MTT assay was used to observe the proliferation effect of Ang II on primary AML cells and normal bone marrow mononuclear cells, and the antagonistic effects of candesartan and PD123319 (an antagonist of AT2R) were also observed. Akt phosphorylation was detected by Western blotting when the cells were treated with candesartan and a PI3K inhibitor LY294002.RESULTS: Compared with the control cells, Ang II significantly increased the proliferation of AML cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). Ang II did not stimulate the proliferation of normal bone marrow mononuclear cells. The proliferative effect of Ang II was effectively blocked by the AT1R blocker candesartan (P<0.05). PI3K inhibitor strongly repressed the Ang II-induced cell proliferation (P<0.05). Candesartan significantly reduced Akt phosphorylation promoted by Ang II on primary AML cells (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Candesartan effectively inhibits Ang II-induced proliferation of primary AML cells by down-regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, indicating a new possible treatment mechanism in some AML cells.     

Protection of the limb ischemic preconditioning on the injury of gut is concerned with NO/ET-1 system in rats

AIM: To study the relationship between disturbance of nitric oxide/endothelin-1 (NO/ET-1) and the injury of gut following limb ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats as well as the regulation of NO/ET-1 system by limb I/R preconditioning (IPC). METHODS: A limb ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats was established. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: control group, IR group and IPC group. The contents of diamide oxidase(DAO), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ratio of nitric oxide/endothelin-1 (NO/ET-1) in the plasma and the gut were measured. The leavels of myeloperoxidase, ratio of DNA chain (%), total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in the gut were determined. The expression of iNOS and endothelial NOS (eNOS) were detected by the immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: It was found that the levels of NO, ET-1 in the plasma and the gut tissue all increased after reperfusion, while the values of NO/ ET-1 decreased. The values of DAO in the plasma and MPO in the gut increased, while the contents of DAO and the ratio of DNA chain (%) in the gut decreased. The expression of iNOS elevated, cNOS (mainly eNOS) reduced and total NOS increased. The protection of the limb IPC attenuated the disturbance of NO/ET-1. CONCLUSION: The intestinal injury following limb I/R is related to the disturbance of NO/ET-1. The protection of the limb IPC might be conducted by its regulating NO/ET-1 system. The endothelial NOS increases and non-endothelial NOS decreases in this situation.     

Puerarin pretreatment protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via increasing protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

AIM: To investigate the protective effects of puerarin (PUE) pretreatment on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as its possible mechanism and the signal transduction pathways involved. METHODS: HUVECs were randomly divided into normal control group, H/R group, PUE pretreatment group and PUE+H/R group (1.0×10^-3 mol/L, PUE pretreated the cells for 24 h before H/R). The protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was measured by Western blot. The activity of constitutive NOS (cNOS) was determined via chemical colorimetric methods. Apoptosis of HUVECs was detected by TUNEL assay. In addition, the cells were treated with ERK inhibitor U0126 (1.0×10^-5 mol/L) or PKB/Akt inhibitor LY294002 (5.0×10^-5 mol/L) for 1 h before PUE pretreatment, and then H/R was performed.RESULTS: Compared with control group, H/R decreased the protein expression of eNOS (P<0.05), and PUE pretreatment up-regulated it (P<0.05). This effect of PUE was inhibited by U0126 or LY294002 (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the activity of cNOS decreased in H/R group (P<0.05), while it increased after PUE pretreatment (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the apoptotic index significantly increased in H/R group (P<0.01). PUE pretreatment reduced the apoptotic index (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: H/R decreases the protein expression and enzyme activity of eNOS in HUVECs, and induces apoptosis of HUVECs. PUE pretreatment up-regulates the protein expression and enzyme activity of eNOS, and reduces the apoptosis of HUVECs with H/R injury. The protective effect of PUE might be through increasing eNOS protein expression via ERK1/2 and PKB/Akt signaling pathways.     

AngⅡ/AT1R pathway activates PP2A to down-regulate p-eNOS (Ser1177) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate whether angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ)/angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT₁R) pathway down-regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) Ser1177 phosphorylation level in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by activating protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A).METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were randomly divided into normal control (control) group, Ang Ⅱ group, candesartan (CAN; specific AT₁R blocker) group and CAN pretreatment+AngⅡ group. The protein levels of total eNOS, p-eNOS (Ser1177), PP2Ac, I₂^PP2A and p-PP2Ac (Tyr307) were determined by Western blot. The content of NO in the cell culture medium was detected by chemical colorimetry.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the level of p-eNOS (Ser1177) and the content of NO decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the same concentration of AngⅡ group, CAN pretreatment increased the level of p-eNOS (Ser1177) and the content of NO (P<0.05), but the protein expression of eNOS showed no significant difference. Compared with control group, the levels of p-PP2Ac (Tyr307) and I₂^PP2A decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the same concentration of AngⅡ group, CAN pretreatment increased the levels of p-PP2Ac (Tyr307) and I₂^PP2A (P<0.05), but the protein expression of PP2Ac showed no significant difference.CONCLUSION: AngⅡ down-regulates the level of p-eNOS (Ser1177), and decreases the production of NO in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via AT₁R pathway. This effect may be related to the reduction of p-PP2Ac (Tyr307) and protein expression of I₂^PP2A, which results in the enhancement of PP2A activity. Pretreatment with AT₁R blocker CAN increases p-PP2Ac (Tyr307) level and I₂^PP2A protein expression, thus reducing the PP2A activity, and ultimately restoring eNOS Ser1177 phosphorylation level and eNOS activity.     

Effect of altitude hypoxia on glutamate,aspartate and NOS in the rat hypothalamus

AIM: To investigate the effects of external counterpulsation (ECP) on nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the expression of NOS gene in myocardial infarction canines. METHODS: Nineteen healthy dogs were randomly divided into three groups ie. controls, ischemia group, ischemia and ECP group. Serum NO concentrations and myocardium NO levels and NOS specific activity were determined by modified nitrate reductase method. The protein synthesis of sub-type NOS including inducible NOS (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) of myocardial tissue were also determined by immunohistochemical method. The constitutive NOS (cNOS) mRNA was measured via in situ hybridization. RESULTS: 120 and 180 minutes after the ligating of LAD, serum NO concentration in ECP groups were higher than those in ischemic groups (P＜0.05). The NO levels and NOS specific activity in myocardium of ischemic dogs were lower than those in controls and ECP group (P＜0.05). Protein synthesis of iNOS increased and that of eNOS decreased in ischemic myocardium. But ECP could control the protein synthesis of iNOS, and increase that of eNOS. Further studies showed that the expression of cNOS mRNA decreased in ischemic myocardial tissue, ECP might promote the expression of it and regulate NOS in the gene level. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that it was one of the most important mechanisms through raising the NO levels to protect ischemic myocardium in ECP.     

Effects of external counterpulsation on nitric oxide system in myocardial infarction canines

AIM:To investigate the effects of external counterpulsation(ECP)on nitric oxide(NO)and nitric oxide synthase(NOS)and the expression of NOS gene in myocardial infarction canines.METHODS:Nineteen healthy dogs were randomly divided into three groups ie.controls, ischemia group, ischemia and ECP group.Serum NO concentrations and myocardium NO levels and NOS specific activity were determined by modified nitrate reductase method.T he protein synthesis of sub-type NOS including inducible NOS(iNOS)and endothelial NOS(eNOS)of myocardial tissue were also determined by immunohistochemical method.The constitutive NOS(cNOS)mRNA was measured via in situ hybridization.RESULTS:120 and 180 minutes after the ligat ing of LAD, serum NO concentration in ECP groups were higher than those in ischemic groups(P<0.05).The NO levels and NOS specific activity in myocardium of ischemic dogs were lower than those in controls and ECP group(P<0.05).Protein synthesis of iNOS increased and that of eNOS decreased in ischemic myocardium.But ECP could control the protein synthesis of iNOS, and increase that of eNOS.Further studies showed that the expression of cNOS mRNA decreased in ischemic myocardial tissue, ECP might promote the expression of it and regulate NOS in the gene level.CONCLUSION:The results suggested that it was one of the most important mechanisms through raising the NO levels to protect ischemic myocardium in ECP.     

Role of sphingosine 1-phosphate on high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction

AIM: To explore the role of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells exposed to high glucose. METHODS: In human aortic endothelial cells cultured under high-glucose (22 mmol/L glucose) medium, nitric oxide (NO) level, polymorphonuclear neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion rate, protein level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), migration of endothelial cells and Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway activation were observed after S1P, sphingosine kinase-1 inhibitor and/or Akt inhibitor treatments. RESULTS: S1P decreased NO level, increased polymorphonuclear neutrophil adhesive rate, enhanced ICAM-1 protein level, and inhibited migration of endothelial cells and activation of Akt/eNOS pathway in endothelial cells cultured under high-glucose condition. Sphingosine kinase-1 inhibitor, which reduced S1P content, significantly improved the above endothelial cell function indexes and restored the activation of Akt/eNOS pathway. CONCLUSION: S1P promoted high glucose-induced dysfunction of endothelial cells probably by inhibiting the activation of Akt/eNOS signal pathway. Targeting S1P is expected to become one of potential treatment strategies to reduce endothelial cell dysfunction.     

Effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene transfection on cytokines and cAMP production in human phagocytic cells

AIM and METHOD: Human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene was transfected into human phagocytic cell U937 and the effects of gene transfer on cytokines and cAMP production were observed. RESULTS: A functional eNOS was stably expressed in transfected U937 cells, but NO release was undetectable in intact transfectants. However, eNOS gene expression upregulated tumor necrosis factor-α release and downregulated interleukin-10 and cAMP production in either presence or absence of NOS inhibitor N^ω-monomethyl-L-arginine. CONCLUSION: The function of tranfected eNOS gene product showed cellular speciality. The effector molecule that changed the produced pattern of cytokines and cAMP in phagocytic cells seems not likely the nitric oxide.     

S100A6 promotes proliferation and migration of human osteosarcoma cell line 143B through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on S100A6-induced proliferation and migration of human osteosarcoma cell line 143B. METHODS: Recombinant human S100A6 protein (rhS100A6) was prepared. The 143B cells were treated with rhS100A6 in the presence or absence of PI3K inhibitor (LY294002 or wortmannin) exposure. The final concentrations of rhS100A6, LY294002 and wortmannin were 30 mg/L, 10 μmol/L and 0.5 μmol/L, respectively. The expression levels of total Akt (t-Akt) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) in the 143B cells were analyzed by Western blotting. The cell proliferation and migration were determined by MTT and Transwell assays. RESULTS: rhS100A6 protein was successfully prepared, and significantly increased the proliferation and migration of 143B cells (P<005). rhS100A6 up-regulated the phosphorylation of Akt in 143B cells (P<005). Compared with rhS100A6 group, the level of p-Akt in 143B cells and the proliferation and migration of the cells were decreased in combined treatment group of rhS100A6 with LY294002 or wortmannin (P<005), where the proliferation rate at different time points dropped from 10.3% to 69.7% (P<005), and the migration rate dropped from 34.9% to 47.7% (P<005). CONCLUSION: To some extent, S100A6 promotes proliferation and migration of human ostersarcoma cell line 143B through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

Antidepressant effect of dextromethorphan and its mechanism

AIM:To investigate the antidepressant effect of dextromethorphan (DXM) and its mechanism. METHODS:The antidepressant effect of DXM was observed by the methods of forced swimming test, tail suspension test and open field test. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity in brain, and the effects of total nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and various types of NOS were examined by molecular biology methods. The mice pretreated with NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (MK), NMDA, NO precursor L-arginine (L-ARG), endothelial NOS (eNOS) inhibitor N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG), neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindole (7-NI) or phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil were given DXM to explore the mechanism of DXM as an antidepressant. RESULTS:DXM had a dose-dependent antidepressant effect. DXM inhibited the activity of brain NMDA receptor in a dose-dependent manner, and inhibited the expression of eNOS and nNOS. MK, L-NAME and 7-NI were able to promote the antidepressant effect of DXM. NMDA, L-ARG and sildenafil were able to inhibit the antidepressant effect of DXM. AG did not influence the antidepressant effect of DXM. CONCLUSION:DXM has an antidepressant effect, and NMDA receptor and L-ARG-NO-cGMP signaling pathways are involved in this process.     

Up-regulation of Snail1 expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through Akt/GSK-3β pathway under high-glucose condition

AIM: To examine the effects of high glucose (HG) on the expression of Snail1 and protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) in primary renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs). METHODS: The primary RTECs were randomly treated with normal glucose, high glucose or D-mannitol for 30 min~72 h. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to observe the expression of Snail1, Akt and GSK-3β at mRNA and protein levels in these cells. The primary cultured RTECs were pretreated with LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor, 25 μmol/L) to observe the specific inhibitory effects of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) on HG-induced expression of Snail1 protein. RESULTS: Treatment of RTECs with HG resulted in increased mRNA and protein levels of Snail1, Akt1, and phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β. LY294002 blocked the HG-induced up-regulation of p-Akt, p-GSK-3β and Snail1 expression at protein level, but no effect of LY294002 was seen on the total protein expression of Akt1 and GSK-3β. HG did not affect the expression of GSK-3β at mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSION: HG-induced up-regulation of Snail1 may be regulated by Akt/GSK-3β pathway in RTECs.     

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides attenuate oxidative stress injury of human endothelium-like EA.hy926 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To study the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on oxidative stress injury of human endothelium-like EA.hy926 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The EA.hy926 cell model of oxidative stress injury was established by H₂O₂ treatment. The EA.hy926 cells were divided into 5 groups:control group, damage (H₂O₂ at 50 mmol/L) group, LBP (100 mg/L) group, anti-damage groups (LBP at 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L or 200 mg/L+50 mol/L H₂O₂), and LY294002 (20 μmol/L) group. The effect of LBP at different concentrations on the cell viability of EA.hy926 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay, and the optimum concentration of LBP was screened out. The apoptotic of EA.hy926 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining was used to observe the morphological characteristics of the apoptotic cells. The cell migration ability was detected by scratch method. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cell culture medium were examined. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), p-eNOS and p-Akt were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: LBP at concentration of 100 mg/L significantly attenuated the injury of EA.hy926 cells induced by H₂O₂, as indicated by improved cell viability (P<0.05) and decreased apoptosis (P<0.05). Pretreatment with LBP elevated the levels of NO and VEGF (P<0.05), and promoted the migration ability of EA.hy926 cells. LBP also increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, down-regulated the protein level of cleaved caspase-3, and up-regulated the protein levels of eNOS and p-eNOS. The protective effect of LBP were abolished by pretreatment of the EA.hy926 cells with the inhibitor of PI3K (P<0.05). As a result, the protein level of p-Akt was down-regulated, and the level of NO was also significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: LBP has protective effect on H₂O₂ -induced EA.hy926 cells by attenuating apoptosis of the cells. The mechanism is closely related to the activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

Effect of nitric oxide on adiponectin-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation in hyperlipidemia rats

AIM: To investigate the mechanism that adiponectin inhibits platelet aggregation via nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway. METHODS: Adult rats were fed with normal or high-fat diet for 14 weeks. Their platelets were immediately isolated and treated with or without recombinant full-length adiponectin (rAPN). The platelet aggregation, NO and superoxide production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)/inducible NOS (iNOS) expression, and antioxidant capacity were determined. RESULTS: Treatment with rAPN inhibited platelet aggregation induced by hyperlipidemia (P<0.05). Interestingly, total NO, a crucial molecule depressing platelet aggregate and thrombus formation, was significantly reduced, rather than increased in rAPN-treated platelets. Treatment with rAPN significantly decreased superoxide production by 62% (P<0.05) and increased antioxidant capacity by 38% (P<0.05) in hyperlipidemic platelets. Importantly, hyperlipidemia-induced reduction of eNOS phosphorylation and increase in iNOS expression were markedly reversed by rAPN treatment (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Adiponectin is an adipokine that inhibits platelet aggregation by enhancing eNOS activation and attenuating oxidative/nitrative stress including blockage of iNOS expression and superoxide production.     

Liver protection by Sini decoction in hemorrhagic shock and its mechanism relating to oxygen free radical and nitric oxide

AIM:The work was designed to explore protective effects of a traditional Chinese medicine-sini decoction (SD) on liver in hemorrhagic shock and its mechanism relating to oxygen free radical and nitric oxide.METHODS:Anesthetized Wistar rats were subjected to a hemorrhagic shock protocol for 60 min followed by intravenous injection with normal sodium chloride solution or SD solution. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in liver were examined. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined immunohistochemically. RT-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)was used to assay the mRNA, which were corresponding to eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) and iNOS.RESULTS:The activity of SOD decreased, while the concentration of MDA increased in liver during hemorrhagic shock. SD enhanced SOD activity and inhibited a increase in MDA level in liver (P＜0.01). The NO concentrations in liver in SD group increased at three hours after resuscitation (P<0.01). In addition, it was found that the expression of iNOS was upregulated in sodium chloride-treated group, while SD upregulated the expression of eNOS.CONCLUSION:SD reduces the liver injury caused by oxygen free radicals during hemorrhagic shock. The increasing NO concentration by SD is through upregulation of endothelial NOS expression.     

PP2A activation in mesenteric arteries of angiotensin Ⅱ-induced hypertensive rats

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activation in mesenteric arteries of angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)-induced hypertensive rats. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to AngⅡinfusion (500 ng·kg^-1·min^-1) using osmotic minipump up to 14 d to established the hypertension model. The rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group (n=10), AngⅡgroup (n=10), candesartan (CAN; AngⅡtype 1 receptor blocker)+AngⅡgroup (n=10) and CAN group (n=10). The rats in CAN+AngⅡgroup and CAN group were administered with candesartan ester at the dose of 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 by gavage on the first day after implantation of osmotic minipump. The rats were sacrificed on the 15th day after minipump implantation. Serum and mesenteric arteries were collected. Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff method. The serum levels of AngⅡ were measured by ELISA. The protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS (Ser1177), PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac), phosphorylated PP2Ac (Tyr307) and PP2A inhibitor 2 (I₂^PP2A) in the mesenteric arteries were determined by Western blot. The activity of PP2A in the arteries was detected using PP2A activity assay kit. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the systolic blood pressure in AngⅡgroup was significantly increased(P<0.05), while those in CAN+AngⅡgroup and CAN group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum levels of AngⅡ in AngⅡ group and CAN+AngⅡ group were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the phosphorylation levels of eNOS Ser1177 were decreased in AngⅡgroup (P<0.05), but the activity of PP2A was significantly increased (P<0.05), and Pearson correlation analyses showed a negative correlation between PP2A activity and eNOS S1177 phosphorylation (r=-0.842, P<0.05). Compared with AngⅡgroup, the phosphorylation levels of eNOS Ser1177 in CAN+AngⅡgroup were significantly increased (P<0.05), but the activity of PP2A was reduced (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the protein levels of phosphorylated PP2Ac (Tyr307) and I₂^PP2A in the mesenteric arteries were decreased in AngⅡgroup (P<0.05), but increased in CAN+AngⅡgroup (P<0.05). No significant difference in all above-mentioned measures between control group and CAN group, nor in the levels of total eNOS and PP2Ac protein expression among all the groups was observed. CONCLUSION: AngⅡmay reduce the protein levels of phosphorylated PP2Ac (Tyr307) and I₂^PP2A in the mesenteric arteries of AngⅡ-induced hypertensive rats through AngⅡ/AngⅡ type 1 receptor-mediated signaling pathway, resulting in the activation of PP2A, then leading to down-regulation of eNOS S1177 phosphorylation, which ultimately mediates the occurrence of vascular endothelial dysfunction.     

Effect of caveolin-1 expression on high-salt diet-induced endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetic rats

AIM: To investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for endothelial dysfunction of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) rats fed with high-salt diet. METHODS: Type 1 DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (70 mg/kg). Normal and diabetic rats were fed high-salt food (HS, 8% NaCl) and standard food for 6 weeks, respectively. Isometric tension of the mesenteric arteries were measured. The expression of Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and caveolin-1 (Cav-1) was examined by Western blot. RESULTS: The rats in DM+HS group exhibited more pronounced impairment of vasorelaxation to acetylcholine and insulin compared with either DM group or HS group (P<0.01). Akt and eNOS phosphorylation levels, and nitric oxide (NO) concentration in DM+HS group were significantly lower than those in DM group (P<0.01). The level of Cav-1 in DM+HS group was significantly higher than that in DM group and HS group. CONCLUSION: Impaired endothelial Akt activation, increased Cav-1 expression and resultant decreased eNOS activation contribute to aggravate high-salt diet-induced endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in DM rats.