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Substituted catechols include both natural and synthetic compounds found in the environment and foods. Some of them are flavonoid metabolites formed by the gut microbiota which are absorbed afterwards. Our previous findings showed that one of these metabolites, 4-methylcatechol, exerts potent vasorelaxant effects in rats. In the current study, we aimed at testing of its 22 structural congeners in order to find the most potent structure and to investigate the mechanism of action. 3-methoxycatechol (3-MOC), 4-ethylcatechol, 3,5-dichlorocatechol, 4-tert-butylcatechol, 4,5-dichlorocatechol, 3-fluorocatechol, 3-isopropylcatechol, 3-methylcatechol and the parent 4-methylcatechol exhibited high vasodilatory activities on isolated rat aortic rings with EC 50 s ranging from ∼10 to 24 μM. Some significant sex-differences were found. The most potent compound, 3-MOC, relaxed also resistant mesenteric artery but not porcine coronary artery, and decreased arterial blood pressure in both male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats in vivo without affecting heart rate. It potentiated the vasodilation mediated by cAMP and cGMP, but did not impact L-type Ca 2+ -channels. By using two inhibitors, activation of voltage-gated potassium channels (K V ) was found to be involved in the mechanism of action. This was corroborated by docking analysis of 3-MOC with the K V 7.4 channel. None of the most active catechols decreased the viability of the A-10 rat embryonic thoracic aorta smooth muscle cell line. Our findings showed that various catechols can relax vascular smooth muscles and hence could provide templates for developing new antihypertensive vasodilator agents without affecting coronary circulation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found in tobacco smoke and air pollution products. BaP exposure has been recently suggested to be a risk factor for hypertension in coke oven workers. The mechanisms of BaP on vascular smooth muscle function remain unclear. Here, we examined the influence and possible mechanism of BaP on vasoconstriction in rat thoracic aortas ex vivo and in vivo. In vivo exposure of rats to BaP (20 mg/kg) for 8 weeks caused a significant enhancement in the systolic blood pressure and enhanced aortic hyperreactivity to α1-adrenoceptor selective agonist phenylephrine in aortas. BaP (1 and 10 μM) treatment for 18 h induced an enhancement of phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction in the organ cultures of aortas. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist α-naphthoflavone, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor ML-9, and Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 significantly suppressed BaP-enhanced vasoconstriction. BaP time-dependently triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in primary vascular smooth muscle cells. Both antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium significantly inhibited BaP-triggered ROS production and vasoconstriction. These results suggest that BaP enhances aortic vasoconstriction via the activation of ROS and muscular signaling molecules PKC, MAPK, MLCK, and Rho-kinase., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obesity rates are rising in HIV-infected populations; however, the putative role of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the development of endothelial and cardiovascular derangements in the presence of pre-existing overweight/obesity is unclear. Although dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-alpha/gamma (PPARα/γ) stimulation mitigates HAART-induced metabolic dysfunction, vascular effects are unresolved. To investigate whether HAART induces vascular dysfunction in obesity and to explore the underlying mechanisms of PPARα/γ stimulation, male Wistar rats were placed on a high-calorie diet for 16 weeks. After 10 weeks, HAART (lopinavir/ritonavir, azidothymidine/lamivudine) with/without PPARα/γ agonist, Saroglitazar, was administered daily for six weeks. Excised thoracic aorta rings were subjected to isometric tension studies and Western blot measurements. HAART+Saroglitazar-treated obese animals recorded lower adiposity indices (4.3 ± 0.5%) vs. HAART only-treated obese rats (5.6 ± 0.3%; p < .01). Maximum acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation (R max ), was lower in obese+HAART group (76.10 ± 3.58%) vs. obese control (101.40 ± 4.75%; p < .01). However, R max was improved in obese+ HAART+Saroglitazar (101.00 ± 3.12%) vs. obese+HAART rats (p < .001). The mean LogEC 50 was improved in obese+HAART+Saroglitazar vs. obese+HAART group; p = .003. Improved endothelial function in obese+ HAART+Saroglitazar group was associated with upregulation of eNOS, PKB/Akt and downregulated p22-phox expression vs. obese+HAART group. Therefore, PPARα/γ stimulation attenuated HAART-induced endothelial dysfunction by upregulating vasoprotective eNOS, PKB/Akt signaling and downregulating pro-oxidative p22-phox expression., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Acetylcholine (Ach) causes vasodilatation by nitric oxide (NO) release from the vascular endothelium. Vasoconstrictors such as α-adrenoceptor agonists (phenylephrine) or thromboxane TxA 2 mimetics (U46619) also release endothelial NO. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with N ω -nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME) potentiates vasoconstriction by phenylephrine and the trace amine, β-phenylethylamine (PEA), indicating underlying opposing vasodilatation. However, the roles of the endothelium and NO in vasodilator and constrictor responses of guinea-pig aorta have not been examined and are the subject of this study. Guinea-pig thoracic aorta rings were set up in aerated Krebs solution (37 °C) and isometric tension recorded. Contractions to phenylephrine were fast onset, rapidly waned and antagonised by prazosin. PEA contractions were slow onset, sustained and not antagonised by prazosin and therefore not α 1 -adrenoceptor-mediated. PEA and phenylephrine contractions were enhanced by L-NAME whether endothelium was present or not. Ach produced only weak relaxation in a small proportion of endothelium intact U46619-constricted aortae, which were abolished by endothelium removal. In uncontracted aortae Ach caused small contractions, which like PEA contractions were potentiated by endothelium removal. α-Adrenoceptor agonists and trace amines release NO from non-endothelial sites causing underlying opposing vasodilatation. The endothelium plays only a minor role in vasodilator and vasoconstrictor responses of guinea-pigs aorta., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) regulates vascular function in a paracrine manner and the vasodilatory effect of PVAT on vessels is completely abolished in obesity. In addition, autophagy is required for maintaining biological function of PVAT and has been shown to be inhibited in obesity. The aim of this study was to explore whether alogliptin improves endothelial function by promoting autophagy in PVAT in obese mice., Methods: C57BL/6 mice were maintained on high fat diet with or without alogliptin intervention for 3 months. Vasorelaxation function of thoracic aorta with or without PVAT was determined. Autophagy related protein level of p62 and LC3B, along with phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) were evaluated. In addition, the effects of alogliptin on autophagy were also investigated in cultured adipocytes., Results: The presence of PVAT significantly impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in obese mice and alogliptin intervention corrected this defect. Autophagy in PVAT was decreased in obese mice and alogliptin intervention activated autophagy. Activating autophagy in PVAT improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation while blocking it in PVAT impaired vasodilation function. Further, addition of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) but not alogliptin alone activated autophagy. Moreover, GLP-1 and alogliptin co-treatment did not show additive effect on activating autophagy., Conclusions: These results revealed that promoting autophagy in PVAT improved endothelial function in response to alogliptin intervention. Additionally, the beneficial effect of alogliptin intervention on PVAT was GLP-1 dependent., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Perinatal sodium overload induces endothelial dysfunction in adult offspring, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully known. The involvement of tissue renin-angiotensin system on high sodium-programmed endothelial dysfunction was examined. Acetylcholine and angiotensin I and II responses were analyzed in aorta and mesenteric resistance arteries from 24-week-old male offspring of normal-salt (O-NS, 1.3% NaCl) and high-salt (O-HS, 8% NaCl) fed dams. COX-2 expression, O 2 - production and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity were determined. A separated O-HS was treated with losartan (15 mg kg -1 /day) for eight weeks. Compared to O-NS, O-HS were normotensive. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was impaired in O-HS arteries, which was improved by tempol, apocynin or indomethacin. The angiotensin I-induced contraction was greater in O-HS arteries, whereas the angiotensin II responses were unchanged. ACE activity, O 2 - production and COX-2 expression were increased in O-HS arteries. In this group, the increased O 2 - production was inhibited by apocynin or losartan. Chronic losartan decreased COX-2 expression and restored the endothelium-dependent vasodilation in O-HS. Our findings reiterate that perinatal sodium overload programs endothelial dysfunction in adult offspring through a blood pressure-independent mechanism. Our results also suggest that vascular angiotensin II is the main mediator of high sodium-programmed endothelial dysfunction, promoting COX-2 expression and oxidative stress., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hypertension has complex vascular pathogenesis and therefore the molecular etiology remains poorly elucidated. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), which is a condition of the unfolded/misfolded protein accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum, has been defined as a potential target for cardiovascular disease. In the present study, the effects of ERS inhibition on hypertension-induced alterations in the vessels were investigated. In male Wistar albino rats, hypertension was induced through unilateral nephrectomy, deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) injection (20 mg/kg, twice a week) and 1% NaCl with 0.2% KCI added to drinking water for 12 weeks. An ERS inhibitor, tauroursodeoxycolic acid (TUDCA) (150 mg/kg/day, i.p.), was administered for the final four weeks. ERS inhibition in DOCA-salt induced hypertension was observed to have reduced systolic blood pressure, improved endothelial dysfunction, enhanced plasma nitric oxide (NO) level, reduced protein expressions of phosphorylated-double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (pPERK), 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), Inositol trisphosphate receptor1 (IP 3 R1) and Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), increased expressions of endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPase2 (SERCA2) and B cell lymphoma2 (Bcl2) in vessels. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of ERS inhibition on hypertension may be related to protection of vessel functions through restoration of endoplasmic reticulum calcium homeostasis, and apoptotic and mitotic pathways., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Scope: The flavonoid quercetin reduces arterial blood pressure in animals and humans but the mechanisms remains elusive. The aim of this study was to test the activity of flavonoid microbial metabolites, which can participate on the final vasorelaxant effect., Methods and Results: Both ex vivo (isolated rat thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery) and in vivo (normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats) approaches were used in this study. 4-methylcatechol and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPA) had greater vasorelaxant effects on mesenteric artery than 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, the previously reported metabolite with vasorelaxant effect. In vivo testing confirmed their blood pressure decreasing effect given both as bolus and slow infusion. Their mechanism at molecular level was different., Conclusions: This study is the first to show that flavonoid metabolites DHPA and 4-methylcatechol decrease arterial blood pressure and hence a mixture of microbial metabolites formed in the gastrointestinal tract may be responsible for or contribute to the effect of orally ingested quercetin., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The study aimed to evaluate if maternal exposure to fluoxetine (FLX) during pregnancy and lactation would result in altered aortic reactivity in adult offspring. We also sought to understand the role of endothelium derived relaxing factors in aortic response. Wistar rats (75–80 days old), whose progenitors had received FLX (5 mg/kg, FLX offspring) or tap water (control offspring) during pregnancy and lactation were anesthetized, after which the aorta was removed and cut into two rings, one with (Endo+) and the other without (Endo-) endothelium. Concentration-effect curves for acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and phenylephrine (Phe) were performed. The vasodilation to ACh and SNP was similar between control and FLX groups in both male and female offspring. In male rats, the response to Phe was similar between the FLX and control groups on Endo+ and Endo- rings. The response to Phe was reduced on Endo+ rings from female FLX when compared with the control group. The endothelium removal, as well as L-NAME, indomethacin, and tranylcypromine incubation corrected the reduced Phe-induced contraction in the aorta from the female FLX group. On the other hand, catalase, NS-398, and L-NIL did not interfere with the vasoconstriction. The aortic level of nitric oxide (NO) was higher in the female FLX than the control group. Although endothelial NO synthase isoform and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 expressions were similar between the groups, there was a notable increment in neuronal NO synthase expression in the aorta of FLX-exposed female rats, suggesting an important role of this enzyme in the higher levels of NO. Our results show that developmental exposure to FLX causes sex-specific alteration in aortic function through a mechanism involving endothelial factors, probably NO and COX-1 products.

Aim: Endothelial dysfunction accompanied by an increase in oxidative stress is a key event leading to hypertension. As dietary nitrite has been reported to exert antihypertensive effect, the present study investigated whether chronic oral administration of sodium nitrite improves vascular function in conduit and resistance arteries of hypertensive animals with elevated oxidative stress., Methods: Sodium nitrite (50mg/L) was given to angiotensin II-infused hypertensive C57BL/6J (eight to ten weeks old) mice for two weeks in the drinking water. Arterial systolic blood pressure was measured using the tail-cuff method. Vascular responsiveness of isolated aortae and renal arteries was studied in wire myographs. The level of nitrite in the plasma and the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content in the arterial wall were determined using commercially available kits. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the presence of proteins (nitrotyrosine, NOx-2 and NOx-4) involved in ROS generation were evaluated with dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence and by Western blotting, respectively., Results: Chronic administration of sodium nitrite for two weeks to mice with angiotensin II-induced hypertension decreased systolic arterial blood pressure, reversed endothelial dysfunction, increased plasma nitrite level as well as vascular cGMP content. In addition, sodium nitrite treatment also decreased the elevated nitrotyrosine and NOx-4 protein level in angiotensin II-infused hypertensive mice., Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that chronic treatment of hypertensive mice with sodium nitrite improves impaired endothelium function in conduit and resistance vessels in addition to its antihypertensive effect, partly through inhibition of ROS production., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Endothelium-dependent component of cannabinoid-induced vasodilation has been postulated to require G-protein-coupled non-CB 1 /CB 2 endothelial cannabinoid (eCB) receptor. GPR18 was proposed as a candidate for eCBR. To address the hypothesis that the effects attributed to eCBR are mediated by G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-independent targets, we studied the electrical responses in endothelial cells, focusing on BK Ca channels. In patches excised from endothelial-derived EA.hy926 cells, N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) and abnormal cannabidiol (abn-cbd), prototypical agonists for eCB receptor, stimulate single BK Ca activity in a concentration- and Ca 2+ -dependent manner. The postulated eCB receptor inhibitors rimonabant and AM251 were found to inhibit basal and stimulated by NAGly- and abn-cbd BK Ca activity in cell-free patches. In isolated mice aortas, abn-cbd and NAGly produced endothelial cell hyperpolarization that was sensitive to paxilline, a selective BK Ca inhibitor, but not to GPR18 antibody, and mimicked by NS1619, a direct BK Ca opener. In excised patches from mice aortic endothelium, single channel activity with characteristics similar to BK Ca was established by the addition of abn-cbd and NAGly. We conclude that the two cannabinoids abn-cbd and NAGly initiate a GPR18-independent activation of BK Ca channels in mice aortic endothelial cells that might contribute to vasodilation to cannabinoids., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A role for endothelium-derived constricting factors (EDCF), and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) pathway, in the vascular impairment found in the rat Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was examined. FCA arthritis was induced in rats±losartan. Vehicle-treated rats served as controls. Knee-joint swelling and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation were measured as indicators of inflammation and endothelium reactivity assessed by response to acetylcholine (ACh) on aortic rings. Results show that knee-joint swelling and RBC aggregation were elevated in the FCA+vehicle group and restored to control levels in the FCA+losartan-treated animals. ACh-induced relaxation of aortic rings taken from FCA+vehicle animals was significantly impaired compared to vehicle-controls and this vasoreactivity was restored to control levels in the FCA+losartan-treated group. Further examination of aorta from the FCA+vehicle animals revealed an EDCF that was reliant on cyclooxygenase-2 (but not cyclooxygenase-1), generation of superoxide anion generation (but not hydrogen peroxide) and activation of thromboxane-prostanoid receptor. Losartan administration in vivo or ex vivo (to aortic rings) prevented the generation of the EDCF. In summary, this is the first evidence of an EDCF in a model of RA and identifies this mechanism as potentially significant in the cardiovascular disorder associated with the disease., (Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Statins and sartans can, in therapeutic doses, induce pleiotropic cardiovascular effects. Similar has recently been shown also for sub-therapeutic doses. We thus explored and compared the cardiovascular pleiotropic efficacy of sub-therapeutic vs. therapeutic doses., Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups receiving fluvastatin, valsartan and their combination in sub-therapeutic and therapeutic doses, or saline. After 6weeks, the animals were euthanised, their hearts and thoracic aortas isolated, and blood samples taken. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of the thoracic aortae and ischaemic-reperfusion injury of the isolated hearts were assessed along with the related serum parameters and genes expression., Results: Fluvastatin and valsartan alone or in combination were significantly more effective in sub-therapeutic than therapeutic doses. The sub-therapeutic combination greatly increased thoracic aorta endothelium-dependent relaxation and maximally protected the isolated hearts against ischaemia-reperfusion injury and was thus most effective. Beneficial effects were accompanied by increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) and decreased levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in the serum (again prominently induced by the sub-therapeutic combination). Furthermore, nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA) genes expression increased, but only in both combination groups and without significant differences between them. In the therapeutic dose groups, fluvastatin and valsartan decreased cholesterol values and systolic blood pressure., Conclusion: Sub-therapeutic doses of fluvastatin and valsartan are more effective in expressing cardiovascular pleiotropic effects than therapeutic doses of fluvastatin and/or valsartan. These results could be of significant clinical relevance., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ceramide accumulation in blood vessels has been attributed to vascular dysfunction in progressive vascular complications in metabolic diseases. The present study showed that ceramide pretreatment promoted PE-induced vasoconstriction in rat endothelium-denuded vascular rings in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitors, 4-PBA and TUDCA, COX-2 inhibitors, Celecoxib and NS398, as well as PGE 2 receptor antagonist AH-6809 attenuated ceramide-promoted vascular hyperreactivity. Ceramide promoted the transcriptional and translational expression of COX-2 and BiP in VSMCs, which were blocked by the ER stress inhibitors, 4-PBA and TUDCA. These findings show that ceramide enhances PE-induced vascular smooth muscle constriction by mediation of the ER stress/COX-2/PGE 2 pathway. Therapeutic strategies targeted to reducing ER stress and COX-2 activation might be beneficial in attenuating vascular complications., Chemical Compounds: C 2 -Ceramide (N-acetyl-d-erythro-sphingosine) CID:2662 Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Sodium (TUDCA) CID:9848818 phenylephrine (PE) CID:6041., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) are lipid signaling molecules that induce endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In addition, LPC suppresses acetylcholine (Ach)-induced responses. We aimed to determine the influence of LPC and LPI on hyperpolarizing responses in vitro and in situ endothelial cells (EC) and identify the underlying mechanisms. Using patch-clamp method, we show that LPI and LPC inhibit EC hyperpolarization to histamine and suppress Na + /Ca 2+ exchanged (NCX) currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibition is non-mode-specific and unaffected by intracellular GDPβS infusion and tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic. In excised mouse aorta, LPI strongly inhibits the sustained and the peak endothelial hyperpolarization induced by Ach, but not by SKA-31, an opener of Ca 2+ -dependent K + channels of intermediate and small conductance. The hyperpolarizing responses to consecutive histamine applications are strongly reduced by NCX inhibition. In a Ca 2+ -re-addition protocol, bepridil, a NCX inhibitor, and KB-R7943, a blocker of reversed NCX, inhibit the hyperpolarizing responses to Ca 2+ -re-addition following Ca 2+ stores depletion. These finding indicate that LPC and LPI inhibit endothelial hyperpolarization to Ach and histamine independently of G-protein coupled receptors and superoxide anions. Reversed NCX is critical for ER Ca 2+ refilling in EC. The inhibition of NCX by LPI and LPC underlies diminished endothelium-dependent responses and endothelial dysfunction accompanied by increased levels of these lipids in the blood., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Atherosclerosis attracts increasing global attention because of its morbidity and mortality. G004, as a synthetic sulfonylurea compound, has been confirmed to have anti-hyperglycaemia, anti-platelet and anti-thrombus effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether G004 suppress the onset and development of atherosclerosis and illuminate its probable mechanism of action. ApoE -/- mice that were fed a high-fat diet were randomly divided into five groups by weight; subsequently, they were treated with vehicle, G004, at different doses or atorvastatin once daily for 12weeks. Meanwhile, C57BL/6 mice with the same diet served as the normal controls. Then, the serum lipid profiles and histopathological damage to the liver, kidney, aortic arch and aortic root were analysed. The activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and levels of inflammatory markers were detected. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) was assessed in vivo by intraperitoneal injection of RAW264.7 cells that were radiolabelled with 3 H-cholesterol. The results indicated that G004 ameliorated the serum lipid accumulation, atherosclerotic lesions and liver steatosis. Additionally, this compound increased the expression of SIRT1 and eNOS as well as the phosphorylation and deacetylation of eNOS in the aorta, alleviating the inflammatory state. RCT was promoted in ApoE -/- mice, which was accompanied by increased expression of SIRT1/LXRα/ABCA1/G1 in the liver, and similar results appeared in the cholesterol efflux assay in RAW264.7 cells. The results provide a strong rationale for G004 to be an efficient anti-atherosclerosis agent that improved vascular endothelial dysfunction by stimulating SIRT1/eNOS and promoted RCT by stimulating SIRT1/LXRα/ABCA1/G1., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This study has evaluated how the vascular endothelium of hypertensive rats chronically treated with apocynin affects acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and phenylephrine (PE) action on the nitric oxide (NO) signal transduction pathway in endothelial (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cells. Treatment with apocynin significantly reduced the mean arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In addition, apocynin improved the impaired ACh hypotensive effect on SHR. Although systemic oxidative stress was high in SHR, SHR treated with apocynin and normotensive rats presented similar systemic oxidative stress levels. Endothelium significantly blunted PE contractions in intact aortas of treated SHR. The ACh effect was impaired in resistance arteries and aortas of SHR, but this same effect was improved in treated SHR. The SNP potency was higher in intact resistance arteries of treated SHR than in intact resistance arteries of untreated SHR. NO and calcium concentrations increased, whereas reactive oxygen species levels decreased in EC of treated SHR. Aortas of untreated and treated SHR did not differ in terms of sGC alpha or beta units expression. Aorta of treated SHR expressed higher eNOS levels as compared to aorta of untreated SHR. The study groups did not differ with respect to NOX1, NOXO1, or NOX4 expression. However, treatment with apocynin normalized overexpression of NOX2 and its subunit p47phox in aortas of SHR. Based on all the results presented in this study, we suggest apocynin increases NO biovailability by different mechanisms, restoring the proper function of vascular endothelium in SHR., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Vascular disorders have a direct link to mortality in the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. However, the underlying mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in this phase are largely unknown. We hypothesize that T. cruzi invades endothelial cells causing dysfunction in contractility and relaxation of the mouse aorta. Immunodetection of T. cruzi antigen TcRBP28 was observed in endothelial cells. There was a decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-derived NO-dependent vascular relaxation, and increased vascular contractility accompanied by augmented superoxide anions production. Endothelial removal, inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), blockade of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) TP receptors, and scavenger of superoxide normalized the contractile response. COX-2, thromboxane synthase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), p65 NFκB subunit and p22(phox) of NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) subunit expressions were increased in vessels of chagasic animals. Serum TNF-α was augmented. Basal NO production, and nitrotyrosine residue expression were increased. It is concluded that T. cruzi invades mice aorta endothelial cells and increases TXA2/TP receptor/NOX-derived superoxide formation. Alongside, T. cruzi promotes systemic TNF-α increase, which stimulates iNOS expression in vessels and nitrosative stress. In light of the heart failure that develops in the chronic phase of the disease, to understand the mechanism involved in the increased contractility of the aorta is crucial., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The mechanisms of action involved in the vasorelaxant effect of gallic acid (GA) were examined in the isolated rat thoracic aorta. GA exerted a relaxant effect in the highest concentrations (0.4-10mM) in both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings. Pre-incubation with L-NAME, ODQ, calmidazolium, TEA, 4-aminopyridine, and barium chloride significantly reduced the pEC50 values. Moreover, this effect was not modified by indomethacin, wortmannin, PP2, glibenclamide, or paxillin. Pre-incubation of GA (1, 3, and 10mM) in a Ca(2+)-free Krebs solution attenuated CaCl2-induced contractions and blocked BAY K8644-induced vascular contractions, but it did not inhibit a contraction induced by the release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmatic reticulum stores. In addition, a Western blot analysis showed that GA induces phosphorylation of eNOS in rat thoracic aorta. These results suggest that GA induces relaxation in rat aortic rings through an endothelium-dependent pathway, resulting in eNOS phosphorylation and opening potassium channels. Additionally, the relaxant effect by an endothelium-independent pathway involves the blockade of the Ca(2+) influx via L-type Ca(2+) channels., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have vasoprotective effects. This study investigated whether a recently approved DPP-4 inhibitor, linagliptin (Lina), suppresses atherogenesis in non-diabetic apolipoprotein-E deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice, and examined its effects on endothelial function., Methods and Results: Lina (10mg/kg/day) was administered orally to ApoE(-/-) mice for 20 weeks. Lina reduced atherogenesis without alteration of metabolic parameters including blood glucose level compared with control (P<0.05). Results of immunohistochemical analyses and quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that Lina significantly decreased inflammatory molecule expression and macrophage infiltration in the atherosclerotic aorta. Lina administration to ApoE(-/-) mice for 9 weeks ameliorated endothelium-dependent vasodilation compared with that in untreated mice. Plasma active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level was significantly higher in the treated group (P<0.05). Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a GLP-1 analog, ameliorated endothelium-dependent vasodilation impaired by palmitic acid (PA) in wild-type mouse aortic segments. Ex-4 promoted phosphorylation of eNOS(Ser1177) and Akt, both of which were abrogated by PA, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, Lina administration to ApoE(-/-) mice decreased oxidative stress, as determined by urinary 8-OHdG secretion and NADPH oxidase subunit expression in the abdominal aorta., Conclusion: Lina inhibited atherogenesis in non-diabetic ApoE(-/-) mice. Amelioration of endothelial dysfunction associated with a reduction of oxidative stress by GLP-1 contributes to the atheroprotective effects of Lina., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of ~5nm core size and Zeta-potential of -35mV, having absorption maximum and plasmon resonance in the range of 510-570nm, were studied as a potential K(+)-channel opener in vascular smooth muscle (SM) cells. Experimental design of the study comprised SM contractile recordings. When externally applied to the organ bath, AuNPs (10(-6)-3×10(-4)M) led to decrease in amplitude of norepinephrine-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent manner in SM thoracic aorta, with mean value of pD2 (-log EC50) 4.2±0.03, Emax=55±4%. Being added to the bath solution in concentration of 10(-4)M, AuNPs significantly increased whole cell peak outward current at +70mV from 32±2pA/pF to 59±5pA/pF (n=14, P<0.05). External irradiation using a 5mW/532nm green laser, to facilitate plasmon resonance, led to an increment in the AuNPs-induced macroscopic outward potassium current (IK) from 59±5pA/pF to 74±1pA/pF (n=10, P<0.05). Paxilline (500nM), when added to the external bathing solution, significantly decreased AuNPs-induced increment of IK in SM cells. Single channel recordings provided a direct confirmation of BKCa activation by AuNPs at the single-channel level. Application of AuNPs to the bath potentiated BKCa activity with a delay of 1-2min, as was seen initially by more frequent channel openings followed by the progressive appearance of additional open levels corresponding to multiple openings of channels with identical single-channel amplitudes. Eventually, after 10-15min in the presence of AuNPs and especially when combined with the green laser illumination, there was a massive increase in channel activity with >10 channels evident. When irradiated by laser, AuNPs significantly increased the amplitude of maximal AuNPs-induced relaxation from 55±5% to 85±5% (n=10, P<0.05) while the sensitivity of SM to AuNPs was without changes. In summary, plasmonic AuNPs possess the ability to activate BKCa channel opening in vascular SM. Laser irradiation facilitates this effect due to local plasmon resonance that, in turn, further increases BKCa channel activity causing SM relaxation., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Des-aspartate angiotensin I (DAA-I), an endogenous nonapeptide, counteracts several effects of angiotensin II on vascular tone. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute protective effect of DAA-I on endothelial function in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) as well as its effect on angiotensin II-induced contractions and oxidative stress. Aortic rings were incubated with DAA-I (0.1μM) for 30min prior to the assessment of angiotensin II-induced contractions (0.1nM-10μM) in WKY and SHR aortas. Total nitrate and nitrite levels were assessed using a colorimetric method and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. The effect of DAA-I was also assessed against endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively. Angiotensin II-induced contractions were significantly reduced by DAA-I, losartan and tempol. Incubation with ODQ (soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) and removal of the endothelium prevented the reduction of angiotensin II-induced contractions by DAA-I. Total nitrate and nitrite levels were increased in DAA-I, losartan and tempol treated-SHR tissues while ROS level was reduced by DAA-I and the latter inhibitors. In addition, DAA-I significantly improved the impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation in SHR aortas whilst sodium nitroprusside-induced endothelium-independent relaxation remained unaffected. The present findings indicate that improvement of endothelial function by DAA-I in the SHR aorta is mediated through endothelium-dependent release of nitric oxide and inhibition of angiotensin II-induced oxidative stress., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: In systemic sclerosis (SSc) vasculopathy affects small arteries and capillaries, but recent evidences show also macrovascular alterations. Experimental data suggest that propylthiouracil (PTU) abrogates the development of cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis during SSc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of propylthiouracil on aortic lipid peroxidation, intima-media thickness and myofibroblasts differentiation in experimental SSc., Methods: SSc was induced in BALB/c mice by daily subcutaneous injections of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for 6weeks. Mice (n=25) were randomized to receive daily: HOCl (n=10), HOCl+PTU (n=10), or vehicle (n=5). Thoracic aorta was evaluated by histological methods to measure intima-media thickness and by immunostaining for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) to assess myofibroblast differentiation. Aortic and plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were also measured., Results: HOCl induced a significant increase in aortic intima-media thickness compared to controls (p<0.001), while PTU administration prevented intima-media thickening (p<0.01). Myofibroblast differentiation was also less evident in HOCl+PTU-treated animals (p<0.05) compared to mice treated with HOCl alone. The increase in aortic and plasma MDA levels induced by HOCl, was significantly prevented by PTU administration (p<0.05)., Conclusion: PTU, by reducing lipid peroxidation, prevents aortic thickening and myofibroblast differentiation induced by HOCl, reducing macrovascular alterations in experimental SSc., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nitric oxide (NO) has long been accepted as the majority biological mediator underlying the critically important vasodilator function of the vascular endothelium yet there is growing evidence that the protonated one-electron reduction species of NO, nitroxyl (HNO), may also have biological activity. In this study we examined if there was a gender variation in the production of HNO from the endothelium of isolated segments of rat aorta. By use of recognized pharmacological inhibitors, we found that when the endothelium was stimulated by acetylcholine vascular relaxation was mediated entirely via NO in tissue from both males and females. The vasorelaxation induced by basal (non-stimulated) endothelium from females was also mediated entirely by NO. However, in contrast, the influence of basally active endothelium in males was mediated by both NO and HNO. The generation of HNO in males was dependent on endothelial nitric oxide synthase and relaxation was mediated via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. We believe that this is the first evidence of a gender variation in the production of HNO and this may have important implications for our understanding of disparity in the development of cardiovascular disease between the sexes., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We investigated the vasorelaxant effect of cilostazol and related signaling pathways in phenylephrine (Phe)-induced pre-contracted aortic rings. Cilostazol induced vasorelaxation in a concentration-dependent manner when aortic rings were pre-contracted with Phe. Application of the voltage-dependent K(+) (Kv) channel inhibitor 4-AP, the ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel inhibitor glibenclamide, and the inwardly rectifying K(+) (Kir) channel inhibitor Ba(2+) did not alter the vasorelaxant effect of cilostazol; however, pre- and post-treatment with the big-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channel inhibitor paxilline inhibited the vasorelaxant effect of cilostazol. This vasorelaxant effect of cilostazol was reduced in the presence of an adenylyl cyclase or a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, but not a protein kinase G inhibitor. Inside-out single channel recordings revealed that cilostazol induced the activation of BK(Ca) channel activity. The vasorelaxant effect of cilostazol was not affected by removal of the endothelium. In addition, application of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and a small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK(Ca)) channel inhibitor did not affect cilostazol-induced vasorelaxation. We conclude that cilostazol induced vasorelaxation of the aorta through activation of BK(Ca) channel via a PKA-dependent signaling mechanism independent of endothelium., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Previously, we showed that nitro-2-phenylethane is a vasorelaxant constituent of the essential oil of Aniba canelilla. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the vascular effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethene (NPe), a structural analog of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane obtained synthetically, in rat isolated thoracic aortic preparations. At 0.1-100 μg/mL, NPe similarly relaxed endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded aortic preparations pre-contracted with 60mM KCl or with phenylephrine (PHE, 1 μM). Vasorelaxant effects of NPe against PHE-induced contractions remained unaffected following blockade of potassium channels by TEA, and inhibition of either nitric oxide synthase by l-NAME, cyclooxygenase by indomethacin or guanylate cyclase by ODQ. In preparations maintained under Ca(2+)-free conditions, NPe significantly reduced the contractions induced (i) by PHE, but not those evoked by caffeine, (ii) by CaCl2 in either PHE (in the presence of 1 μM verapamil)- or KCl-stimulated preparations, (iii) by extracellular Ca(2+) restoration in thapsigargin-treated aortic preparations, and (iv) by the activator of protein kinase C phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate or the inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase sodium orthovanadate. It is concluded that NPe induced an endothelium-independent vasorelaxation with potency greater than its structural analog 1-nitro-2-phenylethane. Such action appears to occur intracellularly probably through inhibition of contractile events that are clearly independent of Ca(2+) influx from the extracellular milieu., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has several pharmacological benefits including immunomodulation and prevention of fibrosis, which are dependent on the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathways. Therefore, we hypothesized that DMF could attenuate vascular calcification via Nrf2 activation. Vascular calcification induced by hyperphosphataemia was significantly inhibited by DMF in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in a dose-dependent manner. DMF-mediated Nrf2 upregulation was accompanied by the reduced expressions of genes related with osteoblast-like phenotype based on promoter activity, mRNA and protein expression, and von Kossa staining. Likewise, Nrf2 overexpression significantly decreased the formation of calcium deposit similar to the level of osteogenic staining in VSMCs, and DMF with Nrf2 knockdown failed to attenuate hyperphosphatemia induced vascular calcification. Furthermore, DMF significantly attenuated the calcification of ex vivo ring culture from both rat common carotid artery and mouse thoracic aorta as well as in vivo mouse model of Vitamin D3-induced calcification consistent with the increased Nrf2 protein levels in early stage of calcification by DMF. In conclusion, our data support that DMF stimulates Nrf2 activity to attenuate hyperphosphatamia in vitro or Vitamin D3-induced in vivo vascular calcification, which would be a beneficial effect on vascular diseases induced by oxidative stress such as vascular calcification., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We previously showed that endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist BQ-123 partially inhibited cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-enhanced endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced contractions suggesting enhancement of ETA receptor internalization in caveolar structures by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca+2 ATPase (SERCA) blockade. Since serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptors are reported to be localized on caveolar membranes, we investigated whether SERCA inhibition affects 5-HT-induced responses and 5-HT receptor antagonism. For this purpose, vascular responses were measured in thoracic aorta segments from male Wistar albino rats using isolated tissue experiments. Data showed that CPA inhibits 5-HT- and PE-induced contractions in intact vessels while potentiating those in endothelium-denuded. Furthermore, non-selective 5-HT receptor blocker methysergide partially inhibited CPA-induced 5-HT contractions. However, α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin totally inhibited CPA-potentiated PE contractions. We suggest that SERCA inhibition results in 5-HT receptor internalization similar to ETA receptors possibly through protein kinase C activation by increased subsarcolemmal Ca2+ levels, eventually preventing 5-HT receptor antagonism., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

β-Adrenoceptors (β-ARs) modulate ERK1/2 and p38 in different cells, but little is known about the contribution of these signaling pathways to the function of β-ARs in vascular tissue. Immunoblotting analysis of rat aortic rings, primary endothelial (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) isolated from aorta showed that β-AR stimulation with isoprenaline activated p38 in aortic rings and in both cultured cell types, whereas it had a dual effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation, decreasing it in ECs while increasing it in SMCs. These effects were reversed by propranolol, which by itself increased p-ERK1/2 in ECs. Isoprenaline β-AR mediated vasodilation of aortic rings was potentiated by the ERK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, in the presence or absence of endothelium or L-NAME, whereas inhibition of p38 had no impact. Isoprenaline moderately decreased sprouting from aorta rings in the Matrigel angiogenesis assay; conversely propranolol not only prevented isoprenaline inhibition, but stimulated angiogenesis. ERK1/2 inhibition decreased angiogenesis, while a dramatic stimulation was observed by p38 blockade. Our results suggest that ERK1/2 activation after β-ARs stimulation in the smooth muscle hinders the vasodilator effect of isoprenaline, but in the endothelium β-ARs decreases ERK1/2 and increases p38 activity reducing therefore angiogenesis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Endothelial arginase constrains the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by substrate depletion and reduces nitric oxide bioavailability. During the screening course of arginase inhibitor, we found obacunone as an arginase inhibitor. We tested the hypothesis that obacunone regulates vascular endothelial NO production. Obacunone incubation inhibited arginase I and II activities in liver and kidney lysates, respectively, in dose-dependent manner. Obacunone reciprocally increased nitrite/nitrate (NOx) production in HUVECs. In isolated aortic rings, obacunone increased intracellular l-arginine concentration and enhanced eNOS coupling, leading to increased NO and decreased superoxide production, with no changes in protein expression. Vasoconstriction response to U46619 was attenuated in obacunone-treated aortic vessels compared to that in untreated vessels. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant response to acetylcholine was significantly increased in obacunone-treated vessels and was modulated by the NO-dependent signaling cascade. The dose-dependent vasorelaxant response to Ach was reduced in the aortic vessels of ApoE-/- mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. Obacunone incubation increased vasorelaxation to the level of a WT mouse, although the endothelium-independent response to sodium nitroprusside was identical among the groups. Therefore, obacunone may help treat cardiovascular diseases derived from endothelial dysfunction and may be useful for designing pharmaceutical compounds., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of our study is to investigate the role of oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)/lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in the regulation of atherosclerotic plaque growth by testosterone in male atherosclerotic rabbits., Methods: The male rabbit model was prepared by castration and feeding cholesterol-rich diet. Pathological sections of thoracic aorta were performed hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe aortic morphological changes. Total serum testosterone was measured with chemical luminescent method. Serum Ox-LDL, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP2) were assayed using ELISA kit following the manufacturer's instructions. Serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL6) were assayed using radioimmunoassay. Expressions of LOX-1 of thoracic aorta were measured by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods respectively., Results: There was no significant difference in Ox-LDL level between all groups. The LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression of thoracic aorta were significantly higher in the castrated rabbits as compared with the sham-operated ones, and testosterone replacement could reduce the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1 of thoracic aorta in the castrated rabbits. PIA reduced artery intima thickness and plaque area in castrated rabbits, which was further enhanced by testosterone replacement. PDTC reduced artery intima thickness and plaque area in castrated rabbits, which couldn't be enhanced by testosterone replacement., Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that testosterone can regulate atherosclerotic plaque progression, affect expression of LOX-1 and NF-κB in thoracic aorta and play a role in atherosclerotic plaque growth via NF-κB rather than Ox-LDL or LOX-1 in male rabbits., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exhibit shrinkage-induced activation of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1) and Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC) under hyperosmotic conditions. To investigate the roles of these ion transporters in vascular smooth muscle force induced by hyperosmotic stress, we tested the effects of 5-(N, N-dimethyl)-amiloride (DMA; NHE inhibitor), cariporide (a selective NHE-1 inhibitor), and bumetanide (NKCC inhibitor) on the contractile response of rat aortic rings to hyperosmolar solutions. NHE inhibitors significantly augmented the maximum force response and contractile sensitivity to hyperosmolar sucrose, NaCl, and glucose in endothelium-denuded rings. Bumetanide elicited a comparatively modest increase in sensitivity. NHE inhibitors blocked the increase in intracellular pH and enhanced the cell volume decrease of cultured VSMCs after exposure to hyperosmolar sucrose. However, DMA had no effect on the increase in cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in rat VSMCs and on the increases in phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 and myosin light chain (MLC) in aortic rings in response to hyperosmolar sucrose. Hyperosmolar sucrose-induced force was significantly attenuated by cytochalasin B in the presence or absence of DMA. Exposure to hyperosmolar sucrose increased the ratio of F- to G-actin; the ratio was further elevated by DMA. These results suggest that the potentiation of hyperosmotic shrinkage by NHE inhibition promotes actin polymerization in VSMCs and augments force production independent of changes in [Ca(2+)]i and MLC phosphorylation., (© 2013.)

Numerous studies of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in arteries have been reported since the original description by Furchgott and Zawadzki (1980). ACh also produces endothelium-independent relaxation. However, it is still unknown whether ACh-induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation can attenuate vasoconstriction in endothelium-denuded rat aorta. Here, we investigated whether ACh may exert a regulatory effect for vascular tone via AMPK activation and its underlying mechanism in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Western blotting showed that ACh dose- and time-dependently increased LKB1 and AMPK phosphorylation in VSMCs. The ACh-induced activation of AMPK required muscarinic receptors in VSMCs. LKB1 and AMPK activation by ACh inhibited myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) and phosphorylated myosin light chain (p-MLC) expression in VSMCs. In addition, a tension study showed the inhibitory effect of ACh-induced AMPK activation on phenylephrine-mediated contraction in endothelium-denuded rat aorta. These data suggest that the ACh-induced activation of AMPK may attenuate vasoconstriction via LKB1-AMPK-dependent mechanism in endothelium-denuded rat aorta., (© 2013.)

Alpinia zerumbet is used in folk medicine in Brazil to treat hypertension. However, several pathways involved in the mechanism of vasorelaxation are still unclear. This study was designed to verify the antihypertensive effect of the methanolic fraction of the essential oil of A. zerumbet (MFEOAz) and to characterize its mechanism of action. The thoracic aortic rings from the Wistar rats were perfused in the organ chambers filled with Kreb's solution, where the tension of each ring was measured. The antihypertensive effect of MFEOAz was assessed in rats submitted to chronic hypertension by inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by indirect measurement of blood pressure with indirect tail cuff method. MFEOAz relaxed phenylephrine and KCl-induced contraction of either endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-incubation with MFEOAz (100 and 300 μg/mL) in Ca(2+)-free Krebs solution attenuated phenylephrine- or caffeine-induced contraction. Pre-incubation with L-NAME, ODQ, wortmannin, atropine, indomethacin, catalase, SOD, TEA, 4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, apamin, charybdotoxin, or iberiotoxin did not affect MFEOAz-induced relaxation. The intragastric administration of MFEOAz induced an antihypertensive effect. MFEOAz it seems inhibited the calcium influx via voltage-operated calcium channels and receptor-operated calcium channels, as well as inhibition of calcium mobilization from intracellular stores., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism by which Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) inhibitors induce vasodilatation. The NHE inhibitors, 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride (DMA), cariporide, and amiloride, evoked endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat aortas with ED50 values of 16, 89, and 148μM, respectively, and these effects were abolished by treatment with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The relaxation effects induced by DMA and cariporide were strongly attenuated in aortas of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-deficient mice, as compared to the effects in wild-type mice. The DMA-induced relaxation in rat aorta was attenuated by a calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor, calmidazolium, and a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, [1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, but was not affected by a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. Immunoblots for endothelial eNOS on immunoprecipitated CaM complexes showed that DMA enhanced the association of eNOS with CaM in rat aortas. Both DMA and cariporide induced the reduction of intracellular pH (pHi) in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), which was accompanied by a sustained elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i). This DMA-induced rise of [Ca(2+)]i was not affected by removing external Ca(2+) from the buffer, but was abolished in thapsigargin-pretreated BAECs. These results suggest that lowering of pHi by NHE inhibitors in endothelial cells induces the mobilization of Ca(2+) from the thapsigargin-sensitive stores of endoplasmic reticulum, which in turn stimulates NO production via the CaM-dependent activation of eNOS., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Despite a large number of studies, the mechanism by which 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) induces vasorelaxation is not fully understood. The comparison between results obtained in different vessels or species has often been the source of conflicting reports. In order to shed more light onto this mechanism, we studied the effects of forskolin in phenylephrine-pre-contracted endothelium-denuded rat aorta and measured cAMP levels in rat aortic myocytes by enzyme-immunoassay. Nanomolar forskolin relaxed phenylephrine-induced contractions. This effect was mimicked by dibutyryl-cAMP and was potentiated by rolipram or a p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) inhibitor (SB-203580). Nifedipine and verapamil partially relaxed phenylephrine-induced contractions, while further application of cAMP-elevating agents fully relaxed these contractions. In Ca(2+)-free extracellular solution, forskolin reduced phenylephrine-induced transient contractions and reduced the Ca(2+)-induced contraction after depletion of intracellular stores. Nanomolar concentrations of forskolin increased basal cAMP levels only in the presence of rolipram or phenylephrine, which did not modify intracellular levels of cAMP by themselves. In conclusion, relaxation by cAMP is mediated in part by decrease of depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores and inhibition of capacitative calcium entry. This study provides the first evidence that inhibition of PDE4 or p38-MAPK potentiates the vasodilator effect of cAMP-elevating agents in rat aortic myocytes., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Increased arginase activity has been reported in a variety of disease conditions characterized by vascular dysfunction. In the present study, the potentially protective effect of arginase inhibition against the hypertension associated with diabetes has been investigated. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin while arginase inhibitors; citrulline, norvaline and ornithine, were daily administered in the last 6weeks. At the end of study, blood pressure (BP), serum levels of glucose, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and arginase activity were determined. Concentration response curves for phenylephrine (PE), KCl, and acetylcholine (ACh) were obtained in thoracic aorta rings. ACh-induced NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in aorta were also studied. Arginase activity was elevated in diabetic animals while significantly inhibited by citrulline, norvaline or ornithine. Diabetes was associated with elevation in systolic and diastolic BP while, arginase inhibition significantly reduced the elevation in diastolic BP. Diabetes increased contractile response of aorta to PE and KCl, decreased relaxation response to ACh while arginase inhibition completely prevented the impaired response to ACh. Diabetes reduces ACh stimulated NO but increased ROS generation while arginase inhibition restores normal NO and ROS generation. In addition, acute incubation with arginase inhibitors improved response to ACh but not PE or KCl in aorta isolated from diabetic animals. Diabetes was associated with a significant increase in serum AGEs while all the used arginase inhibitors normalize it. In conclusion, arginase inhibition alleviates hypertension in diabetes through a mechanism involving prevention of the impairment in endothelial dependent relaxation and NO production., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The female gender reduces the risk, but succumbs more to cardiovascular disease. The hypothesis that short-term (8weeks) Streptozotocin-induced diabetes could produce greater female than male vascular tissue reactivity and the mechanistic basis were explored. Aortic ring responses to Phenylephrine were examined in age- and sex-matched normoglycaemic/diabetic rats. The normoglycaemic male tissue contracted significantly more than the normoglycaemic female and the male/female diabetic tissues. Endothelial-denudation, l-NAME or MB reversed these differences suggesting an EDNO-cGMP dependence. 17β-oestradiol exerted relaxant effect on all endothelium-denuded (and normoglycaemic endothelium-intact male) tissues, but not endothelium-intact normoglycaemic female. The greater male tissue contraction is attributable to absent 17β-oestradiol-modulated relaxation. Indomethacin blockade of COX attenuated male normoglycaemic and female diabetic tissue contraction (both reversed by l-NAME), but augmented diabetic male tissue contraction. These data are consistent with the raised contractile TXA(2) and PGE(2) in normoglycaemic male and diabetic female tissues, and the relaxant PGI(2) in diabetic male (and female). The higher levels of PGI(2) in the normoglycaemic and diabetic female perhaps explain their greater relaxant response to Acetylcholine compared to the respective male. In conclusion, there is an endothelium-dependent gender difference in the effect of short term diabetes on vascular tissue reactivity which is COX mediated., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Gomisin J (GJ) is a lignan contained in Schisandra chinensis (SC) which is a well-known medicinal herb for improvement of cardiovascular symptoms in Korean. Thus, the present study examined the vascular effects of GJ, and also determined the mechanisms involved. Exposure of rat thoracic aorta to GJ (1-30μg/ml) resulted in a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, which was more prominent in the endothelium (ED)-intact aorta. ED-dependent relaxation induced by GJ was markedly attenuated by pretreatment with L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. In the intact endothelial cells of rat thoracic aorta, GJ also enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production. In studies using human coronary artery endothelial cells, GJ enhanced phosphorylation of endothelial NOS (eNOS) at Ser(1177) with increased cytosolic translocation of eNOS, and subsequently increased NO production. These effects of GJ were attenuated not only by calcium chelators including EGTA and BAPTA-AM, but also by LY294002, a PI3K/Akt inhibitor, indicating calcium- and PI3K/Akt-dependent activation of eNOS by GJ. Moreover, the levels of intracellular calcium were increased immediately after GJ administration, but Akt phosphorylation was started to increase at 20min of GJ treatment. Based on these results with the facts that ED-dependent relaxation occurred rapidly after GJ treatment, it was suggested that the ED-dependent vasorelaxant effects of GJ were mediated mainly by calcium-dependent activation of eNOS with subsequent production of endothelial NO., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Phenotypic modifications of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to pathological changes in atherosclerosis where modulation of intracellular calcium plays an important role. In this study, three fibrate drugs, namely gemfibrozil (Gem), fenofibric acid (Fa) and bezafibrate (Beza), were revealed to relax thoracic aorta associated with their potency to reduce intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]i) in cultured VSMCs. Relaxation effect of Gem, Fa and Beza was assayed on precontracted rat aortic rings. [Ca²⁺]i level in VSMCs following addition of these fibrates was measured by laser scanning confocal microscopy or flow cytometry. Resultantly, three fibrates showed activity for vasodilation with potency order of Gem>Fa>Beza. Sustained potent reduction of [Ca²⁺]i was observed with Gem 50mg/L and mild reduction with Fa 400-600mg/L, while no effect had been detected for Beza under our current system. Thus, the potency of these fibrates to relax aortic rings correlate well with their effect on [Ca²⁺]i reduction, strongly implicating an underlying causal relationship. Considering that Gem potently reduces [Ca²⁺]i in its clinical concentration range, this study suggests an insight to in situ pharmacological effects of anti-atherosclerosis and clinical toxicity risk., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To investigate the vasorelaxant effect of fasudil mesylate (FM) in vivo and in vitro. The relaxation effect of FM was studied using cerebral vasospasm (CVS) model in vivo and isolated aortic rings in vitro. FM (0.35, 1.2, 3.5 mg·kg⁻¹) increased cerebrovascular flow (CVF) and femoral blood flow (FBF) dose-dependently in vivo, however, the relaxation effects of FM on cerebral vessels were much stronger than on peripheral vessels; FM showed dose-dependent relaxation of isolated aortic rings contracted by Methoxamine (Met) or KCl in vitro. The relaxation IC₅₀ of FM and Prasozin (Pra) to the rabbit aortic rings contracted by Met are 27.54 μM and 0.01 μM respectively, and the relaxation IC₅₀ of FM to the rabbit and rat aortic rings contracted by KCl are 37.15 μM and 0.74 μM respectively. In addition, there is no obvious difference between endothelium-intact and endothelium-removal groups. The Met dose-effect relationship curve was significantly shifted to right by FM (0.3, 3 μM), and E(max) was decreased (P<0.05). The relaxation effect of FM on cerebral vessels was much stronger than on peripheral vessels in vivo, and the action is in an endothelium-independent manner., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The study has been designed to investigate the effect of fenofibrate on nicotine-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) in rats. Nicotine (2 mg/kg/day, i.p., 4 weeks) was administered to produce VED in rats. The development of VED was assessed by employing isolated aortic ring preparation and estimating serum and aortic concentration of nitrite/nitrate. Further, the integrity of vascular endothelium was assessed using the scanning electron microscopy of thoracic aorta. The expression of mRNA for p22phox and eNOS was assessed by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration (TBARS) and aortic superoxide anion concentration were estimated to assess oxidative stress. Moreover, the serum lipid profile was assessed by estimating serum cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein. The administration of nicotine induces VED by increased oxidative stress, altered lipid profile and impaired the integrity of vascular endothelium as assessed in terms of decrease in expression of mRNA for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), impairing the integrity of vascular endothelium and subsequently decreasing serum and aortic nitrite/nitrate and attenuating acetylcholine-induced endothelium dependent relaxation. Further, nicotine produced oxidative stress, assessed in terms of increase in serum TBARS and aortic superoxide anion generation and increase in expression of mRNA for p22phox. Nicotine altered the lipid profile by increasing the serum cholesterol, triglycerides and decreasing the high density lipoprotein. However, treatment with fenofibrate (32 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly prevented nicotine-induced VED by decreasing oxidative stress and improving integrity of vascular endothelium, normalising the altered lipid profile, increasing the concentration of serum and aortic nitrite/nitrate, enhancing the acetylcholine-induced endothelium dependent relaxation and decreasing serum TBARS and aortic superoxide anion generation. Thus, it may be concluded that fenofibrate has vascular protecting potential, by improving the integrity and function of vascular endothelium., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is an integral part of the mechanism of vascular diseases such as restenosis. Post-translational modifications by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors play an important role in the regulation of gene expression by inducing cell cycle arrest. However, the role and mechanism of the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) on neointimal proliferation remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect and mechanism whereby TSA prevents the proliferation of VSMCs and neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury in rat carotid artery. Local administration of TSA significantly prevented neointimal hyperplasia. TSA dramatically inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of VSMCs in response to FBS or PDGF-BB. Overexpression of Krüppel like factor 4 (KLF4) blocked the cell proliferation and DNA synthesis, as determined by the MTT and [³H]thymidine incorporation assays, whereas knockdown of KLF4 resulted in an increase in VSMC proliferation. In VSMCs, TSA increased the mRNA level and protein expression of KLF4. Treatment with TSA or transfection of KLF4 increased the expression of both p21 and p27 and promoter activity. In addition, the anti-proliferative activity of TSA was recovered in KLF4-knockdown cells. These data demonstrate that TSA inhibits neointimal thickening and VSMC proliferation via activation of the KLF4/p21/p27 signaling pathway., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Profilin-1, a regulator of actin polymerization, has recently been linked to vascular hypertrophy and remodeling. Whether profilin-1 is involved in angiotensin (Ang) II-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells leading to vascular remodeling in hypertension remains unclear. The present study was designed to analyze the correlation of profilin-1 and vascular remodeling during hypertension and to evaluate the role of profilin-1 in proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the underlying mechanisms. The vascular morphology and the expression of profilin-1 in arterial tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats were assessed. The profilin-1 expression was significantly increased concomitantly with definite vascular remodeling by evaluating the media thickness, lumen diameter, media thickness-to-lumen diameter ratio and mean nuclear area in artery media in spontaneously hypertensive rats, which was inhibited by treatment with losartan. In cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs), Ang II induced profilin-1 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Knockdown of profilin-1 using small hairpin RNA inhibited Ang II-induced proliferation of RASMCs. Moreover, blockade of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway also inhibited Ang II-induced proliferation of RASMCs and profilin-1 expression. These results suggest that profilin-1 mediates the proliferation of RASMCs induced by Ang II via activation of Ang II type 1 receptor/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, which may contribute to vascular remodeling in hypertension., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We tested whether heterologous receptor desensitization induced by activation of AT1 receptors may explain the purported relaxation produced by angiotensin II in normal rat aorta. Also, the role for AT2 receptors in the promotion of vasodilation was studied. In endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings, angiotensin II elicited biphasic contractions, which were significantly depressed when repeated in each tissue. Angiotensin II produced biphasic responses on phenylephrine preconstricted endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded tissues, without reducing precontractile tone. These responses were abolished in the presence of the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, but no relaxing responses to angiotensin II were uncovered. PD123319 did not influence angiotensin II responses in endothelium-intact tissues precontracted with phenylephrine; thus, under AT2 receptors blockade the contractile effects of angiotensin II were not overexposed. In conclusion, angiotensin II-induced biphasic responses can be attributed to AT1 receptors activation and rapid desensitization with time. Desensitization proved to be homologous in nature, since precontractile tone induced by phenylephrine was not depressed by angiotensin II (i.e., angiotensin II did not induce heterologous α1-adrenergic receptors desensitization). We found no functional evidence of the participation of AT2 receptors in angiotensin II elicited biphasic contractions. Angiotensin II does not exert relaxant effects in normal rat aorta., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The goal of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlaying the vasodilatory effect of paeonol, a major active element from the root bark of Chinese herbs Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. and Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitagawa. Paeonol relaxed isolated rat aorta rings by 95.6% while the 10(-6) M forskolin-induced vasodilatation used as 100%. The EC(50) of vasodilatation by paeonol is 2.9x10(-4) M. Although paeonol exerted endothelium-independent relaxation, L-NAME treatment inhibited paeonol-induced vasodilation of endothelium intact rings, while indomethacin did not. Both L-NAME and ODQ did not affect paeonol relaxation in the rings without endothelium. In addition, paeonol markedly elevated NO generation in cultured endothelial cells. Pre-treatment of propranolol, glibenclamide, TEA and BaCl(2) did not affect paeonol relaxation of endothelium removed rings. On the other hand, pre-treated of rings (without endothelium) with paeonol markedly blocked vasoconstriction induced by AngII, PGF(2alpha), 5-HT, dopamine, vasopressin, endothelin-1 and PE. The paeonol incubation also significantly attenuated KCl-induced contraction which mainly depended on Ca(2+) influx. In Ca(2+)-free medium (containing 10(-4) M of EGTA and 60 mM of KCl), paeonol suppressed the contraction curve of CaCl(2). In addition, paeonol also inhibited contraction by PE in Ca(2+) free solution (containing 10(-4) M of EGTA) which mainly relied on intracellular Ca(2+) release. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiment showed that paeonol shifted the I-V curve and the peak value of calcium currents was significantly inhibited. In conclusion, our study suggested that voltage-dependent and receptor-operated Ca(2+) channel, as well as intracellular Ca(2+) release were all inhibited by paeonol. An intracellular Ca(2+) regulatory mechanism may be responsible to potent vasodilatory effect of paeonol., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to determine the vasorelaxant activity of a natural diterpene extracted from Croton zambesicus, ent-18-hydroxy-trachyloban-3-one (DT6), and a synthetic diterpene of similar structure, ent-trachyloban-14,15-dione (DT10) in rat aorta. DT6 and DT10 inhibited aorta contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. Both were more potent inhibitors of KCl-evoked contraction than noradrenaline-evoked contraction. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition did not significantly affect DT6 effect whereas it significantly decreased DT10 inhibitory potency. In fura-2 loaded aorta rings, DT10 simultaneously inhibited KCl-evoked contraction and cytosolic calcium increase in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DT10 significantly inhibited calcium channel current recorded by the patch-clamp technique in human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y. However, despite potentiation of 8-bromo-cGMP-response, DT6 and DT10 as verapamil depressed acetylcholine-evoked relaxation, DT6 being the most potent, while only DT6 and DT10 depressed SNAP-evoked relaxation. In conclusion, these data suggest that vasorelaxant activity of diterpenes (DT) is associated with the blockade of L-type voltage-operated calcium channels. Inhibition of NO-dependent relaxation by DT could be related to a decrease in NO availability., (2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present study aims to examine the effects and mechanisms of Curcuma comosa Roxb., an indigenous medicinal plant containing phytoestrogens, on vascular relaxation. Using an organ bath system, acute exposure of intact or endothelium-denuded aortic rings to the hexane extract of C. comosa or an isolated diarylheptanoid compound, D3, did not induce relaxation. However, pre-incubation of aortic rings for 20 min with hexane extract of C. comosa (10 microg/ml) or the isolated diarylheptanoid compound, D3, (0.1, 1 and 10 microg/ml) markedly enhanced endothelial-dependent relaxation in response to ACh. The hexane extract did not modulate the relaxation of denuded aortic rings in response to SNP, which suggested a predominant effect on endothelial cells rather than on vascular smooth muscle cells. Co-incubation with ICI 182,780 (estrogen receptor antagonist), L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) or ODQ (guanylase cyclase inhibitor) inhibited the enhancing effects of C. comosa on ACh-induced relaxation. These findings suggest that the actions of C. comosa are mediated through estrogen receptor (ER) and NO-cGMP-dependent mechanisms. In addition, C. comosa also increased the phosphorylation of serine 1177 eNOS and serine 473 Akt proteins, and these effects were abolished by ICI 182,780. The results suggest that C. comosa acutely increases endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortic rings through the ER-Akt-eNOS pathway. This is the first evidence indicating non-genomic action of a novel phytoestrogen from C. comosa, on vascular relaxation.

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and vascular protective effect of puerarin, an isoflavone glycoside known in traditional Chinese medicine on vascular reactivity subsequent to high glucose stress., Methods: The thoracic aortic rings with or without endothelium from male SD rats were mounted in an organ bath. Isometric contraction of aortic rings was measured. HO-1 protein expression and HO activity were also evaluated., Results: (1) After incubation with 44 mmol/L of high glucose for 2 or 4 h, the vascular contraction responses to phenylephrine (PE) and relaxation response to acetylcholine (Ach) decreased in an endothelium-dependent manner; (2) Coincubation with puerarin (10(-10)-10(-8) mol/L) and high glucose, the high glucose-induced vasoconstriction and vasodilation dysfunction was partly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner; (3) Puerarin increased the HO-1 protein expression and HO activity of thoracic aorta. ZnPP (an inhibitor of heme oxygenase-1) offset the protective effect of puerarin., Conclusion: Puerarin could alleviate the high glucose-induced acute endothelium-dependent vascular dysfunction in rat aortic rings. HO-1 activity was proposed as a mechanism to account for the protection of vascular responses by puerarin.