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An association between anxiety and depression and increased blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease risk has not been firmly established. We examined the hypothesis that anxiety and depression lead to increased plasma catecholamines and to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mononuclear cells (MNC) in hypertensive individuals. We also studied the role of BP in this effect.In Protocol 1, a cross-sectional study was performed in 146 hypertensive patients to evaluate whether anxiety and depression affect BP and ROS formation by MNC through increasing plasma catecholamines. In Protocol 2, a 6-month randomized controlled trial using a subtherapeutic dose of the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist doxazosin (1 mg/day) versus placebo in 86 patients with essential hypertension was performed to determine whether the increase in ROS formation by MNC was independent of BP.In Protocol 1, a significant relationship was observed between the following: trait anxiety and plasma norepinephrine (r = 0.32, P.01); plasma norepinephrine and ROS formation by MNC (r = 0.36, P.01); and plasma norepinephrine and systolic, diastolic, and mean BP (r = 0.17, P = .04; r = 0.26, P = .02; r = 0.23, P.01, respectively). In Protocol 2, subtherapeutic doxazosin treatment (1 mg/day) had no significant effect on BP. However doxazosin significantly decreased ROS formation by MNC compared with placebo (P.01).Trait anxiety may increase plasma norepinephrine and increase ROS formation by MNC independent of BP in hypertensive patients.

It has been suggested that carvedilol may provide greater benefit than traditional β-blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure and hypertension because of its antioxidant effects. We have shown that carvedilol inhibits pressure-induced increase in oxidative stress in human coronary smooth muscle cells in culture. We have also shown that carvedilol inhibits oxidative stress of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in spontaneously hypertensive rats independently of blood pressure. We have examined the effect of carvedilol on reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by PMNs and mononuclear cells (MNCs) in patients with essential hypertension. ROS formation by PMNs and MNCs in hypertensive patients were significantly increased compared with those in normotensive controls. Carvedilol 20mg significantly decreased ROS formation by PMNs and in MNCs. These findings suggest that carvedilol inhibits ROS formation by PMNs and in MNCs. Thus, in vitro, in vivo and human data of antioxidative actions of carvedilol in the treatment of hypertension will be shown.

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (statins) are widely used for the prevention of atherosclerotic diseases. The effects of statins on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by in vitro and in vivo were studied. Administration of statins significantly decreased ROS generation in vitro and in vivo.

To better identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular events, several markers of risk have been proposed for use in screening. Recently, oxidative stress and inflammation have been evaluated as potential tools for prediction of the risk of cardiovascular events. Among them, we have measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs), since they may be a possible link between inflammation and oxidative stress. ROS formation by PMNs and MNCs was measured by a gated flow cytometric assay. Such biotechnological method of measuring ROS formation by PMNs and MNCs will make it possible that we measure vascular oxidative stress and vascular inflammation at the same time from only small amount of blood. We will state in this review that ROS formation by PMNs and MNCs are regulated by different mechanisms, although PMNs and MNCs are circulating in the same blood. Moreover, we will state that ROS formation by PMNs are regulated by blood pressure, Hb A(1C) and oxidided LDL. ROS formation by MNCs are regulated by vascular inflammation, and that ROS formation by MNCs are also related to various cardiovascular risks such as LV mass, norepinephrine, IMT, and nocturnal blood pressure.

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase are antilipidemic agents (statins) widely used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have suggested that the overall benefits of statin therapy cannot be accounted for solely by its antilipidemic effect. To obtain further insight into the mechanism of action of statins, we studied the effect of pitavastatin on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) obtained from control and hyperlipidemic guinea pigs. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the amount of ROS generated by PMN from the hyperlipidemic animals that had been administered a laurate-containing diet (LD) for 4 weeks was larger than that from the normal diet (ND) group (837% increase, ND; 82.17 arbitrary units, LD; 688.10 arbitrary units, P0.01, n = 6). Administration of pitavastatin to the LD group significantly decreased plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with a reduction in ROS generation by PMN (19% decrease, LD control; 688.10 arbitrary units, LD + pitavastatin; 556.87 arbitrary units, P0.01, n = 6). Western blotting analysis revealed that the expression of protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha) and betaI was higher in PMN from the LD group than in PMN from the ND group (PKC alpha; 74% increase, PKC betaI; 339% increase, P0.05, n = 4, respectively). Furthermore, expression of NADPH oxidase gp91phox in PMN from the LD group was higher than that in PMN from the ND group (18% increase, P0.05, n = 4). By administration of pitavastatin to the LD group, the expression of PKC alpha, betaI and gp91phox was suppressed compared with the control LD group (PKC alpha; 41% decrease, PKC beta; 28% decrease, gp91phox; 56% decrease, P0.05, n = 4, respectively). These results indicate that PMN from hyperlipidemic animals is associated with an accelerated respiratory burst of ROS by increasing the expression of PKC alpha, betaI and gp91phox, and pitavastatin inhibits this by suppressing the expression of those proteins.

Because oxidative stress and inflammation are known to play important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events that occur most frequently in the morning, we studied the association between reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) or mononuclear cells (MNCs) and morning blood pressure (BP) rhythm. A total of 31 hypertensives in whom ambulatory BP monitoring was performed participated in this study. They were first divided into three groups according to their nocturnal BP rhythm (non-dippers, dippers and extreme dippers), and then into two groups according to their morning BP change (surge-type and sustained-type). ROS formation by PMNs and MNCs was measured by gated flow cytometry. C-reactive protein and traditional risk factors such as age, gender, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, and total cholesterol were also measured. ROS formation by MNCs was significantly increased in extreme dippers (vs. dippers, p

To compare the effects of carvedilol and propranolol on oxidative stress in leukocytes and C-reactive protein levels in patients with hypertension.Sixty hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to carvedilol (20 mg; n = 30) or propranolol (60 mg; n = 30) for 6 months. Thirty normotensive subjects who were given placebo served as controls. Oxidative stress in polymorphonuclear cells and mononuclear cells were measured by gated flow cytometry. C-reactive protein levels were measured by immunonephelometric assay.Oxidative stress in polymorphonuclear cells and mononuclear cells was increased significantly in hypertensive patients compared with in normotensive controls. After 6 months of treatment, carvedilol decreased oxidative stress significantly in polymorphonuclear cells by a mean of 45 arbitrary units (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32 to 59 arbitrary units; P0.001) and propranolol decreased oxidative stress significantly by 20 arbitrary units (95% CI: 7 to 33 arbitrary units; P0.003; P = 0.001 for difference between treatments). Carvedilol also decreased oxidative stress significantly in mononuclear cells by 23 arbitrary units (95% CI: 15 to 31 arbitrary units; P0.001), whereas propranolol decreased oxidative stress by 2 arbitrary units (95% CI: 7 to 12 arbitrary units; P = 0.62; P = 0.002 for difference between treatments). Carvedilol decreased C-reactive protein levels significantly by a median of 0.073 mg/dL (interquartile range, 0.034 to 0.112 mg/dL; P0.001), whereas propranolol decreased levels by 0.012 mg/dL (interquartile range, 0.009 to 0.032 mg/dL; P = 0.26; P = 0.003 for difference between treatments).These findings suggest that carvedilol inhibits oxidative stress in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells, as well as lowers C-reactive protein levels, to a greater extent than does propranolol in hypertensive patients.

Angiotensin II–mediated oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. We examined the effects of pressure on the angiotensin II–mediated increase in oxidative stress and migration of cultured human coronary smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Increased pressure (100 mm Hg) by helium gas for 48 hours increased angiotensin II–mediated oxidative stress as evaluated by flow cytometry and SMC migration (from 15.9±2.2 to 32.0±2.4 cells per 4 high-power fields, P P N -acetylcysteine (100 mmol/L) but not PD123319 (1 μmol/L) also blocked pressure-induced increases in angiotensin II–mediated oxidative stress and SMC migration ( P

The cellular mechanisms by which hypertension enhances atherosclerosis are still not known in detail. Recently, evidence has been obtained that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of pressure-induced atherosclerosis. We examined the effects of pressure on oxidative stress in cultured human coronary smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Application of increased pressure (+100 mmHg) with He gas for 48 h increased oxidative stress of measured by flow cytometry by 71% and F2-isopretane by 77%. Increased pressure also increased the activities of phospholipase D (PLD), and particulate protein kinase C (PKC). The PLD inhibitor suramin 100 μmol⁄l, 1-butanol 40 mmol⁄l, and the PKC inhibitors chelerythrine 1 μmol⁄l and calphostin C 100 nmol⁄l and completely blocked the increase in oxidative stress induced by pressure. Carvedilol 1 μmol⁄l but not propranolol 1 μmol⁄l blocked pressure-induced increases in oxidative stress in cultured SMCs. These findings suggest that pressure increases oxidative stress and that carvedilol significantly inhibits pressure-induced increase in oxidative stress in cultured human coronary smooth muscle cells. (Hypertens Res 2002; 25: 419-425)

Abstract —In vitro and in vivo evidence of a decrease in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration induced by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors has been reported. When added to SMC cultures for 6 hours, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors fluvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin at 1 μmol/L resulted in a 48%, 50%, and 16% suppression, respectively, of human coronary SMC migration; these reductions mirrored the suppression in oxidative stress induced by 1 μmol/L lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) of 50%, 53% and 19%, respectively. The hydroxylated metabolites of fluvastatin, M 2 and M 3 , at 1 μmol/L also suppressed the enhancement of SMC migration by 58% and 45% and the increase in oxidative stress induced by lyso-PC of 58% and 49%, respectively. Lyso-PC activated phospholipase D and protein kinase C (PKC), and this activation was also suppressed by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The inhibition of phospholipase D and PKC was reversed by 100 μmol/L mevalonate, its isoprenoid derivative, farnesol, and geranylgeraniol but not by 10 μmol/L squalene. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides at 5 μmol/L to PKC-α, but not those to the PKC-β isoform, suppressed the lyso-PC–mediated increases in SMC migration and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have direct antimigratory effects on the vascular wall beyond their effects on plasma lipids and that they might exert such antimigratory effects via suppression of the phospholipase D– and PKC (possibly PKC-α)-induced increase in oxidative stress, which might in turn prevent significant coronary artery disease.

In the elderly, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a powerful risk factor for cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of long-term effective blood pressure control with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor temocapril on left ventricular (LV) mass and function indices and the circulating concentration of the cardiac hormone brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in elderly hypertensives with LVH. Temocapril treatment was administered for 1 year to 11 elderly hypertensives (mean age, 72 years) with LVH. Cardiac dimensions and circulating concentrations of BNP were monitored before initiation of treatment and after 1 year of treatment. At entry, BNP levels were positively correlated with the LV mass index, but were not correlated with the mean blood pressure, LV ejection fraction, or E/A ratio (the ratio of peak transmitral flow velocity in early diastole, peak E, to that in late diastole, peak A). After 1 year, temocapril treatment resulted in effective control of blood pressure. The treatment did not affect the LV ejection fraction, but modestly increased the E/A ratio. Temocapril significantly reduced septal and posterior wall thickness and the LV mass index. BNP significantly declined after 1 year. Changes in BNP were significantly related to changes in the LV mass index, but were not related to changes in the mean blood pressure, LV ejection fraction, or E/A ratio. The results suggest that long-term ACE inhibitor treatment with temocapril can induce the regression of LV mass and reduce elevated plasma BNP in elderly hypertensive patients with LVH. In this study, changes in BNP reflected the magnitude of regression of LVH.

Background —To elucidate the roles of vascular D 1 -like receptors in atherosclerosis, the effects of the specific D 1 -like agonists on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB–mediated oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were studied. Methods and Results —Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the coexistence of D 1A and D 1B dopamine receptors in VSMCs. Western blotting revealed a band of ≈70 kDa for D 1A and D 1B dopamine receptors. VSMCs stimulated by PDGF-BB exhibited increased oxidative stress directly measured by flow cytometry. These effects were prevented by dopamine, SKF 38393, or YM 435, and this prevention was reversed by Sch 23390. These effects were blocked by a specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, N -(2-[ p -bromocinnamylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H 89). The PDGF-BB–mediated increase in oxidative stress of VSMCs was significantly suppressed by the indirect phospholipase D (PLD) inhibitor suramin or the specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor calphostin C. Both antisense but neither sense nor scrambled oligonucleotides to D 1A and D 1B receptors inhibited dopamine-induced suppression of increase in oxidative stress of VSMCs induced by PDGF-BB. Conclusions —These findings suggest that vascular D 1 -like receptors (D 1A and D 1B receptors) inhibit any increase in oxidative stress of VSMCs, possibly through activation of PKA and suppression of PLD and PKC.

An insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. The present study examined polymorphisms of the ACE gene in patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy who were participants in a long-term trial of therapy with an ACE inhibitor.ACE inhibitor therapy was administered for2 years to 54 patients with hypertension who had moderate or severe left ventricular hypertrophy. Cardiac dimensions were monitored by echocardiography before the initiation of therapy and after 1 and 2 years of treatment. Serum ACE activity and plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide, a marker for left ventricular hypertrophy, were also monitored.Eighteen patients had the II genotype for the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene, 19 had the ID genotype, and 17 had the DD genotype. Baseline (mean +/- SD) serum ACE activity was significantly greater (P0.05) in the DD (18 +/- 7 IU/L) group than in the II (7 +/- 4 IU/L) or ID (12 +/- 6 IU/L) groups. ACE inhibitor therapy was effective in controlling blood pressure, and it reduced posterior and septal wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration in all three groups. Despite similar blood pressure reductions, after 2 years, mean (+/- SD) regression in posterior wall thickness was significantly less (P0.05) in the DD group (-9% +/- 5%) than in the ID (-21% +/- 7%) and II (-21% +/- 9%) groups. Similar results were seen for the reductions in brain natriuretic peptide levels. The magnitudes of regression of septal wall thickness and left ventricular mass index during therapy were less in the DD group than the II group (P0.05).Hypertensive patients with the DD genotype are less likely to have regression of left ventricular hypertrophy when treated with ACE inhibitors than are patients with other ACE genotypes.

Abstract Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation are believed to play key roles in atherosclerosis. To elucidate the role of vascular dopamine D1-like receptors in atherosclerosis, the effects of dopamine and specific D1-like agonists SKF 38393 and YM 435 on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB-mediated VSMC migration and proliferation were studied. We observed that cells stimulated by PDGF-BB (5 ng/mL), showed increased migration and proliferation. These effects were prevented by coincubation with dopamine, SKF 38393, or YM 435 (1 to 10 μmol/L), and this prevention was reversed by Sch 23390 (1 to 10 μmol/l), a specific D1-like antagonist. These actions are mimicked by forskolin (1 to 10 μmol/L), a direct activator of adenylate cyclase and 8-bromo-cAMP at 0.1 to 1 mmol/L and are blocked by a specific protein kinase A inhibitor, N -[2-( p -bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H 89), but not blocked by its negative control, N -[2-( N -formyl)- p -chlorociannamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline sulfonamide (H 85). PDGF-BB (5 ng/mL)-mediated activation of phospholipase D, protein kinase C, and mitogen activated protein kinase activity were significantly suppressed by coincubation with dopamine. These results suggest that vascular D1-like receptor agonists inhibit migration and proliferation of VSMC, possibly through protein kinase A activation and suppression of activated phospholipase D, protein kinase C, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activity.

Abstract The migration of medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into the intima is proposed to be an important process of intimal thickening in atherosclerotic lesions. The present study examined the possible effect of a novel endothelium-derived relaxing peptide, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL)–induced migration of cultured human coronary artery SMCs by the Boyden’s chamber method. The effect of CNP was compared with that of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP, respectively). Oxidized LDL stimulates SMC migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 20 and 200 μg/mL. This stimulation was chemotactic in nature but was not chemokinetic. By contrast, native LDL was without significant activity. CNP-22 clearly inhibited SMC migration stimulated with 200 μg/mL oxidized LDL in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 −9 and 10 −6 mol/L. ANP-(1-28) and BNP-32 also inhibited oxidized LDL–induced SMC migration at concentrations of 10 −7 and 10 −6 mol/L, but these effects were weaker than the effect of CNP-22. Such inhibition by these natriuretic peptides was paralleled by an increase in the cellular level of cGMP. Oxidized LDL–induced migration was significantly inhibited by a stable analogue of cGMP, 8-bromo-cGMP, or an activator of the cytosolic guanylate cyclase, sodium nitroprusside. These natriuretic peptides did not suppress the cell adhesion either in the absence or presence of oxidized LDL. These data indicate that oxidized LDL stimulates migration of human coronary artery SMCs and that natriuretic peptides, especially CNP, inhibit this stimulated SMC migration, at least in part, through a cGMP-dependent process. Taken together with the finding that oxidized LDL is present in the intima, CNP may play a role as a local antimigration factor during the process of intimal thickening in hypercholesterolemia-induced coronary atherosclerosis.

Abstract The migration of coronary artery medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into the intima is proposed to be an important process of intimal thickening in coronary atherosclerotic lesions. In the current study, we examined the possible interaction of adrenomedullin, a novel vasorelaxant peptide, and angiotensin II (Ang II) on human coronary artery SMC migration using Boyden’s chamber method. Ang II stimulated SMC migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 −6 and 10 −8 mol/L. This stimulation was clearly blocked by the Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan but not by the type 2 receptor antagonist PD 123319. The migration stimulatory effect of Ang II was chemotactic in nature for cultured human coronary artery SMCs but was not chemokinetic. Human adrenomedullin clearly inhibited Ang II–induced migration in a concentration-dependent manner. Human adrenomedullin stimulated cAMP formation in these cells. Inhibition by adrenomedullin of Ang II–induced SMC migration was paralleled by an increase in the cellular level of cAMP. 8-Bromo-cAMP, a cAMP analogue, and forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, inhibited the Ang II–induced SMC migration. These results suggest that Ang II stimulates SMC migration via type 1 receptors in human coronary artery and adrenomedullin inhibits Ang II–induced migration at least partly through a cAMP-dependent mechanism. Taken together with the finding that adrenomedullin is synthesized in and secreted from vascular endothelial cells, this peptide may play a role as a local antimigration factor in certain pathological conditions.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation are believed to play key roles in atherosclerosis. To elucidate the role of vascular dopamine D1-like receptors in atherosclerosis, the effects of dopamine, specific D1-like agonists SKF 38,393, and YM 435 on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB-mediated VSMC migration, proliferation, and hypertrophy were studied. We observed that cells stimulated by 5 ng/ml PDGF BB showed increased migration, proliferation and hypertrophy. These effects were prevented by coincubation with dopamine, SKF 38,393, or YM 435 at 1-10 mumol/l, and this prevention was reversed by Sch 23,390 (1-10 mumol/l), a specific D1-like antagonist. These actions are mimicked by 1-10 mumol/l forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase and 8-bromocyclic AMP at 0.1-1 mmol/l. The actions are blocked by a specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino) ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H 89), but are not blocked by its negative control, N-[2-(N-formyl-p-chlorocinnamylamino) ethyl]-5-isoquinoline sulfonamide (H 85). PDGF-BB (5 ng/ml)-mediated activation of phospholipase D (PLD), protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity were significantly suppressed by coincubation with dopamine. These results suggest that vascular D1-like receptor agonists inhibit migration, proliferation and hypertrophy of VSMC, possibly through PKA activation and suppression of activated PLD, PKC and MAPK activity.

Abstract Adrenomedullin has recently been isolated from human pheochromocytoma. We designed the present study to examine the effect of adrenomedullin on the production of the vasoconstrictive and growth-promoting peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) after stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. PDGF stimulated ET-1 production in a concentration-dependent manner. Rat adrenomedullin inhibited this stimulated ET-1 production in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 −7 and 10 −8 mol/L. Rat adrenomedullin also increased the cellular level of cAMP in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 −7 and 10 −8 mol/L. Human adrenomedullin was less effective than rat adrenomedullin with respect to inhibiting ET-1 production and increasing cAMP levels. The addition of 8-bromo-cAMP (10 −3 and 10 −4 mol/L) reduced PDGF-induced ET-1 production. Furthermore, forskolin (10 −4 and 10 −5 mol/L), an activator of adenylate cyclase, reduced PDGF-induced ET-1 production. In contrast, the basal production of ET-1 was not significantly altered by rat and human adrenomedullin. These results indicate that adrenomedullin inhibits PDGF-induced ET-1 production in cultured rat mesangial cells, probably through a cAMP-dependent process.

Abstract Adrenomedullin recently has been found to potently stimulate cAMP formation in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In the present study, we examined the effect of adrenomedullin on the production of a vasoconstrictive and growth-promoting peptide, endothelin-1, after stimulation with a clotting enzyme, thrombin, and a potent mitogen, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), in cultured rat VSMCs. Thrombin and PDGF stimulated endothelin-1 production in a dose-dependent manner. Rat adrenomedullin significantly inhibited thrombin- and PDGF-stimulated endothelin-1 production in a dose-dependent manner between 10 −7 and 10 −9 mol/L. Inhibition by rat adrenomedullin of thrombin- and PDGF-stimulated endothelin-1 production was paralleled by an increase in the cellular level of cAMP. Human adrenomedullin also inhibited thrombin- and PDGF-stimulated endothelin-1 production and increased cAMP levels. The addition of 8-bromo-cAMP, a cAMP analogue, reduced thrombin- and PDGF-induced endothelin-1 production. Furthermore, forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, reduced thrombin- and PDGF-induced endothelin-1 production. In contrast, basal production of endothelin-1 was not altered by rat or human adrenomedullin. These results indicate that adrenomedullin inhibits not basal but thrombin- and PDGF-induced ET-1 production in cultured VSMCs probably through a cAMP-dependent process. Taken together with the finding that adrenomedullin is synthesized in and secreted from vascular endothelial cells, adrenomedullin may modulate vascular tone as a paracrine regulator partially through the inhibition of VSMC endothelin-1 production in some pathophysiological states.

Purpose Secretion of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a cardiac hormone, is accelerated via hypertrophied ventricles in experimental hypertension. The present study examined whether regression of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy by long-term treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) affects plasma BNP concentration in patients with essential hypertension. Patients and methods Thirty-one hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy were treated with ACEI (16 with enalapril; 15 with lisinopril) for 1 year. Serial changes were recorded in LV mass index, LV systolic function, and plasma concentrations of BNP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Results ACEI therapy significantly reduced LV mass index at 6 months, and more so at 1 year. Septal and posterior wall thicknesses were also reduced. Plasma BNP and ANP were markedly elevated at study entry, but only BNP levels correlated with LV mass index. Both peptide levels declined after 6 months, and this decline was enhanced at 1 year. There was a close relation between BNP decline and LV mass index reduction overall and with enalapril and lisinopril separately. Changes in ANP and in LV mass index were not related. Conclusion Long-term ACEI therapy can reduce elevated plasma BNP. In this study, changes in BNP reflected the magnitude of regression of LVH. Plasma BNP may be a useful marker for LVH during antihypertensive therapy in patients with essential hypertension and LVH.

Cyclosporine A (CSA) stimulates vascular endothelial cell production of endothelin-1 (ET-1). The present study was designed to test two hypotheses: (1) CSA stimulates ET-1 secretion in cultured rat mesangial cells, and (2) cardiac natriuretic peptides, atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP), inhibit the above-mentioned secretion in these cells. CSA stimulated ET-1 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 and 100 ng/mL. In contrast, high concentrations of CSA (10 and 100 micrograms/mL) were cytotoxic and failed to stimulate ET-1 secretion. Rat ANP (1-28) and rat BNP-45 exhibited clearly concentration-related inhibition of CSA-induced ET-1 secretion. This inhibition by ANP and BNP was paralleed by an increase in the cellular level of cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP). Rat ANP (5-25) was less effective than rat ANP (1-28) with respect to inhibiting ET-1 secretion and increasing cellular cGMP. Addition of a cGMP analog, 8-bromo-cGMP, reduced CSA-induced ET-1 secretion. On the other hand, addition of a cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) analog, 8-bromo-cAMP, did not affect CSA-induced ET-1 secretion. These findings suggest that CSA in low concentrations stimulates ET-1 production in cultured rat mesangial cells, and that cardiac natriuretic peptides inhibit this stimulated production, probably through a cGMP-dependent process.

We showed that two isoforms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), AB and BB, stimulate the secretion of endothelin (ET)-1 from cultured rat mesangial cells. Then, we examined whether PDGF AB and BB stimulate mesangial cell proliferation through the modulation of the endogenous production of ET-1 in these cells. Mitogenesis experiments were assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA under highest concentrations (10 ng/ml) of PDGF AB and BB in the presence and absence of anti-ET-1 antiserum or a selective A-type endothelin receptor (ETA receptor) antagonist, BQ-123. PDGF AB and BB potently stimulate thymidine incorporation. This stimulation was significantly attenuated in the presence of either anti-ET-1 antiserum or BQ-123 (10(-7)-10(-5)M). Results suggest that PDGF AB and BB stimulate ET-1 secretion in rat mesangial cells through PDGF beta-receptors, and endogenously produced ET-1 serves to modulate the mitogenic effect of PDGF AB and BB, probably via ETA receptors in these cells.

To examine the role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we measured the plasma concentration of immunoreactive (ir) BNP together with that of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) over the 4-week course of AMI in 16 patients treated with early coronary angioplasty. Both the plasma ir-ANP and ir-BNP levels were increased on the first day of the infarction compared with the values in normal subjects. During the clinical course of the infarction, the plasma ir-ANP concentration soon decreased, while the plasma ir-BNP level remained elevated at 2 weeks after the infarction, also exhibiting a high level at 4 weeks. Plasma ir-BNP levels on day 1 or days 14 and 28 were inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction obtained by left ventriculography at the acute or chronic phase, respectively. Plasma ir-BNP concentrations on days 14 and 28 were positively correlated with the maximal myosin light chain I level, an indicator of infarct size. These observations suggest that the plasma ir-BNP level increased to compensate for the ventricular dysfunction associated with the size of the infarct in AMI. BNP may act as a cardiac hormone in AMI, differing somewhat from ANP in its synthetic, secretory, or clearance behavior.

To examine the effects of lipoproteins on the secretion of endothelin-1 from endothelial cells, we measured immunoreactive (ir) endothelin-1 release from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells in the presence or absence of various concentrations of native low density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidized LDL, and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Cultured endothelial cells secreted ir-endothelin-1 into serum-free medium in a time-dependent manner, and the secretion was clearly stimulated following a 15-24-h incubation with 10 micrograms/ml oxidized LDL. The secretion of ir-endothelin-1 increased in a dose-dependent manner after a 24-h incubation with oxidized LDL, while only a high dose of native LDL and VLDL significantly increased ir-endothelin-1 secretion. The release of ir-endothelin-1 stimulated by 20 micrograms/ml oxidized LDL was reproduced by the same concentration of acetylated LDL but not native LDL. These observations indicate that the release of ir-endothelin-1 from endothelial cells is stimulated by lipoproteins, in particular by oxidized LDL, probably through the endothelial scavenger receptor. This increase in ir-endothelin-1 release induced by oxidized LDL may contribute to the development of atherosclerotic vascular lesions.

The present study examined the effects of atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, and CNP, respectively) on endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion after stimulation with arginine vasopressin (AVP), using cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. AVP stimulated immunoreactive (ir) ET-1 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner via a receptor-mediated process. Rat ANP-(1-28) and rat BNP-45 potently inhibited this stimulated secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition by ANP and BNP of AVP-stimulated ET-1 secretion was paralleled by an increase in the medium level of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). The addition of a cGMP analogue, 8-bromo-cGMP, reduced the stimulated ET-1 secretion. CNP was much less effective than rat ANP-(1-28) or rat BNP-45 with respect to inhibiting irET-1 secretion and increasing cGMP levels. High-performance liquid chromatography indicated that the major component of irET-1 in the culture medium corresponds to ET-1-(1-21). These findings indicate that AVP stimulates ET-1 secretion in cultured rat mesangial cells and that rat ANP and BNP inhibit this stimulated secretion, probably through a cGMP-dependent process.

We have recently shown that the porcine aorta releases immunoreactive endothelin-1 in a time-dependent way. Here, we examined the inhibition by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) of endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with angiotensin II (Ang II) by using porcine aorta. Ang II dose-dependently stimulated immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion. Porcine ANP-(1-28) and porcine BNP-26 both inhibited such secretion in a dose-dependent way. The addition of a cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) analogue, 8-bromo-cGMP, reduced the immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with Ang II. In cultured porcine endothelial cells the inhibition by porcine ANP-(1-28) and porcine BNP-26 of immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with Ang II was paralleled by an increase in the cellular cGMP level. Rat ANP-(5-25) was weaker than porcine ANP-(1-28) in inhibiting immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion and increasing cGMP in cultured cells. There was negative correlation between the percent decrease in immunoreactive endothelin-1 and the percent increase in cGMP. Neither porcine ANP-(1-28) nor BNP-26 affected the number or sensitivity of Ang II binding sites in cultured porcine endothelial cells. These results suggest that ANP and BNP inhibit endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with Ang II, probably through a cGMP-dependent process.

The migration of medial smooth muscle cells into the intima is proposed to be an initial process of intimal thickening in atherosclerotic lesions. The present study was designed to determine whether pretreatment with the antiatherogenic agent eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) inhibits the migration induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and its major phospholipid component, lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) using Boyden's chamber method. The effects of EPA pretreatment on angiotensin II (Ang II)- and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB)-induced migration were also examined in these cells. Oxidized LDL and lyso-PC induced migration in a concentration-dependent manner. EPA pretreatment clearly suppressed oxidized LDL (200 microg/mL)- and lyso-PC (10(-5) mol/L)-induced migration between 40 and 160 micromol/L. EPA pretreatment also suppressed Ang 11 (10(-7) mol/L)- and PDGF BB (5 ng/mL)-induced migration at a concentration of 80 and 160 micromol/L. However, in a trypan blue exclusion test, dead cells stained with trypan blue were not found 24 hours after treatment with EPA. These results suggest that EPA suppresses VSMC migration induced by oxidized LDL and lyso-PC, as well as Ang II and PDGF BB. These preliminary data concerning the effects of EPA may partly explain the antiatherosclerotic effects of this agent.

We describe a patient with pheochromocytoma, which secretes dopamine. He was admitted to hospital because of chronic diarrhea. After surgical resection of the tumor, dramatic cessation of the diarrhea and blood pressure elevation were observed. Decreased expression of dopamine beta-hydroxylase in the tumor was considered a possible mechanism of producing a pathophysiological concentration of dopamine. This case shows that excessive excretion of dopamine, a vasodilative hormone, may affect blood pressure.

Recently, we have reported two cases with endothelin (ET)-secreting tumor presenting with hypertension and elevated plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels. The present study examines the histopathology of the ET-secreting tumor in one of these cases. The neoplasm was located in the skin and microscopically characterized as a malignant hemangioendothelioma by remarkable intravascular proliferations of atypical endothelium with the expression of Factor VIII-related antigen in the tumor cells. The tumor enlarged rapidly with rising ET-1 and blood pressure levels. The ET-1 content and its messenger RNA expression in the tumor extract were higher than those from normal parts of skin. ET-1 may play a pathophysiological role in patients with ET-secreting malignant hemangioendothelioma.

The effect of glucocorticoids on the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-mediated formation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) by intact vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was studied in rats. Cultured VSMC were obtained from the renal arteries of 14-week-old Wistar rats by the explant method. Micromolar concentrations of dexamethasone, given as pretreatment for 48 hours, suppressed the ANF-mediated response. The dexamethasone-induced suppression was detectable at 6 hours and reached a maximum 24 hours after administration in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitors of protein synthesis blocked this effect of the glucocorticoid. The basal activity of guanylate cyclase in the dexamethasone-treated cells was lower than in the control cells. Other steroids having glucocorticoid action mimicked this suppression of the ANF-mediated response. This suppression was blocked by a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. The results suggest that glucocorticoids suppress ANF-mediated cGMP formation by VSMC through glucocorticoid type II receptors and the induction of protein synthesis. Suppression of the ANF-mediated response may play a role in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension.

Endothelin plays a role in the regulation of vascular tonus. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that increased production or release of endothelin or both may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. To assess any changes in the plasma endothelin concentration in essential hypertension, plasma immunoreactive endothelin concentrations were measured in patients with essential hypertension.We measured plasma immunoreactive endothelin concentrations in 42 subjects with essential hypertension, 12 subjects with borderline hypertension, and 25 normotensive control subjects.The concentrations were higher in hypertensive patients than in borderline hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects (both p less than 0.05), although values in normotensives and hypertensives overlapped. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmuno-assay showed two components of plasma endothelin, one corresponding to synthetic endothelin-1 (1-21) and the other corresponding to synthetic big endothelin (human, 1-38). The HPLC profile of plasma endothelin of hypertensive patients was the same as that of normotensive subjects. Hypertensives with reduced glomerular filtration rates or increased serum creatinine levels had higher plasma endothelin concentrations than hypertensive patients as a whole (p less than 0.05). Mean blood pressure and serum creatinine levels were correlated to plasma endothelin in the hypertensives. Correlation was negative between glomerular filtration rate and the endothelin level in the hypertensives.Plasma endothelin was elevated in many hypertensive patients with severe hypertension or renal involvement. Its major components were endothelin-1 and big endothelin.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of antihypertensive therapy on plasma and atrial concentration of atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by using alpha-methyldopa and hydralazine. Methyldopa and hydralazine treatment reduced blood pressure (P less than .05, P less than .05, respectively); however, ventricular weight was reduced by methyldopa (P less than .05) but not by hydralazine. Plasma ANP concentration in untreated SHR was higher than that observed in Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Methyldopa treatment decreased plasma ANP concentration, but hydralazine treatment did not. Moreover, plasma ANP concentration and ventricular weight were positively correlated in untreated and treated SHR. The left atrial ANP concentration in untreated SHR was lower than that observed in WKY. Methyldopa treatment increased left atrial ANP concentration, but hydralazine treatment did not. These results suggest that the ANP release from the left atrium is chronically stimulated in adult SHR, and that a decrease in plasma ANP concentration by methyldopa treatment is, in part, associated with the decline of ANP release from the heart due to the reductions of blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy.

The acute effects of endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, were investigated on renal hemodynamics, blood pressure and heart rate in conscious and unrestrained DOCA-salt hypertensive rats to compare with those in normotensive, sham-operated rats. The plasma concentration of immunoreactive endothelin was measured following the administration of endothelin, 0.4 nmole IV. After a dose of 1 nmole/kg IV, the blood pressure fell transiently and then rose gradually, while the renal blood flow remained decreased throughout the observation period. Both the blood pressure elevation and the renal blood flow decline in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats exceeded that in controls. In both experimental groups the arterial plasma endothelin concentration decreased rapidly after the peak was achieved. The disappearance of endothelin from plasma was significantly delayed in the DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. These findings suggest that the marked increase in blood pressure and the altered renal hemodynamics induced by endothelin in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats are due in part to a decrease in endothelin clearance.

There is no doubt that oxidative stress is pivotally involved in the process of atherosclerosis. Thus antioxidants, particularly vitamin E, have been expected to retard the development of atherosclerosis. In fact, several cohort studies suggested reduced cardiovascular risk in persons taking vitamin E supplements. However, randomized clinical trials of vitamin E did not show any benefit of vitamin E supplementation in terms of prevention of coronary heart disease and death. Discrepancy between cohort studies and randomized clinical trials may be partly explained by difference in coronary risk in study participant. However, use of vitamin E supplementation in low risk population has not been justified yet.

To study the relationship between blood pressure and oxidative stress in leukocytes, the effect of benidipine on these variables was compared with that of a placebo. Hypertensive patients were randomly assigned benidipine 4 mg (n=40) or placebo (n=40), and treated for 6 months. Oxidative stress in polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) was measured by gated flow cytometry. There was a significant relationship between systolic or diastolic arterial pressure and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by PMNs in the benidipine group (r=0.61, p

Temocapril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), a prodrug with a thiazepine ring. Its active form, temocaprilat, is slightly more potent than enalaprilat in inhibiting ACE isolated from rabbit lung. The inhibitory potency of temocaprilat on isolated rat aorta is 3 times that of enalaprilat. Temocapril is excreted in the bile and urine and can be used in patients with renal insufficiency. It reduces blood pressure without causing any significant change in heart rate or cardiac output. Temocapril has been reported to improve endothelial dysfunction in vitro by suppressing increased oxidative stress. In vivo it improves reactive hyperemia in patients with essential hypertension. It has been reported to prevent coronary vascular remodeling in vivo by suppressing local ACE and increased oxidative stress. In humans temocapril has been found to improve insulin resistance partly by increasing adiponectin levels. Cardiac remodeling was improved by temocapril not only in experiment animals but also in humans. It improves renal function and decreases urinary albumin excretion in diabetics as well as in hypertensive patients. Temocapril is currently marketed only in Japan. Considering its beneficial effects and unique pharmacokinetics, temocapril, is likely to be introduced in other countries as well.

We examined the involvement of the oxidative stress in high glucose-induced suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation. Chronic glucose treatment for 72 h concentration-dependently (5.6-22.2 mol/l) inhibited human coronary endothelial cell proliferation. Temocaprilat, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, at 10 nmol/l to 1 micromol/l inhibited high glucose (22.2 mmol/l)-mediated suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation. Temocaprilat at 1 micromol/l inhibited high glucose-induced membrane-bound protein kinase C activity in human aortic endothelial cells. The protein kinase C inhibitors calphostin C 100 nmol/l or chelerythrine 1 micromol/l inhibited high glucose-mediated suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation. Chronic high glucose treatment for 72 h increased intracellular oxidative stress, directly measured by flow cytometry using carboxydichlorofluorescein diacetate bis-acetoxymethyl ester, and this increase was significantly suppressed by temocaprilat 10 nmol/l to 1 micromol/l. Bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist icatibant 100 nmol/l significantly reduced the action of temocaprilat; whereas bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist des-Arg9-Leu8-bradykinin 100 nmol/l had no effect. These findings suggest that high glucose inhibits human aortic endothelial cell proliferation and that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor temocaprilat inhibits high glucose-mediated suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation, possibly through suppression of protein kinase C, bradykinin B2 receptors and oxidative stress.

Summary 1. Hyperglycaemia is believed to be a major cause of diabetic vascular complications such as accelerated atherosclerosis. In order to elucidate the effect of hyperglycaemia on vascular response in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the natriuretic peptides receptor responses to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) which are thought to suppress atherosclerosis were studied under high glucose (HG:22.2 mmol/L) conditions. 2. The total number of cells in SHR is higher and natriuretic peptides receptor response is smaller than that of cells in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. Membrane bound protein kinase C (PKC) activity in HG or SHR is higher compared to that of cells in normal glucose (NG:5.6 mmol/L) or WKY. Cells cultured in HG for at least 2 passages had higher total cell number and receptor mediated cGMP formation were suppressed compared to cells cultured in NG both in SHR and WKY. Specific PKC inhibitor PKC (19–36) 1 μmol/L prevented HG induced suppression of natriuretic peptides response. 3. These results show that hyperglycaemia may be linked to suppressed natriuretic peptides receptor response which is caused by increased PKC activity both in WKY and SHR. This suppressed response may cause the accelerated atherosclerosis by hyperglycaemia.

To elucidate the roles of rat vascular dopamine D1A and D1B receptors in vascular smooth muscle cell migration, the effect of antisense oligonucleotides to D1A receptors (+1 to +21 of rat D1A receptors) and to D1B receptors (-12 to +6 of rat D1B receptors) on dopamine-mediated suppression of platelet-derived growth factor BB-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell migration, evaluated by the Boyden's chamber method, was studied. Increased vascular smooth muscle cell migration by platelet-derived growth factor BB (5 ng/ml) was suppressed significantly by co-incubation with dopamine (0.025-10 micromol/l) (by 15-59%). This suppression by 10 micromol/l dopamine was reversed by D1A antisense oligonucleotides (46%) and D1B antisense oligonucleotides (51%), but by neither the sense nor the random sense oligodeoxynucleotides to these receptors. The suppression by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (21-51%) is dose dependent (1-10 micromol/l) and time dependent (0-4 h). Dopamine (10 micromol/l)-induced cyclic AMP formation is also suppressed by D1A antisense oligonucleotides (50%) and D1B antisense oligonucleotides (58%), but by neither the sense nor the random sense oligodeoxynucleotides to these receptors. The platelet-derived growth factor BB (5 ng/ml)-mediated activation of phospholipase D and protein kinase C activities were significantly suppressed by co-incubation with 10 micromol/l dopamine, which was reversed by D1A antisense oligonucleotides (45%) and D1B antisense oligonucleotides (50%) but by neither the sense nor the random sense oligodeoxynucleotides to these receptors. These results suggest that vascular D1A and D1B receptors inhibit migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, possibly through cyclic AMP activation and the suppression of phospholipase D and protein kinase C activities.

Because oxidative stress and inflammation are believed to play roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs) has been measured. A total of 529 subjects participated this study. Intracellular oxidative stress in PMNs and MNCs was measured by gated flow cytometry using carboxyfluorescin diacetate bis-acetoxymethyl ester. C-reacting protein (CRP), insulin action (homeostasis model assessment), and traditional risk factors such as age, gender, body mass index, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, and mean blood pressure were also measured. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between mean blood pressure and PMN oxidative stress (r=0.104,P=0.018). It also demonstrated a significant correlation between hemoglobin A1cand PMN oxidative stress (r=0.112,P=0.021). A significant correlation was also found between CRP and MNC oxidative stress (r=0.116,P=0.008) by multiple regression analysis. In patients with both hypertension and diabetes, both PMN and MNC oxidative stress was increased (n=21,P=0.022 andP=0.006). These results suggest that both hypertension and diabetes lead to increased oxidative stress of PMNs and MNCs, and that CRP is related to MNC oxidative stress.

Heparin shows a blood pressure-lowering effect in various hypertensive rat models. This study was designed to examine the effect of heparin on vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) production by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ET-1 and cyclic GMP levels in the medium were determined by radioimmunoassay. ET-1 mRNA was quantified by densitometric Northern blot analysis. ET-1 was released into the medium in a time-dependent manner, and its release was augmented by thrombin (10 U/ml). Heparin suppressed both basal and thrombin-stimulated ET-1 secretion and its mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Heparin suppressed ET-1 mRNA expression in a time-dependent fashion. Heparin did not suppress both basal and thrombin-stimulated ET-1 production in the presence of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (10(-5) M). The production of cGMP stimulated by thrombin was significantly enhanced by heparin, but not in the presence of L-NMMA (10(-5) M). Heparin may suppress vasoconstrictor ET-1 production mediated by the enhancement of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in HUVECs.

The migration as well as proliferation of coronary artery medial smooth muscle cells (SMC) into the intima is proposed to be an important process of intimal thickening in coronary atherosclerosis. In the current study, we examined the effects of the angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist valsartan on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced migration of cultured human coronary artery SMC using Boyden's chamber methods. Ang II significantly stimulated human coronary artery SMC migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 10(-6) and 10(-8) mol/l when cells of passage 4 to 6 were used. However, the migration response to Ang II was moderately decreased in cells of passage 10 to 12, and was markedly decreased in cells of passage 15 to 17, compared to that of passage 4 to 6. Ang II-induced migration was blocked by the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist valsartan in a concentration-dependent manner. By contrast, the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist PD 123319 did not affect Ang II-induced migration. Ang II modestly increased the cell number of human coronary artery SMC after a 24-h incubation. This increase in cell numbers was also clearly blocked by valsartan, but not by PD 123319. These results indicate that Ang II stimulates migration as well as proliferation via AT1 receptors in human coronary artery SMC when cells of passage 4 to 6 are used. Valsartan may prevent the progression of coronary atherosclerosis through an inhibition of Ang II-induced migration and proliferation in these cells, although in vivo evidence is lacking.

Abstract —We examined involvement of the polyol pathway in high glucose–induced human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration using Boyden’s chamber method. Chronic glucose treatment for 72 hours potentiated, in a concentration-dependent manner (5.6 to 22.2 mol/L), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB–mediated SMC migration. This potentiation was accompanied by an increase in PDGF BB binding, because of an increased number of PDGF-β receptors, and this potentiation was blocked by the aldose reductase inhibitor epalrestat. Epalrestat at concentrations of 10 and 100 nmol/L inhibited high glucose–potentiated (22.2 mmol/L), PDGF BB–mediated migration. Epalrestat at 100 nmol/L inhibited a high glucose–induced increase in the reduced/oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ratio and membrane-bound protein kinase C (PKC) activity in SMCs. PKC inhibitors calphostin C (100 nmol/L) and chelerythrine (1 μmol/L) each inhibited high glucose–induced, PDGF BB–mediated SMC migration. High glucose–induced suppression of insulin-mediated [ 3 H]-deoxyglucose uptake, which was blocked by both calphostin C (100 nmol/L) and chelerythrine (1 μmol/L), was decreased by epalrestat (100 nmol/L). Chronic high glucose treatment for 72 hours increased intracellular oxidative stress, which was directly measured by flow cytometry using carboxydichlorofluorescein diacetate bis-acetoxymethyl ester, and this increase was significantly suppressed by epalrestat (100 nmol/L). Antisense oligonucleotide to PKC-β isoform inhibited high glucose–mediated changes in SMC migration, insulin-mediated [ 3 H]-deoxyglucose uptake, and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that high glucose concentrations potentiate SMC migration in coronary artery and that the aldose reductase inhibitor epalrestat inhibits high glucose–potentiated, PDGF BB–induced SMC migration, possibly through suppression of PKC (PKC-β), impaired insulin-mediated glucose uptake, and oxidative stress.

Abstract —The objectives of the present study were (1) to determine whether oxidized LDL and lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PtdCho), a major phospholipid component of oxidized LDL, stimulate the migration of cultured human mesangial cells and (2) to investigate the possible effects on mesangial cell migration of the cardiac natriuretic peptides atrial and brain natriuretic peptide (ANP and BNP). Oxidized LDL (10 and 100 μg/mL) and lyso-PtdCho (10 −7 to 10 −5 mol/L) stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, the effects of native LDL and phosphatidylcholine were modest or nonexistent. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor and downregulation of PKC activity by phorbol ester inhibited oxidized LDL– and lyso-PtdCho–induced migration. Human ANP(1-28) and human BNP-32 significantly inhibited oxidized LDL– and lyso-PtdCho–induced migration in a concentration-dependent manner. C-ANF {des-[Glu 18 ,Ser 19 ,Gly 20 ,Leu 21 ,Gly 22 ]ANP(4-23)}, a specific ligand for ANP clearance receptors, could not inhibit oxidized LDL– and lyso-PtdCho–induced migration. Inhibition by ANP and BNP of lyso-PtdCho–induced migration was paralleled by an increase in the cellular level of GMP. Oxidized LDL– and lyso-PtdCho–induced migrations were inhibited by 8-bromo-cGMP. The results suggest that oxidized LDL and lyso-PtdCho stimulate the migration of human mesangial cells, at least in part, through a PKC-dependent process and that ANP and BNP inhibit this stimulated migration, probably through a cGMP-dependent process.

The present study was designed to examine the possible influence of hypoxia on plasma immunoreactive (ir) endothelin-1 concentrations in anesthetized rats. Plasma ir-endothelin-1 concentration, blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial gas levels were measured 1 and 2 hours after exposure to normoxic (20% O2), mildly hypoxic (16% O2), and severely hypoxic (12% O2) gas. Mean blood pressure and heart rate were significantly decreased and the plasma ir-endothelin-1 concentration was significantly increased in severely hypoxic rats after both 1 and 2 hours. In mildly hypoxic rats, the plasma ir-endothelin-1 concentration was also increased, but this value was not statistically significant. The plasma ir-endothelin-1 concentration was inversely correlated with arterial blood PO2 in the three study groups (normoxic, mildly hypoxic, and severely hypoxic rats) after 1 hour (n = 18, r = -.74, P less than .01), and after 2 hours (n = 18, r = .71, P less than .01). Our results indicate that severe hypoxia increased the plasma ir-endothelin-1 level in anesthetized rats. The observed increase in plasma ir-endothelin-1 level may represent a compensatory mechanism against the blood pressure reduction associated with severe hypoxia.

This study sought to determine whether platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and angiotensin II (AngII) stimulate migration of cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. After finding that this was so, the effects of adrenomedullin (ADM) and cAMP-elevating agents on basal and stimulated mesangial cell migration were examined. Two isoforms of PDGF, AB and BB, stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 1 and 50 ng/ml, while the AA isoform lacked significant effect. AngII modestly but significantly stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 -7 and 10 -6 mol/L. Rat ADM significantly inhibited the PDGF BB- and AngII-stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 -8 and 10 -7 mol/L. Inhibition by rat ADM was accompanied by an increase in cellular cAMP. cAMP agonists or inducers such as 8-bromo cAMP, forskolin, and prostaglandin I 2 also significantly reduced the stimulated migration. H 89, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, attenuated the inhibitory effect of ADM, and a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, human CGRP (8-37), abolished the inhibitory effects of rat ADM. These results suggest that PDGF AB and BB as well as AngII stimulate rat mesangial cell migration and that ADM can inhibit PDGF BB- and AngII-stimulated migration, at least in part through cAMP-dependent mechanisms likely to involve specific ADM receptors with which CGRP interacts. The adenylate cyclase/cAMP/PKA system may be involved in the migration-inhibitory effect of ADM in these cells.

Several mechanisms other than the inhibition of systemic and local formation of angiotensin II (Ang II) have been proposed to play a role in mediating the hypotensive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In the present study, we measured plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) and the related vasoactive factors bradykinin, 6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha (6-keto PGF1alpha) a stable metabolite of prostacyclin, and cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) before and after a 4-week treatment with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril in 17 patients with essential hypertension. Plasma NO levels were measured by the Griess method after conversion of nitrate to nitrite. Long-term lisinopril treatment significantly reduced blood pressure and increased plasma NO and 6-keto PGF1alpha. The treatment also tended to increase plasma levels of bradykinin and cGMP, but not to a significant extent. The posttreatment NO level was inversely correlated with posttreatment systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure (n = 17, r= -.68, P.01, n = 17, r= -.54, P.05, and n = 17, r= -.66, P.01, respectively). The posttreatment bradykinin level was also modestly correlated with posttreatment systolic and mean blood pressure (n = 17, r = -.51, P.05 and n = 17, r = -.55, P.05, respectively). In contrast, posttreatment 6-keto PGF1alpha and cGMP levels were not correlated with posttreatment systolic, diastolic, or mean blood pressure. These findings raise the possibility that increased formation of NO and bradykinin, as well as inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, contribute to the hypotensive effect of the ACE inhibitor observed in our hypertensive patients.

Background —To explore the role of intracellular oxidative stress in high glucose–induced atherogenesis, we examined the effect of probucol and/or α-tocopherol on the migration and growth characteristics of cultured rabbit coronary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods and Results —Chronic high-glucose-medium (22.2 mmol/L) treatment increased platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB–mediated VSMC migration, [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation, and cell number compared with VSMCs treated with normal-glucose medium (5.6 mmol/L+16.6 mmol/L mannose). Probucol and α-tocopherol significantly suppressed high glucose–induced increase in VSMC migration, cell number, and [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation. Probucol and α-tocopherol suppressed high glucose–induced elevation of the cytosolic ratio of NADH/NAD + , phospholipase D, and membrane-bound protein kinase C activation. Probucol, α-tocopherol, and calphostin C improved the high glucose–induced suppression of insulin-mediated [ 3 H]deoxyglucose uptake. Chronic high-glucose treatment increased the oxidative stress, which was significantly suppressed by probucol, α-tocopherol, suramin, and calphostin C. Conclusions —These findings suggest that probucol and α-tocopherol may suppress high glucose–induced VSMC migration and proliferation via suppression of increases in the cytosolic ratio of free NADH/NAD + , phospholipase D, and protein kinase C activation induced by high glucose, which result in reduction in intracellular oxidative stress.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of synthetic rat endothelin, a novel potent vasoconstrictor isolated from endothelial cells, on the release of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor (ir-ANF) in anesthetized rats. Systemic blood pressure and plasma ir-ANF concentration were measured at 1, 3, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after rat endothelin administration (0.01, 0.10, 1.00 nmol/kg body weight [BW]). Administration of rat endothelin caused a long-lasting increase in mean blood pressure and produced a dose-dependent increase in plasma ir-ANF that peaked 5 minutes after the injection and remained higher than the basal value 60 minutes after the injection. These data suggest that administration of pharmacological doses of rat endothelin produces a profound release of ir-ANF into the circulation, which may cause vasodilation and diuresis to antagonize the effect of endothelin.