Brain natriuretic peptide is released from human astrocytoma cell line U373MG under hypoxia: a possible role in anti-apoptosis.

We have recently shown that the plasma brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is elevated in acute ischemic stroke patients, but the origin and role of BNP remain unclear. We investigated whether human astrocytes secrete BNP under hypoxia, and if so, what signaling pathway is involved, and what is the role of BNP. Human astrocytoma cell line U373MG was exposed to hypoxia by Anaeropack.

Coupling factor 6-induced prostacyclin inhibition is enhanced in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Objectives: Coupling factor 6 (CF6) attenuates the endothelial generation of prostacyclin. However, the role of CF6 in the resistance arteriole that is directly related to vascular tone is not determined yet. We investigated the effect of endogenous and exogenous CF6 on prostacyclin generation in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Coupling factor 6 enhances Src-mediated responsiveness to angiotensin II in resistance arterioles and cells.

Aims: Coupling factor 6 (CF6) induces hypertension by attenuating the endothelial generation of prostacyclin. However, intracellular signalling of CF6 in the resistance arteriole vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that are directly related to vasoconstriction has not been determined. Here we investigated the direct effect of exogenous CF6 on Ca2+ signalling in cultured VSMCs and the in vivo role of endogenous CF6 in the genesis of hypertension using CF6 transgenic (TG) mice.

Elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels independent of heart disease in acute ischemic stroke: correlation with stroke severity.

We tested the hypothesis that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are elevated in patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) independent of heart disease, and reflect CVD severity. After careful evaluations for heart disease, the study included 79 consecutive patients with CVD without any evidence of heart disease admitted within 48 h after onset (71+/-10 years), and 26 control subjects without CVD (CT, 67+/-12 years). Ischemic stroke subtypes were defined by the TOAST classification.

Coupling factor 6 downregulates platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 via c-Src activation and acts as a proatherogenic molecule.

Coupling factor 6 (CF6), a component of ATP synthase, suppresses the generation of prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO). Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) is involved in shear-induced NO production. To investigate the linkage between the actions of CF6 and PECAM-1, we examined the effects of CF6 on PECAM-1 expression and shear-mediated NO release, comparatively with those of angiotensin II (AngII).

Efficacy and safety of low-dose pioglitazone after primary coronary angioplasty with the use of bare metal stent in patients with acute myocardial infarction and with type 2 diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have beneficial effects on markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose pioglitazone (15 mg per day) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and type 2 DM or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) treated with coronary angioplasty using bare metal stent (BMS). In 56 patients, pioglitazone was orally administered for 6 months after stenting (pioglitazone group).