Upregulation of inducible NO synthase by exogenous adenosine in vascular smooth muscle cells activated by inflammatory stimuli in experimental diabetes.

Background: Adenosine has been shown to induce nitric oxide (NO) production via inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Although this is interpreted as a beneficial vasodilating pathway in vaso-occlusive disorders, iNOS is also involved in diabetic vascular dysfunction. Because the turnover of and the potential to modulate iNOS by adenosine in experimental diabetes have not been explored, we hypothesized that both the adenosine system and control of iNOS function are impaired in VSMCs from streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Cyclooxygenase-1 and prostacyclin production by endothelial cells in the presence of mild oxidative stress.

This study aimed at evaluating the relative contribution of endothelial cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) to prostacyclin (PGI(2)) production in the presence of mild oxidative stress resulting from autooxidation of polyphenols such as (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), using both endothelial cells in culture and isolated blood vessels. EGCG treatment resulted in an increase in hydrogen peroxide formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid and EGCG, PGI(2) production was preferentially inhibited by a selective COX-1 inhibitor.

Vasoprotective activity of standardized Achillea millefolium extract.

We investigated the effects of Achillea millefolium extract in vitro on the growth of primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) as well as the potential involvement of estrogen receptors (ERs) in this process. In addition, the ability of A. millefolium extract to modulate the NF-κB pathway was tested in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Control of enteric neuromuscular functions by purinergic A(3) receptors in normal rat distal colon and experimental bowel inflammation.

Background And Purpose: Adenosine A(3) receptors mediate beneficial effects in experimental colitis, but their involvement in enteric neuromuscular functions during bowel inflammation is undetermined. This study investigated the regulatory role of A(3) receptors on colonic motility in the presence of experimental colitis.

Experimental Approach: Colitis was induced in rats by 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid.

Selective estrogen receptor-alpha agonist provides widespread heart and vascular protection with enhanced endothelial progenitor cell mobilization in the absence of uterotrophic action.

The beneficial effects of estrogens on the cardiovascular system are associated with adverse effects on reproductive tissues. On the basis of previous work indicating a major role for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha in maintaining cardiovascular health, we evaluated the tissue selectivity of the ER alpha-selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) compared with 17beta-estradiol (E2) in vivo. Four weeks postovariectomy, equimolar doses of PPT and E2 were administered to rats in subcutaneous implants for 5 d.