Omeprazole induces vascular remodeling by mechanisms involving xanthine oxidoreductase and matrix metalloproteinase activation.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are commonly used drugs that may increase the cardiovascular risk by mechanisms not entirely known. We examined whether the PPI omeprazole promotes vascular oxidative stress mediated by xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) leading to activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular remodeling. We studied Wistar rats treated with omeprazole (or vehicle) combined with the XOR inhibitor allopurinol (or vehicle) for four weeks.