The direct antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors ligands are associated with the inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat aorta.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are expressed on vascular tissue. To investigate the direct vasoprotective effects of PPARgamma and PPARalpha ligands, pioglitazone (3 mg/kg/day) and bezafibrate (10 mg/kg/day) were given by gavage to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 4 weeks. Streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, i.

Calcium [corrected] channel blockers reduce angiotensin II-induced superoxide generation and inhibit lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 expression in endothelial cells.

Calcium channel blockers have been shown to limit the progression of atherosclerosis and decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events. To investigate vasoprotective effects beyond the blood pressure-lowering effects of these agents, amlodipine (10(-6) mol/) and manidipine (10(-6) mol/l) were used to pretreat angiotensin (Ang) II-stimulated rat cultured aortic endothelial cells. A 3-h period of Ang II treatment enhanced superoxide generation and the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase protein, as detected by dihydroethidium staining and Western blotting, respectively.

Hyperinsulinaemia increases the gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in rat aorta.

1. Hyperinsulinaemia has been reported to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Insulin stimulates both the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

Calcium channel blockades exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects by augmentation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and the inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme in the N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertensive rat aorta: vasoprotective effects beyond the blood pressure-lowering effects of amlodipine and manidipine.

Long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blockades have been shown to limit the progression of atherosclerosis and decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events in humans and animals. To investigate the vasoprotective effects beyond the blood pressure-lowering effects of these agents, amlodipine (20 mg/kg/ day) and manidipine (10 mg/kg/day) were administered by gavage to N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats for 2 weeks. L-NAME treatment (0.