Effects of fosinopril and valsartan on expressions of ICAM-1 and NO in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Objective: To investigate the effects of fosinopril and valsartan on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and nitric oxide (NO) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Methods: The levels of NO, ICAM-1, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were determined using the nitrate reductase method, ELISA, immunohistochemical and image analyses.

Results: The ox-LDL can significantly increase the expression of ICAM-1 and inhibit the expression of NO and NOS in a dose-dependent manner. Fosinopril and valsartan can significantly inhibit these roles of ox-LDL. The roles of fosinopril and valsartan were not significantly different.

Conclusion: Fosinopril and valsartan inhibit oxidized LDL-induced expression of ICAM-1 and increase the expression of NO in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which is one of the mechanisms of antiatherosclerosis.