Search results for "Smooth Muscle"

Enzymatically Degraded, Nonoxidized LDL Induces Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Activation, Foam Cell Transformation, and Proliferation

2000

Background —Enzymatic, nonoxidative modification transforms LDL to an atherogenic molecule (E-LDL) that activates complement and macrophages and is present in early atherosclerotic lesions. Methods and Results —We report on the atherogenic effects of E-LDL on human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). E-LDL accumulated in these cells, and this was accompanied by selective induction of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the absence of effects on the expression of interleukin (IL)-8, RANTES, or monocyte inflammatory proteins-1α and -β). Furthermore, E-LDL stimulated the expression of gp130, the signal-transducing chain of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) family, and the secretion of IL-6. E-LDL invok…

Acute relaxant effects of 17-beta-estradiol through non-genomic mechanisms in rabbit carotid artery.

2002

Estrogens could play a cardiovascular protective role not only by means of systemic effects but also by means of direct effects on vascular structure and function. We have studied the acute effects and mechanisms of action of 17-beta-estradiol on vascular tone of rabbit isolated carotid artery. 17-Beta-estradiol (10, 30, and 100 microM) elicited concentration-dependent relaxation of 50 mM KCl-induced active tone in male and female rabbit carotid artery. The stereoisomer 17-alpha-estradiol showed lesser relaxant effects in male rabbits. Endothelium removal did not modify relaxation induced by 17-beta-estradiol. The NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (100 microM) only reduced significantly relaxati…

Pharmacological profile of phytoestrogens in cerebral vessels: in vitro study with rabbit basilar artery.

2003

As a previous step to consider their use in the pharmacology for stroke, we investigated the effects of four phytoestrogens (i.e. genistein, daidzein, zearalanone and biochanin A) on cerebral vessels. Cerebral vascular responses were analyzed by conventional recording of isometric tension in rabbit basilar artery segments kept in organ bath under standard conditions. The four phytoestrogens elicited concentration-dependent relaxant responses of different potency in basilar artery segments previously contracted with either 5x10(-2) M KCl or 10(-4) M UTP. Neither endothelium removal, 10(-4) M N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor), 10(-5) M1 H-[1…

Mechanism of the cardiovascular activity of laudanosine: comparison with papaverine and other benzylisoquinolines.

1994

1. The activity of (+/-)-laudanosine, a benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, was investigated in pithed rats and rat isolated aorta. Its effects on [3H]-(+)-cis-diltiazem and [3H]-nitrendipine binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes, and on the different molecular forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE) isolated from bovine aorta were investigated. 2. The dose-response curve to methoxamine (3-300 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) in normotensive pithed rats was shifted to the right by (+/-)-laudanosine, 3 and 6 mg kg-1. 3. (+/-)-Laudanosine inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the contractile responses evoked by noradrenaline (NA 1 microM), depolarizing solution (KCl 80 mM) o…

Dexamethasone upregulates Nox1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

2014

<b><i>Background/Aim:</i></b> It has been demonstrated that dexamethasone-induced hypertension can be prevented by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. The effect of dexamethasone on NADPH oxidase, however, is unknown. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on the gene expression of Nox1, the major NADPH oxidase isoform in vascular smooth muscle cells. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Oral treatment of Wistar-Kyoto rats with dexamethasone (0.03 mg/kg/day) for 12 days led to an upregulation of Nox1 mRNA expression in the aorta. In cultured A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells, dexamethasone increased Nox1 mRNA expressi…

Fludarabine prevents smooth muscle proliferation in vitro and neointimal hyperplasia in vivo through specific inhibition of STAT-1 activation.

2007

Drug-eluting stents are increasingly used to reduce in-stent restenosis and adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary interventions. However, the race for the ideal drug-eluting stent is still on, with special regard to the best stent-coating system and the most effective and less toxic drug. Fludarabine, a nucleoside analog, has both anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative cellular effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the cellular and molecular effects of fludarabine on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth in vitro and in vivo and the feasibility and efficacy of a fludarabine-eluting stent. To study the biomolecular effects of fludarabine on VSMC proliferation…

Effect of testosterone on intracellular Ca++ in vascular smooth muscle cells.

2001

Increased responsiveness of human pulmonary arteries in patients with positive bronchodilator response.

1996

Abstract 1. The effects of noradrenaline, endothelin-1, acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were studied in isolated pulmonary arteries obtained from 14 patients undergoing lobectomy for lung carcinoma. Seven patients had shown increased response to a bronchodilator test prior to operation. In the remaining patients (control) the bronchodilator test was negative. 2. Artery rings from patients with a positive bronchodilator response showed greater contraction to noradrenaline (pD2 = 6.44 +/- 0.1; Emax = 93 +/- 9% of response to 100 mM KCl) and endothelin-1 (pD2 = 8.92 +/- 0.1; Emax = 130 +/- 16%) than the rings from control patients (pD2 = 6.04 +/- 0.08; Emax = 56 +/- 8% for noradrenaline…

Villification: How the Gut Gets Its Villi

2013

Intestinal Villus Formation The intestinal villi are essential elaborations of the lining of the gut that increase the epithelial surface area for nutrient absorption. Shyer et al. (p. 212 , published online 29 August; see the Perspective by Simons ) show that in both the developing human and chick gut, the villi are formed in a step-wise progression, involving the sequential folding of the endoderm into longitudinal ridges, via a zigzag pattern, to finally form individual villi. These changes are established through the differentiation of the smooth muscle layers of the gut, restricting the expansion of the adjacent proliferating and growing endoderm and mesenchyme, generating compressive …

Redox signaling (cross-talk) from and to mitochondria involves mitochondrial pores and reactive oxygen species

2010

This review highlights the important role of redox signaling between mitochondria and NADPH oxidases. Besides the definition and general importance of redox signaling, the cross-talk between mitochondrial and Nox-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) is discussed on the basis of 4 different examples. In the first model, angiotensin-II is discussed as a trigger for NADPH oxidase activation with subsequent ROS-dependent opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels leading to depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential followed by mitochondrial ROS formation and respiratory dysfunction. This concept was supported by observations that ethidium bromide-induced mitochondrial d…