Protective role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Oxidative Stress in the Blood Labyrinthine Barrier in the Macula Utricle of Meniere's Disease Patients

The blood labyrinthine barrier (BLB) is critical in the maintenance of inner ear ionic and fluid homeostasis. Recent studies using imaging and histopathology demonstrate loss of integrity of the BLB in the affected inner ear of Meniere's disease (MD) patients. We hypothesized that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of BLB degeneration, and to date there are no studies of oxidative stress proteins in the human BLB. We investigated the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical changes of the BLB in the vestibular endorgan, the macula utricle, from patients with MD (n = 10), acoustic neuroma (AN) (n = 6) and normative autopsy specimens (n = 3) with no inner ear disease. Each subject had a well-documented clinical history and audiovestibular testing. Utricular maculae were studied using light and transmission electron microscopy and double labeling immunofluorescence. Vascular endothelial cells (VECs) were identified using isolectin B4 (IB4) and glucose-transporter-1 (GLUT-1). Pericytes were identified using alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and phalloidin. IB4 staining of VECS was consistently seen in both AN and normative. In contrast, IB4 was nearly undetectable in all MD specimens, consistent with the significant VEC damage confirmed on transmission electron microscopy. GLUT-1 was present in MD, AN, and normative. αSMA and phalloidin were expressed consistently in the BLB pericytes in normative, AN specimen, and Meniere's specimens. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nitrotyrosine were used as markers of oxidative stress. The VECs of the BLB in Meniere's had significantly higher levels of expression of iNOS and nitrotyrosine compared with normative and AN specimen. eNOS-IF staining showed similar patterns in normative and Meniere's specimens. Microarray-based gene expression profiling confirmed upregulation of iNOS mRNA from the macula utricle of Meniere's patients compared with AN. Nitrotyrosine, a marker recognized as a hallmark of inflammation, especially when seen in association with an upregulation of iNOS, was detected in the epithelial and stromal cells in addition to VECs in MD. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural degenerative changes of the VEC suggest that these cells are the primary targets of oxidative stress, and pericyte pathology including degeneration and migration, likely also plays a role in the loss of integrity of the BLB and triggering of inflammatory pathways in MD. These studies advance our scientific understanding of oxidative stress in the human inner ear BLB and otopathology.

Haplotype analysis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) genetic variants and metabolic syndrome in healthy subjects and schizophrenia patients

Background/objectives

The frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is significantly higher in schizophrenia (SCH) patients, when compared to the general populatiotin. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether genetic variants T-786C (rs2070744), G894T (rs1799983) and C774T (rs1549758) in the endothelial nitric oxide (NOS3) gene and/or their haplotypes could be associated with the risk of MetS in SCH patients or healthy subjects from Russian population.

Subjects/methods

We performed two case−control comparisons. NOS3 polymorphisms were genotyped in 70 SCH patients with MetS, 190 normal weight SCH patients, 155 MetS patients, and 100 healthy controls. MetS was defined as per the criteria proposed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Anthropometric, clinical, biochemical parameters, and serum nitrite concentrations were measured in all samples. Haplotype frequency estimations and linkage disequilibrium measures were made using Haploview 4.2.

Results

The higher C allele (P = 0.009) and lower TT genotype (P = 0.008) frequencies of T-786C polymorphism were found in SCH patients with MetS compared to those in normal weight SCH patients. SCH patients with MetS who were carriers of the T-786C TT genotype had lower serum total cholesterol levels in comparison to the CC genotype (P = 0.016). Furthermore, the 774T/894T haplotype was more frequent in non-SCH individuals with MetS compared to healthy controls (P = 0.0004, odds ratio = 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.4–3.37). Conversely, the most common haplotype 774C/894G was less frequent in MetS patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.013, odds ratio = 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.41–0.9).

Conclusions

These results indicate that the NOS3 T-786C promoter polymorphism was closely associated with MetS risk in SCH patients. In addition, the haplotypes composed of G894T and C774T polymorphisms are associated with the MetS susceptibility in Russian population.

Whole-brain low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy markedly improves cognitive dysfunctions in mouse models of dementia - Crucial roles of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic focused-ultrasound to the hippocampus has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects on dementia. In the present study, we examined whether the whole-brain LIPUS (low-intensity pulsed ultrasound) therapy is effective and safe in 2 mouse models of dementia (vascular dementia, VaD and Alzheimer's disease, AD), and if so, to elucidate the common underlying mechanism(s) involved.

METHODS

We used bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) model with micro-coils in male C57BL/6 mice as a VaD model and 5XFAD transgenic mice as an AD model. We applied the LIPUS therapy (1.875 MHz, 6.0 kHz, 32cycles) to the whole brain.

RESULTS

In both models, the LIPUS therapy markedly ameliorated cognitive impairments (Y-maze test and/or passive avoidance test) associated with improved cerebral blood flow (CBF). Mechanistically, the LIPUS therapy significantly increased CD31-positive endothelial cells and Olig2-positive oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in the VaD model, while it reduced Iba-1-positive microglias and amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque in the AD model. In both models, endothelium-related genes were significantly upregulated in RNA-sequencing, and expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neurotrophins were upregulated in Western blotting. Interestingly, the increases in glia cells and neurotrophin expressions showed significant correlations with eNOS expression. Importantly, these beneficial effects of LIPUS were absent in eNOS-knockout mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the whole-brain LIPUS is an effective and non-invasive therapy for dementia by activating specific cells corresponding to each pathology, for which eNOS activation plays an important role as a common mechanism.

N-acetylcysteine protects against diabetic nephropathy through control of oxidative and nitrosative stress by recovery of nitric oxide in rats

The diabetes mellitus (DM) induces several changes, with substantial increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS cause damage to systemic and renal microvasculature, which could be one of the mechanisms involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The ROS modulate other substances like the nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator with important role in the renal function. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant that acts replenishing intracellular cysteine levels, which is essential for glutathione formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early or late NAC treatment on oxidative/nitrosative stress in DN progression. All rats were submitted to unilateral nephrectomy and diabetes was induced with streptozotocin. The animals were allocated into six groups: controls that received water (CTL) or NAC (CTL + NAC); diabetic groups that received early or late, water (DM-E; DM-L) or NAC (DM + NAC-E; DM + NAC-L), started on 5th day (early) or 4th week (late) after diabetes induction, during 8 weeks. After NAC treatment, the rats were placed in individual metabolic cages to obtain urine and blood samples for analysis of metabolic profile, renal function, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and NO. At the end of the protocol, the renal cortex was removed for TBARS, NOS evaluation, antioxidants markers and histology. The DM-E group compared to CTL showed a significant increase in glycemia and proteinuria and impaired renal function; there was a significant increase of TBARS in plasma, urine and renal tissue, and also a significant decrease in plasma NO, which were reverted after early NAC treatment. The eNOS was decreased and iNOS was increased in DM-E vs. CTL, p < 0.05. The early NAC treatment in DM rats reduced proteinuria, creatinine, urea, TBARS and iNOS and, increased creatinine clearance, NO and eNOS, increasing significantly the antioxidant defenses, promoting elevated catalase and glutathione compared to DM-E group, all p < 0.05. The late NAC treatment in diabetic rats vs.DM-E showed reduced proteinuria and TBARS excretion and higher values of creatinine clearance and NO, all statistically significant. Histological analysis of the animals in DM-E or DM-L showed significant tubular changes with degeneration and vacuolization in tubular cells, dilated tubular lumen, intense glycosidic degeneration, and discreet mesangial expansion with interstitial fibrosis area. The DM + NAC-E group showed moderate glycosidic degeneration, however, did not present tubular degeneration or fibrosis. The DM + NAC-L group showed severe glycosidic degeneration, moderate tubular cell degeneration, light and focal dilatation of the tubules, with no fibrosis. Our study showed that NAC protected the diabetic rats against renal injury, probably due to the control of oxidative stress via recovery of the NO bioavailability, showing that early NAC was more effective than late treatment. All these data suggest that NAC may be useful in the adjuvant treatment in a safe way, in the early phase of the disease. Eventually, prolonged treatment, even if it is started later, could change the natural history of the disease, delaying the complications of diabetes in renal tissue.

Age-Dependent Decrease in Adropin is Associated with Reduced Levels of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Increased Oxidative Stress in the Rat Brain

Adropin is a peptide highly expressed in the brain. Emerging evidence indicates that low plasma levels of adropin are closely associated with aging and endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that aging reduces adropin levels in the brain, which correlates with reduced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and increased oxidative stress associated with age-related endothelial dysfunction. Cortical brain tissue and plasma were collected from young (10-12 weeks old) and aged (18-20 months old) male Sprague-Dawley naïve rats. Using RT-qPCR, we quantified the mRNA levels of the energy homeostasis associated (Enho) gene encoding for adropin. Western blotting was utilized to measure adropin and markers of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the brain tissue. Levels of adropin in plasma were measured using an ELISA kit. Compared to young rats, both Enho mRNA and protein levels were dramatically reduced in the aged rat brain, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in plasma adropin levels in aged compared to young rats. Additionally, total and phosphorylated levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were significantly decreased in aged rat brains and were associated with dramatically increased gp91^phox-containing NADPH oxidase (a major source of free radicals) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a lipid peroxidation marker. Brain levels of Akt and caveolin-1 were significantly reduced in aged rats compared with young animals. Collectively, these findings indicate that adropin levels negatively correlate with markers of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative injury, which raises the possibility that loss of brain adropin might play a role in the pathogenesis and development of aging-associated cerebrovascular dysfunction.

Does penile tourniquet application alter bacterial adhesion to rat urethral cells: an in vitro study

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of penile tourniquet (PT) application on bacterial adhesion to urothelium.

METHODS

Fifty-six rats were allocated into control group (CG), sham group (SG), PT group (PTG). No intervention was applied in CG. A 5mm-length urethral repair was performed in SG and PTG. In PTG, a 10-min duration of PT was applied during the procedure and the tissue oxygenation monitor was used to adjust the same degree of ischemia in all subjects. Samples were examined for wound healing parameters and tissue levels of inflammatory markers, eNOS, e-selectin, and ICAM-1antibodies. The adhesion of Escherichia coli to urothelium was investigated with in vitro adhesion assay.

RESULTS

Inflammation was higher and wound healing was worse in SG than CG and in PTG in comparison to CG and SG (p<0.05). The endothelial damage, as shown by eNOS expression, was significantly higher in PTG compared to CG and SG (p<0.05). The staining with ICAM-1 and e-selectin antibodies, showing increased inflammatory response to bacterial adhesion, was significantly higher in PTG compared to CG and SG (p<0.05). In vitro urethral cell proliferation was achieved only in CG and SG revealing significantly increased adhesion in SG compared to CG (p<0.05). The PT application caused endothelial corruption and prevented cell proliferation in cell culture.

CONCLUSION

The PT application does not improve wound healing and increases bacterial adhesion molecules in penile tissue. The in vitro assays showed that PT causes severe endothelial damage and inhibits endothelial cell proliferation.

Diabetic macular oedema: under-represented in the genetic analysis of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, is a complex disease and is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults worldwide. It can be divided into distinct subclasses, one of which is diabetic macular oedema. Diabetic macular oedema can occur at any time in diabetic retinopathy and is the most common cause of vision loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the large number of genetic association studies that have been performed in cohorts of patients with type 2 diabetes and published in English-language journals up to February 2017. Many of these studies have produced positive associations with gene polymorphisms and diabetic retinopathy. However, this review highlights that within this large body of work, studies specifically addressing a genetic association with diabetic macular oedema, although present, are vastly under-represented. We also highlight that many of the studies have small patient numbers and that meta-analyses often inappropriately combine patient data sets. We conclude that there will continue to be conflicting results and no meaningful findings will be achieved if the historical approach of combining all diabetic retinopathy disease states within patient cohorts continues in future studies. This review also identifies several genes that would be interesting to analyse in large, well-defined cohorts of patients with diabetic macular oedema in future candidate gene association studies.

The acute effect of coffee on endothelial function and glucose metabolism following a glucose load in healthy human volunteers

A diet rich in plant polyphenols has been suggested to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, in part, via improvements in endothelial function. Coffee is a rich source of phenolic compounds including the phenolic acid, chlorogenic acid (CGA). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of coffee as a whole beverage on endothelial function, blood pressure and blood glucose concentration. Twelve healthy men and women were recruited to a randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, with three treatments tested: (i) 18 g of ground caffeinated coffee containing 300 mg CGA in 200 mL of hot water, (ii) 18 g of decaffeinated coffee containing 287 mg CGA in 200 mL of hot water, and (iii) 200 mL of hot water (control). Treatment beverages were consumed twice, two hours apart, with the second beverage consumed simultaneously with a 75 g glucose load. Blood pressure was recorded and the finger prick glucose test was performed at time = 0 and then every 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Endothelial function, assessed using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery, was measured at 1 hour and a blood sample taken at 2 hours to measure plasma nitrate/nitrite and 5-CGA concentrations. The FMD response was significantly higher in the caffeinated coffee group compared to both decaffeinated coffee and water groups (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the FMD response between decaffeinated coffee and water. Blood glucose concentrations and blood pressure were not different between the three treatment groups. In conclusion, the consumption of caffeinated coffee resulted in a significant improvement in endothelial function, but there was no evidence for benefit regarding glucose metabolism or blood pressure. Although the mechanism has yet to be elucidated the results suggest that coffee as a whole beverage may improve endothelial function, or that caffeine is the component of coffee responsible for improving FMD.

Annonaceae: Breaking the Wall of Inflammation

Inventories of tropical forests have listed Annonaceae as one of the most diverse plant families. For centuries, it is employed in traditional medicines to cure various pathological conditions including snakebite, analgesic, astringent, diarrhea, dysentery, arthritis pain, rheumatism, neuralgia, and weight loss etc. Phytochemical analysis of Annonaceae family have reported the occurrence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, diterpenes and diterpene flavone glycosides, sterols, lignans, and annonaceous acetogenin characteristically affiliated with Annonaceae sp. Numerous past studies have underlined the pleotropic pharmacological activities of the crude extracts and isolated compounds from Annonaceae species. This review is an effort to abridge the ethnobotany, morphology, phytochemistry, toxicity, and particularly focusing on the anti-inflammatory activity of the Annonaceae species.

Roles of nitric oxide and ethyl pyruvate after peripheral nerve injury

Short-lived reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species have acquired significant attention in the field of biomedical science. Nitric oxide (NO), which was thought to be an unstable gas and pollutant, is now regarded as a gas transmitter like H2S and CO. NO is synthesized inside the mammalian body by l-arginine via three different isoforms of NO synthase whereas pyruvate is a glycolysis product and substrate for TCA cycle. Due to poor solubility and stability, therapeutic potential of pyruvate is limited. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is now considered as a suitable replacement of pyruvate. In this paper, we will try to focus the effect of NO and EP in Schwann cell dedifferentiation, proliferation, nerve degeneration, and regeneration during Wallerian degeneration (WD) of peripheral nerve injury along with their neuroprotective effects, cardiovascular functioning, support in hepatic complication, etc.

Serum metabolome biomarkers associate low-level environmental perfluorinated compound exposure with oxidative /nitrosative stress in humans

Previous in vivo and in vitro studies have linked perfluorinated compound (PFC) exposure with metabolic interruption, but the inter-species difference and high treatment doses usually make the results difficult to be extrapolated to humans directly. The best strategy for identifying the metabolic interruption may be to establish the direct correlations between monitored PFCs data and metabolic data on human samples. In this study, serum metabolome data and PFC concentrations were acquired for a Chinese adult male cohort. The most abundant PFCs are PFOA and PFOS with concentration medians 7.56 and 12.78 nM, respectively; in together they count around 81.6% of the total PFCs. PFC concentration-related serum metabolic profile changes and the related metabolic biomarkers were explored by using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Respectively taking PFOS, PFOA and total PFC as the classifiers, serum metabolome can be differentiated between the lowest dose group (1st quartile PFCs) and the highest PFC dose group (4th quartile PFCs). Ten potential PFC biomarkers were identified, mainly involving in pollutant detoxification, antioxidation and nitric oxide (NO) signal pathways. These suggested that low-level environmental PFC exposure has significantly adverse impacts on glutathione (GSH) cycle, Krebs cycle, nitric oxide (NO) generation and purine oxidation in humans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report investigating the association of environmental PFC exposure with human serum metabolome alteration. Given the important biological functions of the identified biomarkers, we suggest that PFC could increase the metabolism syndromes risk including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Antihypertensive methyldopa, labetalol, hydralazine, and clonidine reversed tumour necrosis factor-α inhibited endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in endothelial-trophoblast cellular networks

Medications used to control hypertension in pregnancy also improve trophoblast and endothelial cellular interaction in vitro. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibits trophoblast and endothelial cellular interactions and simultaneously decreases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. This study investigated whether antihypertensive medications improved these cellular interactions by modulating eNOS and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Human uterine myometrial microvascular endothelial cells (UtMVECs) were pre-incubated with (or without) low dose TNF-α (0.5 ng/mL) or TNF-α plus soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) (100 ng/mL). The endothelial cells were cultured on Matrigel. After endothelial cellular networks appeared, trophoblast derived HTR-8/SVneo cells were co-cultured in the presence of clinically relevant doses of methyldopa, labetalol, hydralazine or clonidine for 24 hours. Cells were retrieved from the Matrigel to extract mRNA and eNOS and iNOS expression were examined by quantitative PCR. Methyldopa, labetalol, hydralazine and clonidine reversed the inhibitory effect of TNF-α on eNOS mRNA expression. After pre-incubating endothelial cells with TNF-α and sFlt-1, all the medications except methyldopa lost their effect on eNOS mRNA expression. In the absence of TNF-α, antihypertensive medications did not change eNOS expression. The mRNA expression of iNOS was not affected by TNF-α or any medications. This study shows that selected antihypertensive medications used in the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy increase eNOS expression in vitro when induced by the inflammatory TNF-α. The anti-angiogenic molecule sFlt-1 may antagonise the potential benefit of these medications by interfering with the NOS pathway.

T786C Mutation in the Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene in Patients With Primary Osteonecrosis

Mutations in the T786C endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (eNOS) are associated with osteonecrosis and Prinzmetal's angina. Nitric oxide is necessary for bone health and ameliorates Prinzmetal's angina. This study compared mutations of T786C eNOS in 146 patients with primary osteonecrosis, 114 patients with Prinzmetal's angina, and 83 normal control subjects. Patients with osteonecrosis had more mutant eNOS alleles than control subjects (42% vs 22%, respectively; P<.0001) but had the same number of mutant alleles as patients with Prinzmetal's angina (42% vs 41%, respectively; P=.7), who in turn had more mutant eNOS alleles than control subjects (41% vs 22%, respectively; P=.0001). Of 146 patients with primary osteonecrosis, 65 (45%) had none of the 5 thrombophilias (Factor V Leiden heterozygosity, high levels of Factors VIII and XI, anticardiolipin antibody immunoglobulin M, and homocysteine) that otherwise distinguished patients with osteonecrosis from control subjects (P<.05). No associations were found between eNOS hetero-homozygosity and the 5 major thrombophilias in primary osteonecrosis. Of the 65 patients who had osteonecrosis but no major thrombophilias, for 41 (28% of the total sample of 146), eNOS hetero-homozygosity was the only abnormality. Normalization of nitric oxide levels with l-arginine 9 g/d or l-citrulline 800 mg/d, both of which relieve vasospastic angina in Prinzmetal's angina, which has the same eNOS genotype as primary osteonecrosis, may slow or stop the progression of osteonecrosis. Placebo-controlled trials of patients with primary osteonecrosis who are hetero-homozygous for the T786C eNOS mutation and have no major thrombophilias are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of this treatment. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e898-e903.].

Multiple therapeutic effect of endothelial progenitor cell regulated by drugs in diabetes and diabetes related disorder

BACKGROUND

Reduced levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) counts have been reported in diabetic mellitus (DM) patients and other diabetes-related disorder. EPCs are a circulating, bone marrow-derived cell population that appears to participate in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and damage repair. These EPC may revert the damage caused in diabetic condition. We aim to identify several existing drugs and signaling molecule, which could alleviate or improve the diabetes condition via mobilizing and increasing EPC number as well as function.

MAIN BODY

Accumulated evidence suggests that dysregulation of EPC phenotype and function may be attributed to several signaling molecules and cytokines in DM patients. Hyperglycemia alone, through the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via eNOS and NOX, can induce changes in gene expression and cellular behavior in diabetes. Furthermore, reports suggest that EPC telomere shortening via increased oxidative DNA damage may play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients. In this review, different type of EPC derived from different sources has been discussed along with cell-surface marker. The reduced number and immobilized EPC in diabetic condition have been mobilized for the therapeutic purpose via use of existing, and novel drugs have been discussed. Hence, evidence list of all types of drugs that have been reported to target the same pathway which affect EPC number and function in diabetes has been reviewed. Additionally, we highlight that proteins are critical in diabetes via polymorphism and inhibitor studies. Ultimately, a lucid pictorial explanation of diabetic and normal patient signaling pathways of the collected data have been presented in order to understand the complex signaling mystery underlying in the diseased and normal condition.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we conclude on eNOS-metformin-HSp90 signaling and its remedial effect for controlling the EPC to improve the diabetic condition for delaying diabetes-related complication. Altogether, the review gives a holistic overview about the elaborate therapeutic effect of EPC regulated by novel and existing drugs in diabetes and diabetes-related disorder.

Association of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Polymorphism with Susceptibility and Nephritis Development of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura in Chinese Han Children

OBJECTIVE

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common form of systemic small-vessel vasculitis in children. Previous studies suggested endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of HSP. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the eNOS gene and HSP risk and nephritis development in a Chinese Han population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted including 459 healthy children and 423 children with HSP. SNPs were genotyped by using the MassARRAY system.

RESULTS

The genotypic frequency of rs11771443 was nominally associated with the risk of HSP (p = 0.010), and the C allele significantly increased the risk of HSP (p = 0.003, odds ratio [OR] = 1.331, confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.104-1.605). There was a significant difference in allelic and genotypic distribution of rs1799983 between children with HSP and healthy controls (p = 0.002 and 0.0001, respectively). Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed in two blocks. Significantly fewer T-A-G haplotypes (p = 0.0001, OR = 0.593, 95% CI = 0.448-0.786) were found in children with HSP. No significant association was identified between the 10 SNPs and the pathogenesis of HSP progression to HSP nephritis (HSPN).

CONCLUSIONS

The polymorphisms of eNOS contribute to genetic susceptibility to HSP, but may have no effect on children with HSP progressing to HSPN.

A20 Haploinsufficiency Aggravates Transplant Arteriosclerosis in Mouse Vascular Allografts: Implications for Clinical Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of transplant arteriosclerosis (TA). We questioned whether physiologic levels of anti-inflammatory A20 influence TA severity.

METHODS

We performed major histocompatibility complex mismatched aorta to carotid artery interposition grafts, using wild type (WT) or A20 heterozygote (HET) C57BL/6 (H-2) donors and BALB/c (H-2) recipients, and conversely BALB/c donors and WT/HET recipients. We analyzed aortic allografts by histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and gene profiling (quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). We validated select in vivo A20 targets in human and mouse smooth muscle cell (SMC) cultures.

RESULTS

We noted significantly greater intimal hyperplasia in HET versus WT allografts, indicating aggravated TA. Inadequate upregulation of A20 in HET allografts after transplantation was associated with excessive NF-кB activation, gauged by higher levels of IkBα, p65, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, CXCL10, CCL2, TNF, and IL-6 (mostly localized to SMC). Correspondingly, cytokine-induced upregulation of TNF and IL-6 in human and mouse SMC cultures inversely correlated with A20 expression. Aggravated TA in HET versus WT allografts correlated with increased intimal SMC proliferation, and a higher number of infiltrating IFNγ and Granzyme B CD4 T cells and natural killer cells, and lower number of FoxP3 regulatory T cells. A20 haploinsufficiency in allograft recipients did not influence TA.

CONCLUSIONS

A20 haploinsufficiency in vascular allografts aggravates lesions of TA by exacerbating inflammation, SMC proliferation, and infiltration of pathogenic T cells. A20 single nucleotide polymorphisms associating with lower A20 expression or function in donors of vascularized allografts may inform risk and severity of TA, highlighting the clinical implications of our findings.

Association of Glu298Asp Polymorphism of Endothelial NO Synthase Gene with Metabolic Syndrome Development: a Pilot Study

We studied association of single nucleotide polymorphism Glu298Asp (rs1799983) of the NOS3 gene with the risk of metabolic syndrome in the Slavic population. Blood samples were obtained from 128 patients with metabolic syndrome and 100 healthy individuals. Polymorphism Glu298Asp of the NOS3 gene was genotyped by allele-specific PCR. Allele Asp (OR=1.95, 95%CI 1.29-2.95, p=0.007) and genotype Asp/Asp (OR=2.56, 95%CI 0.98-6.72, p=0.04) were associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome in Slavic population. Patients with metabolic syndrome carrying genotype Asp/Asp had higher serum endothelin-1 level in comparison with Glu/Asp and Glu/Glu carriers.

Nitric oxide mediates aortic disease in mice deficient in the metalloprotease Adamts1 and in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome

Heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD), including Marfan syndrome (MFS), currently lack a cure, and causative mutations have been identified for only a fraction of affected families. Here we identify the metalloproteinase ADAMTS1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) as therapeutic targets in individuals with TAAD. We show that Adamts1 is a major mediator of vascular homeostasis, given that genetic haploinsufficiency of Adamts1 in mice causes TAAD similar to MFS. Aortic nitric oxide and Nos2 levels were higher in Adamts1-deficient mice and in a mouse model of MFS (hereafter referred to as MFS mice), and Nos2 inactivation protected both types of mice from aortic pathology. Pharmacological inhibition of Nos2 rapidly reversed aortic dilation and medial degeneration in young Adamts1-deficient mice and in young or old MFS mice. Patients with MFS showed elevated NOS2 and decreased ADAMTS1 protein levels in the aorta. These findings uncover a possible causative role for the ADAMTS1-NOS2 axis in human TAAD and warrant evaluation of NOS2 inhibitors for therapy.

Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Sulfide Interact When Modulating Gastric Physiological Functions in Rodents

AIM

The objective was to evaluate the effects of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) donors and possible interactions between these two systems in modulating gastric function.

METHODS

Mice received saline, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or sodium hydrosulfite (NaHS), and after 1 h, the animals were killed for immunofluorescence analysis of CSE or eNOS expressions, respectively. Other groups received saline, SNP, NaHS, Lawesson's reagent (H₂S donor), PAG + SNP, L-NAME, L-NAME + NaHS, or L-NAME + Lawesson's reagent. Then, the gastric secretions (mucous and acid), gastric blood flow, gastric defense against ethanol, and gastric motility (gastric emptying and gastric contractility) were evaluated.

RESULTS

SNP and NaHS increased the expression of CSE or eNOS, respectively. SNP or Lawesson's reagent did not alter gastric acid secretion but increased mucus production, and these effects reverted with PAG and L-NAME treatment, respectively. SNP or NaHS increased gastric blood flow and protected the gastric mucosa against ethanol injury, and these effects reverted with PAG and L-NAME treatments, respectively. SNP delayed gastric emptying when compared with saline, and PAG partially reversed this effect. NaHS accelerate gastric emptying, and L-NAME partially reversed this effect. SNP and NaHS alone induced gastric fundus and pylorus relaxation. However, pretreatment with PAG or L-NAME reversed these relaxant effects only in the pylorus but not in the gastric fundus.

CONCLUSION

NO and H₂S interact in gastric physiological functions, and this "cross-talk" is important in the control of mucus secretion, gastric blood flow, gastric mucosal defense, and gastric motility, but not in the control of basal gastric acid secretion.

Increased Wnt5a in squamous cell lung carcinoma inhibits endothelial cell motility

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis is important both in normal tissue function and disease and represents a key target in lung cancer (LC) therapy. Unfortunately, the two main subtypes of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) namely, adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) respond differently to anti-angiogenic e.g. anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A treatment with life-threatening side effects, often pulmonary hemorrhage in SCC. The mechanisms behind such adverse reactions are still largely unknown, although peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) gamma as well as Wnt-s have been named as molecular regulators of the process. As the Wnt microenvironments in NSCLC subtypes are drastically different, we hypothesized that the particularly high levels of non-canonical Wnt5a in SCC might be responsible for alterations in blood vessel growth and result in serious adverse reactions.

METHODS

PPARgamma, VEGF-A, Wnt5a, miR-27b and miR-200b levels were determined in resected adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma samples by qRT-PCR and TaqMan microRNA assay. The role of PPARgamma in VEGF-A expression, and the role of Wnts in overall regulation was investigated using PPARgamma knock-out mice, cancer cell lines and fully human, in vitro 3 dimensional (3D), distal lung tissue aggregates. PPARgamma mRNA and protein levels were tested by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. PPARgamma activity was measured by a PPRE reporter system. The tissue engineered lung tissues expressing basal level and lentivirally delivered VEGF-A were treated with recombinant Wnts, chemical Wnt pathway modifiers, and were subjected to PPARgamma agonist and antagonist treatment.

RESULTS

PPARgamma down-regulation and VEGF-A up-regulation are characteristic to both AC and SCC. Increased VEGF-A levels are under direct control of PPARgamma. PPARgamma levels and activity, however, are under Wnt control. Imbalance of both canonical (in AC) and non-canonical (in SCC) Wnts leads to PPARgamma down-regulation. While canonical Wnts down-regulate PPARgamma directly, non-canonical Wnt5a increases miR27b that is known regulator of PPARgamma.

CONCLUSION

During carcinogenesis the Wnt microenvironment alters, which can downregulate PPARgamma leading to increased VEGF-A expression. Differences in the Wnt microenvironment in AC and SCC of NSCLC lead to PPARgamma decrease via mechanisms that differentially alter endothelial cell motility and branching which in turn can influence therapeutic response.

Physiological and Pathogenic Roles of Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 in Metabolic Regulations via Multiple Signal Transduction Pathway Modulations

Prolyl isomerases are divided into three groups, the FKBP family, Cyclophilin and the Parvulin family (Pin1 and Par14). Among these isomerases, Pin1 is a unique prolyl isomerase binding to the motif including pSer/pThr-Pro that is phosphorylated by kinases. Once bound, Pin1 modulates the enzymatic activity, protein stability or subcellular localization of target proteins by changing the cis- and trans-formations of proline. Several studies have examined the roles of Pin1 in the pathogenesis of cancers and Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, recent studies have newly demonstrated Pin1 to be involved in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. Interestingly, while Pin1 expression is markedly increased by high-fat diet feeding, Pin1 KO mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and diabetic vascular dysfunction. These phenomena result from the binding of Pin1 to several key factors regulating metabolic functions, which include insulin receptor substrate-1, AMPK, Crtc2 and NF-κB p65. In this review, we focus on recent advances in elucidating the physiological roles of Pin1 as well as the pathogenesis of disorders involving this isomerase, from the viewpoint of the relationships between signal transductions and metabolic functions.

Evaluation of 5-HT7 Receptor Trafficking on In Vivo and In Vitro Model of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Inflammatory Cell Injury in Rats and LPS-Treated A549 Cells

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the 5-HT7 receptor agonist (LP44) and antagonist (SB269970) on LPS-induced in vivo tissue damage and cell culture by molecular methods. This study was conducted in two steps. For in vivo studies, 24 female rats were divided into four groups. Group I: healthy; II (2nd h): LPS 5 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally (i.p.); III (4th h): LPS 5 mg/kg administered i.p.; IV (8th h): LPS 5 mg/kg administered i.p. For in vitro studies, we used the A549 cell line. Groups: I control (healthy) (2-4 h); II LPS: 1 µg/ml E. Coli O55:B5 strain (2-4 h); III agonist (LP44) 10^-9 M (2-4 h); IV antagonist (SB269970) 10^-9 M (2-4 h); V LPS+agonist 10^-9 M (LP44 1 µg/ml) (2-4 h); VI LPS+antagonist 10^-9 M (2-4 h). In molecular analyses, we determined increased TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, and 5-HT7 mRNA expressions in rat lung tissues and increased TNF-α, iNOS, and 5-HT7 mRNA expressions in the A549 cell line. In in vitro parameters, LP44 agonist administration-related decrease was observed. Our study showed that lung 5-HT7 receptor expression is increased in LPS-induced endotoxemia. All this data suggest that 5-HT7 receptor overexpression is an important protective mechanism during LPS-induced sepsis-related cell damage.

Targeting Nitric Oxide with Natural Derived Compounds as a Therapeutic Strategy in Vascular Diseases

Within the family of endogenous gasotransmitters, nitric oxide (NO) is the smallest gaseous intercellular messenger involved in the modulation of several processes, such as blood flow and platelet aggregation control, essential to maintain vascular homeostasis. NO is produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and its effects are mediated by cGMP-dependent or cGMP-independent mechanisms. Growing evidence suggests a crosstalk between the NO signaling and the occurrence of oxidative stress in the onset and progression of vascular diseases, such as hypertension, heart failure, ischemia, and stroke. For these reasons, NO is considered as an emerging molecular target for developing therapeutic strategies for cardio- and cerebrovascular pathologies. Several natural derived compounds, such as polyphenols, are now proposed as modulators of NO-mediated pathways. The aim of this review is to highlight the experimental evidence on the involvement of nitric oxide in vascular homeostasis focusing on the therapeutic potential of targeting NO with some natural compounds in patients with vascular diseases.

Absence of In Vivo Generalized Pro-Inflammatory Endothelial Activation in Severe, Early-Onset Preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

At present it is unclear whether endothelial activation is systematically present in preeclampsia or restricted to specialized vascular beds. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of generalized proinflammatory endothelial activation in severe, early-onset preeclampsia in vivo.

METHODS

During caesarean section, biopsies were obtained from abdominal subcutaneous fat, abdominal fascia, and myometrium from 11 severe, early-onset preeclamptic and 19 healthy pregnant women. Prior to caesarean, section plasma levels of von Willebrand Factor (vWF), sVCAM-1, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by ELISA. Consecutive cryostat sections were stained immunohistochemically for CD31, E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1. For subcutaneous fat tissue, endothelial gene expression levels of E-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were quantified by real-time RT-PCR, using normalization to the endothelium-specific housekeeping genes CD31 and VE-cadherin.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of vWF, sVCAM-1, and CRP were elevated in the preeclampsia group compared to the control group, indicating enhanced endothelial activation and inflammatory response in the severely diseased preeclamptic women. By immunohistochemical analysis, no E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression could be detected in, and no differences in endothelial ICAM-1 staining could be observed between the preeclampsia and the control group for all tissues studied. Endothelial gene expression levels of E-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, ET-1, and eNOS were comparable between the preeclampsia and control group.

CONCLUSION

Protein and gene expression analysis of E-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, ET-1, and eNOS, key mediators involved in pro-inflammatory endothelial activation, could not identify endothelial activation in severe, early-onset preeclampsia in the tissues studied. However, elevated plasma levels of markers of endothelial activation and inflammation were observed. These results may suggest that in severe, early-onset preeclampsia pro-inflammatory endothelial cell activation is not a generalized phenomenon, but is likely restricted to (possibly organ-specific) specialized vascular beds.

Melatonin role preventing steatohepatitis and improving liver transplantation results

Liver steatosis is a prevalent process that is induced due to alcoholic or non-alcoholic intake. During the course of these diseases, the generation of reactive oxygen species, followed by molecular damage to lipids, protein and DMA occurs generating organ cell death. Transplantation is the last-resort treatment for the end stage of both acute and chronic hepatic diseases, but its success depends on ability to control ischemia-reperfusion injury, preservation fluids used, and graft quality. Melatonin is a powerful endogenous antioxidant produced by the pineal gland and a variety of other because of its efficacy in organs; melatonin has been investigated to improve the outcome of organ transplantation by reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury and due to its synergic effect with organ preservation fluids. Moreover, this indolamine also prevent liver steatosis. That is important because this disease may evolve leading to an organ transplantation. This review summarizes the observations related to melatonin beneficial actions in organ transplantation and ischemic-reperfusion models.

Time Course of Prostaglandin Analog-related Conjunctival Hyperemia and the Effect of a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Ophthalmic Solution

PURPOSE

It is reported that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ophthalmic solution affected the therapeutic efficacy of prostaglandin (PG) analog by inhibiting endogenous PG production. However, whether NSAID ophthalmic solution interferes with its conjunctival hyperemia is unknown. We investigated the effect of NSAID ophthalmic solution on its hyperemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 1-month trial. Benzalkonium chloride-free travoprost 0.004% was used as a PG analog and administered once daily (08:00) in both eyes. Bromfenac sodium hydrate was assigned randomly to 1 eye twice daily (08:00 and 20:00) (the NSAID side), whereas flavin adenine dinucleotide sodium was applied to the fellow eye of each patient twice daily (08:00 and 20:00) (the control side). Conjunctival photographs of both eyes were taken 3 times (08:00, 14:00, 20:00) on days 1, 2, 7, and 28, and hyperemia was scored from 0 to 5 (H-score). We compared H-scores on the NSAID and control sides.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight Japanese normal subjects completed the study. The H-score on the NSAID side was significantly lower than that on the control side on day 1 at 14:00 (P=0.016, paired t test) and day 2 at 14:00 (P=0.016). But there were no differences at 20:00 on each day and after that time.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of NSAID ophthalmic solution had almost no impact on PG analog-related conjunctival hyperemia. This partly suggests that the action mechanism of endogenous PG after administrating PG analog might be no correlation with conjunctival hyperemia.

Neuregulin Receptor ErbB2 Localization at T-tubule in Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle

Previous studies have indicated that ErbB receptors for neuregulins play an important role in cardiac development and muscle spindle formation during embryogenesis; however, little is known about their functions in adulthood. Recent reports indicate that breast cancer therapy with humanized monoclonal ErbB2 antibody induces cardiomyopathy, suggesting that ErbB2 serves as a crucial signaling receptor, even in the adult heart. Here, we examine ErbB2 expression and localization in both cardiac and skeletal muscle of adult mice via immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. ErbB2 was detected as a band ~185 kD molecular mass in each cardiac and skeletal muscle extraction. Confocal images of double labeling showed that ErbB2 was colocalized with caveolin-3 in cardiac muscle and with dihydropyridine receptor in skeletal muscle, suggesting that ErbB2 was localized at the T-tubule. In addition, immunoelectron micrographs clearly demonstrated that ErbB2 was located at the T-tubule in both types of muscle. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that neuregulin-ErbB2 signaling plays a role in the physiological function of cardiac and skeletal muscle, even in adulthood.

Potential benefits of melatonin in organ transplantation: a review

Organ transplantation is a useful therapeutic tool for patients with end-stage organ failure; however, graft rejection is a major obstacle in terms of a successful treatment. Rejection is usually a consequence of a complex immunological and nonimmunological antigen-independent cascade of events, including free radical-mediated ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). To reduce the frequency of this outcome, continuing improvements in the efficacy of antirejection drugs are a top priority to enhance the long-term survival of transplant recipients. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a powerful antioxidant and ant-inflammatory agent synthesized from the essential amino acid l-tryptophan; it is produced by the pineal gland as well as by many other organs including ovary, testes, bone marrow, gut, placenta, and liver. Melatonin has proven to be a potentially useful therapeutic tool in the reduction of graft rejection. Its benefits are based on its direct actions as a free radical scavenger as well as its indirect antioxidative actions in the stimulation of the cellular antioxidant defense system. Moreover, it has significant anti-inflammatory activity. Melatonin has been found to improve the beneficial effects of preservation fluids when they are enriched with the indoleamine. This article reviews the experimental evidence that melatonin is useful in reducing graft failure, especially in cardiac, bone, otolaryngology, ovarian, testicular, lung, pancreas, kidney, and liver transplantation.

Role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of common neurodegenerative diseases. We have previously shown that Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) induces high nitric oxide (NO) production, glial activation, and apoptosis that altogether cause severe neuropathology in toxoplasma encephalitis (TE). The objective of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of OS and to identify a correlation between the causes of T. gondii induced neuropathology. Expression levels of glutathione reductase (GR), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), neuron specific enolase (NSE), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were investigated. Results of the study revealed that the levels of GR (P <0.005) and NSE (P <0.001) expression in the brain tissue markedly increased while SOD1 activity decreased (P <0.001) in the infected group compared to the non-infected group. In addition, intense staining for 8-OHdG (P <0.05) was observed both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells that underwent OS. These results were reasonable to suggest that T. gondii-mediated OS might play a pivotal role and a different type of role in the mechanism of neurodegeneration/neuropathology in the process of TE. The results also clearly indicated that increased levels of NO and apoptosis might contribute to OS-related pathogenesis of TE. As a result, OS and expression of NSE might give an idea of the disease progress and may have a critical diagnostic significance for patients with T. gondii infection.

Pharmacology of Ischemia-Reperfusion. Translational Research Considerations

Ischemia-reperfusion (IRI) is a complex physiopathological mechanism involving a large number of metabolic processes that can eventually lead to cell apoptosis and ultimately tissue necrosis. Treatment approaches intended to reduce or palliate the effects of IRI are varied, and are aimed basically at: inhibiting cell apoptosis and the complement system in the inflammatory process deriving from IRI, modulating calcium levels, maintaining mitochondrial membrane integrity, reducing the oxidative effects of IRI and levels of inflammatory cytokines, or minimizing the action of macrophages, neutrophils, and other cell types. This study involved an extensive, up-to-date review of the bibliography on the currently most widely used active products in the treatment and prevention of IRI, and their mechanisms of action, in an aim to obtain an overview of current and potential future treatments for this pathological process. The importance of IRI is clearly reflected by the large number of studies published year after year, and by the variety of pathophysiological processes involved in this major vascular problem. A quick study of the evolution of IRI-related publications in PubMed shows that in a single month in 2014, 263 articles were published, compared to 806 articles in the entire 1990.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphism in otitis media with effusion (OME)

OBJECTIVES

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common disease after viral infections of upper respiratory tract (URTI) in children. Studies indicate the important role of nitric oxide (NO) in the etiology of hearing loss. However, there is no study that focuses on the role of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms in the cases with OME. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the eNOS polymorphisms in the pediatric patients with OME.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-nine patients who are diagnosed with otitis media with effusion and 85 healthy subjects who are compatible in terms of age and gender were included in the study. All patients in the study were subjected to complete ear, nose, throat (ENT) and audiological examinations. DNA analysis was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique from the blood samples. The PCR product was cut by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with BanII enzyme and checked by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS

As a result of genetic analysis, there is no significant difference between patients and the controls in terms of eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism (G/G, G/T, T/T). When these groups were compared in terms of allele distributions, a significant relationship was found between the patients and the controls (P=0.037).

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, G allele was identified as predisposing to the development of OME and this is the first report indicates the correlation between the eNOS G894T polymorphism and OME in Turkey.

Novel methods for microCT-based analyses of vasculature in the renal cortex reveal a loss of perfusable arterioles and glomeruli in eNOS-/- mice

Background

Two-dimensional measures of vascular architecture provide incomplete information about vascular structure. This study applied a novel rigorous method for 3D microCT-based analysis of total and cortical renal vasculature combined with a novel method to isolate and quantify the number of perfused glomeruli to assess vascular changes in eNOS-/- mice.

Methods

Two month old male wildtype and eNOS-/- mice were perfused with heparinized saline followed by radiopaque Microfil. The Microfil-perfused vasculature of excised kidneys was imaged by μCT with an isotropic voxel-size of 5.0 μm. For analysis of renal cortical vasculature, a custom algorithm was created to define the cortical volume of interest (VOI) as the entire volume within 600 μm of the renal surface. Vessel thickness in the whole kidney or renal cortex was analyzed by plotting the distribution of vascular volume at each measured thickness and examining differences between the genotypes at individual thicknesses. A second image processing algorithm was created to isolate, identify, and extract contrast perfused glomeruli from the cortical vessels.

Results

Fractional vascular volume (vascular volume/kidney volume; VV/KV) and Vessel Number/mm (V.N) were significantly lower in eNOS-/- mice vs. WT (p < 0.05). eNOS-/- kidneys had significantly fewer perfusable vessels vs. WT in the range of 20–40 μm in thickness. The cortex of eNOS-/- kidneys had significantly lower VV, VV/cortical volume, and V.N, with an increase in the distance between vessels (all p < 0.05). The total volume of vessels in the range of 20–30 μm was significantly lower in the cortex of eNOS-/- mice compared to WT (p < 0.05). Moreover, the total number of perfused glomeruli was significantly decreased in eNOS-/- mice (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The methods presented here demonstrate a new method to analyze contrast enhanced μCT images for vascular phenotyping of the murine kidney. These data also demonstrate that kidneys in eNOS-/- mice have severe defects in vascular perfusion/structure in the renal cortex.

Oral L-citrulline supplementation enhances cycling time trial performance in healthy trained men: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled 2-way crossover study

Background

Many human studies report that nitric oxide (NO) improves sport performance. This is because NO is a potential modulator of blood flow, muscle energy metabolism, and mitochondrial respiration during exercise. L-Citrulline is an amino acid present in the body and is a potent endogenous precursor of L-arginine, which is a substrate for NO synthase. Here, we investigated the effect of oral L-citrulline supplementation on cycling time trial performance in humans.

Methods

A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled 2-way crossover study was employed. Twenty-two trained males consumed 2.4 g/day of L-citrulline or placebo orally for 7 days. On Day 8 they took 2.4 g of L-citrulline or placebo 1 h before a 4-km cycling time trial. Time taken to complete the 4 km cycle, along with power output/VO₂ ratio (PO/VO₂), plasma nitrite and nitrate (NOx) and amino acid levels, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, was evaluated.

Results

L-Citrulline supplementation significantly increased plasma L-arginine levels and reduced completion time by 1.5 % (p < 0.05) compared with placebo. Moreover, L-citrulline significantly improved subjective feelings of muscle fatigue and concentration immediately after exercise.

Conclusions

Oral L-citrulline supplementation reduced the time take to complete a cycle ergometer exercise trial.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials UMIN000014278.

Relation between Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Genotypes and Oxidative Stress Markers in Larynx Cancer

Nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/NOS3) is responsible for the endothelial synthesis of nitric oxide (NO(•)). G894T polymorphism leads to the amino acid substitution from Glu298Asp that causes lower NOS3 activity and basal NO(•) production in NOS3 894T (298Asp) allele carriers compared with the GG homozygotes. NO(•) acts as an antioxidant protecting against Fenton's reaction which generates highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. Allelic variation of NOS3 may influence an individual's risk of laryngeal cancer (LC). In the current study we have examined the possible relationship between NOS3 G894T genotypes and various systemic oxidative damage markers such as protein carbonyl, advanced oxidation protein products, Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase, thiol group fractions, and lipid hydroperoxides in LC patients. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP. In LC patients with TT genotype, Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activities and nonprotein thiol levels were significantly higher than the controls. In patients with GT and GG genotype, high levels of lipid hydroperoxides showed statistical significance when compared to controls. Our results indicate a potential relationship among G894T polymorphism of NOS3, and impaired redox homeostasis. Further studies are required to determine the role of NOS3 gene polymorphism and impaired plasma redox homeostasis.

Mechanisms of the antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa oil in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine whether the blood pressure-lowering effect of Nigella sativa might be mediated by its effects on nitric oxide, angiotensin-converting enzyme, heme oxygenase and oxidative stress markers.

METHODS

Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into 4 groups. One group served as the control (group 1), whereas the other three groups (groups 2-4) were administered L-NAME (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Groups 3 and 4 were given oral nicardipine daily at a dose of 3 mg/kg and Nigella sativa oil at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg for 8 weeks, respectively, concomitantly with L-NAME administration.

RESULTS

Nigella sativa oil prevented the increase in systolic blood pressure in the L-NAME-treated rats. The blood pressure reduction was associated with a reduction in cardiac lipid peroxidation product, NADPH oxidase, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and plasma nitric oxide, as well as with an increase in heme oxygenase-1 activity in the heart. The effects of Nigella sativa on blood pressure, lipid peroxidation product, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme were similar to those of nicardipine. In contrast, L-NAME had opposite effects on lipid peroxidation, angiotensin-converting enzyme and NO.

CONCLUSION

The antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa oil appears to be mediated by a reduction in cardiac oxidative stress and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, an increase in cardiac heme oxygenase-1 activity and a prevention of plasma nitric oxide loss. Thus, Nigella sativa oil might be beneficial for controlling hypertension.

The Relation between eNOS -786 C/T, 4 a/b, MMP-13 rs640198 G/T, Eotaxin 426 C/T, -384 A/G, and 67 G/A Polymorphisms and Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Aim. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between eotaxin 426 C/T, −384 A/G, 67 G/A, eNOS −786 T/C, 4 a/b, and MMP-13 rs640198 G/T and prognosis of patients with known CAD. Methods. From total of 1161 patients referred to coronary angiography, 532 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD were selected. Their long-term outcome was followed up using hospital database. Subsequent events were assessed in this study: death or combined endpoint-myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, revascularization, heart failure hospitalization, and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Results. The multivariate Cox regression model identified age, smoking, and 3-vessel disease as significant predictors of all-cause death. Further analysis showed that eotaxin 67 G/A (GA + AA versus GG) and eotaxin −384 A/G (GG versus GA + AA) were significant independent prognostic factors when added into the model: HR (95% CI) 2.81 (1.35–5.85), p = 0.006; HR (95% CI) 2.63 (1.19–5.83), p = 0.017; eotaxin −384 A/G was significantly associated with the event-free survival, but it did not provide the prognostic information above the effect of two- or three-vessel disease. Conclusion. The A allele in eotaxin 67 G/A polymorphism is associated with worse survival in CAD patients.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase: From biochemistry and gene structure to clinical implications of NOS3 polymorphisms

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important vasodilator with a well-established role in cardiovascular homeostasis. While mediator is synthesized from L-arginine by neuronal, endothelial, and inducible nitric oxide synthases (NOS1,NOS3 and NOS2 respectively), NOS3 is the most important isoform for NO formation in the cardiovascular system. NOS3 is a dimeric enzyme whose expression and activity are regulated at transcriptional, posttranscriptional,and posttranslational levels. The NOS3 gene, which encodes NOS3, exhibits a number of polymorphic sites including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs), microsatellites, and insertions/deletions. Some NOS3 polymorphisms show functional effects on NOS3 expression or activity, thereby affecting NO formation. Interestingly, many studies have evaluated the effects of functional NOS3 polymorphisms on disease susceptibility and drug responses. Moreover, some studies have investigated how NOS3 haplotypes may impact endogenous NO formation and disease susceptibility. In this article,we carried out a comprehensive review to provide a basic understanding of biochemical mechanisms involved in NOS3 regulation and how genetic variations in NOS3 may translate into relevant clinical and pharmacogenetic implications.

Daily Oxygen/O₃ Treatment Reduces Muscular Fatigue and Improves Cardiac Performance in Rats Subjected to Prolonged High Intensity Physical Exercise

Rats receiving daily intraperitoneal administration of O2 and running on a treadmill covered an average distance of 482.8 ± 21.8 m/week as calculated during 5-week observation. This distance was increased in rats receiving daily intraperitoneal administration of an oxygen/O3 mixture at a dose of 100; 150; and 300 μg/kg with the maximum increase being +34.5% at 300 μg/kg and still present after stopping the administration of oxygen/O3. Oxygen/O3 decreased the mean arterial blood pressure (-13%), the heart rate (-6%), the gastrocnemius and cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis and reduced by 49% the left ventricular mass and relative wall thickness measurements. Systolic and diastolic functions were improved in exercised oxygen/O3 rats compared to O2 rats. Oxygen/O3 treatment led to higher MPI index starting from the dose of 150 μg/kg (p < 0.05) and more effective (+14%) at a dose of 300 μg/kg oxygen/O3. Oxygen/O3 dose-dependently increased the expression of the antioxidant enzymes Mn-SOD and GPx1 and of eNOS compared to the exercised O2 rats. The same doses resulted in decrease of LDH levels, CPK, TnI, and nitrotyrosine concentration in the heart and gastrocnemius tissues, arguing a beneficial effect of the ozone molecule against the fatigue induced by a prolonged high intensity exercise.

eNOS Genetic Polymorphisms and Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis and a Case-Control Study of Breast Cancer

The association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms (intron 4a/b, -786T>C and 894G>T) and cancer risk remains elusive. In addition, no studies focused on their associations with the risk of breast cancer in Chinese Han population. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between eNOS polymorphisms and cancer risk, and then a case-control study in Chinese Han population was performed to assess their associations with breast cancer susceptibility.Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association. The pooled analysis indicated that eNOS intron 4a/b and -786T>C polymorphisms were significantly associated with an increased risk of overall cancer. In subgroup analyses based on cancer type, the significant association was found between eNOS intron 4a/b polymorphism and prostate cancer risk, eNOS -786T>C polymorphism and risk of prostate, bladder and breast cancers, and eNOS 894G>T polymorphism and breast cancer risk. In subgroup analyses based on ethnicity, eNOS intron 4a/b and -786T>C polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of cancer in Caucasians. In consistent with our meta-analysis results, a case-control study in Chinese Han population showed significant associations of eNOS -786T>C and 894G>T polymorphisms with the increased risk of breast cancer. In addition, stratified analyses based on pathological type showed that eNOS 894G>T polymorphism was only associated with the risk of infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Stratified analyses by tumor stage showed that eNOS -786T>C polymorphism was only associated with the risk of tumor stage III and IV.In conclusion, our meta-analysis and case-control study suggest that eNOS -786T>C and 894G>T polymorphisms are associated with the increased risk of breast cancer.

MicroRNA-155 modulates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by targeting endothelial nitric oxide synthase

A variety of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be significantly be involved in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, which is an essential process for the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. The objective of the present study was to explore the role of microRNA-155 (miR-155) in the regulation of VSMC growth and migration. A total of 12 atherosclerotic plaque samples and 9 control samples were collected, and the expression levels of miR-155/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were determined in those samples by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. The results revealed that the relative expression levels of miR-155 in the atherosclerotic plaque samples were significantly upregulated compared with those in the normal control samples. We further found eNOS to be an effective target of miR-155 in the VSMCs by luciferase assay, which was confirmed by the observation that VSMCs transfected with miR-155 mimics exhibited a significantly lower protein expression level of eNOS. We also demonstrated that the exogenous overexpression of miR-155 significantly enhanced cell proliferation by inhibiting apoptosis in human aortic SMCs (HASMCs), and it also promoted the migratory ability of the cells. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that miR-155 is significantly upregulated in atherosclerotic plaque, functioning to accelerate the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by targeting eNOS.

The efficacy and safety of acupuncture for cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a neurological disease with a high mortality rate. Several serious complications frequently arise after successful surgery for this condition. Cerebral vasospasm, one such complication, occurs in 50 to 70% of SAH patients. These patients suffer neurological symptoms known as delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND); however, the effect of treatment of vasospasm is limited. The major pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm is the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) and activation of vasoconstrictors. Acupuncture is known to increase the production and activity of vascular endothelial cell-derived NO and improve endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. A preliminary retrospective case study to investigate the ability of acupuncture to prevent the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm has been conducted. However, no randomized, controlled clinical trials have been carried out to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for cerebral vasospasm.

Methods/Design

This trial will be a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, patient-assessor-blinded clinical trial. A total of 80 patients with SAH will be randomized into two groups: a study group given acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and intradermal acupuncture, and a control group given mock transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and sham intradermal acupuncture. Intervention will start within 96 h after SAH, and a total of 12 sessions will be performed during a 2-week period. The primary outcome measure will be the occurrence of DIND, and the secondary outcomes will be vasospasm as measured by cerebral angiography, transcranial Doppler, clinical symptoms, vasospasm-related infarcts, NO and endothelin-1 plasma levels, mortality, and modified Rankin Scale scores.

Discussion

This trial will examine the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for cerebral vasospasm after SAH. The placebo effect will be excluded and the mechanism of action of the treatments will be evaluated through blood testing.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02275949, Registration date: 26 October 2014.

Effects of ectoine on behavioural, physiological and biochemical parameters of Daphnia magna

Ectoine (ECT) is a compatible solute produced by soil, marine and freshwater bacteria in response to stressful factors. The purpose of our study was to determine the possible toxic influence of ECT on Daphnia magna. We determined the following endpoints: survival rate during exposure and recovery, swimming performance, heart rate, thoracic limb movement determined by image analysis, haemoglobin level by ELISA assay, catalase and nitric oxide species (NOx) by spectrophotometric methods. The results showed 80% survival of daphnids exposed to 50mg/L of ECT after 24h and 10% after 90h, however lower concentrations of ECT were well tolerated. A concentration-dependent reduction of swimming velocity was noted at 24 and 48h of the exposure. ECT (at 2.5 and 4mg/L) induced an increase of heart rate and thoracic limb movement (at 2.5, 4 and 20mg/L) after 24h. After 10h of the exposure to ECT daphnids showed a concentration-dependent increase of haemoglobin level synthesized and accumulated in the epipodite epithelia. After 24h we noted a concentration-dependent decrease of haemoglobin level and its lowest value was found after 48h of the exposure. ECT at a concentration of 20 and 25mg/L slightly stimulated catalase activity after 24h. NOx level was also increased after 10h of the exposure to 20 and 25mg/L of ECT reaching maximal activity after 24h. Our results suggest that ECT possesses some modulatory potential on the behaviour, physiology and biochemical parameters in daphnids.