We tested whether adenosine, a cytoprotective mediator and trigger of preconditioning, could protect endothelial cells from inflammation-induced deficits in mitochondrial biogenesis and function. We examined this question using human microvascular endothelial cells exposed to TNFα. TNFα produced time and dose-dependent decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular ATP levels, and mito...

The underlying mechanisms for the vasodilating effects of the tea catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are still not fully understood. Besides nitric oxide (NO)-dependent effects, other modes of action are discussed. To elucidate whether the NO pathway is a prerequisite in mediating vasodilating effects, we investigated EGCG-induced vasorelaxation in isolated aortic rings of endothelial n...

Recent reports indicate that (-)-epicatechin can exert cardioprotective actions, which may involve endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-mediated nitric oxide production in endothelial cells. However, the mechanism by which (-)-epicatechin activates eNOS remains unclear. In this study, we proposed to identify the intracellular pathways involved in (-)-epicatechin-induced effects on eNOS, usi...

During vascular inflammation, the leukocyte-derived enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) is transcytosed across endothelium and into sub-endothelial extracellular matrix, where it promotes endothelial dysfunction by catalytically consuming nitric oxide (NO) produced NO synthase (eNOS). In presence of chloride ions hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), MPO forms oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Here we examined sh...

Although estrogen is known to stimulate nitric oxide synthesis in vascular endothelium, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this effect remain to be elucidated. Using quantitative immunofluorescence imaging approaches, we have investigated the effect of estradiol on the subcellular targeting of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in bovine aortic endothelial cells. In unstimulated end...

Gram positive (G+) infections make up ∼50% of all acute lung injury cases which are characterized by extensive permeability edema secondary to disruption of endothelial cell (EC) barrier integrity. A primary cause of increased permeability are cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) of G+-bacteria, such as pneumolysin (PLY) and listeriolysin-O (LLO) which create plasma membrane pores, promoting...

BACKGROUND Treadmill exercise test responses have been associated with cardiovascular prognosis in individuals without overt heart disease. Neurohumoral and nitric oxide responses may influence cardiovascular performance during exercise testing. Therefore, we evaluated associations between functional genetic polymorphisms of α-adrenergic receptors, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, bradykinin ...

OBJECTIVES This study investigates the effects on aortic stiffness and vasodilation by arotinolol and the underlying mechanisms in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS The vasodilations of rat aortas, renal and mesenteric arteries were evaluated by isometric force recording. Nitric oxide (NO) was measured in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) by fluorescent probes. Sixteen-week ...

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) utilizes L-arginine as its principal substrate, converting it to L-citrulline and nitric oxide (NO). L-citrulline is recycled to L-arginine by two enzymes, argininosuccinate synthase (AS) and argininosuccinate lyase (AL), providing the substrate arginine for eNOS and NO production in endothelial cells. Together, these three enzymes, eNOS, AS and AL, make...

Background: Reversibility of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is closely related to the treatment options for and prognosis children with congenital heart disease. Objective: We combined patient-specific clinical features including diagnosis, age echocardiographic results, biomarkers vascular dysfunction explore noninvasive methods that can be used accurately evaluate reversibility in disease (PH-CH...