We investigated the hypothesis that the coronary vasomotor and cardiac electrophysiological effects of diadenosine polyphosphates (Ap(n)A) are mediated via release of nitric oxide and prostanoids. Transmembrane right ventricular action potentials, refractory periods, and coronary perfusion pressure were recorded from isolated, Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts studied under constant flow c...

BACKGROUND In small mesenteric arteries, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in addition to endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) including NO plays an important role in acetylcholine-induced vasodilation. It has been reported that EDRFs play an important role in alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist-induced oscillatory vasomotion and in limiting vasoconstrictor response to the ago...

Aims: In various studies and also in traditional medicine, many properties for Nigella sativa, such as antioxidant effects and gastric mucosa protection have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on acid and mucus secretion in cyclooxygenase inhibition conditions. Materials & Methods: This interventional study was done us...

We studied in vivo interactions of nitric oxide (NO), oxidative stress, and prostanoids derived from the cyclooxygenase pathway in the arterioles studied by intravital microscopy in peripheral muscle. Topical administration of NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA) or cyclooxygenase inhibitor mefenamic acid (MA) alone leads to vasoconstriction. We found that l-NNA after MA ...

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the lung cancer. It is known that COX-2 negatively regulates the activity of a number of tumor suppressors, including p53. Consequently, inhibition of COX-2 signaling is anticipated to be a promising approach to stabilize p53 functionality. In this regard, we investigated the effect of COX-2 signaling blockade on p53 and COX-2 e...

We investigated the mechanism of suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by two beta-carboline alkaloids isolated from Melia azedarach, 4,8-dimethoxy-1-vinyl-beta-carboline (compound 1, C-1) and 4-methoxy-1-vinyl-beta-carboline (compound 2, C-2). iNOS activity in a cell-free extract of lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was found to be markedly increase...

In the rat, intrarenal infusion of epidermal growth factor decreases renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces contraction of cultured rat mesangial cells. The present studies examined the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in this response. Intrarenal EGF infusion increased urinary iPGF2 alpha by 300%, and in isolated glomeruli EGF stimulated ...

Previous studies have shown that expression of GLUT4 is decreased in arterial smooth muscle of hypertensive rats and mice and that total body overexpression of GLUT4 in mice prevents enhanced arterial reactivity in hypertension. To demonstrate that the effect of GLUT4 overexpression on vascular responses is dependent on vascular smooth muscle GLUT4 rather than on some systemic effect we develop...

Inflammation is associated with the development of several diseases comprising cancer and cardiovascular disease. Agents that suppress cyclooxygenase (COX) lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, besides chemokines have been suggested to minimise inflammation. Here, a variety novel heterocyclic non-heterocyclic compounds were prepared from three furanone derivatives. The structures all synthesised confirme...