BACKGROUND Fetal Growth Restriction is often associated with a feto-placental vascular dysfunction conceivably involving endothelial cells. Our study aimed to verify this pathogenic role for feto-placental endothelial cells and, coincidentally, demonstrate any abnormality in the nitric oxide system. METHODS Prenatal assessment of feto-placental vascular function was combined with measurement ...

The endothelial nitric-oxide synthase gene is constitutively expressed in endothelial cells. Several transcriptionally active regulatory elements have been identified in the proximal promoter, including a GATA-2 and an Sp-1 binding site. Because they cannot account for the constitutive expression of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase gene in a restricted number of cells, we have searched for oth...

Background: Liver ischemia / reperfusion Injury (IRI) is one of the major causes of liver failure during various types of liver surgery, trauma and infections. The present study investigates the effect of dexsamethasone on the liver injury and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression during hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Materials and Methods: 24 male Wistar rats (200-250 g)...

Notch signaling is important for tumor angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor A. Blockade of the Notch ligand Dll4 inhibits tumor growth in a paradoxical way. Dll4 inhibition increases endothelial cell sprouting, but vessels show reduced perfusion. The reason for this lack of perfusion is not currently understood. Here we report that inhibition of Notch signaling in endothel...