Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Elevated plasma levels of the sulfur-containing amino acid homocysteine increase the risk for atherosclerosis, stroke, and possibly Alzheimer's disease, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We now report that homocysteine induces apoptosis in rat hippocampal neurons. DNA strand breaks and associated activation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and NAD depletion occur rapidly after exposure to homocysteine and precede mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and caspase activation. The PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) protects neurons against homocysteine-induced NAD depletion, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and cell death, demonstrating a requirement for PARP activation and/or NAD depletion in homocysteine-induced apoptosis. Caspase inhibition accelerates the loss of mitochondrial potential and shifts the mode of cell death to necrosis; inhibition of PARP with 3AB attenuates this effect of caspase inhibition. Homocysteine markedly increases the vulnerability of hippocampal neurons to excitotoxic and oxidative injury in cell culture and in vivo, suggesting a mechanism by which homocysteine may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders.
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PMID:Homocysteine elicits a DNA damage response in neurons that promotes apoptosis and hypersensitivity to excitotoxicity. 1099 36

Increased oxidative stress is a major characteristic of hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis. The oxidative environment is mainly created by the production of reactive oxygen species, which are assumed to mediate vascular tissue injury. Oxidative DNA damage resulting from free radical attack remains, however, a poorly examined field in atherosclerosis. Male New Zealand White rabbits were fed a cholesterol-rich diet (0.3%) for 24 weeks. The induced atherosclerotic plaques showed elevated levels of the DNA damage marker 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. 8-oxoG immunoreactivity was found predominantly in the superficial layer of the plaque containing numerous macrophage-derived foam cells but not in the media or in arteries of age-matched control animals. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis revealed that the number of DNA strand breaks was significantly higher in the plaque as compared with control samples of normolipemic animals. These changes were associated with the upregulation of DNA repair enzymes (poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase-1, p53, phospho-p53 [phosphorylated at Ser392], and XRCC1 [x-ray repair cross-complementing 1]). DNA strand breaks normalized after 4 weeks of dietary lipid lowering. However, a significant reduction of 8-oxoG immunoreactivity was only observed after a prolonged period of lipid lowering (12 to 24 weeks). Repair pathways started to decline progressively when cholesterol-fed animals were placed on a normal diet. In conclusion, oxidative DNA damage and increased levels of DNA repair, both associated with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia, are strongly reduced during dietary lipid lowering. These findings may provide a better insight into the benefits of lipid-lowering therapy on plaque stabilization.
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PMID:Oxidative DNA damage and repair in experimental atherosclerosis are reversed by dietary lipid lowering. 1130 84

Hyperhomocysteinemia represents an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms leading to cellular dysfunctions remain unknown. Using ECV304 cells, we found that homocysteine (Hcy) plus copper (Cu2+) induced cytotoxic effects: loss of cell adhesion, increased permeability to PI, and the occurrence of morphologically apoptotic cells. This form of apoptosis, inhibited by Z-VAD-fmk, was associated with a loss of mitochondrial potential, a cytosolic release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3, degradation of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. However, the ability of Hcy plus Cu2+ to induce apoptosis decreased when the pretreatment culture time increased. As a positive correlation was found between the length of time of culture before treatment and the enhancement of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) activity, we asked whether gamma-GT was involved in the control of Hcy plus Cu2+-induced apoptosis. Therefore, ECV304 cells were treated with either acivicin or dexamethasone, inhibiting and stimulating gamma-GT, respectively. In ECV304 cells and human umbilical venous endothelial cells, acivicin favored Hcy plus Cu2+-induced apoptosis whereas dexamethasone counteracted the apoptotic process. As acivicin and dexamethasone were also capable of modulating cell death in ECV304 cells treated with antitumoral drugs, our data emphasize that the involvement of gamma-GT in the control of apoptosis is not restricted to Hcy but also concerns other chemical compounds.
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PMID:Efficiency of homocysteine plus copper in inducing apoptosis is inversely proportional to gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. 1153 73

The arachidonate cascade includes the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway to form prostanoids and the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway to generate several oxygenated fatty acids, collectively called eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are suggested to play a dual role in regulating cell survival and apoptosis in various types of cells through an unknown mechanism. We found apoptosis in cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol beta-acetate (TPA), a potent tumor promoter, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a LOX inhibitor. The effect of TPA was synergistically stimulated along with NDGA. Aspirin, a COX inhibitor, was not effective. The target of NDGA might be different from the mechanism involving a LOX activity in some kinds of carcinoma cells because the increased expression of 12-LOX was not detected in MDCK cells treated with TPA. Caspase and poly(ADP-ribose) metabolites were found to be involved in the signal transduction pathway of the TPA- and NDGA-induced apoptosis in MDCK cells. Alternatively, hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis was not affected by NDGA. Thus, the TPA-induced response involved the mechanism independent of the oxidative stress. Obesity is a risk factor for severe diseases including noninsulin-dependent diabetes and atherosclerosis characterized by the changes of cell properties of adipocytes. We found that conjugated linolenic acid from bitter gourd was able to induce apoptosis in mouse preadipogenic 3T3-L1 cells. The findings provide the potential use of conjugated fatty acids to regulate obesity.
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PMID:Regulation of apoptosis through arachidonate cascade in mammalian cells. 1239 27

The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that trans fatty acids can induce apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). To test this hypothesis apoptosis was measured in HUVEC treated with 0.1, 1.0 or 5.0 mM trans elaidic acid (t-18:1) or linoelaidic acid (t,t-18:2) for 24 hours. For the detection of apoptosis, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay (TUNEL), cell binding of annexin V and propidium iodide uptake were measured. Active Caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase) were also measured in the cell lysate. Moreover, cellular ability to produce ROS (reactive oxygen species) was measured by DCF fluorescence Both acids studied induce both early (annexin-positive cells) and late stages of apoptosis (cells stained by propidium iodide) in a dose-dependent manner. Also the appearance of TUNEL-positive cells was induced by both trans fatty acids tested, in a dose dependent manner. Both trans acids induce apoptosis through their effect on Caspase-3 activity and on intracellular ROS production. It is worth emphasising that linoelaidic acid proved to be a more potent inducer of apoptosis and ROS production in endothelial cells than elaidic acid. The present studies suggest that trans fatty acids may play a role in damaging and death of vascular endothelial cells in atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Trans fatty acids induce apoptosis in human endothelial cells. 1639 18

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of non-aglycone cyanidin on TNF-alpha-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and its mechanism through enhancing expression of thioredoxin in endothelial cells. We found that exposure of the serum-starved BAECs to TNF-alpha increased significantly the number of dead cells, the cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (RARP)assayed by Western blot, whereas supplementation with cyanidin considerably suppressed these events. Inhibitors of the Akt, ERK1/2, Src kinase and transfection with a dominant-negative Akt cDNA blocked the inhibitory effect of cyanidin on cleaved caspase-3. Cyanidin significantly elevated expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and thioredoxin (Trx). The increased Trx expression was blocked by siRNA transfection of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) and by using a PKG inhibitor, KT5823. Cyanidin also ameliorated TNF-alpha-induced decrease of Trx S-nitrosylation and intracellular glutathione and elevation of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a major aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, cyanidin also restored S-nitrosylation of caspase-3 and reduced the rise in expression and acetylation of tumor suppression gene p53. However, KT5823 or L-NAME, an inhibitor of eNOS, removed the preventive effects of cyanidin. Our data show that inhibitory effect of cyanidin on TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis involves multiple pathways, such as Akt activation, eNOS and thioredoxin expression in endothelial cells.
Atherosclerosis 2007 Aug
PMID:Inhibitory effect of polyphenol cyanidin on TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis through multiple signaling pathways in endothelial cells. 1704 69

Reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) induce oxidative stress and DNA-injury. The subsequent activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases including ischaemia-reperfusion injury, circulatory shock, diabetic complications and atherosclerosis. We investigated the effect of PARP-inhibition on endothelial dysfunction induced by H(2)O(2). In vascular reactivity measurements on isolated rat aortic rings we investigated the phenylephrine-induced contraction, and endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation by using cumulative concentrations of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Endothelial dysfunction was induced by exposing the rings to H(2)O(2) (200 and 400 muM) for 30 min. In the treatment group, rings were preincubated with the potent PARP-inhibitor INO-1001. DNA strand breaks were assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for poly(ADP-ribose) (the enzymatic product of PARP) and for apoptosis inducing factor (a pro-apoptotic factor regulated by PARP). Exposure to H(2)O(2) resulted in reduced contraction forces and a dose-dependent impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of aortic rings (maximal relaxation to acetylcholine: 86.21+/-1.574% control vs. 72.55+/-1.984% H(2)O(2) 200 muM vs. 66.86+/-1.961% H(2)O(2) 400 muM; P<0.05). PARP-inhibition significantly improved the acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation (77.75+/-3.019% vs. 66.86+/-1.961%; P<0.05), while the contractility remained unaffected. The dose-response curves of endothelium-independent vasorelaxation to sodium nitroprusside did not differ in any groups studied. In the H(2)O(2) groups immunohistochemical analysis showed enhanced PARP-activation and nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor, which were prevented by INO-1001. Our results demonstrate that PARP activation contributes to the pathogenesis of H(2)O(2)-induced endothelial dysfunction, which can be prevented by PARP inhibitors.
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PMID:Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition improves endothelial dysfunction induced by reactive oxidant hydrogen peroxide in vitro. 1739 24

Retinal ischemic injury is common in patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, transient ischemia attack and amaurosis fugax. Previously, signs of ischemic stress, such as pericyte loss, blood-retinal barrier breakdown and neovascularization, which can lead to occlusion of retinal vessels, have been prevented in diabetic db/db mice with aldose reductase (AR) null mutation. To determine the role in retinal ischemic injury of AR and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), the first and second enzymes in the polyol pathway, mice with deletion of AR (AR(-/-)) or SDH-mutation (SDH(-/-)), or C57BL/6N mice treated with AR or SDH inhibitors were subjected to transient retinal artery occlusion (2h of occlusion and 22h of reperfusion) by the intraluminal suture method. Neuronal loss and edema observed in wildtype (AR(+/+)) retinas after transient ischemia were prevented in the retinas of AR(-/-) mice or C57BL/6N mice treated with an AR inhibitor, Fidarestat. Fewer TUNEL-positive cells and smaller accumulations of nitrotyrosine and poly(ADP-ribose) were also observed in the retinas of AR(-/-) mice. However, SDH(-/-) mice and C57BL/6N mice treated with SDH inhibitor, CP-470,711, were not protected against ischemia-induced retinal damage. Taken together, AR contributes to retinal ischemic injury through increased edema and free radical accumulation. Therefore, AR inhibition should be considered for the treatment of retinal ischemic injury often observed in diabetic patients.
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PMID:Gene deletion and pharmacological inhibition of aldose reductase protect against retinal ischemic injury. 1772 43

Reactive oxygen species, such as myeloperoxidase-derived hypochlorite, induce oxidative stress and DNA injury. The subsequent activation of the DNA-damage-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, circulatory shock, diabetic complications, and atherosclerosis. We investigated the effect of PARP inhibition on the impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by hypochlorite. In organ bath experiments for isometric tension, we investigated the endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation of isolated rat aortic rings using cumulative concentrations of acetylcholine and sodium nitro-prusside. Endothelial dysfunction was induced by exposing rings to hypochlorite (100-400 microM). In the treatment group, rings were preincubated with the PARP inhibitor INO-1001. DNA strand breaks were assessed by the TUNEL method. Immunohistochemistry was performed for 4-hydroxynonenal (a marker of lipid peroxidation), nitrotyrosine (a marker of nitrosative stress), and poly(ADP-ribose) (an enzymatic product of PARP). Exposure to hypochlorite resulted in a dose-dependent impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of aortic rings, which was significantly improved by PARP inhibition, whereas the endothelium-independent vasorelaxation remained unaffected. In the hypochlorite groups we found increased DNA breakage, lipidperoxidation, and enhanced nitrotyrosine formation. The hypochloride-induced activation of PARP was prevented by INO-1001. Our results demonstrate that PARP activation contributes to the pathogenesis of hypochlorite-induced endothelial dysfunction, which can be prevented by PARP inhibitors.
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PMID:Poly(ADP-Ribose) polymerase inhibition improves endothelial dysfunction induced by hypochlorite. 1789 28

Vascular smooth-muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays a vital role in hypertension, atherosclerosis and restenosis. It has been reported that emodin, an active component extracted from rhubarb, can stop the growth of cancer cells; however, it is not known if emodin exerts similar anti-atherogenic effects in TNF-alpha treated human aortic smooth-muscle cells (HASMC). In this study, emodin treatment showed potent inhibitory effects in TNF-alpha-induced HASMC proliferation that were associated with induced apoptosis, including the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Moreover, inhibitors of caspase-3, -8 and -9 (Ac-DEVD-CHO, Z-IETD-FMK and Z-LEHD-FMK) efficiently blocked emodin-induced apoptosis in TNF-alpha treated HASMC. Therefore, emodin-induced cell death occurred via caspase-dependent apoptosis. Emodin treatment resulted in the release of cytochrome c into cytosol and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), as well as a decrease in the expression of an anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) and an increase in the expression of an a pro-apoptotic protein (Bax). Emodin-mediated apoptosis was also blocked by a mitochondrial membrane depolarization inhibitor, which indicates that emodin-induced apoptosis occurred via a mitochondrial pathway. Taken together, the results of this study showed that emodin inhibits TNF-alpha-induced HASMC proliferation via caspase- and a mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. In addition, these results indicate that emodin has potential as an anti-atherosclerosis agent.
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PMID:Emodin inhibits TNF-alpha-induced human aortic smooth-muscle cell proliferation via caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. 1849


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