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

In the present study, we examined the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity in subcultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC). Ang II dose-dependently stimulated the formation of choline and inositol phosphates. The effect of Ang II on the formation of inositol phosphates (EC50 was 0.249 +/- 0.091 nM) was more potent than that on the formation of choline (EC50 was 2.39 +/- 1.29 nM). A combination of Ang II and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, additively stimulated the formation of choline. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinases, inhibited the TPA-induced formation of choline, but had little effect on the Ang II-induced choline formation. Ang II stimulated Ca2+ influx from extracellular space time- and dose-dependently. The depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by (ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)) tetraacetic acid (EGTA) significantly reduced the Ang II-induced formation of choline. Genistein and tyrphostin, protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, significantly suppressed the Ang II-induced Ca2+ influx. Genistein and tyrphostin also suppressed the Ang II-induced formation of choline. These results suggest that Ang II stimulates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D due to Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space in rat aortic SMC, and that protein tyrosine kinase is involved in the Ang II-induced Ca2+ influx, resulting in the promotion of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis.
Atherosclerosis 1996 Mar
PMID:Tyrosine kinase is involved in angiotensin II-stimulated phospholipase D activation in aortic smooth muscle cells: function of Ca2+ influx. 867 16

Serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine) is a mitogen in vascular smooth muscle and vascular reactivity to 5-HT is significantly enhanced in hypertension and atherosclerosis. We have tested the hypothesis that tyrosine kinases, enzymes important for mitogenesis, may play a role in 5-HT-induced vascular smooth muscle contractility. Helical strips of rat carotid artery and aorta denuded of endothelium were mounted in tissue baths for measurement of contractile force. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (5 x 10(-6) M) decreased the potency of 5-HT approximately 4-fold and reduced maximal contraction to 5-HT in carotid arterial strips denuded of endothelium (58% control). Genistein's inactive congener daidzein (5 x 10(-6) M) did not reduce maximal contraction to 5-HT in carotid arteries but did shift the 5-HT concentration response curve 3-fold to the right. Tyrphostin 23 (5 x 10(-5) M), another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, decreased the potency of 5-HT 4-fold and reduced the maximal contraction to 5-HT in the carotid artery (10% control). Contractions induced by phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) were not reduced or shifted by either tyrosine kinase inhibitor, indicating that phorbolester-sensitive protein kinase C isoforms were not affected. KCl-induced contraction was shifted 2-fold and the maximum significantly inhibited by tyrphostin 23 (38.6% control) but not genistein or daidzein, indicating that tyrphostin 23 but not genistein may inhibit voltage-gated calcium channels to reduce contractility. Western blot analysis using antiphosphotyrosine antibody confirmed that 5-HT produced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in the phosphotyrosine immunoreactivity of a 42-kD protein in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Lysate immunoprecipitation with an antimitogen-activated-protein (MAP)-kinase antibody indicated that the 42-kD protein was most likely a MAP kinase. 5-HT (10(-5) M) stimulated contraction and increased antiphosphotyrosine immunoreactivity in whole aorta mounted in tissue baths. Importantly, aortic contraction to 5-HT was shifted (5-fold rightward) and reduced (69% control) by genistein but not daidzein. These findings demonstrate that (1) tyrosine kinase activation may partially mediate contractility to 5-HT in arterial smooth muscle, (2) tyrphostin 23 is somewhat nonselective and (3) 5-HT stimulates tyrosine kinase as documented by increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of proteins in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells and aortic tissue in active contraction of 5-HT. These findings have significant implications not only in understanding a novel pathway of 5-HT signal transduction but also in vascular diseases in which growth and/or contractility to 5-HT is increased (e.g. hypertension, atherosclerosis).
 ...
PMID:Serotonin stimulates protein tyrosyl phosphorylation and vascular contraction via tyrosine kinase. 869 53

Preincubation with interleukin-2 (IL-2), a T cell-derived cytokine, enhanced the increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) induced by angiotensin II (AII) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). IL-2 itself did not affect the basal [Ca2+]i level or the maximal response of [Ca2+]i increase induced by AII. Furthermore, IL-2-induced enhancement was not observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that IL-2 enhances Ca2+ influx induced by AII. IL-2 also enhanced the stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by AII, although IL-2 alone did not stimulate DNA synthesis. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, significantly inhibited IL-2-induced enhancement of both Ca2+ influx and DNA synthesis induced by AII. A neutralizing antibody against heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) partially inhibited IL-2-induced enhancement of DNA synthesis induced by AII. These findings suggest that autocrine HB-EGF is partially involved in the mechanism of IL-2-induced enhancement of DNA synthesis. On the other hand IL-2 stimulated both glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and prostacyclin syntheses and enhanced the stimulation of both GAG and prostacyclin syntheses induced by AII. Therefore, IL-2 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vascular disease by modulating the responsiveness to AII in VSMC.
Atherosclerosis 1997 Aug
PMID:Interleukin-2 modulates the responsiveness to angiotensin II in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. 925 3

Lipoprotein oxidation may contribute to development of atherosclerosis, and supplementation with antioxidants may reduce risk for atherosclerotic events. Genistein, a major isoflavone from soy protein, and catechins from green tea have important antioxidant properties. This study compared the effects of various diets containing antioxidant-rich foods or supplements on serum lipids and lipoprotein oxidation of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The control diet used was devoid of vitamin E. Test diets included these ingredients: green tea powder, 20 g/kg; beta-carotene, 250 mg/kg; a low isoflavone soy protein isolate; a genistein-rich soy protein isolate; and vitamin E, 4000 mg/kg. Ten-week-old rats were acclimatized for 1 week on a special custom diet without vitamin E. Following randomization and allocation to different diet groups, rats were fed the test diets for 3 weeks. Blood was drawn by cardiac puncture, and the plasma was separated by centrifugation. The VLDL-LDL fraction was isolated by ultracentrifugation. Oxidation kinetics of the VLDL-LDL fraction were determined by measuring the lag phase and formation of conjugated dienes, lipid peroxides, and TBARS. The vitamin E diet (P < 0.001) and high-genistein diet profoundly decreased all parameters of lipoprotein oxidation. The following alterations were noted with the high-genistein diet compared to the control diet: the lag phase was 49% longer (P=0.002); conjugated diene formation was decreased by 28% (P=0.01); lipid peroxide formation was decreased 31% (P=0.0059); and TBARS production was 35% lower (P=0.019). The low-isoflavone diet increased the lag phase by 43% (P=0.0019) but did not significantly alter other measures of oxidation. Green tea increased only the lag phase by 33% (P=0.012) compared to the control diet. Beta-Carotene had no significant effect on the oxidation of lipoproteins. The effect of genistein-rich soy protein isolates on lipoprotein oxidation in vitro suggests that either soy isoflavones or other antioxidants derived from soy protein, like vitamin E, may be transported in these lipoproteins. The minimal effects of the isoflavone-poor soy protein isolate suggests that either the small amount of isoflavones present have a potent effect or other components of soy protein are exerting these effects. Further studies are required to examine these results.
 ...
PMID:Selective effects of different antioxidants on oxidation of lipoproteins from rats. 971 83

Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and dietary antioxidants may provide a useful therapy in the prevention of LDL oxidation and atheroma development. The aim of these experiments was to investigate the antioxidant activity of the soybean isoflavone, genistein, in in vitro models of LDL oxidation. Genistein inhibited copper-mediated oxidation of LDL in a concentration-dependent manner by lengthening the time for conjugated diene formation (54.1 +/- 5.1 min in control LDL and 107.1 +/- 1.8 min with 5 micromol/l genistein, P<0.001) and decreasing the oxidation rate (14.4 +/- 1.9 nmol conjugated diene/mg LDL protein/min in control LDL and 7.4 +/- 1.1 nmol conjugated diene/mg LDL protein/min with 5 micromol/l genistein, P<0.001). Peroxy radical (azo-initiated) oxidation of LDL was significantly inhibited by 200 micromol/l genistein as indicated by: (i) increase in the time required for malondialdehyde (MDA) formation (7 h incubation compared to 3 h incubation with control LDL), (ii) 32, 44 and 46% decreases in MDA concentration compared to control samples following 3, 4 and 5 h incubation, respectively and (iii) decrease in relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) of LDL. Incorporation of genistein into LDL and its resultant antioxidant activity was also investigated. LDL was isolated from plasma which had been pre-incubated with 25. 50 or 100 micromol/l genistein at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Approximately 3-4% of genistein present in plasma was incorporated into LDL, however copper-mediated oxidation of control LDL and LDL isolated from plasma pre-incubated with genistein was not significantly different.
Atherosclerosis 1998 Oct
PMID:The isoflavone genistein inhibits copper and peroxyl radical mediated low density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro. 986 77

Elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) plasma levels, responsible for reduced fibrinolysis, are associated with animal and human obesity and with increased cardiovascular disease. The expression of PAI-1 has been found recently in animal and human adipose tissue. Factors and mechanisms regulating such an expression remain to be elucidated. In omental and/or subcutaneous biopsies from obese non-diabetic patients, incubated in Medium 199, we have confirmed that human adipose tissue expresses PAI-1 protein and mRNA; furthermore we have demonstrated that such an expression is clearly evident also in collagenase isolated human adipocytes and that it is stimulated by incubation itself and enhanced by exogenous human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (h-TNF-alpha). Since human adipose tissue produces TNF-alpha, to further characterize the relationship of PAI-1 to TNF-alpha, human fat biopsies were also incubated with Pentoxifylline (PTX) or Genistein, both known to inhibit endogenous TNF-alpha through different mechanisms. PTX caused a dose-dependent decrease of basal PAI-1 protein release, reaching 80% maximal inhibitory effect at 10(-3)M, the same inhibitory effect caused by Genistein at 100 microg/ml. This was associated to a marked inhibition of PAI-1 mRNA and of endogenous TNF-alpha production. Furthermore, when human fat biopsies were incubated in the presence of polyclonal rabbit neutralizing anti-human TNF-alpha antibody (at a concentration able to inhibit 100 UI/ml human TNF-alpha activity), a modest but significant decrease of the incubation induced expression of PAI-1 mRNA was observed (19.8+/-19.0% decrease, P = 0.04, n = 7). In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that PAI-I expression is present in human isolated adipocytes and that it is enhanced in human adipose tissue in vitro by exogenous TNF-alpha. Furthermore our data support the possibility of a main role of endogenous TNF-alpha on human adipose tissue PAI-1 expression. This cytokine, produced by human adipose tissue and causing insulin resistance, may be a link in the clinical relationship between insulin-resistance syndrome and increased PAI-1 plasma levels.
Atherosclerosis 1999 Mar
PMID:Expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in human adipose tissue: a role for TNF-alpha? 1020 82

Animal experiments are widely accepted in arteriosclerosis research. The aim of the present study was to establish an organ culture model (rings of rabbit aortic vessels) to investigate inhibitory estrogen effects on post injury neointima formation in the vessel wall and to examine whether these effects are cytotoxic. Estrogens are used for secondary prevention of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women (estrogen replacement therapy/ERT). Phytoestrogens as well as the ovarian 17 beta-estradiol have been demonstrated to inhibit proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells which are key events in atherogenesis and restenosis after coronary angioplasty. In situ endothelial denudation of the thoracic and abdominal aorta was performed in female rabbits by a 3F Fogarty catheter. Segments of 5 mm were randomized in groups of n = 12 and held in culture. 17 beta-estradiol, Genistein and Daidzein were applied in concentrations of 20 microM, 30 microM, and 40 microM. Groups without estrogen treatment served as controls. The segments were investigated after 21 days. Afterwards, 3 further groups (n = 12) were held with the lowest concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol or the two phytoestrogens having been evaluated to inhibit the neointima formation significantly. After 21 days of treatment these sections were held in medium only for another 7 days to proof whether these segments were still able to proliferate. A denuded control group was held in medium only over 28 days. Compared to controls, 30 microM 17 beta-estradiol, 20 microM Genistein, and 40 microM Daidzein inhibited neointima formation significantly over 21 days. After another 7 days of cultivation in medium only the amount of neointima formation was comparable to that of non-estrogen-treated controls after 21 days. We therefore suggest that the demonstrated inhibitory effect is not explained by toxicity. In conclusion, by the use of this organ culture model it was possible to demonstrate non-toxic post injury effects of different estrogens in the vasculature. Because 24 aortic segments could be taken from one aortic vessel, the number of animals that would have been necessary for an experiment (8 to 10 per group for statistical reasons) could be markedly reduced. The results are of clinical interest because phytoestrogens and 17 beta-estradiol may offer therapeutic options for patients after coronary angioplasty regarding the process of restenosis. Because phytoestrogens do not affect the reproductive system they can also be used in men.
 ...
PMID:Post-injury ex vivo model to investigate effects and toxicity of pharmacological treatment in rings of rabbit aortic vessels. 1108 61

Hyperglycemia has been assumed to be responsible for oxidative stress in diabetes. In this respect, glucose autoxidation and advanced glycation end products (AGE) may play a causal role in the etiology of diabetic complications as e.g. atherosclerosis. There is now growing evidence that the oxidative modification of LDL plays a potential role in atherogenesis. Glucose derived oxidants have been shown to peroxidise LDL. In the present study, genistein, a compound derived from soy with a flavonoid chemical structure (4', 5, 7-trihydroxyisoflavone) has been evaluated for its ability to act as an antioxidant against the atherogenic modification of LDL by glucose autoxidation radical products. Daidzein, (4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone) an other phytoestrogen of soy, was tested in parallel. Genistein--in contrast to daidzein--effectively prevented the glucose mediated LDL oxidation as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance formation (TBARS), alteration in electrophoretic mobility, lipid hydroperoxides and fluorescence quenching of tryptophan residues of the lipoprotein. In addition the potential of glucose-oxidized LDL to increase tissue factor (TF) synthesis human endothelial cells (HUVEC) was completely inhibited when genistein was present during LDL oxidative modification by glucose. Both phytoestrogens did not influence the nonenzymatic protein glycation reaction as measured by the in vitro formation of glycated LDL. As the protective effect of genistein on LDL atherogenic modification was found at glucose/genistein molar ratios which may occur in vivo, our findings support the suggested beneficial action of a soy diet in preventing chronic vascular diseases and early atherogenic events.
 ...
PMID:Genistein prevents the glucose autoxidation mediated atherogenic modification of low density lipoprotein. 1123 92

Genistein, daidzein, and glycitein, as primary isoflavones in soybeans, are reported to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancers that are conducted by nitric oxide (NO) injury. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects and mechanisms of these soy isoflavones on the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) system in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Genistein, daidzein, and glycitein dose-dependently suppress NO production (IC(50) = 50 microM) in supernatants of LPS-activated macrophages as measured on the basis of nitrite accumulation. In addition, direct inhibition of iNOS activity, determined by means of the conversion of L-[(3)H]arginine to L-[(3)H]citrulline, and markedly reduced iNOS protein and mRNA levels, evaluated by means of Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively, were found in homogenates of LPS-activated cells treated with each isoflavone. Moreover, genistein was found to have a greater inhibitory effect on NO production but no significant effect on iNOS activity or protein and gene expression to daidzein and glycitein. These observations reveal that the suppression of NO production by genistein, daidzein, and glycitein might be due to the inhibition of both the activity and expression of iNOS in LPS-activated macrophages. The result suggests that soy isoflavones might attenuate excessive NO generation at inflammatory sites.
 ...
PMID:Suppression effect of soy isoflavones on nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. 1130 24

Atherosclerosis includes a series of cellular and molecular responses characteristic of an inflammatory disease. We provide evidence that cupric-ion-oxidized LDL (CuLDL) or endothelial cell-oxidized LDL (ELDL) induced the activation by Tyr-phosphorylation of JAK2, one of the Janus kinase involved upstream of STATs in the JAK/STAT pathway of cytokine transduction. Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) also initiated STAT1 and STAT3 Tyr-phosphorylation and translocation to the nucleus, with a more marked effect for the extensively modified CuLDL. Genistein, a nonspecific Tyr-kinase inhibitor, and AG490, a specific inhibitor of JAKs, markedly prevented the CuLDL-induced enhancement of STAT1 and STAT3 Tyr-phosphorylation and DNA-binding activity, suggesting that JAKs are the main kinases involved in STATs' activation by oxidized LDL. In addition, the lipid extract of CuLDL increased the intracellular levels of lipid peroxidation products and the Tyr-phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT1, and STAT3, whereas the antioxidant vitamin E prevented all these effects. These results demonstrate that OxLDL induces the activation by Tyr-phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT1, and STAT3 by generation of an intracellular oxidative stress by means of its lipid peroxidation products, and thus include JAK2 within the range of oxidative stress-activated kinases.
 ...
PMID:Activation of JAK2 by the oxidative stress generated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. 1172 4


1 2 3 4 Next >>