The prostacyclin analogue iloprost and prostaglandin E1 suppress sterol synthesis in freshly isolated human mononuclear leukocytes

13,14-Dihydro-prostaglandin E1 decreases low-density lipoprotein influx into rabbit aorta

The effect of 4-week daily administration of 13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin E1 (13,14-DH-PGE1; 2 micrograms/kg) on LDL influx into the rabbit aortic wall was examined versus the effect of the same dose of PGE1 and sham-treatment in 108 male animals fed an 1% cholesterol supplemented diet. Treatment was started after de-endothelialization of the abdominal aorta with a Fogarty catheter. After the 1-month treatment period the animals were injected with 10 microCi 125I-low-density lipoprotein (LDL; 0.5 mg protein/ml). Uptake of the radiolabelled LDL was measured in morphologically verified endothelialized, re-endothelialized and de-endothelialized abdominal aortic segments. The LDL influx into the aorta was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in 13,14-DH-PGE1- and PGE1-treated rabbits than in the controls. This reduction was most pronounced in re- and de-endothelialized segments. No significant difference between effect of PGE1 and of its biologically active derivative, 13,14-DH-PGE1, on arterial LDL entry was found. These data demonstrate a comparable beneficial effect of 13,14-DH-PGE1 and PGE1 on vascular wall lipid metabolism by decreasing LDL entry into the aortic wall in vivo.

Prostaglandin E1 decreases the low-density-lipoprotein entry into rabbit arterial wall

1. In 72 male rabbits fed a 1% cholesterol supplemented diet the effect of a 4 weeks daily infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1, 20 micrograms kg-1 min-1 over 2 h) on [125I]-low density lipoprotein (LDL) accumulation (10 microCi; 0.5 mg protein ml-1) was examined versus sham-treatment after removal of the endothelium of the abdominal aorta by a Fogarthy catheter. 2. The uptake of [125I]-LDL was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in endothelium-free aortic segments (showing the highest peak maximum at around 12 h after 125I-injection) as compared to aortic segments with endothelium intact (showing the lowest uptake of [125I]-LDL with the peak maximum at 48 h, last control time). Segments with the endothelium restored showed a similar LDL-retention curve to segments with endothelium however, being again significantly (P less than 0.01) higher. 3. PGE1-treatment caused reduction in LDL-accumulation, being significantly (P less than 0.001) pronounced in segments without endothelium and in segments with endothelium restored. 4. The findings indicate a beneficial effect of PGE1 in lipid metabolism by decreasing the LDL-influx into the arterial wall in-vivo.

High-density-lipoprotein-induced cholesterol efflux from arterial smooth muscle cell derived foam cells: functional relationship of the cholesteryl ester cycle and eicosanoid biosynthesis

Eicosanoids have been implicated in the regulation of arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) cholesteryl ester (CE) metabolism. These eicosanoids, which include prostacyclin (PGI2), stimulate CE hydrolytic activities. High-density lipoproteins (HDL), which promote cholesterol efflux, also stimulate PGI2 production, suggesting that HDL-induced cholesterol efflux is modulated by eicosanoid biosynthesis. To ascertain the role of endogenously synthesized eicosanoids produced by arterial smooth muscle cells in the regulation of CE metabolism, we examined the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibition on CE hydrolytic enzyme activities, cholesterol efflux, and cholesterol content in normal SMC and SMC-derived foam cells following exposure to HDL and another cholesterol acceptor protein, serum albumin. Alterations of these activities were correlated with cholesterol efflux in response to HDL or bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the presence or absence of aspirin. HDL stimulated PGI2 synthesis and CE hydrolases in a dose-dependent manner. Eicosanoid dependency was established by demonstrating that HDL-induced acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (ACEH) activity was blocked by aspirin. CE enrichment essentially abrogated HDL-induced PGI2 production in cells which also exhibited decreased lysosomal and cytoplasmic CE hydrolase activities. In CE-enriched cells whose cytoplasmic CE pool was metabolically labeled with [3H]oleate or cLDL containing [3H]cholesteryl linoleate, aspirin did not alter HDL- or BSA-induced net CE hydrolysis or efflux, respectively. Finally, aspirin treatment did not alter the mass of either free or esterified cholesterol content of untreated or CE-enriched SMC following exposure to acceptor proteins. These data demonstrated that CE enrichment significantly reduced HDL-induced activation of CE hydrolytic activity via inhibition of endogenous PGI2 production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prostacyclin and vascular function: implications for hypertension and atherosclerosis

Prostacyclin and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (or nitric oxide) are unstable mediators produced by the vascular endothelium, that are important for local regulation of platelet behavior and blood flow. This review focuses on the basic biochemistry and pharmacology of prostacyclin, its interactions with nitric oxide and nitrovasodilator drugs, and the implications of disturbances in this system for vascular disease, particularly hypertension and atherosclerosis. Prostacyclin and its stable analogs are also finding limited therapeutic applications in preservation of platelet function, pulmonary hypertension, and investigation into the cytoprotective and antiatherosclerotic properties is continuing.

Prostaglandins in the pathogenesis and prevention of vascular disease

Metabolism of arachidonic acid gives rise to a number of products with potent, and sometimes opposing, biological actions. Prostacyclin, the main product of arachidonic acid in vascular tissue, is a vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation whereas thromboxane A2, produced by the platelet, is a vasoconstrictor and inducer of platelet aggregation. Generation of these products may be modified in certain diseases, such as atherosclerosis and diabetes, so that prostacyclin production is reduced and thromboxane A2 production increased, resulting in a pro-thrombotic condition. Synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites may be manipulated using drugs such as aspirin or imidazole analogues which selectively inhibit different enzymes in the metabolic pathway. Such drugs have proved beneficial in the treatment of some vascular disorders. Clinical use of prostacyclin has shown it to be effective in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's Syndrome and pulmonary hypertension. Stable analogues of prostacyclin are being developed which may lead to a separation of the vasodilator and anti-platelet actions of prostacyclin.