Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 potentiates EDH-type relaxations in the mesenteric artery of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Potential preservative mechanisms of cardiac rehabilitation pathways on endothelial function in coronary heart disease

Cardiac rehabilitation, a comprehensive exercise-based lifestyle and medical management, is effective in decreasing morbidity and improving life quality in patients with coronary heart disease. Endothelial function, an irreplaceable indicator in coronary heart disease progression, is measured by various methods in traditional cardiac rehabilitation pathways, including medicinal treatment, aerobic training, and smoking cessation. Nevertheless, studies on the effect of some emerging cardiac rehabilitation programs on endothelial function are limited. This article briefly reviewed the endothelium-beneficial effects of different cardiac rehabilitation pathways, including exercise training, lifestyle modification and psychological intervention in patients with coronary heart disease, and related experimental models, and summarized both uncovered and potential cellular and molecular mechanisms of the beneficial roles of various cardiac rehabilitation pathways on endothelial function. In exercise training and some lifestyle interventions, the enhanced bioavailability of nitric oxide, increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and decreased oxidative stress are major contributors to preventing endothelial dysfunction in coronary heart disease. Moreover, the preservation of endothelial-dependent hyperpolarizing factors and inflammatory suppression play roles. On the one hand, to develop more endothelium-protective rehabilitation methods in coronary heart disease, adequately designed and sized randomized multicenter clinical trials should be advanced using standardized cardiac rehabilitation programs and existing assessment methods. On the other hand, additional studies using suitable experimental models are warranted to elucidate the relationship between some new interventions and endothelial protection in both macro- and microvasculature.

Pharmacotherapies and Aortic Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Background: Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors slows the progression of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress- and hemin-induced enzyme providing cytoprotection against oxidative stress when overexpressed. However, nothing is known about the effects of cardiometabolic standard therapies on HO-1 expression in aortic walls in patients with end-stage AAA. Methods: The effects of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), beta-blockers, diuretics, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and therapeutic anticoagulation on HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were analyzed in AAA patients using multivariate logistic regression analysis and comparison of monotherapy. Results: Analysis of monotherapy revealed that HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were higher in patients on diuretics and lower in patients on statin therapy. Tests on combinations of antihypertensive medications demonstrated that ACE inhibitors and diuretics, ARBs and diuretics, and beta-blockers and diuretics were associated with increase in HO-1 mRNA expression. ASA and therapeutic anticoagulation were not linked to HO-1 expression. Conclusion: Diuretics showed the strongest association with HO-1 expression, persisting even in combination with other antihypertensive medications. Hence, changes in aortic HO-1 expression in response to different medical therapies and their effects on vessel wall degeneration should be analyzed in future studies.

Heme Oxygenase Modulation Drives Ferroptosis in TNBC Cells

The term ferroptosis refers to a peculiar type of programmed cell death (PCD) mainly characterized by extensive iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Recently, ferroptosis has been suggested as a potential new strategy for the treatment of several cancers, including breast cancer (BC). In particular, among the BC subtypes, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered the most aggressive, and conventional drugs fail to provide long-term efficacy. In this context, our study's purpose was to investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis in breast cancer cell lines and reveal the significance of heme oxygenase (HO) modulation in the process, providing new biochemical approaches. HO's effect on BC was evaluated by MTT tests, gene silencing, Western blot analysis, and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels. In order to assess HO's implication, different approaches were exploited, using two distinct HO-1 inducers (hemin and curcumin), a well-known HO inhibitor (SnMP) and a selective HO-2 inhibitor. The data obtained showed HO's contribution to the onset of ferroptosis; in particular, HO-1 induction seemed to accelerate the process. Moreover, our results suggest a potential role of HO-2 in erastin-induced ferroptosis. In view of the above, HO modulation in ferroptosis can offer a novel approach for breast cancer treatment.

HO-1 nuclear accumulation and interaction with NPM1 protect against stress-induced endothelial senescence independent of its enzymatic activity

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has attracted accumulating attention for its antioxidant enzymatic activity. However, the exact regulatory role of its non-enzymatic activity in the cardiovascular system remains unaddressed. Here, we show that HO-1 was accumulated in the nuclei of stress-induced senescent endothelial cells, and conferred protection against endothelial senescence independent of its enzymatic activity. Overexpression of ΔHO-1, a truncated HO-1 without transmembrane segment (TMS), inhibited H2O2-induced endothelial senescence. Overexpression of ΔHO-1H25A, the catalytically inactive form of ΔHO-1, also exhibited anti-senescent effect. In addition, infection of recombinant adenovirus encoding ΔHO-1 with three nuclear localization sequences (NLS), alleviated endothelial senescence induced by knockdown of endogenous HO-1 by CRISPR/Cas9. Moreover, repression of HO-1 nuclear translocation by silencing of signal peptide peptidase (SPP), which is responsible for enzymatic cleavage of the TMS of HO-1, exacerbated endothelial senescence. Mechanistically, nuclear HO-1 interacted with NPM1 N-terminal portion, prevented NPM1 translocation from nucleolus to nucleoplasm, thus disrupted NPM1/p53/MDM2 interactions and inhibited p53 activation by NPM1, finally resisted endothelial senescence. This study provides a novel understanding of HO-1 as a promising therapeutic strategy for vascular senescence-related cardiovascular diseases.

Vascular and Macrophage Heme Oxygenase-1 in Hypertension: A Mini-Review

Hypertension is one predictive factor for stroke and heart ischemic disease. Nowadays, it is considered an inflammatory disease with elevated cytokine levels, oxidative stress, and infiltration of immune cells in several organs including heart, kidney, and vessels, which contribute to the hypertension-associated cardiovascular damage. Macrophages, the most abundant immune cells in tissues, have a high degree of plasticity that is manifested by polarization in different phenotypes, with the most well-known being M1 (proinflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory). In hypertension, M1 phenotype predominates, producing inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, and mediating many mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. The increase in the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic activity contributes to the macrophage mobilization and to its polarization to the pro-inflammatory phenotype. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a phase II detoxification enzyme responsible for heme catabolism, is induced by oxidative stress, among others. HO-1 has been shown to protect against oxidative and inflammatory insults in hypertension, reducing end organ damage and blood pressure, not only by its expression at the vascular level, but also by shifting macrophages toward the anti-inflammatory phenotype. The regulatory role of heme availability for the synthesis of enzymes involved in hypertension development, such as cyclooxygenase or nitric oxide synthase, seems to be responsible for many of the beneficial HO-1 effects; additionally, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antiproliferative effects of the end products of its reaction, carbon monoxide, biliverdin/bilirubin, and Fe²⁺, would also contribute. In this review, we analyze the role of HO-1 in hypertensive pathology, focusing on its expression in macrophages.

Preventive Beneficial Effect of an Aqueous Extract of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae) on DOCA-Salt-Induced Hypertension, Cardiac Hypertrophy and Dysfunction, and Endothelial Dysfunction in Rats

This study investigated the preventive effect of an aqueous extract of the whole plant of Phyllanthus amarus (AEPA) on blood pressure, cardiac, and endothelial function in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt-induced hypertensive rat model. Male Wistar rats were assigned into 5 groups receiving either vehicle (control and DOCA salt), DOCA salt combined with AEPA at 100 or 300 mg/kg, or AEPA (100 mg/kg) alone for 5 weeks. In addition, DOCA salt-treated rats were allowed free access to water containing 1% NaCl. Systolic blood pressure, left ventricle parameters, vascular reactivity of primary mesenteric artery rings, the vascular level of oxidative stress, and the level of target proteins were determined, using respectively tail-cuff sphygmomanometry, echocardiography, organ chambers, dihydroethidium staining, and immunofluorescence methods. After 5 weeks, AEPA treatments (100 or 300 mg/kg per day) significantly prevented the increase in systolic blood pressure in DOCA salt-treated rats, respectively, by about 24 and 21 mm Hg, improved cardiac diastolic function, and reduced significantly the increased posterior and septum diastolic wall thickness and the left ventricle mass in hypertensive rats. Moreover, the DOCA salt-induced endothelial dysfunction and the blunted nitric oxide- and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization-mediated relaxations in primary mesenteric artery were improved after the AEPA treatments. AEPA also reduced the level of vascular oxidative stress and the expression level of target proteins (eNOS, COX-2, NADPH oxidase subunit p22) in DOCA salt rats. Altogether, AEPA prevented hypertension, improved cardiac structure and function, and improved endothelial function in DOCA salt rats. Such beneficial effects seem to be related, at least in part, to normalization of the vascular level of oxidative stress.

Heme Oxygenase Dependent Bilirubin Generation in Vascular Cells: A Role in Preventing Endothelial Dysfunction in Local Tissue Microenvironment?

Among antioxidants in the human body, bilirubin has been recognized over the past 20 years to afford protection against different chronic conditions, including inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Moderate increases in plasma concentration and cellular bilirubin generation from metabolism of heme via heme oxygenase (HMOX) in virtually all tissues can modulate endothelial and vascular function and exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles. This review aims to provide an up-to-date and critical overview of the molecular mechanisms by which bilirubin derived from plasma or from HMOX1 activation in vascular cells affects endothelial function. Understanding the molecular actions of bilirubin may critically improve the management not only of key cardiovascular diseases, but also provide insights into a broad spectrum of pathologies driven by endothelial dysfunction. In this context, therapeutic interventions aimed at mildly increasing serum bilirubin as well as bilirubin generated endogenously by endothelial HMOX1 should be considered.

Heme oxygenase-1 ameliorates oxidative stress-induced endothelial senescence via regulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation and coupling

AIM

Premature senescence of vascular endothelial cells is a leading cause of various cardiovascular diseases. Therapies targeting endothelial senescence would have important clinical implications. The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as a therapeutic target for endothelial senescence.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Upregulation of HO-1 by Hemin or adenovirus infection reversed H₂O₂-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs); whereas depletion of HO-1 by siRNA or HO-1 inhibitor protoporphyrin IX zinc (II) (ZnPP) triggered HUVEC senescence. Mechanistically, overexpression of HO-1 enhanced the interaction between HO-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and promoted the interaction between eNOS and its upstream kinase Akt, thus resulting in an enhancement of eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 and a subsequent increase of nitric oxide (NO) production. Moreover, HO-1 induction prevented the decrease of eNOS dimer/monomer ratio stimulated by H₂O₂ via its antioxidant properties. Contrarily, HO-1 silencing impaired eNOS phosphorylation and accelerated eNOS uncoupling. In vivo, Hemin treatment alleviated senescence of endothelial cells of the aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats, through upregulating eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177.

CONCLUSIONS

HO-1 ameliorated endothelial senescence through enhancing eNOS activation and defending eNOS uncoupling, suggesting that HO-1 is a potential target for treating endothelial senescence.

Effects of astaxanthin supplementation and electrical stimulation on muscle atrophy and decreased oxidative capacity in soleus muscle during hindlimb unloading in rats

The effects of a combination of the antioxidant astaxanthin (AX) and electrical stimulation (ES) on muscle mass and mitochondrial oxidative capacity were investigated in the soleus muscle of hindlimb unloaded rats. Five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were used; control, 1-week hindlimb unloading (HU), HU + AX, HU + ES, and HU + AX + ES. Respective rats in the AX groups received 50-mg/kg AX twice daily during HU. Calf muscles of rats in the ES groups were electrically stimulated for 240 s/day during HU. One-week HU decreased muscle mass along with decreased FoxO3a phosphorylation and increased ubiquitinated proteins expressions, decreased oxidative enzymatic activity accompanied with decline in PGC-1α protein expression, and increased reactive oxygen species production. However, the combination treatment could synergistically attenuate/suppress all HU-related changes, suggesting protective effects on muscle atrophy and decreased muscle oxidative capacity due to chronic neuromuscular inactivity.

HO-1 overexpression and underexpression: Clinical implications

In this review we examine the effects of both over- and under-production of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and HO activity on a broad spectrum of biological systems and on vascular disease. In a few instances e.g., neonatal jaundice, overproduction of HO-1 and increased HO activity results in elevated levels of bilirubin requiring clinical intervention with inhibitors of HO activity. In contrast HO-1 levels and HO activity are low in obesity and the HO system responds to mitigate the deleterious effects of oxidative stress through increased levels of bilirubin (anti-inflammatory) and CO (anti-apoptotic) and decreased levels of heme (pro-oxidant). Site specific HO-1 overexpression diminishes adipocyte terminal differentiation and lipid accumulation of obesity mediated release of inflammatory molecules. A series of diverse strategies have been implemented that focus on increasing HO-1 and HO activity that are central to reversing the clinical complications associated with diseases including, obesity, metabolic syndrome and vascular disease.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with reactive oxygen species and blood pressure regulation

Hypertension is the most prevalent cause of cardiovascular disease and kidney failure, but only about 50% of patients achieve adequate blood pressure control, in part, due to inter-individual genetic variations in the response to antihypertensive medication. Significant strides have been made toward the understanding of the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. However, the role of ROS in human hypertension is still unclear. Polymorphisms of some genes involved in the regulation of ROS production are associated with hypertension, suggesting their potential influence on blood pressure control and response to antihypertensive medication. This review provides an update on the genes associated with the regulation of ROS production in hypertension and discusses the controversies on the use of antioxidants in the treatment of hypertension, including the antioxidant effects of antihypertensive drugs.

Acute activation of endothelial AMPK surprisingly inhibits endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization-like relaxations in rat mesenteric arteries

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations (EDHs) contribute to the regulation of peripheral resistance. They are initiated through opening of endothelial calcium-activated potassium channels (K_Ca ); the potassium ions released then diffuse to the underlying smooth muscle cells, causing hyperpolarization and thus relaxation. The present study aimed to examine whether or not AMPK modulates EDH-like relaxations in rat mesenteric arteries.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Arterial rings were isolated for isometric tension recording. AMPK activity and protein level were measured by ELISA and western blotting respectively.

KEY RESULTS

The AMPK activator, AICAR, reduced ACh-induced EDH-like relaxations and increased AMPK activity in preparations with endothelium; these responses were prevented by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. AICAR inhibited relaxations induced by SKA-31 (opener of endothelial K_Ca ) but did not affect potassium-induced, hyperpolarization-attributable relaxations or increase AMPK activity in preparations without endothelium. A769662, another AMPK activator, not only caused a similar inhibition of relaxations to ACh and SKA-31 in preparations with endothelium but also inhibited hyperpolarization-attributable relaxations and augmented AMPK activity in rings without endothelium. Protein levels of total AMPKα, AMPKα1, or AMPKβ1/2 were comparable between preparations with and without endothelium.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Activation of endothelial AMPK, by either AICAR or A769662, acutely inhibits EDH-like relaxations of rat mesenteric arteries. Furthermore, A769662 inhibits signalling downstream of smooth muscle hyperpolarization. In view of the major blunting effect of AMPK activation on EDH-like relaxations, caution should be applied when administering therapeutic agents that activate AMPK in patients with endothelial dysfunction characterized by reduced production and/or bioavailability of NO.

Gardenia jasminoides has therapeutic effects on L‑NNA‑induced hypertension in vivo

Gardenia jasminoides is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has four key active components (genipin gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin 1 and crocin 2). The aim of the present study was to determine the anti‑hypertension effects of Gardenia jasminoidesin vivo. The chemical composition of Gardenia jasminoides was determined using liquid chromatography. The anti‑hypertensive effects of Gardenia jasminoides were determined by a L‑NG‑nitroarginine (L‑NNA)‑induced hypertension animal model. Both Gardenia jasminoides plants of the Jiangjin County variety (CJGJ) and the Lichuan City variety (HLGJ) were used. HLGJ contained more geniposide than CJGJ. L‑NNA was used to induce hypertension in mice, and the mice were subsequently treated with CJGJ and HLGJ. The Gardenia jasminoides‑treated mice exhibited lower systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP) than the experimental control mice. Additionally, HLGL has a more potent effect on SBP, MBP and DBP than CJGJ. Following Gardenia jasminoides treatment, the nitric oxide contents in serum, heart, liver, kidney and stomach of mice were higher than the L‑NNA‑induced control mice, and the malondialdehyde contents were lower; the levels in HLGJ‑treated mice were closer to those normal mice than the levels in CJGJ‑treated mice were. Serum levels of endothelin‑1 and vascular endothelial growth factor were reduced by HLGJ treatment in hypertensive mice, whereas the calcitonin gene‑related peptide level was raised. Reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction analysis of mouse heart and vessel tissue demonstrated that HLGJ‑treated mice exhibited higher heme oxygenase‑1, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial NOS, Bax, caspase‑3, caspase‑8, caspase‑9 mRNA expression levels and lower adrenomedullin, receptor activity modifying protein, interleukin‑1β, tumor necrosis factor‑α, inducible NOS, Bcl‑2, monocyte chemoattractant protein‑1, nuclear factor‑κB and matrix metalloproteinase‑2 and ‑9 mRNA expression compared with control hypertensive mice and CJGJ‑treated mice. In conclusion, Gardenia jasminoides has anti‑hypertensive effects, and these effects may be associated with the active component, geniposide.

Endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease - a 30th anniversary update

The endothelium can evoke relaxations of the underlying vascular smooth muscle, by releasing vasodilator substances. The best-characterized endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is nitric oxide (NO) which activates soluble guanylyl cyclase in the vascular smooth muscle cells, with the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) initiating relaxation. The endothelial cells also evoke hyperpolarization of the cell membrane of vascular smooth muscle (endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations, EDH-mediated responses). As regards the latter, hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) now appears to play a dominant role. Endothelium-dependent relaxations involve both pertussis toxin-sensitive G_i (e.g. responses to α₂ -adrenergic agonists, serotonin, and thrombin) and pertussis toxin-insensitive G_q (e.g. adenosine diphosphate and bradykinin) coupling proteins. New stimulators (e.g. insulin, adiponectin) of the release of EDRFs have emerged. In recent years, evidence has also accumulated, confirming that the release of NO by the endothelial cell can chronically be upregulated (e.g. by oestrogens, exercise and dietary factors) and downregulated (e.g. oxidative stress, smoking, pollution and oxidized low-density lipoproteins) and that it is reduced with ageing and in the course of vascular disease (e.g. diabetes and hypertension). Arteries covered with regenerated endothelium (e.g. following angioplasty) selectively lose the pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway for NO release which favours vasospasm, thrombosis, penetration of macrophages, cellular growth and the inflammatory reaction leading to atherosclerosis. In addition to the release of NO (and EDH, in particular those due to H₂ O₂ ), endothelial cells also can evoke contraction of the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells by releasing endothelium-derived contracting factors. Recent evidence confirms that most endothelium-dependent acute increases in contractile force are due to the formation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids (endoperoxides and prostacyclin) which activate TP receptors of the vascular smooth muscle cells and that prostacyclin plays a key role in such responses. Endothelium-dependent contractions are exacerbated when the production of nitric oxide is impaired (e.g. by oxidative stress, ageing, spontaneous hypertension and diabetes). They contribute to the blunting of endothelium-dependent vasodilatations in aged subjects and essential hypertensive and diabetic patients. In addition, recent data confirm that the release of endothelin-1 can contribute to endothelial dysfunction and that the peptide appears to be an important contributor to vascular dysfunction. Finally, it has become clear that nitric oxide itself, under certain conditions (e.g. hypoxia), can cause biased activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase leading to the production of cyclic inosine monophosphate (cIMP) rather than cGMP and hence causes contraction rather than relaxation of the underlying vascular smooth muscle.

Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization: age, gender and blood pressure, do they matter?

Under physiological conditions, the endothelium generates vasodilator signals [prostacyclin, nitric oxide NO and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH)], for the regulation of vascular tone. The relative importance of these two signals depends on the diameter of the blood vessels: as the diameter of the arteries decreases, the contribution of EDH to the regulation of vascular tone increases. The mechanism involved in EDH varies with species and blood vessel types; nevertheless, activation of endothelial intermediate- and small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (IK_Ca and SK_Ca , respectively) is characteristic of the EDH pathway. IK_Ca - and SK_Ca -mediated EDH are reduced with endothelial dysfunction, which develops with ageing and hypertension, and is less pronounced in female than in age-matched male until after menopause. Impaired EDH-mediated relaxation is related to a reduced involvement of SK_Ca , so that the response becomes more dependent on IK_Ca . The latter depends on the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1), proteins associated with the process of cellular senescence and vascular signalling in response to the female hormone. An understanding of the role of AMPK and/or SIRT1 in EDH-like responses may help identifying effective pharmacological strategies to prevent the development of vascular complications of different aetiologies.

Heme Oxygenases in Cardiovascular Health and Disease

Heme oxygenases are composed of two isozymes, Hmox1 and Hmox2, that catalyze the degradation of heme to carbon monoxide (CO), ferrous iron, and biliverdin, the latter of which is subsequently converted to bilirubin. While initially considered to be waste products, CO and biliverdin/bilirubin have been shown over the last 20 years to modulate key cellular processes, such as inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, as well as antioxidant defense. This shift in paradigm has led to the importance of heme oxygenases and their products in cell physiology now being well accepted. The identification of the two human cases thus far of heme oxygenase deficiency and the generation of mice deficient in Hmox1 or Hmox2 have reiterated a role for these enzymes in both normal cell function and disease pathogenesis, especially in the context of cardiovascular disease. This review covers the current knowledge on the function of both Hmox1 and Hmox2 at both a cellular and tissue level in the cardiovascular system. Initially, the roles of heme oxygenases in vascular health and the regulation of processes central to vascular diseases are outlined, followed by an evaluation of the role(s) of Hmox1 and Hmox2 in various diseases such as atherosclerosis, intimal hyperplasia, myocardial infarction, and angiogenesis. Finally, the therapeutic potential of heme oxygenases and their products are examined in a cardiovascular disease context, with a focus on how the knowledge we have gained on these enzymes may be capitalized in future clinical studies.

Translational Significance of Heme Oxygenase in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

The global epidemic of obesity continues unabated with sequelae of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This review reflects the dramatic increase in research on the role of increased expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1/HO-2, biliverdin reductase, and HO activity on vascular disease. The HO system engages with other systems to mitigate the deleterious effects of oxidative stress in obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent reports indicate that HO-1/HO-2 protein expression and HO activity have several important roles in hemostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent perturbations associated with metabolic syndrome. HO-1 protects tissue during inflammatory stress in obesity through the degradation of pro-oxidant heme and the production of carbon monoxide (CO) and bilirubin, both of which have anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. By contrast, repression of HO-1 is associated with increases of cellular heme and inflammatory conditions including hypertension, stroke, and atherosclerosis. HO-1 is a major focus in the development of potential therapeutic strategies to reverse the clinical complications of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Vascular nitric oxide: Beyond eNOS

As the first discovered gaseous signaling molecule, nitric oxide (NO) affects a number of cellular processes, including those involving vascular cells. This brief review summarizes the contribution of NO to the regulation of vascular tone and its sources in the blood vessel wall. NO regulates the degree of contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells mainly by stimulating soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) to produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), although cGMP-independent signaling [S-nitrosylation of target proteins, activation of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) or production of cyclic inosine monophosphate (cIMP)] also can be involved. In the blood vessel wall, NO is produced mainly from l-arginine by the enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) but it can also be released non-enzymatically from S-nitrosothiols or from nitrate/nitrite. Dysfunction in the production and/or the bioavailability of NO characterizes endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Reduced activity of SKC a and Na-K ATPase underlies the accelerated impairment of EDH-type relaxations in mesenteric arteries of aging spontaneously hypertensive rats

Aging is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction due to reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and/or reduced endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations (EDH). This study examines the hypothesis that hypertension aggravates the impairment of EDH-type relaxation due to aging. EDH-type relaxations were studied in superior mesenteric arteries isolated from Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats of 12, 36, 60, and 72 weeks of age. EDH-type relaxations in WKY were reduced with aging, and this was associated with an impairment of the function of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK_Ca) and sodium-potassium ATPase (Na-K ATPase). EDH-type relaxation in SHR was smaller than that in WKY arteries, and further reduction occurred with aging. Pharmacological experiments suggested a reduced involvement of SK_Ca and Na-K ATPase and activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and silent information regulator T1 (sirtuin-1; SIRT1) in mesenteric arteries of 12-week-old SHR. These pharmacological findings suggest that in superior mesenteric arteries of the rat, the reduction in EDH-type relaxation occurs with aging and that such a reduction is exacerbated in hypertension. The latter exacerbation appears to involve proteins associated with the process of cellular senescence and is related to impaired function of SK_Ca and Na-K ATPase, a phenomenon that is also observed in mesenteric arteries of older normotensive rats.

The role of oxidative stress, antioxidants and vascular inflammation in cardiovascular disease (a review)

The concept of mild chronic vascular inflammation as part of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, most importantly hypertension and atherosclerosis, has been well accepted. Indeed there are links between vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. However, there are still gaps in our understanding regarding this matter that might be the cause behind disappointing results of antioxidant therapy for cardiovascular risk factors in large-scale long-term randomised controlled trials. Apart from the limitations of our knowledge, limitations in methodology and assessment of the body's endogenous and exogenous oxidant-antioxidant status are a serious handicap. The pleiotropic effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammation that are shown by some well-established antihypertensive agents and statins partly support the idea of using antioxidants in vascular diseases as still relevant. This review aims to provide an overview of the links between oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors, importantly focusing on blood pressure regulation and atherosclerosis. In view of the potential benefits of antioxidants, this review will also examine the proposed role of vitamin C, vitamin E and polyphenols in cardiovascular diseases as well as the success or failure of antioxidant therapy for cardiovascular diseases in clinical trials.