Synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 by cholesterol-fed rabbits

Quantitative Lipidomic Analysis of Osteosarcoma Cell-Derived Products by UHPLC-MS/MS

Changes in lipid metabolism are involved in several pathological conditions, such as cancer. Among lipids, eicosanoids are potent inflammatory mediators, synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which coexist with other lipid-derived ones, including endocannabinoids (ECs) and N-acylethanolamides (NAEs). In this work, a bioanalytical assay for 12 PUFAs/eicosanoids and 20 ECs/NAEs in cell culture medium and human biofluids was validated over a linear range of 0.1-2.5 ng/mL. A fast pretreatment method consisting of protein precipitation with acetonitrile followed by a double step liquid-liquid extraction was developed. The final extracts were injected onto a Kinetex ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) XB-C18 column with a gradient elution of 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol/acetonitrile (5:1; v/v) mobile phase. Chromatographic separation was followed by detection with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer operating both in positive and negative ion-mode. A full validation was carried out in a small amount of cell culture medium and then applied to osteosarcoma cell-derived products. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first lipid profiling of bone tumor cell lines (SaOS-2 and MG-63) and their secretome. Our method was also partially validated in other biological matrices, such as serum and urine, ensuring its broad applicability as a powerful tool for lipidomic translational research.

Antagonism of the antithrombotic and anti-atherosclerotic actions of aspirin by rofecoxib in the cholesterol-fed rabbit

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Most patients at elevated cardiovascular risk receive long-term aspirin (ASA) anti-platelet treatment. The present study specifically addresses the pharmacological interactions between selective COX-2 inhibitors and ASA and the possible consequences for the thrombotic risk during long-term treatment.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

New Zealand white rabbits were fed a standard laboratory diet supplemented with 1% cholesterol (CON) for 12 weeks. Age-matched control rabbits were fed the same standard diet without addition of cholesterol (SD). Rabbits were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: rofecoxib (ROFE, 25 mg·kg⁻¹, bid), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 5 mg·kg⁻¹, bid) or a combination of both (ASA + ROFE). At the end of the feeding period, the severity of atherosclerotic plaque formation was assessed in the aorta. Thrombus formation was assessed in the left carotid artery using a modified Folts procedure.

KEY RESULTS

Treatment of cholesterol-fed rabbits with ASA significantly reduced plaque formation. This reduction in lesion size was not observed in animals treated with the combination of rofecoxib and ASA. In the modified Folts model, treatment with either rofecoxib or ASA increased the total blood flow above that of untreated animals. This increase was statistically significant in the case of ASA, while cotreatment with rofecoxib abolished this ASA effect completely and reduced the total flow rate to the levels seen in untreated hypercholesterolaemic controls.

CONCLUSIONS

COX-2 inhibition by rofecoxib attenuates the antithrombotic and anti-atherosclerotic effects of ASA during long-term treatment in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Aortic thromboxane receptor deficiency alters vascular reactivity in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Hypercholesterolemia is considered a major risk factor in the development of atherosclerotic disease. The endothelium is the source of a number of vasoactive compounds which may be altered by the disease process. For example, synthesis of the arachidonic acid metabolite thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) increases in atherosclerosis. Non-selective blockade of vascular and platelet thromboxane (TP) receptors retards the progression of the disease in various animal models. We have previously identified a subset of NZW rabbits that lack only vascular (v) TP receptors, referred to as vTP-. These rabbits provide a unique model to elucidate the role of vascular TP receptors in hypercholesterolemia. Studies evaluated vascular responses to phenylephrine and acetylcholine in isolated aortic rings obtained from vTP- and vTP+ rabbits fed 0.5% cholesterol diet for a period of only 3 weeks. In the cholesterol-fed vTP- rabbits, contractions to phenylephrine were reduced compared to the vTP+ cholesterol-fed rabbits. Acetylcholine-induced relaxations were greater in cholesterol-fed vTP- rabbits compared to cholesterol-fed vTP+ rabbits. While the overall incidence of aortic lesions was small after only 3 weeks of cholesterol-feeding, results indicated a reduction in lesions in the vTP- compared to the vTP+ rabbits. In summary, these studies are the first to show that if rabbits lack only vascular TP receptors, impaired vascular reactivity responses normally associated with hypercholesterolemia are diminished.

Effects of COX-2 inhibitors on aortic prostacyclin production in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation that is produced by prostacyclin synthase via the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. We investigated the potential role of COX-2 in the production of vasoactive prostanoids by aortic tissue in a rabbit model of dietary cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis. COX-1 was detected as the major isoform by immunoblot analysis in extracts from aortas of normal and 8 week cholesterol-fed animals with COX-2 being induced in atherosclerotic plaques from cholesterol-fed animals. Aortic tissue from cholesterol-fed animals showed decreased levels of basal 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) and PGE(2) production as compared to the normal controls but showed no difference with respect to their ability to synthesize these prostanoids in response to exogenous arachidonic acid. The highly selective COX-2 inhibitors rofecoxib and the furanone DFP at concentrations of up to 10 micromol/l had no effect on the arachidonic acid-dependent production of 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha), in contrast to indomethacin, which caused a complete inhibition at 0.5 micromol/l. Celecoxib caused a significant inhibition of 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) at 10 micromol/l but had little effect when the dose was lowered to 1 micromol/l. Similar effects of these inhibitors were observed with respect to the production of PGE(2) and no major difference was observed between aortic tissues from normal and cholesterol-fed animals with regard to inhibitor sensitivity. These results indicate that in a rabbit model of early stage cardiovascular disease, the basal production of 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) and PGE(2) by aortic tissue is decreased. Furthermore, COX-2 expression is induced in atherosclerotic plaques and may play a role in altering localized synthesis of prostanoids in these lesions but does not appear to significantly impact the arachidonic acid-dependent prostacylin production of aortic tissues, which is largely mediated by COX-1.

Mevalonate availability affects human and rat resistance vessel function

Previous data in rat conductance vessels indicated that cellular mevalonate contributes to vascular tone and systemic blood pressure control. Using exogenous mevalonate (M) or lovastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (L), we characterized the role of mevalonate availability in resistance artery function, both in experimental animals and humans. Rat mesenteric artery resistance vessels (MARV, n = 9) were incubated for 48 h with either L, M, L + M, or vehicle (V) and tested for reactivity to NE, serotonin, acetylcholine, atrial natriuretic peptide, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Lovastatin increased sensitivity to NE (P < 0.03) and serotonin (P < 0.003), and significantly impaired the response to all three vasodilators. These effects were reversed by co-incubation with mevalonate. Mevalonate alone had no effect. In separate experiments, intravascular free Ca2+ concentration (ivfCa2+) was determined in fura-2AM loaded MARV. Basal ivfCa2+ was increased after a 48-h exposure to L (52.7 +/- 4.6 nM, L, vs. 29.7 +/- 2.4 nM, V, n = 12, P < 0.003), as were ivfCa2+ levels following stimulation with low (100 nM) NE concentrations. Similar ivfCa2+ concentrations were achieved during maximum contraction with NE (10 mM) in both groups. Human resistance arteries of human adipose tissue were also studied. Lovastatin increased the sensitivity to NE (ED50 = 372 +/- 56 nM, V, and 99 +/- 33 nM, L, P < 0.001) and significantly decreased the relaxation to acetylcholine and SNP of human vessels. We conclude that mevalonate availability directly contribute to resistance vessel function and vascular signal transduction systems in both experimental animals and humans. The study calls for the identification of non-sterol, mevalonate-derived vasoactive metabolites, and suggests that disorders of the mevalonate pathway can alter vascular tone and cause hypertension.

Interactions between endothelial mediators

Prostacyclin, nitric oxide and tissue plasminogen activator constitute a prominent triad of endothelial mediators. Prostacyclin is responsible mainly for maintaining vascular thromboresistance against platelet clumps, inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and modulates cholesterol turnover, tissue plasminogen activator is a fibrinolytic agent and nitric oxide controls vascular tone and structure. Receptor agonists such as acetylcholine, kinins, endothelins or adenosine diphosphate evoke a coupled release of mediators from endothelial cells. Prostacyclin and nitric oxide synergize in their antiplatelet, fibrinolytic and cardioprotective, but not in their hypotensive actions. Prostacyclin, but not nitric oxide, prevents paradox thrombogenic effects of tissue plasminogen activator. Filogenetically, prostacyclin and tissue plasminogen activator are younger brothers of nitric oxide from which they take over and perfect regulatory properties in circulation. Further studies on interactions of endothelial mediators may lead to a better understanding of mechanisms of thrombosis, atherogenesis, diabetic angiopathies, endotoxic shock and arterial hypertension.

Interactions between endothelial secretogogues

Among endothelial secretogogues prostacyclin (PGI2), nitric oxide (NO) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) play a crucial role in maintaining thromboresistance, tone and structure of the vascular wall. Most receptor agonists, such as B2 kinin receptor agonists, or shear force produce a coupled release of all three secretogogues, and therefore interactions between them are to be expected. Essentially, PGI2 is a platelet suppressant, NO a vasodilator and t-PA a fibrinolytic agent. These and other properties of endothelial secretogogues supplement each other in protecting the cardiovascular system from injuries. It is not surprising that disturbances of the secretory function of endothelial cells are associated with atherosclerosis, diabetes, thrombosis or hypertension. Traditionally, PGI2, NO, t-PA or their substitutes are used individually for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease, angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction. In light of recent findings, their joint administration can be advocated. For instance, NO donors will potentiate platelet-suppressant action of PGI2 analogues, whereas exogenous PGI2 or TXA2 synthase inhibitors (i.e. following increase in endogenous PGI2) will abolish a paradox of prothrombotic action of t-PA or streptokinase. The replacement therapy with PGI2, NO or t-PA should match as closely as possible the physiologically coupled release of these secretogogues.

Prostacyclin agonists reduce early atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic hamsters. Octimibate and BMY 42393 suppress monocyte chemotaxis, macrophage cholesteryl ester accumulation, scavenger receptor activity, and tumor necrosis factor production

We determined the effects of two prostacyclin agonists (octimibate and BMY 42393) on the progression of the fatty streak in vivo and on macrophage function in vitro. Hamsters were fed chow plus 0.05% cholesterol and 10% coconut oil. Control hamsters were compared with animals receiving either octimibate (10 or 30 mg/kg per day) or BMY 42393 (30 mg/kg per day). After 10 weeks of treatment, octimibate decreased plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides by 43% and 32%, respectively. Neither agonist affected blood pressure or heart rate. Lesion-prone aortic arches were stained with hematoxylin and oil red O and examined en face. Compared with controls, octimibate and BMY 42393 on average decreased mononuclear cells attached to the luminal surface by 44% and reduced subendothelial macrophage-foam cell number by 56%, foam cell size by 38%, and fatty streak area by 63%. Since octimibate is a putative inhibitor of acyl coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase, we studied the effect of both agents on cholesteryl ester metabolism in murine macrophages. At 10 microM, octimibate and BMY 42393 decreased cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages by 90% and 41%, respectively. Octimibate inhibited cholesteryl ester synthesis by 96% and increased the rate of cholesteryl ester degradation by 52%. Both prostacyclin agonists reduced macrophage scavenger receptor-mediated uptake of acetylated low density lipoprotein by 24-66% and increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. Octimibate and BMY 42393 inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor by 80-88% when macrophages were activated with lipopolysaccharide. At 10 microM, both agents decreased human monocyte chemotaxis to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine by 64-79%. The in vitro results with octimibate and BMY 42393 are consistent with the low number of small foam cells quantified in vivo. We suggest that octimibate and BMY 42393 suppress monocyte-macrophage atherogenic activity and cytokine production and thus inhibit the development of early atherosclerosis.