scholarly journals 20-HETE-induced nitric oxide production in pulmonary artery endothelial cells is mediated by NADPH oxidase, H2O2, and PI3-kinase/Akt

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (4) ◽  
pp. L564-L574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreedhar Bodiga ◽  
Stephanie K. Gruenloh ◽  
Ying Gao ◽  
Vijay L. Manthati ◽  
Narsimhaswamy Dubasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Nadph Oxidase ◽  
Pi3 Kinase ◽  
No Production ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
No Release

We have shown that 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) increases both superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) production in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs). The current study was designed to determine mechanisms underlying 20-HETE-stimulated NO release, and particularly the role of NADPH oxidase, reactive oxygen species, and PI3-kinase in stimulated NO release. Intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and NO production were detected by dichlorofluorescein or dihydrorhodamine and diaminofluorescein fluorescence, respectively. Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (Ser1179) and Akt (Ser473) was assessed by comparing the ratio of phosphorylated to total protein expression by Western blotting. Addition of 20-HETE to BPAECs caused an increase in superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, but not peroxynitrite. 20-HETE-evoked activation of Akt and eNOS, as well as enhanced NO release, are dependent on H2O2 as opposed to superoxide in that these endpoints are blocked by PEG-catalase and not PEG-superoxide dismutase. Similarly, 20-HETE-stimulated NO production in BPAECs is blocked by NADPH oxidase inhibitors apocynin or gp91 blocking peptide, and by PI3-kinase/Akt blockers wortmannin, LY-294002, or Akt inhibitor, implicating NADPH oxidase, PI3-kinase, and Akt signaling pathways, respectively, in this process. Together, these data suggest the following scheme: 20-HETE stimulates NADPH oxidase-dependent formation of superoxide. Superoxide is rapidly dismutated to hydrogen peroxide, which then mediates activation of PI3-kinase/Akt, phosphorylation of eNOS, and enhanced release of NO from eNOS in response to 20-HETE in BPAECs.

scholarly journals Cognac polyphenolic compounds increase bradykinin-induced nitric oxide production in endothelial cells

2008 ◽  
pp. 885-892
Author(s):  
AS Diallo ◽  
M Sarr ◽  
HA Mostefai ◽  
N Carusio ◽  
M Pricci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Nadph Oxidase ◽  
Xanthine Oxidase ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
No Production ◽  
Human Endothelial Cells ◽  
Vascular Protection ◽  
Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor ◽  
No Release

We recently reported that in vitro Cognac polyphenolic compounds (CPC) induce NO-dependent vasorelaxant effects and stimulate cardiac function. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effect of CPC on both nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anions (O(2)(-)) production in cultured human endothelial cells. In addition, its effect on the bradykinin (BK)-induced NO production was also tested. The role and sources of O(2)(-) in the concomitant effect of BK plus CPC were pharmacologically determined. NO and O(2)(-) signals were measured using electron paramagnetic resonance technique using specific spin trappings. Both, CPC and BK induced an increase in NO production in human endothelial cells. The combination of both further enhanced NO release. The capacity of CPC plus BK to increase NO signal was blunted by the NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and was enhanced in the presence either of superoxide dismutase or catalase. Moreover, CPC plus BK response was greater after inhibition of either NADPH oxidase by apocynin or xanthine oxidase by allopurinol but it was not affected by rotenone. CPC did not affect O(2)(-) level either alone or after its increase upon lipopolysaccharide treatment. Finally, the capacity of BK alone to increase NO was enhanced either by apocynin or allopurinol. Altogether, these data demonstrate that CPC is able to directly increase NO production without affecting O(2)(-) and enhances the BK-induced NO production in human endothelial cells. The data highlight the ability of BK to stimulate not only NADPH oxidase- but also xanthine oxidase-inhibitor sensitive mechanisms that reduce its efficiency in increasing NO either alone or in the presence of CPC. These results bring pharmacological evidence for vascular protection by CPC via its potentiating effect of BK response in terms of endothelial NO release.

scholarly journals Androgen Receptor-Dependent Activation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Vascular Endothelial Cells: Role of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway

Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (4) ◽  
pp. 1822-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yu ◽  
Masahiro Akishita ◽  
Masato Eto ◽  
Sumito Ogawa ◽  
Bo-Kyung Son ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Pi3 Kinase ◽  
Maximal Response ◽  
No Production ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Small Interference Rna ◽  
Enos Phosphorylation ◽  
Interference Rna

The mechanisms of testosterone-induced vasodilatation are not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of testosterone on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and its molecular mechanism using human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). Testosterone at physiological concentrations (1–100 nm) induced a rapid (15–30 min) increase in NO production, which was associated with phosphorylation and activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Then, the involvement of the androgen receptor (AR), which is abundantly expressed in HAEC, was examined. The effect of testosterone on eNOS activation and NO production were abolished by pretreatment with an AR antagonist nilutamide and by transfection with AR small interference RNA. In contrast, testosterone-induced eNOS phosphorylation was unchanged by pretreatment with an aromatase inhibitor or by transfection with ERα small interference RNA. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone, a nonaromatizable androgen, also stimulated eNOS phosphorylation. Next, the signaling cascade that leads to eNOS phosphorylation was explored. Testosterone stimulated rapid phosphorylation of Akt in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with maximal response at 15–60 min. The rapid phosphorylation of eNOS or NO production induced by testosterone was inhibited by Akt inhibitor SH-5 or by phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed a testosterone-dependent interaction between AR and the p85α subunit of PI3-kinase. In conclusion, testosterone rapidly induces NO production via AR-dependent activation of eNOS in HAEC. Activation of PI3-kinase/Akt signaling and the direct interaction of AR with p85α are involved, at least in part, in eNOS phosphorylation.

Reduced perivascular Po2 increases nitric oxide release from endothelial cells

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (2) ◽  
pp. H507-H515 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Nase ◽  
J. Tuttle ◽  
H. G. Bohlen
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Parenchymal Cell ◽  
Oxygen Availability ◽  
No Production ◽  
Main Site ◽  
Nitric Oxide Release ◽  
No Release ◽  
Parenchymal Cells

Many studies have suggested that endothelial cells can act as “oxygen sensors” to large reductions in oxygen availability by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. This study determined whether small reductions in oxygen availability enhanced NO production from in vivo intestinal arterioles, venules, and parenchymal cells. In vivo measurements of perivascular NO concentration ([NO]) were made with NO-sensitive microelectrodes during normoxic and reduced oxygen availability. During normoxia, intestinal first-order arteriolar [NO] was 397 ± 26 nM ( n = 5), paired venular [NO] was 298 ± 34 nM ( n = 5), and parenchymal cell [NO] was 138 ± 36 nM ( n = 3). During reduced oxygen availability, arteriolar and venular [NO] significantly increased to 695 ± 79 nM ( n = 5) and 534 ± 66 nM ( n = 5), respectively, whereas parenchymal [NO] remained unchanged at 144 ± 34 nM ( n = 4). During reduced oxygenation, arteriolar and venular diameters increased by 15 ± 3% and 14 ± 5%, respectively: NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester strongly suppressed the dilation to lower periarteriolar Po2. Micropipette injection of a CO2 embolus into arterioles significantly attenuated arteriolar dilation and suppressed NO release in response to reduced oxygen availability. These results indicated that in rat intestine, reduced oxygen availability increased both arteriolar and venular NO and that the main site of NO release under these conditions was from endothelial cells.

scholarly journals Nitric oxide as a second messenger in parathyroid hormone-related protein signaling

2001 ◽  
Vol 170 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Kalinowski ◽  
LW Dobrucki ◽  
T Malinski
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Parathyroid Hormone ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
No Production ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Parathyroid Hormone Related Protein ◽  
No Release ◽  
Pthrp Receptor

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related protein (PTHrP) is produced in smooth muscles and endothelial cells and is believed to participate in the local regulation of vascular tone. No direct evidence for the activation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway by PTHrP has been found despite attempts to identify it. Based on direct in situ measurements, it is reported here for the first time that the human PTH/PTHrP receptor analogs, hPTH(1--34) and hPTHrP(1--34), stimulate NO release from a single endothelial cell. A highly sensitive porphyrinic microsensor with a response time of 0.1 ms and a detection limit of 1 nmol/l was used for the measurement of NO. Both hPTH(1--34) and hPTHrP(1--34) stimulated NO release at nanomolar concentrations. The peak concentration of 0.1 micromol/l hPTH(1--34)- and 0.1 micromol/l hPTHrP(1--34)-stimulated NO release was 175+/-9 and 248+/-13 nmol/l respectively. This represents about 30%--40% of maximum NO concentration recorded in the presence of (0.1 micromol/l) calcium ionophore. Two competitive PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonists, 10 micromol/l [Leu(11),d -Trp(12)]-hPTHrP(7--34)amide and 10 micromol/l [Nle(8,18),Tyr(34)]-bPTH(3--34)amide, were equipotent in antagonizing hPTH(1--34)-stimulated NO release; [Leu(11),d -Trp(12)]-hPTHrP(7--34)amide was more potent than [Nle(8,18),Tyr(34)]-bPTH(3--34)amide in inhibiting hPTHrP(1--34)-stimulated NO release. The PKC inhibitor, H-7 (50 micromol/l), did not change hPTH(1--34)- and hPTHrP(1--34)-stimulated NO release, whereas the combined effect of 10 micromol/l of the cAMP antagonist, Rp-cAMPS, and 50 micromol/l of the calmodulin inhibitor, W-7, was additive. The present studies show that both hPTH(1--34) and hPTHrP(1--34) activate NO production in endothelial cells. The activation of NO release is through PTH/PTHrP receptors and is mediated via the calcium/calmodulin pathway.

Nitric Oxide Detection and Visualization in Biological Systems. Applications of the FNOCT Method

2000 ◽  
Vol 381 (7) ◽  
pp. 575-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Meineke ◽  
Ursula Rauen ◽  
Herbert de Groot ◽  
Hans-Gert Korth ◽  
Reiner Sustmann
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Electron System ◽  
No Production ◽  
No Formation ◽  
Extracellular Release ◽  
No Release ◽  
Spermine Nonoate

Abstract Fluorescent Nitric Oxide Cheletropic Traps (FNOCTs) were applied to specifically trap nitric oxide (NO) with high sensitivity. The fluorescent oquinoid ?electron system of the FNOCTs (? = 460 nm, ? = 600 nm) reacts rapidly with NO to a fluorescent phenanthrene system (? = 380 nm, ? = 460 nm). The cyclic nitroxides thus formed react further to nonradical products which exhibit identical fluorescence properties. Using the acid form of the trap (FNOCT-4), NO release by spermine NONOate and by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated alveolar macrophages were studied. A maximum extracellular release of NO of 37.5 nmol h[-1] (10[6] cells)[-1] from the macrophages was determined at 11 h after activation. Furthermore, intracellular NO release by LPSactivated macrophages and by microvascular omentum endothelial cells stimulated by the Ca[2+] ionophore A-23187, respectively, was monitored on the single cell level by means of fluorescence microscopy. After loading the cells with the membranepermeating acetoxymethylester derivative FNOCT-5,which is hydrolyzed to a nonpermeating dicarboxylate by intracellular hydrolases, NO formation by the endothelial cells started immediately upon stimulation, whereas start of NO production by the macrophages was delayed with a variation between 4 and 8 h for individual cells. These results demonstrate that the FNOCTs can be used to monitor NO release from single cells, as well as from NOdonating compounds, with high sensitivity and with temporal and spatial resolution.

scholarly journals Pretreatment with Astragaloside IV protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and cell dysfunction via inhibiting eNOS uncoupling and NADPH oxidase – ROS – NF-κB pathway

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (11) ◽  
pp. 1132-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chonghua Xu ◽  
Futian Tang ◽  
Meili Lu ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Ronghui Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Nadph Oxidase ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Astragaloside Iv ◽  
Enos Uncoupling ◽  
Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Endothelial cell injury caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders. Astragaloside IV (AsIV) possesses potent antioxidant properties against oxidative stress through undefined mechanism(s). We sought to investigate whether AsIV protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative stress focusing on eNOS uncoupling and the NADPH oxidase – ROS – NF-κB pathway. Compared with HUVECs incubated with H2O2 alone, pretreatment with AsIV significantly increased the viability of HUVECs, which was accompanied with apparent increase in nitric oxide (NO) production and decrease in intracellular superoxide anion production. Furthermore, pretreatment with AsIV increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) dimer/monomer ratio and its critical cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) content, decreased Nox4 protein expression (the most abundant Nox isoform in HUVECs), inhibited translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into nuclear fraction while enhanced the protein expression of IκB-α (the inhibitor of NF-κB p65), reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in HUVECs medium, and decreased iNOS protein expression. These results suggest that AsIV may protect HUVECs from H2O2-induced oxidative stress via inhibiting NADPH oxidase – ROS – NF-κB pathway and eNOS uncoupling.

scholarly journals Nitric oxide production in human endothelial cells stimulated by histamine requires Ca2+ influx

1998 ◽  
Vol 330 (2) ◽  
pp. 695-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédérique LANTOINE ◽  
Lahcen IOUZALEN ◽  
Marie-Aude DEVYNCK ◽  
Elisabeth MILLANVOYE-van BRUSSEL ◽  
Monique DAVID-DUFILHO
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
No Production ◽  
Nitric Oxide Production ◽  
Human Endothelial Cells ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
No Release ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Internal Side ◽  
Oxide Synthase

The causal relationships between cytosolic free-Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increases and production of nitric oxide (NO) have been investigated mostly with indirect methods and remain unclear. Here we demonstrate, by direct real-time measurements of [NO] with a porphyrinic microsensor, that Ca2+ entry, but not an increase in [Ca2+]i, is required for triggering of NO production in human endothelial cells. Histamine, ranging from 0.1 to 100 μM, increased both NO production and [Ca2+]i when given in a single dose. However, histamine caused increased NO release but induced progressively smaller [Ca2+]i changes when cumulatively added. In the absence of a transmembrane Ca2+ gradient, no significant NO release was detectable, despite the marked Ca2+ peak induced by histamine. Inhibition of Ca2+ entry by SK&F 96365 abolished histamine-elicited NO production but only reduced the transient [Ca2+]i rise. The suppression of the sustained [Ca2+]i response under these two conditions suggests that NO release was closely associated with Ca2+ entry from the extracellular space. In addition, membrane depolarization, achieved by increasing the extracellular K+ concentration from 5 to 130 mM, reduced both the amplitude of histamine-induced sustained [Ca2+]i elevation and NO production. These results lead us to propose that the availability of numerous Ca2+ ions around the internal side of the plasma membrane would promote the association between nitric oxide synthase and calmodulin, thereby activating the enzyme.

scholarly journals Sepiapterin improves angiogenesis of pulmonary artery endothelial cells with in utero pulmonary hypertension by recoupling endothelial nitric oxide synthase

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (3) ◽  
pp. L334-L345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru-Jeng Teng ◽  
Jianhai Du ◽  
Hao Xu ◽  
Ivane Bakhutashvili ◽  
Annie Eis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
No Production ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Dimer Formation ◽  
Enos Activity ◽  
Endothelial Nitric Oxide

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is associated with decreased blood vessel density that contributes to increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Previous studies showed that uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) activity and increased NADPH oxidase activity resulted in marked decreases in NO bioavailability and impaired angiogenesis in PPHN. In the present study, we hypothesize that loss of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a critical cofactor for eNOS, induces uncoupled eNOS activity and impairs angiogenesis in PPHN. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) isolated from fetal lambs with PPHN (HTFL-PAEC) or control lambs (NFL-PAEC) were used to investigate the cellular mechanisms impairing angiogenesis in PPHN. Cellular mechanisms were examined with respect to BH4 levels, GTP-cyclohydrolase-1 (GCH-1) expression, eNOS dimer formation, and eNOS-heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) interactions under basal conditions and after sepiapterin (Sep) supplementation. Cellular levels of BH4, GCH-1 expression, and eNOS dimer formation were decreased in HTFL-PAEC compared with NFL-PAEC. Sep supplementation decreased apoptosis and increased in vitro angiogenesis in HTFL-PAEC and ex vivo pulmonary artery sprouting angiogenesis. Sep also increased cellular BH4 content, NO production, eNOS dimer formation, and eNOS-hsp90 association and decreased the superoxide formation in HTFL-PAEC. These data demonstrate that Sep improves NO production and angiogenic potential of HTFL-PAEC by recoupling eNOS activity. Increasing BH4 levels via Sep supplementation may be an important therapy for improving eNOS function and restoring angiogenesis in PPHN.

Abstract 335: Atheroma-specific Delivery of Synthetic High-density Lipoprotein Containing Sphingosine-1-phosphate for Modulation of Vascular Inflammation.

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily E Morin ◽  
Yanhong Guo ◽  
Rui Kuai ◽  
Gergely Lautner ◽  
Mark E Meyerhoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
No Production ◽  
No Release ◽  
Sphingosine 1 Phosphate ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Introduction: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a potent anti-inflammatory signaling lipid carried in the body by circulating HDL. HDL has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities through activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and subsequent production and release of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial cells. Objective: The aim of this study is to use synthetic HDL particles to selectively deliver S1P to the site of arterial plaques in order to exert anti-inflammatory activity and modulate the progression of atherosclerosis. Methods/Results: Synthetic HDL (sHDL) particles were prepared using the ApoA1 mimetic peptide 22A (PVLDLFRELLNELLEALKQKLK), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and sphingomyelin. We also prepared sHDL containing either the hydrophobic dye, DiD, or S1P to assess the capability of sHDL to effectively reach atheroma site and induce nitric oxide (NO) release, respectively. The purity of all particles was determined to be > 97% and average particle size was 9.6 ± 0.4 nm for all preparations. To measure sHDL accumulation in the plaque, ApoE -/- mice were intravenously injected with 0.2 mg/kg HDL-DiD. Whole aortas were excised and analysed by IVUS imaging system, revealing significant accumulation of sHDL-DiD in the atherosclerotic lesions. We then tested the ability of sHDL to deliver S1P in vitro and induce NO production by treating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with 1 mg/mL of 22A-DPPC-sHDL containing 0, 0.05, 0.5, or 5 nmol/mL of S1P using free 22A peptide (1 mg/mL) and saline as controls, and analyzing media by ozone chemiluminescence. Blank sHDL particles increased NO production two-fold over controls (0.27 ± 0.02 μM for 22A-DPPC-sHDLDL, 0.13 ± 0.01 μM PBS and 0.14 ± 0.02 μM for 22A peptide), while HDL-S1P further increased NO release: 0.35 ± 0.03, 0.44 ± 0.01, and 0.59 ± 0.01 μM for HDL with 0.05, 0.5, and 5 nmol/mL S1P, respectively. Conclusions: Our studies show that HDL is capable of delivering hydrophobic cargo to atherosclerotic plaques, making HDL a promising platform to deliver S1P for modulation vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. In vitro studies have revealed that HDL-S1P is able to increase NO production 2 to 4-fold over saline control setting the basis for future in vivo studies.

Vasculoprotective effect of U50,488H in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia: role of Akt-stimulated NO production

2013 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Li ◽  
Quan-Xing Shi ◽  
Rong Fan ◽  
Li-Jun Zhang ◽  
Shu-Miao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
Chronic Hypoxia ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Tunel Staining ◽  
No Production ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Apoptotic Effect

Impairment of pulmonary endothelium function in the pulmonary artery is a direct result of chronic hypoxia. This study is to investigate the vasculoprotective effects of U50,488H (a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist) and its underlying mechanism in hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery endothelial functional injury. Chronic hypoxia was simulated by exposing the rats to 10% oxygen for 2 wk. After hypoxia, right ventricular pressure (RVP) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) were measured. The pulmonary vascular dysfunction, effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (l-NAME) on the relaxation of U50,488H, and level of nitric oxide (NO) were determined. In vitro, the signaling pathway involved in the anti-apoptotic effect of U50,488H was investigated. Cultured endothelial cells were subjected to simulated hypoxia, and cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining. U50,488H (1.25 mg/kg) significantly reduced RVP and RVHI in hypoxia. U50,488H markedly improved both pulmonary endothelial function (maximal vasorelaxation in response to ACh: 74.9 ± 1.8%, n = 6, P <0.01 vs. hypoxia for 2 wk group) and increased total NO production (1.65 fold). U50,488H relaxed the pulmonary artery rings of the hypoxic rats. This effect was partly abolished by l-NAME. In cells, U50,488H both increased NO production and reduced hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Moreover, pretreatment with nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI, a selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist), PI3K inhibitor, Akt inhibitor or l-NAME almost abolished anti-apoptotic effect exerted by U50,488H. U50,488H resulted in increases in Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that pretreatment with U50,488H attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction in an Akt-dependent and NO-mediated fashion.

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