scholarly journals The Inhibitory Effect of Ojeoksan on Early and Advanced Atherosclerosis

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byung Han ◽  
Chang Seo ◽  
Jung Yoon ◽  
Hye Kim ◽  
You Ahn ◽  
...  

Atherosclerosis is closely related to vascular dysfunction and hypertension. Ojeoksan (OJS), originally recorded in an ancient Korean medicinal book named “Donguibogam”, is a well-known, blended herbal formula. This study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effects of OJS on atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. Western-diet-fed apolipoprotein-E gene-deficient mice (ApoE −/−) were used for this study for 16 weeks, and their vascular dysfunction and inflammation were analyzed. OJS-treated ApoE −/− mice showed lowered blood pressure and glucose levels. The levels of metabolic parameters with hyperlipidemia attenuated following OJS administration. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed that treatment with OJS reduced atherosclerotic lesions. OJS also suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) compared to Western-diet-fed ApoE −/− mice and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Expression levels of MicroRNAs (miRNA)-10a, -126 3p were increased in OJS-fed ApoE −/− mice. OJS significantly increased the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase B (Akt), which are involved in nitric oxide (NO) production. OJS also regulated eNOS coupling by increasing the expression of endothelial GTP Cyclohydrolase-1 (GTPCH). Taken together, OJS has a protective effect on vascular inflammation via eNOS coupling-mediated NO production and might be a potential therapeutic agent for both early and advanced atherosclerosis.

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (4) ◽  
pp. R1608-R1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Geng ◽  
Yuying Cui ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Fang Yu ◽  
Yi Zhu ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling by nitric oxide (NO) in isolated rat aortas and cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Both administration of H2S and NaHS, as well as endogenous H2S, reduced NO formation, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, eNOS transcript abundance, and l-arginine (l-Arg) transport (all P < 0.01). The kinetics analysis of eNOS activity and l-Arg transport showed that H2S reduced Vmax values (all P < 0.01) without modifying Km parameters. Use of selective NOS inhibitors verified that eNOS [vs. inducible NOS (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS)] was the specific target of H2S regulation. H2S treatment (100 μmol/l) reduced Akt phosphorylation and decreased eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177. H2S reduced l-Arg uptake by inhibition of a system y+ transporter and decreased the CAT-1 transcript. H2S treatment reduced protein expression of eNOS but not of nNOS and iNOS. Pinacidil (KATP channel opener) exhibited the similar inhibitory effects on the l-Arg/NOS/NO pathway. Glibenclamide (KATP channel inhibitor) partly blocked the inhibitory effect of H2S and pinacidil. An in vivo experiment revealed that H2S downregulated the vascular l-Arg/eNOS/NO pathway after intraperitoneal injection of NaHS (14 μmol/kg) in rats. Taken together, our findings suggest that H2S downregulates the vascular l-Arg/NOS/NO pathway in vitro and in vivo, and the KATP channel could be involved in the regulatory mechanism of H2S.


2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 4247-4253 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Talvani ◽  
F. S. Machado ◽  
G. C. Santana ◽  
A. Klein ◽  
L. Barcelos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The production of nitric oxide (NO) by gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-activated macrophages is a major effector mechanism during experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. In addition to IFN-γ, chemoattractant molecules, such as platelet-activating factor (PAF) and CC chemokines, may also activate macrophages to induce NO and mediate the killing of T. cruzi in an NO-dependent manner. Here we investigated the ability of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) to induce the production of NO by macrophages infected with T. cruzi in vitro and whether NO mediated LTB4-induced parasite killing. The activation of T. cruzi-infected but not naive murine peritoneal macrophages with LTB4 induced the time- and concentration-dependent production of NO. In addition, low concentrations of LTB4 acted in synergy with IFN-γ to induce NO production. The NO produced mediated LTB4-induced microbicidal activity in macrophages, as demonstrated by the inhibitory effects of an inducible NO synthase inhibitor. LTB4-induced NO production and parasite killing were LTB4 receptor dependent and were partially blocked by a PAF receptor antagonist. LTB4 also induced significant tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production, and blockade of TNF-α suppressed LTB4-induced NO release and parasite killing. A blockade of LTB4 or PAF receptors partially inhibited IFN-γ-induced NO and TNF-α production but not parasite killing. Finally, daily treatment of infected mice with CP-105,696 was accompanied by a significantly higher level of blood parasitemia, but not lethality, than that seen in vehicle-treated animals. In conclusion, our results suggest a role for LTB4 during experimental T. cruzi infection. Chemoattractant molecules such as LTB4 not only may play a major role in leukocyte migration into sites of inflammation in vivo but also, in the event of an infection, may play a relevant role in the activation of recruited leukocytes to kill the invading microorganism in an NO-dependent manner.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 359-366
Author(s):  
J. Li ◽  
B. Shi ◽  
S. Yan ◽  
L. Jin ◽  
Y. Guo ◽  
...  

The effects of chitosan on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and gene expression in vivo or vitro were investigated in weaned piglets. In vivo, 180 weaned piglets were assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates. The piglets were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg chitosan/kg feed, respectively. In vitro, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a weaned piglet were cultured respectively with 0 (control), 40, 80, 160, and 320 &micro;g chitosan/ml medium. Results showed that serum NO concentrations on days 14 and 28 and iNOS activity on day 28 were quadratically improved with increasing chitosan dose (P &lt; 0.05). The iNOS mRNA expressions were linearly or quadratically enhanced in the duodenum on day 28, and were improved quadratically in the jejunum on days 14 and 28 and in the ileum on day 28 (P &lt; 0.01). In vitro, the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in unstimulated PBMCs were quadratically enhanced by chitosan, but the improvement of NO concentrations and iNOS activity by chitosan were markedly inhibited by N-(3-[aminomethyl] benzyl) acetamidine (1400w) (P&nbsp;&lt; 0.05). Moreover, the increase of NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in PBMCs induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were suppressed significantly by chitosan (P &lt; 0.05). The results indicated that the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in piglets were increased by feeding chitosan in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, chitosan improved the NO production in unstimulated PBMCs but inhibited its production in LPS-induced cells, which exerted bidirectional regulatory effects on the NO production via modulated iNOS activity and mRNA expression.


2012 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Hsing Chao ◽  
Shih-Ya Tseng ◽  
Yi-Heng Li ◽  
Ping-Yen Liu ◽  
Chung-Lung Cho ◽  
...  

Cilostazol is an anti-platelet agent with vasodilatory activity that acts by increasing intracellular concentrations of cAMP. Recent reports have suggested that cilostazol may promote angiogenesis. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of cilostazol in promoting angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in a hindlimb ischaemia model and have also examined its potential mechanism of action in vitro and in vivo. We found that cilostazol treatment significantly increased colony formation by human early EPCs (endothelial progenitor cells) through a mechanism involving the activation of cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A), PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt/eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase)/p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signalling pathways. Cilostazol also enhanced proliferation, chemotaxis, NO production and vascular tube formation in HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) through activation of multiple signalling pathways downstream of PI3K/Akt/eNOS. Cilostazol up-regulated VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-A165 expression and secretion of VEGF-A in HUVECs through activation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. In a mouse hindlimb ischaemia model, recovery of blood flow ratio (ipsilateral/contralateral) 14 days after surgery was significantly improved in cilostazol-treated mice (10 mg/kg of body weight) compared with vehicle-treated controls (0.63±0.07 and 0.43±0.05 respectively, P<0.05). Circulating CD34+ cells were also increased in cilostazol-treated mice (3614±670 compared with 2151±608 cells/ml, P<0.05). Expression of VEGF and phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS and ERK/p38 MAPK in ischaemic muscles were significantly enhanced by cilostazol. Our data suggest that cilostazol produces a vasculo-angiogenic effect by up-regulating a broad signalling network that includes the ERK/p38 MAPK, VEGF-A165, PI3K/Akt/eNOS and cAMP/PKA pathways.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razika Zeghir-Bouteldja ◽  
Manel Amri ◽  
Saliha Aitaissa ◽  
Samia Bouaziz ◽  
Dalila Mezioug ◽  
...  

Hydatidosis is characterized by the long-term coexistence of larvaEchinococcus granulosusand its host without effective rejection. Previous studies demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) production (in vivo and in vitro) during hydatidosis. In this study, we investigated the direct in vitro effects of NO species: nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) on protoscolices (PSCs) viability and hydatid cyst layers integrity for 24 hours and 48 hours. Our results showed protoscolicidal activity ofNO2−andONOO−24 hours and 3 hours after treatment with 320 μM and 80 μM respectively. Degenerative effects were observed on germinal and laminated layers. The comparison of the in vitro effects of NO species on the PSCs viability indicated thatONOO−is more cytotoxic thanNO2−. In contrast,NO3−has no effect. These results suggest possible involvement ofNO2−andONOO−in antihydatic action and point the efficacy of these metabolites as scolicidal agents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2110559
Author(s):  
Le Minh Ha ◽  
Ngo Thi Phuong ◽  
Nguyen Thi Thu Hien ◽  
Pham Thi Tam ◽  
Do Thi Thao ◽  
...  

In this study, we aimed at evaluating in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts of the rhizomes of Globba pendula Roxb. Three extracts ( n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water) were screened for their inhibitory effect on NO production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The ethyl acetate extract of G. pendula rhizomes (EGP) showed a potential effect with an IC50 value of 32.45 µg/mL. For in vivo study, the ethyl acetate extract was further investigated for its anti-inflammatory effect using collagen antibody-induced arthritic mice (CAIA). The level of arthritis in experimental mice significantly reduced ( P < .05) after treatment with EGP at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). This study also revealed that EGP is orally non-toxic. Ethyl p-methoxy cinamate was identified as the main constituent of EGP, which may result in its anti-inflammatory effect.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenhui Jin ◽  
Longhe Yang ◽  
Zhiwei Yi ◽  
Hua Fang ◽  
Weizhu Chen ◽  
...  

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous lipid mediator with powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic functions. PEA can be hydrolyzed by a lysosomal enzyme N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA), which is highly expressed in macrophages and other immune cells. The pharmacological inhibition of NAAA activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammation-related diseases. Fucoxanthinol (FXOH) is a marine carotenoid from brown seaweeds with various beneficial effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action of FXOH in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of FXOH in the NAAA–PEA pathway and the anti-inflammatory effects based on this mechanism. In vitro results showed that FXOH can directly bind to the active site of NAAA protein and specifically inhibit the activity of NAAA enzyme. In an LPS-induced inflammatory model in macrophages, FXOH pretreatment significantly reversed the LPS-induced downregulation of PEA levels. FXOH also substantially attenuated the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and markedly reduced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and nitric oxide (NO). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of FXOH on NO induction was significantly abolished by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) inhibitor GW6471. All these findings demonstrated that FXOH can prevent LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages, and its mechanisms may be associated with the regulation of the NAAA-PEA-PPAR-α pathway.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. G747-G753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalina Caballero-Alomar ◽  
Carmen Santos ◽  
Diego Lopez ◽  
M. Teresa Mitjavila ◽  
Pere Puig-Parellada

We examined in vitro the source and role of basal nitric oxide (NO) in proximal segments of guinea pig taenia caeci in nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) conditions. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we measured the effect of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10–4 M), the neuronal blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX, 10–6 M), or both on spontaneous contractions and on the production of basal NO. Both l-NAME and TTX, when tested alone, increased the amplitude and frequency of contractions. NO production was abolished by l-NAME and was inhibited by 38% by TTX. When tested together, l-NAME in the presence of TTX or TTX in the presence of l-NAME had no further effect on the amplitude or frequency of spontaneous contractions, and the NO production was inhibited. These findings suggest that basal NO consists of TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant components. The TTX-sensitive NO has an inhibitory effect on spontaneous contractions; the role of TTX-resistant NO is unknown.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
You-Jin Jeon ◽  
Jae-Il Kim

Abstract Background Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as arthritis and atherosclerosis. In the present study, we evaluated anti-inflammatory activity of sterol-rich fraction prepared from Spirogyra sp., a freshwater green alga, in an effort to find bioactive extracts derived from natural sources. Methods The sterol content of ethanol extract of Spirogyra sp. (SPE) was enriched by fractionation with hexane (SPEH), resulting 6.7 times higher than SPE. Using this fraction, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and zebrafish. Results SPEH effectively and dose-dependently decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). SPEH suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-1β through downregulating nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. The in vivo test results indicated that SPEH significantly and dose-dependently reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell death, and NO production in LPS-stimulated zebrafish. Conclusions These results demonstrate that SPEH possesses strong in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities and has the potential to be used as healthcare or pharmaceutical material for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.


2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (6) ◽  
pp. H2066-H2075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guohao Dai ◽  
Olga Tsukurov ◽  
Michael Chen ◽  
Jonathan P. Gertler ◽  
Roger D. Kamm

External pneumatic compression (EPC) is effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is thought to alter endothelial thromboresistant properties. We investigated the effect of EPC on changes in nitric oxide (NO), a critical mediator in the regulation of vasomotor and platelet function. An in vitro cell culture system was developed to simulate flow and vessel collapse conditions under EPC. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured and subjected to tube compression (C), pulsatile flow (F), or a combination of the two (FC). NO production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression were measured. The data demonstrate that in the F and FC groups, there is a rapid release of NO followed by a sustained increase. NO production levels in the F and FC groups were almost identical, whereas the C group produced the same low amount of NO as the control group. Conditions F and FC also upregulate eNOS mRNA expression by a factor of 2.08 ± 0.25 and 2.11 ± 0.21, respectively, at 6 h. Experiments with different modes of EPC show that NO production and eNOS mRNA expression respond to different time cycles of compression. These results implicate enhanced NO release as a potentially important factor in the prevention of DVT.


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