Nitric Oxide Synthase Phosphorylation Research Articles

Combined Aerobic Exercise Training and Chlorella Intake Reduces Arterial Stiffness through Enhanced Arterial Nitric Oxide Production in Obese Rats.

This study aimed to assess the effect of a combination of aerobic exercise training (ET) and Chlorella (CH) intake on arterial nitric oxide (NO) production and arterial stiffness in obese rats. Twenty-week-old obese male rats were randomly grouped into four (n = 6): OBESE-SED (sedentary control), OBESE-ET (treadmill 25 m/min, 1 h, 5 d/week), OBESE-CH (0.5% Chlorella powder in normal diet), and OBESE-ET+CH (combination of ET and CH intake) groups. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), an index of arterial stiffness, was significantly lesser in the OBESE-ET, OBESE-CH, and OBESE-ET+CH groups than in the OBESE-SED group, and in the OBESE-ET+CH group significantly further enhanced these effects compared with the OBESE-ET and OBESE-CH groups. Additionally, arterial nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels were significantly greater in the OBESE-ET, OBESE-CH, and OBESE-ET+CH groups than in the OBESE-SED group, and the OBESE-ET+CH group compared with the OBESE-ET and OBESE-CH groups. Furthermore, arterial NOx levels were positively correlated with arterial endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation levels (r = 0.489, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with cfPWV (r = -0.568, p < 0.05). In conclusion, a combination of ET and CH intake may reduce arterial stiffness via an enhancement of the arterial NO signaling pathway in obese rats.

Abstract 12: Deficiency of Progranulin Decreases Mitochondrial Function and Induces a Whitening Phenotype in Perivascular Adipose Tissue, Suppressing Its Anti-Contractile Effects

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is recognized as an endocrine organ that secretes a variety of adipokines, which negatively regulate vascular contraction. Progranulin (PGRN), a glycoprotein encoded by the GRN gene, is highly expressed in adipocytes, and is implicated in inflammation, cellular proliferation, and repair mechanisms. The relationship between PGRN and PVAT remains unclear. We hypothesized that the lack of PGRN negatively affects PVAT quality. We used male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) and global PGRN knockout (KO) mice, aged 10-12 weeks. Energy expenditure was analyzed via the Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS). Vascular function was studied in endothelium-intact aortae with PVAT [PVAT(+)] and without PVAT [PVAT(-)]. Additionally, 3T3-L1 cells were used to evaluate the molecular mechanisms. The KO mice showed a decreased respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and a whitening phenotype of PVAT, which was accompanied by a loss of anti-contractile effects [(mN) WT_PVAT(-): 5.2±0.3 vs PVAT(+): 3.4±0.5*, *P&lt;0.05 and KO_PVAT(-): 6.1±0.7 vs KO_PVAT(+): 5.7±0.4]. Additionally, PVAT from KO displayed a significant reduction in nitric oxide production [(RFU) WT_PVAT: 223.1± 12.3 vs KO_PVAT: 67.3±9.1*, *P&lt;0.05] and endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation. Additionally, the lack of PGRN attenuated the expression of mitochondrial complexes [(AU) WT_PVAT: 1.3± 0.03 vs KO_PVAT: 0.6±0.06*, *P&lt;0.05] measured by the OXPHOS cocktail antibody. Via high-resolution respirometry, we found that isolated mitochondria from KO_PVAT showed impaired succinate-driven respiration or complex II activity. To understand if the whitening phenotype of PVAT was leading to its dysfunction, we induced a browning phenotype of PVAT by treating the mice with a β3-agonist for 7 days (CL 316243, 1mg/kg/day). This treatment increased RER restored the PVAT phenotype, and improved PVAT anti-contractile effect and mitochondrial respiration. Using 3T3-L1 cells, we engineered the overexpression and knockdown of PGRN via lentivirus (LV) infection and siRNA, respectively. Suppression of PGRN increased mRNA of whitening markers (1.5-fold increase vs scramble siRNA), while overexpression elevated mRNA of browning and mitochondrial markers (1.3-fold increase vs scramble LV). In summary, our findings reveal that PGRN is crucial for maintaining the phenotype and anti-contractile function of PVAT and highlight PGRN as a pharmacological target for vascular outcomes in cardiometabolic conditions.

Liquid plasma promotes angiogenesis through upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase-induced extracellular matrix metabolism: potential applications of liquid plasma for vascular injuries

BackgroundApplications of nonthermal plasma have expanded beyond the biomedical field to include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Plasma enhances epithelial cell repair; however, the potential damage to deep tissues and vascular structures remains under investigation.ResultThis study assessed whether liquid plasma (LP) increased nitric oxide (NO) production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by modulating endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and potential signaling pathways. First, we developed a liquid plasma product and confirmed the angiogenic effect of LP using the Matrigel plug assay. We found that the NO content increased in plasma-treated water. NO in plasma-treated water promoted cell migration and angiogenesis in scratch and tube formation assays via vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression. In addition to endothelial cell proliferation and migration, LP influenced extracellular matrix metabolism and matrix metalloproteinase activity. These effects were abolished by treatment with NG-L-monomethyl arginine, a specific inhibitor of NO synthase. Furthermore, we investigated the signaling pathways mediating the phosphorylation and activation of eNOS in LP-treated cells and the role of LKB1-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in signaling. Downregulation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase by siRNA partially inhibited LP-induced eNOS phosphorylation, angiogenesis, and migration.ConclusionThe present study suggests that LP treatment may be a novel strategy for promoting angiogenesis in vascular damage.A1BBJsagnHJAo-Bf8DXnP6Video Graphical

Nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in fetoplacental endothelium is enhanced by agonism of Piezo1 mechanosensor in small for gestational age babies.

Friction caused by blood flowing across cells that line blood vessels (endothelial cells) activates sensors of mechanical force. This produces nitric oxide (NO) which widens placental blood vessels, enabling more blood flow to the baby. This study sought to determine whether the mechanical sensor, Piezo1, is important for NO production in fetoplacental endothelial cells (FpECs) and whether the steps in this pathway are different in small for gestational age (SGA) babies, where placental blood flow is often altered. We showed that in healthy FpECs, blood flow increased NO signalling. We suggest that in SGA babies, FpECs have an increase in baseline levels of NO signalling, suggestive of a compensatory drive. Treating healthy and SGA cells with a Piezo1 chemical activator, Yoda1, upregulated NO signalling. This shows that Piezo1 is linked to NO and that in SGA, FpECs have the capacity to further increase NO. Further research will establish whether Piezo1 enhancement leads to increased blood flow in the placenta. If so, Piezo1 could be a new target for developing treatments to prevent poor growth of babies in the womb.

The Acid Sphingomyelinase Inhibitor Amitriptyline Ameliorates TNF-α-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction.

Inflammation associated endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is key to atherosclerotic disease. Recent studies have demonstrated a protective role of amitriptyline in cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. However, the mechanism by which amitriptyline regulates the inflammatory reaction in ECs remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether amitriptyline protects against inflammation in TNF-α-treated ECs. HUVECs were incubated with amitriptyline (2.5 μM) or TNF-α (20 ng/ml) for 24 h. EdU, tube formation, transwell, DHE fluorescence staining, and monocyte adhesion assays were performed to investigate endothelial function. Thoracic aortas were isolated from mice, and vascular tone was measured with a wire myograph system. The levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, phosphorylated MAPK and NF-κB were detected using western blotting. Amitriptyline increased the phosphorylation of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the release of NO. Amitriptyline significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced increases in ASMase activity and the release of ceramide and downregulated TNF-α-induced expression of proinflammatory proteins, including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 in ECs, as well as the secretion of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. TNF-α treatment obviously increased monocyte adhesion and ROS production and impaired HUVEC proliferation, migration and tube formation, while amitriptyline rescued proliferation, migration, and tube formation and decreased monocyte adhesion and ROS production. Additionally, we demonstrated that amitriptyline suppressed TNF-α-induced MAPK phosphorylation as well as the activity of NF-κB in HUVECs. The results showed that the relaxation response of aortic rings to acetylcholine in the WT-TNF-α group was much lower than that in the WT group, and the sensitivity of aortic rings to acetylcholine in the WT-TNF-α group and WT-AMI-TNF-α group was significantly higher than that in the WT-TNF-α group. These results suggest that amitriptyline reduces endothelial inflammation, consequently improving vascular endothelial function. Thus, the identification of amitriptyline as a potential strategy to improve endothelial function is important for preventing vascular diseases.

Abstract 6160: Tie2-mediated AMPK activation by ferritin-based protein C nanoparticles inhibits advanced prostate cancer development through induction of vasodilation

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies and the second-leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men in Western countries. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an initial systemic therapy for advanced PCa, but almost all cancer eventually becomes castration resistant. Recently, we introduced ferritin-based protein C nanoparticles (PCNs), known as TFG and TFMG, which enhance normalization of the tumor vasculature. However, the exact underlying mechanism how PCNs induces AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and anti-tumor activity in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains unknown. Here, we investigated the role of PCNs for CRPC development in endothelial cells. We found that TFMG inhibits prostate cancer castration resistance by activating AMPK through the Tie2-mediated signaling pathway. TFMG treatment increased AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) at Ser79 in EA.hy926 cells. TFMG treatment also significantly increased the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with inducing nitric oxide (NO) production in EA.hy926 cells. In addition, TFMG treatment induced the vasodilatory effect in isolated rat mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs), which was blocked by NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME. Interestingly, these effects were all abolished by pretreatment with Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), rebastinib (selective Tie2 Inhibitor), AMPK knockdown using siRNA, or dominant negative AMPKα recombinant adenovirus. Finally, we found that TFMG functionally abrogates CRPC development in mouse model. In summary, TFMG exerted vasodilatation through activating Tie2/AMPK/eNOS signaling in endothelial cells, which leads to the overcoming vasoconstriction induced ADT. This study provides the potential value of TFMG in vasodilation of blood vessels leading suppression of CRPC development. Citation Format: You Mie Lee, Ji-Hak Jeong, Hyunha Jang, Jihye You. Tie2-mediated AMPK activation by ferritin-based protein C nanoparticles inhibits advanced prostate cancer development through induction of vasodilation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 6160.

Piezo1 regulates shear-dependent nitric oxide production in human erythrocytes.

Mature circulating red blood cells (RBCs) are classically viewed as passive participants in circulatory function, given erythroblasts eject their organelles during maturation. Endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) and its effects are of particular significance; however, the integration between RBC sensation of the local environment and subsequent activation of mechano-sensitive signaling networks that generate NO remain poorly understood. The present study investigated endogenous NO production via the RBC-specific nitric oxide synthase isoform (RBC-NOS), connecting membrane strain with intracellular enzymatic processes. Isolated RBCs were obtained from apparently healthy humans. Intracellular NO was compared at rest and following shear (cellular deformation) using semiquantitative fluorescent imaging. Concurrently, RBC-NOS phosphorylation at its serine1177 (Ser1177) residue was measured. The contribution of cellular deformation to shear-induced NO production in RBCs was determined by rigidifying RBCs with the thiol-oxidizing agent diamide; rigid RBCs exhibited significantly impaired (up to 80%) capacity to generate NO via RBC-NOS during shear. Standardizing membrane strain of rigid RBCs by applying increased shear did not normalize NO production, or RBC-NOS activation. Calcium imaging with fluo-4 revealed that diamide-treated RBCs exhibited a 42% impairment in Piezo1-mediated calcium movement when compared with untreated RBCs. Pharmacological inhibition of Piezo1 with GsMTx4 during shear inhibited RBC-NOS activation in untreated RBCs, whereas Piezo1 activation with Yoda1 in the absence of shear stimulated RBC-NOS activation. Collectively, a novel, mechanically activated signaling pathway in mature RBCs is described. Opening of Piezo1 and subsequent influx of calcium appear to be required for endogenous production of NO in response to mechanical shear, which is accompanied by phosphorylation of RBC-NOS at Ser1177.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The mechano-sensitive ion channel Piezo1 is expressed in enucleated red blood cells and provides a mechanism of shear-induced red cell nitric oxide production via nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation. Thiol oxidation of red cells decreases Piezo1-dependent calcium movement and thus impairs nitric oxide generation in response to mechanical force. The emerging descriptions of exclusively posttranslational signaling networks in circulating red cells as acute regulators of cell function support that these cells play an important role in cardiovascular physiology that extends beyond passive oxygen transport.

Pro-Calcific Environment Impairs Ischaemia-Driven Angiogenesis.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterised by accelerated arterial calcification and impairment in angiogenesis. Studies implicate vascular calcification as a contributor to PAD, but the mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to determine the effect of calcification on ischaemia-driven angiogenesis. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with calcification medium (CM: CaCl2 2.7 mM, Na2PO4 2.0 mM) for 24 h and exposed to normoxia (5% CO2) or hypoxia (1.2% O2; 5% CO2 balanced with N2). In normoxia, CM significantly inhibited tubule formation and migration and upregulated calcification markers of ALP, BMP2, and Runx2. CM elevated levels of calcification-protective gene OPG, demonstrating a compensatory mechanism by ECs. CM failed to induce pro-angiogenic regulators VEGFA and HIF-1α in hypoxia and further suppressed the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) that is essential for vascular function. In vivo, osteoprotegerin-deficient mice (OPG−/−), a calcification model, were subjected to hind-limb ischaemia (HLI) surgery. OPG−/− mice displayed elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity compared to wild-type controls. OPG−/− mice experienced striking reductions in blood-flow reperfusion in both 8-week-old and 6-month-old mice post-HLI. This coincided with significant impairment in tissue ischaemia and reduced limb function as assessed by clinical scoring (Tarlov). This study demonstrated for the first time that a pro-calcific environment is detrimental to ischaemia-driven angiogenesis. The degree of calcification in patients with PAD can often be a limiting factor with the use of standard therapies. These highly novel findings require further studies for full elucidation of the mechanisms involved and have implications for the development of therapies to suppress calcification in PAD.

Beyond Thermal Sensation: Roles of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Subfamily Member 1 and Spicy Food in Cardiometabolic Diseases

Beyond Thermal Sensation: Roles of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Subfamily Member 1 and Spicy Food in Cardiometabolic Diseases

The effects of bathing in neutral bicarbonate ion water

Percutaneously absorbed carbon dioxide enhances blood flow. The mechanism by which it does so is unclear, but we hypothesized that it involves bicarbonate ions. BALB/c mice were bathed in neutral bicarbonate ionized water (NBIW) and showed increased blood bicarbonate levels and blood flow via phosphorylation of peripheral vascular endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and production of nitric oxide (NO). Phosphorylation of eNOS and NO production were also increased in human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in medium containing NBIW, and NBIW showed reactive oxygen species scavenging activity. In a double-blind, randomized study in men and women aged 30 to 59 years with subjective cold intolerance, bathing in NBIW elevated body temperature faster than bathing in a control solution and improved chills and sleep quality. Taken together, our results show that percutaneously absorbed carbon dioxide changes to bicarbonate ions, which act directly on endothelial cells to increase NO production by phosphorylation of eNOS and thus improve blood flow.

Streptococcal Exotoxin Streptolysin O Causes Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction Through PKCβ Activation.

Streptolysin O (SLO) is produced by common hemolytic streptococci that cause a wide range of diseases from pharyngitis to life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome. Although the importance of SLO in invasive hemolytic streptococcus infection has been well demonstrated, the role of circulating SLO in noninvasive infection remains unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacological effect of SLO on vascular functions, focusing on cellular signaling pathways. In control Wistar rats, SLO treatment (1-1000 ng/ml) impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelial-dependent relaxation in the aorta and second-order mesenteric artery in a dose-dependent manner without any effects on sodium nitroprusside-induced endothelium-independent relaxation or agonist-induced contractions. SLO also increased phosphorylation of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) inhibitory site at Thr495 in the aorta. Pharmacological analysis indicated that either endothelial dysfunction or eNOS phosphorylation was mediated by protein kinase Cβ (PKCβ), but not by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Consistent with this, SLO increased phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C substrates in the aorta. In vivo study of control Wistar rats indicated that intravenous administration of SLO did not change basal blood pressure but significantly counteracted the acetylcholine-induced decrease in blood pressure. Interestingly, plasma anti-SLO IgG levels were significantly higher in 10- to 15-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats compared with age-matched control rats (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrated that SLO causes vascular endothelial dysfunction, which is mediated by PKCβ-induced phosphorylation of the eNOS inhibitory site. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study showed for the first time that in vitro exposure of vascular tissues to SLO impairs endothelial function, an effect that is mediated by protein kinase C β-induced phosphorylation of the endothelial NO synthase inhibitory site. Intravenous administration of SLO in control and hypertensive rats blunted the acetylcholine-induced decrease in blood pressure, providing evidence for a possible role of SLO in dysregulation of blood pressure.

Relationship between hemodynamic alteration and sympathetic nerve activation following a single oral dose of cinnamtannin A2

We previously found that a single dose of B-type procyanidin mixture increase in skeletal muscle blood flow (BF). We compared BF changes following administration of (-)-epicatechin (EC, monomer) and the B-type procyanidins procyanidin B2 (B2, dimer), procyanidin C1 (C1, trimer), and cinnamtannin A2 (A2, tetramer). Each chemical was administered orally to rats, followed by BF measurement in cremaster arteriole for 60 min. About 10 and 100 µg/kg of B2 and C1 elicited BF increase, the effect was potent at 100 µg/kg. BF also increased significantly after administration of 10 µg/kg A2, but not with the administration at 100 µg/kg. EC yielded no BF changes. Co-treatment with the nonselective adrenaline blocker carvedilol attenuated the BF increase seen with 10 µg/kg A2 treatment. This outcome suggested the involvement of sympathetic nerve activation in the BF increase by this dose of A2. Co-treatment of 100 µg/kg A2 with the α2 blocker yohimbine exhibited an increase of BF significantly. The α2 adrenaline receptor in the vasomotor centre is an inhibitory receptor and it regulates hemodynamics. This result suggested that high doses of A2 did not alter BF because of activating the α2 adrenergic receptor. Phosphorylation of aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) increased with 10 µg/kg A2 alone or co-treatment with 100 µg/kg A2 and yohimbine, but not with co-treatment of 10 µg/kg A2 and carvedilol or 100 µg/kg A2 alone. These results imply that A2 does not directly activate eNOS, but that shear stress from the increased BF might be associated with eNOS phosphorylation.

Mineralocorticoid and Estrogen Receptors in Endothelial Cells Coordinately Regulate Microvascular Function in Obese Female Mice.

[Figure: see text].

Autophagy contributes to angiotensin II induced dysfunction of HUVECs

ABSTRACT Background: Signal transduction of Angiotensin II (Ang II) induced autophagy and its role in Ang II–induced dysfunction of HUVECs are still unclear. Methods: HUVECs are stimulated with different doses of Ang II (10-9-10-5 mol/L) for different time (6–48 hours). Autophagy-related protein markers: LC3, Beclin-1 and SQSTM1/p62 are measured by western blot. Results: Incubation with Ang II increases autophagic flux (Beclin-1, autophagosomes formation, and degradation of SQSTM1/p62, LC3-I). Increased autophagic levels are inhibited by pretreatment with Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1) blocker (Candesartan), NADPH Oxidase inhibitor (apocycin), mitochondrial KATP channels inhibitor (5-hydroxydecanoate, 5HD). 3-Methyladenine (inhibitors of autophagy) and rapamycin (activator of autophagy) respectively inhibits or activates Ang II–induced autophagy levels. Ang II decreases phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and NO production in HUVECs. L-NAME (NOS inhibitor) totally mimics the actions of Ang II on eNOS, NO production and autophagy levels. Rapamycin further decreases NO production combined with Ang II. Silence Atg5 completely reverses Ang II-activated autophagy levels. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that Ang II stimulation increases autophagy levels via AT1 receptor, NADPH oxidase, mitochondrial KATP channel, eNOS, Atg5 signal pathway in HUVECs, and activation of autophagy contributes to Ang II induced dysfunction of HUVECs.

Lipid Emulsion Enhances Vasoconstriction Induced by Dexmedetomidine in the Isolated Endothelium-Intact Aorta.

This study aimed to examine the effect of lipid emulsion (LE) on the vasoconstriction induced by dexmedetomidine (DMT) in the isolated rat aorta and elucidate the associated cellular mechanism. The effect of LE, NW-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) on the DMT-induced contraction was examined. We investigated the effect of LE on the DMT-induced cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) formation and DMT concentration. The effect of DMT, LE, 4-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(t-butyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine,4-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2), and rauwolscine on the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), caveolin-1, and Src kinase was examined in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells. L-NAME, MβCD, and LE (1%, standardized mean difference (SMD): 2.517) increased the DMT-induced contraction in the endothelium-intact rat aorta. LE (1%) decreased the DMT (10−6 M) concentration (SMD: −6.795) and DMT-induced cGMP formation (SMD: −2.132). LE (1%) reversed the DMT-induced eNOS (Ser1177 and Thr496) phosphorylation. PP2 inhibited caveolin-1 and eNOS phosphorylation induced by DMT. DMT increased the Src kinase phosphorylation. Thus, LE (1%) enhanced the DMT-induced contraction by inhibition of NO synthesis, which may be caused by the decreased DMT concentration. DMT-induced NO synthesis may be caused by the increased eNOS (Ser1177) phosphorylation and decreased eNOS (Thr495) phosphorylation potentially mediated by Src kinase-induced caveolin-1 phosphorylation.

Plasma from obese children increases monocyte-endothelial adhesion and affects intracellular insulin signaling in cultured endothelial cells: Potential role of mTORC1-S6K1

Childhood obesity is characterized by the loss of vascular insulin sensitivity along with altered oxidant-antioxidant state and chronic inflammation, which play a key role in the onset of endothelial dysfunction. We previously demonstrated a reduced insulin-stimulated Nitric Oxide (NO) bioavailability in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured with plasma from obese pre-pubertal children (OB) compared to those cultured with plasma of normal-weight children (CTRL). However, mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction in childhood obesity remains poorly understood. Hence, the present study aimed to better investigate these mechanisms, also considering a potential involvement of mammalian Target Of Rapamycin Complex1 (mTORC1)-ribosomal protein S6 Kinase beta1 (S6K1) pathway.OB-children (N = 32, age: 9.2 ± 1.7; BMI z-score: 2.72 ± 0.31) had higher fasting insulin levels and increased HOMA-IR than CTRL-children (N = 32, age: 8.8 ± 1.2; BMI z-score: 0.33 ± 0.75). In vitro, HUVECs exposed to OB-plasma exhibited significant increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, higher vascular and intercellular adhesion molecules exposure, together with increased monocytes-endothelial interaction. This was associated with unbalanced pro- and anti-atherogenic endothelial insulin stimulated signaling pathways, as measured by increased Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and decreased Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 (IRS-1)/protein kinase B (Akt)/ endothelial NO Synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation levels, together with augmented S6K1 activation. Interestingly, inhibition of mTORC1-S6K1 pathway using rapamycin significantly restored the IRS-1/Akt/eNOS activation, suggesting a feedback regulation of IRS-1/Akt signal through S6K1. Overall, our in vitro data shed light on new mechanisms underlying the onset of endothelial dysfunction in childhood obesity.

Abstract 13480: High Density Lipoprotein Promotes Angiogenesis by Suppressing Mir-24-3p Expression

Introduction: Previous studies showed that high density lipoprotein (HDL) can stimulate angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which HDL promotes angiogenesis remains unclear. Hypothesize: HDL may promote angiogenesis by regulating miRNAs expression. Methods: HDL was isolated from healthy subjects. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with vehicle or HDL (100 μg/ml), and the differential miRNAs expression were indentified by miRNA array and verified by qRT-PCR. HUVECs were treated with vehicle or HDL (100 μg/ml) with or without miRNAs mimic, endothelial cells proliferation, migration and tube formation were detected. The production of nitric oxide(NO) was measured. The expression and phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was determined. Results: The miRNAs profile of HDL-treated HUVECs is significantly different from control group. HDL significantly downregulated miR-24-3p expression. HDL significantly promoted HUVECs proliferation, migration and tube formation. HDL also significantly stimulated NO production and up-regulated the expression and phosphorylation of eNOS. However, HDL did not stimulated HUVECs proliferation, migration, tube formation and NO production as well as the expression and phosphorylation of eNOS after pretreated with miR-24-3p mimic. Conclusions: HDL can promote angiogenesis by suppressing miR-24-3p expression.

Effects of combined exercise training and Chlorella intake on vasorelaxation mediated by nitric oxide in aged mice.

Chronic Chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training reduce arterial stiffness and increase circulating nitric oxide (NO) levels, which has beneficial effects. This study aimed to clarify the combined aortic NO-mediated effects of chronic Chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training on endothelial vasorelaxation in aged mice. In this study, 38-week-old male senescence-accelerated mouse prone 1 (SAMP1) mice were divided into aged sedentary control (Con), aerobic exercise training (AT; voluntary wheel running for 12 weeks), Chlorella intake (CH; 0.5% Chlorella powder in normal diet), and AT and CH combined (AT+CH) groups. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by addition of acetylcholine to the isolated mouse aortic rings was significantly higher in the AT, CH, and AT+CH groups than in the Con group; a significantly greater effect was seen in the AT+CH group than in the AT and CH groups. Similarly, plasma and arterial nitrite/nitrate levels and arterial endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation were significantly higher in the AT, CH, and AT+CH groups than in the Con group; the AT+CH group had higher values than the AT and CH groups. Thus, chronic Chlorella intake combined with aerobic exercise training had pronounced effects on endothelial vasorelaxation in aged mice via an additive increase in arterial NO production. Novelty: Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was improved by Chlorella intake and exercise. Chlorella intake and exercise increased arterial Akt/eNOS/NO signaling. This combination approach further improved vasorelaxation via arterial NO production.

464-P: Linagliptin Directly Enhances Cardiac Contractile Recovery through Nitric Oxide Mediated Endothelial–Cardiomyocyte Communication

Despite a similar mechanism of action underlying their glucose-lowering effects, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have diverse molecular structures, raising the prospect of agent-specific, glucose-independent actions. This possibility is supported by heterogeneous heart failure outcomes in cardiovascular trials, although few head-to-head comparisons exist. To explore the possibility of DPP-4 inhibitor cardiac heterogeneity, we perfused mouse hearts with different DPP-4 inhibitors at concentrations equivalent to their peak plasma levels achieved in humans with standard dosing (Cmax). We studied male and female mice, young nondiabetic mice and aged diabetic high fat diet-fed mice and observed that linagliptin enhanced recovery after ischemia-reperfusion, whereas sitagliptin, alogliptin and saxagliptin did not. DPP-4 transcripts were not detected in adult mouse cardiomyocytes by RNA-sequencing and the addition of linagliptin caused ≤0.2% of cardiomyocyte genes to be differentially expressed. In contrast, incubation of C166 endothelial cells with linagliptin induced cell signaling characterized by phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, whereas the nitric oxide (NO) donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine increased serine 16 phosphorylation of the calcium regulatory protein, phospholamban in cardiomyocytes. Thus, at concentrations achieved with standard dosing in humans, linagliptin has direct effects on the recovery of mouse cardiac contractility after ischemia-reperfusion, most likely through NO-mediated endothelial-cardiomyocyte communication. The complex cardiac actions of NO (that depend on comorbidity, concurrent medications and disease setting, for instance) may contribute to both the discordance in DPP-4 inhibitor outcomes between preclinical and clinical observations and the heterogeneous outcomes observed in clinical trials to date. Disclosure V. Yerra: None. S. Batchu: None. Y. Liu: None. T. Klein: Employee; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. A. Advani: Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. Funding Boehringer Ingelheim

Dihydromyricetin increases endothelial nitric oxide production and inhibits atherosclerosis through microRNA-21 in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Natural products were extracted from traditional Chinese herbal emerging as potential therapeutic drugs for treating cardiovascular diseases. This study examines the role and underlying mechanism of dihydromyricetin (DMY), a natural compound extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, in atherosclerosis. DMY treatment significantly inhibits atherosclerotic lesion formation, proinflammatory gene expression and the influx of lesional macrophages and CD4‐positive T cells in the vessel wall and hepatic inflammation, whereas increases nitric oxide (NO) production and improves lipid metabolism in apolipoprotein E‐deficient (Apoe− / −) mice. Yet, those protective effects are abrogated by using NOS inhibitor L‐NAME in Apoe− / − mice received DMY. Mechanistically, DMY decreases microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) and increases its target gene dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase‐1 (DDAH1) expression, an effect that reduces asymmetric aimethlarginine (ADMA) levels, and increases endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and NO production in cultured HUVECs, vascular endothelium of atherosclerotic lesions and liver. In contrast, systemic delivery of miR‐21 in Apoe− / − mice or miR‐21 overexpression in cultured HUVECs abrogates those DMY‐mediated protective effects. These data demonstrate that endothelial miR‐21‐inhibited DDAH1‐ADMA‐eNOS‐NO pathway promotes the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis which can be rescued by DMY. Thus, DMY may represent a potential therapeutic adjuvant in atherosclerosis management.