OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to investigate the effects of carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM-2), a novel carbon monoxide carrier, on the reendothelialization of carotid artery in rat endothelial denudation model.

METHODSMale rats subjected to carotid artery balloon injury were treated with CORM-2, inactive CORM-2 (iCORM-2) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The reendothelialization capacity was evaluated by Evans Blue dye and the immunostaining with anti-CD31 antibody. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was detected by flow cytometry. The proliferation, migration, and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assessed by using [3H]thymidine, Boyden chamber and human fibronectin respectively. The expressions of protein were detected by using western blot analysis.

RESULTSCORM-2 remarkably accelerated the re-endothelialization 5 d later and inhibited neointima formation 28 d later. In addition, the number of peripheral EPCs significantly increased in CORM-2-treated rats than that in iCORM-2 or DMSO-treated rats after 5 d later. In vitro experiments, CORM-2 significantly enhanced the proliferation, migration and adhesion of HUVECs. The levels of Akt, eNOS phosphorylation, and NO generation in HUVECs were also much higher in CORM-2 treated group. Blocking of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway markedly suppressed the enhanced migration and adhesion of HUVECs induced by CORM-2.

CONCLUSIONCORM-2 could promote endothelial repair, and inhibit neointima formation after carotid artery balloon injury, which might be associated with the function changes of HUVECs regulated by PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carotid Artery, Common ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Neointimal proliferation after vascular injury is a key mechanism of restenosis, a major cause of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty failure and artery bypass occlusion. Emodin, an anthraquinone with multiple physiological activities, has been reported to inhibit proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that might cause intimal arterial thickening. Thus, in this study, we established a rat model of balloon-injured carotid artery and investigated the therapeutic effect of emodin and its underlying mechanism. Intimal thickness was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Expression of Wnt4, dvl-1, beta-catenin and collagen was determined by immunohistochemistry and/or western blotting. The proliferation of VSMC was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and electron microscopy. MicroRNA levels were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. Emodin relieved injury-induced artery intimal thickness. Results of western blots and immunohistochemistry showed that emodin suppressed expression of signaling molecules Wnt4/Dvl-1/beta-catenin as well as collagen protein in the injured artery. In addition, emodin enhanced expression of an artery injury-related microRNA, miR-126. In vitro, MTT assay showed that emodin suppressed angiotensin II (AngII)-induced proliferation of VSMCs. Emodin reversed AngII-induced activation of Wnt4/Dvl-1/beta-catenin signaling by increasing expression of miR-126 that was strongly supported by transfection of mimic or inhibitor for miR-126. Emodin prevents intimal thickening via Wnt4/Dvl-1/beta-catenin signaling pathway mediated by miR-126 in balloon-injured carotid artery of rats.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/*metabolism ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries/drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Carotid Artery Injuries/*drug therapy/metabolism/pathology ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Emodin/*therapeutic use ; Male ; MicroRNAs/*metabolism ; Phosphoproteins/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Tunica Intima/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Wnt4 Protein/*metabolism ; beta Catenin/*metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of rutaecarpine (Rut) in a rat artery balloon-injury model.

METHODSThe intimal hyperplasia model was established by rubbing the endothelia with a balloon catheter in the common carotid artery (CCA) of rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups, ie. sham, model, Rut (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) with 10 rats of each group. The rats were treated with or without Rut (25, 50, 75 mg/kg) by intragastric administration for 14 consecutive days following injury. The morphological changes of the intima were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and smooth muscle (SM) α-actin in the ateries were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expressions of c-myc, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of MKP-1 and phosphorylated ERK2 (p-ERK2) were examined by Western blotting. The plasma contents of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) were also determined.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, Rut treatment significantly decreased intimal thickening and ameliorated endothelial injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The positive expression rate of PCNA was decreased, while the expression rate of SM α-actin obviously increased in the vascular wall after Rut (50 and 75 mg/kg) administration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of c-myc, ERK2 and PCNA were downregulated while the expressions of eNOS and MKP-1 were upregulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The protein expressions of MKP-1 and the phosphorylation of ERK2 were upregulated and downregulated after Rut (50 and 75 mg/kg) administration (P<0.05 or P<0.01), respectively. In addition, Rut dramatically reversed balloon injury-induced decrease of NO and cGMP in the plasma (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONRut could inhibit the balloon injury-induced carotid intimal hyperplasia in rats, possibly mediated by promotion of NO production and inhibiting ERK2 signal transduction pathways.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Cyclic GMP ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Hyperplasia ; Indole Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tunica Intima ; drug effects ; pathology

This study evaluated the effects of adenovirus vector mediated human vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (hVEGF165) gene on prevention of restenosis after angioplasty. Rabbit models of bilateral carotid artery injury were established by balloon denudation. The recombinant adenoviruses containing hVEGF165 cDNA was directly injected into left side of the injured carotid arteries. On day 3 and week 3 after transfection the expression of VEGF was observed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The thrombokinesis, reendothelialization (rET) and intimal hyperplasia in carotid arteries were evaluated by computerized image analysis system 3 weeks after gene transfer. The changes in the VEGF gene-treated side were compared with the control side. Our results showed that 3 days and 3 weeks after hVEGF165 gene transfer the VEGF mRNA and antigen expression were detected in vivo. 3 weeks after the transfer, the carotid artery rET was markedly better in the VEGF gene-treated group compared with the control. The thrombokinesis, intima area/media area (I/M), maximal intimal and medial thicknesses (ITmax and MTmax) demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in arteries treated with VEGF gene as compared with the control group. It is concluded that VEGF gene transfer could be achieved by intra-arterial injection of recombinant adenoviruses. It might accelerate the restoration of endothelial integrity, inhibit thrombokinesis and attenuate intimal hyperplasia in the injured arteries after VEGF gene transfer. This procedure could be useful in preventing restenosis after angioplasty.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Endothelium, Vascular ; injuries ; pathology ; Genetic Therapy ; Hyperplasia ; prevention & control ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Recombination, Genetic ; Transfection ; methods ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics