巨噬细胞移动抑制因子在动脉粥样硬化中的作用及法舒地尔对其干预机制

目的探讨巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)在动脉粥样硬化(AS)形成过程中的作用机制及法舒地尔对其的干预。方法选择健康雄性Wistar大鼠30只,随机分为三组:对照组,AS组,法舒地尔组,每组10只。检测血脂水平、并行苏木素-伊红(HE)染色及免疫组织化学检测。结果AS组总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、甘油三酯(TG)较对照组和法舒地尔组明显升高,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)明显降低(P<0.05)。对照组镜下无特殊改变;AS组血管壁可见典型AS改变,内膜增厚、血管内膜向管腔内突出,斑块内可见脂质沉积、泡沫细胞,内膜可见少量炎性细胞和增生的平滑肌细胞,内弹力板破坏,中膜平滑肌细胞明显增生,并呈灶状或片状钙化;法舒地尔组血管内膜和中膜无明显增生,仅内皮下见少量散在的脂质沉积、泡沫细胞形成和炎性细胞浸润。AS组内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞中MIF表达较对照组和法舒地尔组明显增多。对照组血管壁中可见少量Rho激酶表达;AS组内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞的细胞质中可见大量Rho激酶表达;法舒地尔组内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞的细胞质中Rho激酶表达与AS比较明显减少。结论 Rho激酶抑制剂法舒地尔抑制粥样硬化病灶Rho激酶及MIF的表达上调;MIF可能通过Rho/Rho激酶途径在AS中发挥作用。     

盐酸法舒地尔对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞骨架损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨盐酸法舒地尔对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞Rho激酶和肌球蛋白轻链磷酸化表达的影响.方法 体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,并将其分为对照组、血管紧张素Ⅱ组、特异性阻断剂组(Y-27632)和盐酸法舒地尔组,MTT法观察血管紧张素Ⅱ对细胞活力的影响;免疫荧光法观察各组细胞骨架肌动蛋白F-actin形态及分布的变化,Western Blotting法测定内皮细胞Rho激酶和磷酸化肌球蛋白轻链的表达.结果 与对照组相比,血管紧张素Ⅱ对内皮细胞活力有明显抑制作用(P<0.01),Rho激酶特异性阻断剂和盐酸法舒地尔能明显减弱血管紧张素Ⅱ对内皮细胞活力的抑制作用(P<0.01).与对照组相比,血管紧张素Ⅱ组内皮细胞F-actin形态学发生明显的改变,细胞间裂隙增大.与血管紧张素Ⅱ组比较,Rho激酶阻断剂和盐酸法舒地尔组均可使Rho激酶蛋白表达降低(P<0.01),但仍高于对照组(P<0.01).结论 盐酸法舒地尔对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞的保护作用是通过抑制Rho/Rho激酶信号通路中Rho激酶和磷酸化肌球蛋白轻链蛋白的表达,以减弱血管紧张素Ⅱ对内皮细胞骨架的损伤.     

Rho激酶在急性心肌梗死大鼠中的表达及其对心肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的: 分析心肌梗死(MI)后大鼠心肌组织中Rho激酶表达的变化,探讨Rho激酶信号通路与心肌细胞凋亡的关系及其选择性抑制剂法舒地尔对MI后心肌的保护作用。 方法: 选取雄性Wistar大鼠,结扎其左前降支建立急性心肌梗死(AMI)模型。将术后24 h存活的24只大鼠随机分为治疗组（n=12）和AMI组（n=12）,另随机选取10只大鼠作为假手术组,只在其左前降支下穿线不结扎。治疗组腹腔注射法舒地尔5 mg/kg,每日两次;AMI组和假手术组给予等量的生理盐水。4周后,用Evens蓝及四唑氮蓝试验(NBT)双染确定缺血及梗死面积;用RT-PCR法测定Rho激酶mRNA的表达;DNA片段分析观察心肌细胞凋亡的情况;用免疫组化染色法测定凋亡相关蛋白bcl-2及bax表达的变化。结果: 与AMI组相比,治疗组的梗死面积显著减小(P<0.05)。AMI大鼠缺血心肌组织中DNA片段分析显示,有DNA梯状条带(ladder)形成,假手术组大鼠却没有。AMI组大鼠中Rho激酶mRNA及凋亡相关蛋白bax的表达明显增加(P<0.01,P<0.01);bcl-2的表达明显减少(P<0.01)。以法舒地尔治疗4周后,Rho激酶mRNA及bax的表达均显著减少,bcl-2的表达显著增加(均P<0.01)。结论: MI大鼠心肌组织中Rho激酶的表达升高,心肌细胞凋亡增加。法舒地尔能够减少Rho激酶的表达,减少心肌细胞凋亡,发挥对心肌的保护作用。     

人组织激肽释放酶基因转移对球囊拉伤后大鼠颈总动脉内膜的影响

目的 探讨重组腺病毒介导的人组织激肽释放酶1(Ad-hKLK1)基因转移对球囊拉伤后的自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)颈动脉新生内膜增生的影响及其机制.方法 取SHR,雄性,采用球囊拉伤法建立大鼠颈动脉再狭窄模型,将存活动物随机分为4组,即假手术组(n=6)、单纯拉伤组(n=8)、拉伤+注射对照病毒组(n=8)、拉伤+注射Ad-hKLK1病毒组(n=8).4周后处死大鼠,测定各实验组再狭窄动脉内膜形态学相关指标.RT-PCR法检测缓激肽受体(B1R和B2R)表达,蛋白免疫印迹法检测细胞周期素激酶抑制蛋白p27Kip1、p21Cip1的表达.结果 拉伤+Ad-hKLK1组大鼠颈总动脉的壁腔面积比W/L明显低于单纯拉伤组(1.056±0.149比1.641±0.194,P<0.001),抑制率达35.6%,内膜/中膜面积比值显著小于单纯拉伤组(0.77±0.09比1.26±0.051,P<0.01),抑制率达38.8%(P<0.001).拉伤+Ad-hKLK1组的周期抑制蛋白p27Kip1和p21Cip1表达明显高于单纯拉伤组(0.55±0.05比0.31±0.06,P<0.001和0.47±0.06比0.26±0.05,P<0.001).球囊拉伤后颈动脉的缓激肽B2R的mRNA表达明显高于假手术组(P<0.01),而各组间的缓激肽B1R的mRNA表达差异无统计学意义.结论 hKLK1基因转移可减轻SHR颈动脉球囊损伤后的新生血管内膜形成,注射外源性人组织激肽释放酶基因可上调缓激肽B2R mRNA表达和p27Kip1、p21Cip1的蛋白表达.     

Rho激酶抑制剂对缺血性脑白质损伤的实验性干预研究

目的探讨Rho激酶对缺血性脑白质损害的影响及Rho激酶抑制剂对缺血性脑白质损害的干预效果。方法雄性Wistar大鼠60只,随机分为对照组、缺血组和治疗组,每组20只。缺血组和治疗组给予双侧颈总动脉结扎,对照组给予假手术处理;术后治疗组给予法舒地尔腹腔注射,对照组和缺血组给予生理盐水腹腔注射。手术1个月后评价测定各组大鼠脑深部白质纤维密度、星形胶质细胞数目以及Rho激酶mRNA表达水平。结果缺血组大鼠脑深部白质纤维密度较对照组明显降低,星形胶质细胞数目明显增多,Rho激酶mRNA表达水平明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组大鼠脑深部白质纤维密度较缺血组明显增高,星形胶质细胞数目明显减少,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 Rho激酶异常活化与缺血性白质损害相关,Rho激酶抑制剂可改善慢性低灌注状态下大鼠脑白质损害。     

法舒地尔对急性心肌梗死大鼠炎性细胞因子表达的影响

目的:探讨法舒地尔对急性心肌梗死(AMI)大鼠炎性细胞因子表达的影响及细胞因子表达与Rho激酶的关系.方法:选取雄性Wistar大鼠,建立大鼠AMI模型,将术后存活大鼠随机分为治疗组(F组)和AMI组;另设假手术组(S组),只在其左前降支下穿线不结扎.F组给予法舒地尔5 mg/kg,AMI组和S组给予等量0.9%氯化钠溶液,腹腔注射,每日2次.4周后,用Nikon 4多导生理记录仪检测血流动力学指标,放射免疫法测血清中肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α和白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)含量,EvensBlue及NBT双染确定缺血及梗死面积,RT-PCR法测定Rho激酶mRNA的表达.结果:与S组相比,AMI组细胞因子TNF-α和IL-1β、左室舒张末压(LVEDP)表达明显升高,而左室收缩压(LVSP)和左室压力上升/下降最大速率(±dp/dtmax)明显减低(P<0.05).与AMI组比较,F组梗死面积显著减小,TNF-α和IL-1β表达水平明显下降,Rho激酶mRNA表达显著减少;F组更明显地降低LVEDP,升高LVSP和±dp/dtmax(P<0.01),左室功能明显改善.结论:法舒地尔可以降低AMI大鼠炎性细胞因子及心肌Rho激酶表达,保护缺血心肌,减少心肌梗死面积,改善心功能.     

血脂紊乱对大鼠动脉p27表达水平的影响

目的观察高脂血症对大鼠主动脉p27表达的影响,初步探讨其在动脉硬化过程中的作用机制。方法将30只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、高脂血症组和高脂血症依那普利治疗(依那普利)组各10只。各组大鼠用酶比色法检测血TC、TG、LDL-C和HDL-C浓度;用HE染色法观察主动脉病理改变,测量主动脉壁内层、中层厚度;用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测血管组织p27 mRNA的表达强度,用免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测p27蛋白的表达强度。结果高脂血症组大鼠血TC、TG、LDL-C浓度均高于正常对照组(均为P0.01),HDL-C浓度低于正常对照组(P0.01),依那普利可在一定程度上降低血脂水平,但差异无统计学意义。高脂血症组血管壁内层和中层厚度明显高于对照组[血管壁内层厚度:正常对照组(2.69±0.13)μm比高脂血症组(2.77±0.16)μm,P0.05;血管壁中层厚度:正常对照组(209.38±11.30)μm比高脂血症组(247.14±11.64)μm,P0.01],组织p27 mRNA和p27蛋白表达水平较对照组明显降低[p27 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA:正常对照组(0.57±0.08)比高脂血症绢(0.14±0.02),P0.05;p27蛋白:正常对照组(0.42±0.05)比高脂血症组(0.10±0.02),均为P0.05];依那普利组血管壁厚度较高脂血症组减小(P0.05),p27 mRNA和p27蛋白的表达水平明显上调[p27 mRNA/GAP-DHmRNA:高脂血症组(0.14±0.02)比依那普利组(0.38±0.05);p27蛋白:高脂血症组(0.10±0.02)比依那普利组(0.35±0.06),均为P0.05]。结论 p27在高脂血症大鼠血管组织呈低水平表达,依那普利可使其表达增加,p27可能参与了抑制动脉硬化的进展。     

NARC-1蛋白在新西兰兔动脉粥样硬化病变中的表达

目的 探讨NARC-1在新西兰兔动脉粥样硬化病变血管壁中的表达.方法 健康纯种雄性新西兰白兔16只,适应性喂养1周后,随机分为对照组和高胆固醇组,每组8只;对照组给予普通颗粒饲料喂养,高胆固醇组给予高胆固醇饲料(2%胆固醇)喂养;两组动物于8周末安乐处死.全自动生化分析仪测定兔血浆中甘油三酯、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量,计算动脉粥样硬化指数、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇/低密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值.苏丹Ⅳ染色测量兔主动脉粥样硬化病变面积.油红O染色及HE染色观察兔主动脉病理组织学改变,并进行病理形态学定量分析.免疫组织化学法与免疫印迹法检测兔主动脉组织NARC-1蛋白的分布及表达水平.结果 8周末,高胆固醇组兔血浆总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和、动脉粥样硬化指数水平明显升高,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇/低密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值明显降低.高胆固醇组出现了明显的动脉粥样硬化病变,主动脉内膜面粥样硬化病变面积为27.41%±2.12%,与对照组(0.51%±0.20%)相比差异显著(P<0.05).病理组织学显示高胆固醇组兔主动脉内膜明显增厚,内膜/中膜厚度比明显增大;油红O染色光镜下显示,高胆固醇组兔主动脉内皮下斑块内泡沫细胞呈橘红色,对照组主动脉内膜未见明显着色;HE染色光镜下显示,高胆固醇组主动脉内膜显著增生,形成明显斑块,斑块中纤维组织增生,可见大量泡沫细胞,胞核较小,胞浆内含有大量脂质空泡,对照组内膜薄且结构完整.免疫组织化学检测发现高胆固醇组兔主动脉NARC-1蛋白表达明显,染色呈强阳性,且群集于内膜斑块处;在高倍镜下,NARC-1蛋白主要分布在泡沫细胞的胞浆和胞膜,而在对照组兔血管壁组织中未见表达.免疫印迹检测发现高胆固醇组兔主动脉NARC-1蛋白呈高表达,而对照组兔血管壁组织未见表达.结论 新西兰兔的主动脉粥样硬化病变处NARC-1蛋白表达明显,其主要分布在泡沫细胞的胞浆和胞膜中,正常对照组兔主动脉血管壁组织未检测到NARC-1蛋白.提示NARC-1/PCSK9是影响动脉粥样硬化病变形成与发展的重要因素.     

白介素-1β诱导小型猪冠状动脉内膜增殖时Rho激酶表达与雷帕霉素干预的研究

目的通过小型猪模型观察白介素-1β(IL-1β)诱导冠状动脉内膜增殖时Rho激酶和p27mRNA表达的变化及雷帕霉素干预的作用,探讨Rho激酶表达对冠状动脉狭窄的作用及可能机制。方法通过开胸手术分离小型猪冠状动脉左前降支(LAD)及回旋支(LCX)近端,包裹IL-1β。2周后行冠状动脉造影,然后取标本做病理学检查,并用RT-PCR法测血管壁组织Rho激酶和p27mRNA表达。结果正常冠状动脉血管壁可见Rho激酶mRNA表达及较高水平的p27mRNA表达;用一定量IL-1β诱导冠状动脉内膜增殖,可迅速造成血管管腔狭窄。在此过程中Rho激酶mRNA表达增加3倍以上(30.80±4.10对128.20±15.89),而p27mRNA的表达则明显减弱。雷帕霉素抑制小型猪血管内膜增殖,减少炎细胞浸润,还能减少Rho激酶mRNA表达,并增强p27mRNA的表达。结论Rho激酶在炎症因子诱导的冠状动脉狭窄过程中表达明显增强,通过向下调节p27的活性调控血管内膜的增殖。雷帕霉素通过增强p27mRNA的表达,而减弱Rho激酶对p27的调节,这可能是雷帕霉素抑制血管内膜增殖的新机制。     

南蛇藤素对载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠主动脉壁C反应蛋白及组织因子表达的影响

目的探讨南蛇藤素对高脂饲养载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠在动脉粥样硬化病变形成的早期动脉壁内C反应蛋白和组织因子表达的影响。方法8周龄雄性载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠12只,随机分为南蛇藤素干预组或二甲基亚砜溶剂对照组,每组各6只。均给予高脂饲养8周,在高脂饲养的后4周,分别给予南蛇藤素2mg/(kg·d)或相当剂量的二甲基亚砜腹腔注射。麻醉处死小鼠后,取小鼠主动脉,以石蜡包埋,行主动脉根部连续切片;以HE染色观察形态学变化,免疫组织化学法检测主动脉壁内C反应蛋白和组织因子的表达水平,以Image Pro Plus6.0软件进行图像分析。结果南蛇藤素干预组主动脉粥样硬化斑块面积明显小于对照组,分别为4947±1277μm2和8403±2535μm2(P<0.05);南蛇藤素组主动脉粥样斑块面积/血管壁面积比值明显小于对照组(P<0.05);南蛇藤素组动脉壁C反应蛋白表达水平较对照组明显减少,平均光密度值分别为0.0152±0.0052与0.0256±0.0026(P<0.05);动脉粥样硬化斑块内组织因子表达水平较对照组明显减少,平均光密度值分别为0.0326±0.0132与0.0763±0.0347(P<0.05)。结论南蛇藤素可能通过抑制载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠炎症反应和动脉壁中C反应蛋白的表达而发挥抗动脉粥样的作用;还可能通过减少粥样斑块中组织因子的产生,而进一步起到稳定动脉粥样硬化斑块的作用。     

瑞舒伐他汀对糖尿病合并冠心病大鼠动脉粥样硬化Rho激酶表达的影响

目的探讨瑞舒伐他汀对糖尿病合并冠心病大鼠动脉粥样硬化的防治作用及其相关机制。方法 Wistar大鼠50只,随机取10只大鼠以普通饮食喂养作为对照组,另40只以链脲佐菌素诱导糖尿病大鼠内膜损伤存活后,高脂饮食8周,取大鼠20只随机分为模型组、治疗组,每组10只,继续高脂饮食4周,之后治疗组用瑞舒伐他汀20mg/(kg·d)灌胃干预2个月。3组大鼠常规查血脂及RT-PCR检测主动脉血管细胞黏附分子1(VCAM-1)、细胞间黏附分子1(ICAM-1)及Rho激酶mRNA表达。结果干预前,与对照组比较,模型组和治疗组大鼠TC、TG、LDL-C水平显著升高,HDL-C水平显著降低(P0.05)。干预后,与对照组比较,模型组大鼠TC、TG、LDL-C水平明显升高,HDL-C水平明显降低;VCAM-1、ICAM-1和Rho激酶mRNA表达增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);与模型组比较,治疗组上述各指标均改善,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。结论瑞舒伐他汀通过干预 Rho/Rho激酶信号通路表达而抑制血管内皮炎症,起到延缓、抑制动脉管腔狭窄的作用,这可能为其抗动脉粥样硬化的新机制。     

Increased expression and activity of RhoA are associated with increased DNA synthesis and reduced p27(Kip1) expression in the vasculature of hypertensive rats

We have previously shown that the function of the small G protein Rho is required for vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. We hypothesized that changes in Rho or Rho signaling might contribute to enhanced vascular proliferative responses associated with hypertension. Western blot analysis revealed that total RhoA expression was approximately 2-fold higher in aortas, tail arteries, and aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) obtained from adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with those from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). An increase in active GTP-bound RhoA was detected in aortic homogenates by affinity precipitation with the RhoA effector rhotekin and by examining RhoA-[(35)S]GTPgammaS binding. RhoA protein and activity were also increased in vessels from rats treated with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester to increase blood pressure. Thrombin-stimulated RhoA activation was also significantly greater in ASMCs from SHR. As a functional correlate of these changes in Rho signaling, thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis was enhanced in tail arteries and ASMCs from SHR. Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) was decreased by two thirds in SHR, and this decrease was mimicked in ASMCs by expression of a constitutively active (GTPase-deficient) mutant of RhoA. Wortmannin (10 nmol/L) fully inhibited the decrease in p27(Kip1) induced by RhoA, and a membrane-targeted catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K [p110(CAAX)]) decreased p27(Kip1) expression, suggesting that RhoA signals through PI3K. These data provide evidence that RhoA brings about changes in DNA synthesis through reduced expression of p27(Kip1), mediated in part via PI3K, and suggest that increases in RhoA expression and activity contribute to the enhanced vascular responsiveness observed in hypertension.     

Rho/Rho激酶在压力负荷心力衰竭大鼠心肌组织的表达

目的　探讨升主动脉缩窄压力超负荷心力衰竭 (心衰 )大鼠心肌组织Rho/Rho激酶的表达及Rho激酶抑制剂法舒地尔 (fasudil)对心衰的影响。方法　结扎大鼠升主动脉 ,同时制备假手术模型。 2 0周后成功建立慢性心衰模型。随机分为三组 ,每组 10只大鼠 :(1)假手术组 :生理盐水 0 1ml,腹腔注射 ,每日 2次 ;(2 )心衰组 :生理盐水 0 1ml,腹腔注射 ,每日 2次 ;(3)fasudil组 :fasudil 5mg/kg ,腹腔注射 ,每日 2次 ,疗程 4周。治疗前后检测各组大鼠血流动力学指标 ,疗程结束后处死大鼠 ,检测左室肥厚指数、心肌组织RhoA、Rho激酶mRNA表达及Ca2 + 浓度即 [Ca2 + ]i 的变化。结果心衰组与假手术组相比 ,左室舒张末压明显增高 ,而左室收缩压和左室压力变化最大上升和下降速率明显减低 ,P <0 0 1;左室肥厚指数明显增加 ,P <0 0 1;心肌组织RhoA、Rho激酶mRNA表达显著增高 ,P <0 0 1;心肌组织内 [Ca2 + ]i 显著增高 ,P <0 0 1。fasudil组与心衰组相比 ,左室舒张末压明显减低 ,左室收缩压和左室压力变化最大上升和下降速率明显增高 ,P <0 0 1;左室肥厚指数下降 ,P <0 0 1;心肌组织RhoA、Rho激酶mRNA表达明显下降 ,P <0 0 1;心肌细胞内 [Ca2 + ]i 变化无统计学意义 ,P >0 0 5。结论　心衰大鼠心肌组织RhoA、Rho激     

Loss of p27 phosphorylation at Ser10 accelerates early atherogenesis by promoting leukocyte recruitment via RhoA/ROCK

Reduced phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor p27^Kip1 (p27) at serine 10 (Ser10) is a hallmark of advanced human and mouse atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein E-null mice defective for this posttranslational modification (apoE^−/−p27Ser10Ala) exhibited increased atherosclerosis burden at late disease states. Here, we investigated the regulation of p27 phosphorylation in Ser10 at the very initial stages of atherosclerosis and its impact on endothelial-leukocyte interaction and early plaque formation. Hypercholesterolemia in fat-fed apoE^−/− mice is associated with a rapid downregulation of p27-phospho-Ser10 in primary endothelial cells (ECs) and in aorta prior to the development of macroscopically-visible lesions. We find that lack of p27 phosphorylation at Ser10 enhances the expression of adhesion molecules in aorta of apoE^−/− mice and ECs, and augments endothelial-leukocyte interactions and leukocyte recruitment in vivo. These effects correlated with increased RhoA/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) signaling in ECs, and inhibition of this pathway with fasudil reduced leukocyte-EC interactions to control levels in the microvasculature of p27Ser10Ala mice. Moreover, apoE^−/−p27Ser10Ala mice displayed increased leukocyte recruitment and homing to atherosusceptible arteries and augmented early plaque development, which could be blunted with fasudil. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate a very rapid reduction in p27-phospho-Ser10 levels at the onset of atherogenesis, which contributes to early plaque build-up through RhoA/ROCK-induced integrin expression in ECs and enhanced leukocyte recruitment.     

Effects of Oral Rho Kinase Inhibitor Fasudil on Detrusor Overactivity after Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Rats

Objectives: Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)‐related detrusor hypertrophy is associated with upregulation of Rho‐kinase (ROCK) activity in an experimental animal model, and has been implicated in BOO‐induced bladder dysfunction. The aim of this study was to test whether chronic oral administration of an oral ROCK inhibitor, fasudil (HA1077, 5‐isoquinolinesulfonyl homopiperazine), could prevent the development of both detrusor hypertrophy and detrusor overactivity in rat model. Methods: Thirty five‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n = 10 per group): control (sham surgical) with no treatment (group 1); 6‐week obstructed rats (group 2); and 6‐week obstructed rats treated for 6 weeks with fasudil (group 3). Results: The BOO group showed increased detrusor overactivity. Treatment with fasudil partly but significantly ameliorated the development of detrusor overactivity. The expression of RhoA protein in detrusor muscle was significantly greater in the BOO group than in the control group and subsequently decreased with fasudil treatment in the BOO‐induced rat. Conclusion: These findings suggest that fasudil, a specific inhibitor of Rho‐kinase, ameliorates BOO‐induced detrusor overactivity in a rat model. Thus, ROCK inhibitor might be used as a novel agent to treat overactive bladder symptoms.     

盐酸法舒地尔对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导内皮细胞的炎性保护作用

目的探讨盐酸法舒地尔对血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVECs)Rh0激酶和单核细胞趋化蛋白1(MCP-1)表达的影响。方法将体外培养的HUVECs分为对照组、AngⅡ组、阻断剂组和药物组。硝酸还原酶法测NO含量,免疫细胞化学法测MCP-1蛋白定位表达,蛋白印迹法测Rho激酶和MCP-1蛋白定量表达。结果与对照组比较,其他3组NO含量显著减少(P<0.01);阻断剂组、药物组NO含量较AngⅡ组显著升高(P<0.01);药物组与阻断剂组无显著差异(P>0.05)。与AngⅡ组比较,阻断剂组和药物组Rho激酶及MCP-1蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.01),但高于对照组(P<0.01);2组蛋白表达无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论盐酸法舒地尔可对AngⅡ诱导的HUVECs产生保护作用,通过降低内皮细胞的炎性反应起保护作用。     

Androgens potentiate renal vascular responses to angiotensin II via amplification of the Rho kinase signaling pathway

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed whether the Rho kinase signaling pathway contributes to androgenic amplification of angiotensin II (Ang II) induced pressor and renal constrictor responses. METHODS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1) inhibition were measured in conscious male New Zealand genetically hypertensive rats (NZGH) subjected to sham operation, castration or castration+testosterone replacement. MAP and renal vascular resistance (RVR) responses to Ang II were recorded with and without a Rho kinase inhibitor, fasudil, in anesthetized NZGH. Western blot was used to analyze target protein expression in the kidney. RESULTS: MAP responses to AT1 receptor inhibition and exogenous Ang II were attenuated in castrated NZGH. The increase in RVR (mm Hg/ml/min/g kidney) at the maximum dose of Ang II was significantly lower in castrated NZGH than in sham operated NZGH. Testosterone replacement restored RVR responses to Ang II in castrated rats. Fasudil treatment reduced both MAP and RVR responses to Ang II in each group. In addition, the differential MAP and RVR responses to Ang II amongst the three groups were significantly attenuated by Rho kinase inhibition. Western blot showed that Rho kinase protein expression was reduced by castration, while testosterone replacement restored the Rho kinase protein levels in castrated rats. The phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1), a downstream target of Rho kinase, was also increased by androgens. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results indicate that androgens potentiate Ang II-induced renal vascular responses, an effect mediated at least partly via up-regulation of the Rho kinase signaling pathway.     

Efficacy of Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil in secondary Raynaud's phenomenon

Objective

The RhoA/Rho kinase pathway plays a pivotal role in cold‐induced vasoconstriction, vascular smooth muscle cells function, and vascular homeostasis. This study evaluates the efficacy of fasudil, a RhoA/Rho kinase inhibitor, to reverse cold‐induced vasospasm in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) secondary to systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma).

Methods

This is a single‐center, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized, 3‐period crossover study of oral fasudil (40 mg or 80 mg) or placebo administered 2 hours before a standardized cold challenge. The fall in skin temperature after the cold challenge and time to recover 50% and 70% of prechallenge digital skin temperature were used as primary outcomes. Digital blood flow assessed by laser Doppler, time to minimum skin temperature, and rate of skin cooling were also measured.

Results

A total of 17 patients with SSc and RP completed the study. After the cold challenge, skin temperatures and the average time (minutes) to recover 50% (7.9 minutes for placebo, 7.5 minutes for fasudil 40 mg, and 8.2 minutes for fasudil 80 mg; P = 0.791) and 70% (18.2 minutes for placebo, 15.0 minutes for fasudil 40 mg, and 17.1 minutes for fasudil 80 mg; P = 0.654) of prechallenge skin temperature were not significantly different across the 3 groups. The digital blood flow measurements were higher in fasudil‐treated groups than placebo, but differences were not significant (P = 0.693).

Conclusion

Fasudil administered at a single oral dose of 40 mg or 80 mg was not associated with significant benefit in terms of the skin temperature recovery time and the digital blood flow after the cold challenge.     

Rho kinase inhibition improves endothelial function in human subjects with coronary artery disease

Investigations from basic biology suggest that activation of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway reduces the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and thereby promotes atherosclerosis and its clinical complications. Yet, little information is available about the relationship of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway to NO bioavailability in humans with atherosclerosis. Accordingly, we determined whether inhibition of Rho kinase augments NO bioavailability and improves endothelial function in human subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirteen CAD subjects and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were randomly assigned to receive the Rho kinase inhibitor, fasudil, or placebo for 1 month each in a double-blind crossover trial. Flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent and nitroglycerin-induced, endothelium-independent vasodilation were assessed by brachial artery ultrasonography. Rho kinase activity was measured in peripheral leukocytes. Fasudil increased endothelium-dependent vasodilation in CAD subjects from 9.4+/-1.9% to 13.4+/-1.9% (P=0.001) but not in healthy controls (from 11.3+/-1.4% to 7.7+/-1.1%; P=0.07). Endothelium-independent vasodilation was not affected by fasudil in either CAD or healthy subjects. Fasudil reduced Rho kinase activity by 59+/-18% in CAD subjects (P=0.001) but not in healthy subjects (by 3+/-6%; P=0.60). The change in endothelium-dependent vasodilation achieved with fasudil relative to placebo was inversely proportional to Rho kinase inhibition (ie, greater Rho kinase inhibition was associated with larger improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilation) (r=-0.48; P=0.01). These findings suggest that Rho/Rho kinase activation promotes endothelial dysfunction in humans with atherosclerosis. Inhibition of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway should provide a useful strategy to restore NO bioavailability in humans with atherosclerosis.