Rabbit aortic endothelial cells

Oliveira, C.J., Schindler, R, Ventura, A.M., Morals, M.S., Aral, R.J., Debbas, V., Stem, A., and Monteiro, H.P. (2003). Nitric oxide and cGMP activate the Ras-MAP kinase pathway-stimulating protein tyrosine phosphorylation in rabbit aortic endothelial cells. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 55(4), 381-396. 

This chapter summarizes our recent studies on resveratrol, with regard to its effects on(l) oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), (2) cells effecting development of the AS, and (3) experiments using hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Furthermore, we report preliminary results of the effects of resveratrol in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). In these cells, RT-PCR analysis shows that resveratrol elicits an increase in p38 MAP kinase, concomitant with significant induction of heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27). We hypothesize that resveratrol may confer cardioprotection by functioning as a pleiotropic cellular effector. 

In the first part of this paper we shall snmmarize onr previons studies of the effects of resveratrol on LDL oxidation, on cells participating in atherogenesis, and on aspects of hypercholesterolemia using rabbits as a model. In the second part, we shall report our preliminary studies of the effects of resveratrol on cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). The implications of onr findings will also be discussed briefly. 

In our laboratory, investigation dealing with the problem of endothelial cell contraction was initiated in 1971. A catheter was introduced into the left ventricle of rabbit under anesthesia, through which perfusion of the fixative solution was carried out under constant pressure (110 mmHg) in order to achieve direct in situ fixation of the aortic endothelial cells. The fixative was composed of 2.5% glutaraldehyde, isotonic, pH 7.4 with phosphate buffer. In starting the perfusion, the said fixative warmed to room temperature was used. The temperature was then rapidly lowered to ice-cold during the procedure. The specimen obtained in this fashion was finally subjected to electron microscopic study. 

Vascuiar and sexuai effects Ginseng saponin has demonstrated vasoactive effects. It activates the release of NO from bovine aortic endothelium, and from the endothelial cells and perivascular nerve of the rabbit corpus cavernosum (Kim HS et al. 1998 Ko et al. 1996 Choi and Seong 1995 Chen and Lee 1995). Nitric oxide synthesis is also observed in the endothelium of the lung, heart, and kidney (Gillis 1997). 

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