Neuronostatin attenuates myocardial contractile function through inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase in murine heart.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neuronostatin, derived from the somatostatin preprohormone, was recently identified to be produced by several tissues exerting a role in cardiovascular regulation and metabolism. Nonetheless, the precise mechanism behind neuronostatin-elicited myocardial responses remains elusive. METHODS: This study was designed to elucidate the impact of neuronostatin on cardiac contractile function and the underlying mechanism of action involved. Adult male C57 BL/6 mice were subjected to a bolus injection of neuronostatin (50 µg/kg, i.p.). Echocardiographic, cardiomyocyte contractile and intracellular Ca2+ handling properties were monitored to evaluate the effect of neuronostatin on cardiac function. Western blot analysis was used to examine potential signaling mechanisms involved. RESULTS: Neuronostatin administration suppressed myocardial and cardiomyocyte contractile function and disturbed intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. We observed enlarged LVESD (with unchanged LVEDD), reduced fractional shortening, depressed peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, resting and electrically-stimulated rise in intracellular Ca2+, and prolonged relengthening duration in hearts from neuronostatin-treated mice. These effects were accompanied by downregulation of phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+- ATPase (SERCA) and phospholamban (PLB) and activation of AMPK. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the cardiac depressant properties of neuronostatin possibly associated with loss of SERCA phosphorylation and AMPK activation. These findings revealed a potent inhibitory capacity for neuronostatin on cardiac function, the physiological relevance of which deserves further study.

Protective effects of vasonatrin peptide against hypobaric hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). 2. The HPH model was developed by subjecting rats to hypobaric hypoxia. The HPH rats were then treated with either VNP (50 microg/kg per day, i.p.) or saline (0.5 mL, i.p.) every day for 7 days. Haemodynamic indices, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and remodelling of the pulmonary arteries were evaluated. In addition, plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), endothelin (ET)-1 and angiotensin II (AngII) were determined, as was natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) mRNA expression in the right ventricle. 3. Hypobaric hypoxia induced severe HPH compared with the normoxic control group. Treatment of HPH rats with VNP for 1 week significantly reduced mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, RVH and muscularization of the pulmonary arteries, although pulmonary blood flow was increased in this group. In addition, significantly lower levels of plasma ET-1 and AngII and cardiac NPR-C mRNA expression were observed in VNP-treated compared with saline-treated HPH rats, whereas higher plasma concentrations of ANP were found in the former group. Acute intravenous administration of 50 microg/kg VNP significantly ameliorated pulmonary haemodynamics in HPH rats. 4. Taken together, the date indicate that VNP has certain preventative and therapeutic effects against HPH.

Angiogenic effects of the extracts from Chinese herbs: Angelica and Chuanxiong.

Angelica and ChuanXiong are used to cure ischemic heart disease in China. Previous studies found that these two herbs could increase myocardial blood flow, oxygen-supply and keep myocardial oxygen balance, etc. However, the mechanisms of angiogenic effects of these two herbs are not well-known. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Angelica and ChuanXiong on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in rat myocardial infarction, on endothelial cell proliferation and quantity of vessels on chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). In this study, rats were divided randomly into either pre-treatment or acute-treatment group and sacrificed at the end of the treatments. VEGF expression using Western blot analysis was significantly increased in the groups pre-treated with ChuanXiong and Angelica when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was significant increase in VEGF expression in the rats treated acutely with Angelica (p < 0.05). In the contrary, the rats treated with ChuanXiong showed a decrease in VEGF expression when compared to the acute-treatment control group (p < 0.05). Similar results were observed in immunohistochemistry of VEGF expression in the myocardia. Our study also demonstrated that these two herbs significantly enhanced endothelial cell proliferation (p < 0.05) and revascularity in CAM (p < 0.05). The data showed that Angelica and ChuanXiong could affect VEGF expression in rat myocardial infarction, promote endothelial cell proliferation and stimulate quantity of vessels on CAM model. The results suggest that Angelica and ChuanXiong have angiogenic effects, and may provide some mechanisms for the treatment of myocardial infarction and peripheral ischemia.

[The study on angiogenesis activity of danggui, chuanxiong and danshen].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of danggui (Radix angelicae sinensis), chuanxiong (Rhizoma chuanxiong) and danshen (Radix salvae miltionrrhizae) on cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) obtained from rat and quantitation of vessels on chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. METHODS: Normal rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were cultured by collagenase and trypsin and the influences of the herbs on the CMECs were observed by cell count and MTT colorimetry. The activity of blood vessels was determined by quantitation of vessels on chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, after treatment with chuanxiong of high dosage, danggui of high and middle dosages, danshen of high and middle and low dosages, they enhanced proliferation significantly (P < 0.05). The two later could be in dependent dose. And the herbs might increase quantitation of vessels on CAM. CONCLUSION: These Chinese herbs may promote angiogenesis by stimulating proliferation of CMEC and incresasing blood vessels.

Inhibition of hypoxia-induced proliferation and collagen synthesis by vasonatrin peptide in cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

The aim of the present research is to investigate the effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on hypoxia-induced proliferation and collagen synthesis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Smooth muscle cells isolated from rat pulmonary artery were cultured and used at passages 3-5. Cell proliferation and collagen synthesis were evaluated by cell counts, [(3)H] thymidine and [(3)H] proline incorporation. The results showed that cells exposed to hypoxia for 24 h exhibited a significant increase in [(3)H] thymidine (93%) and [(3)H] proline (52%) incorporation followed by a significant increase in cell number (47%) at 48 h in comparison with the respective normoxic controls. VNP reduced hypoxia-stimulated increase in cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner from 10(-8) to 10(-6) mol/L and attenuated hypoxia-induced collagen synthesis ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-5) mol/L, which is similar to but more potent than both ANP and CNP. The action of VNP on PASMCs was mimicked by 8-bromo-cGMP (10(-4) mol/L, the membrane-permeable cGMP analog), and blocked by HS-142-1 (2 x 10(-5) mol/L), the particulate guanylyl cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptor antagonist, or KT-5823 (10(-6) mol/L), the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitor. The results suggest that VNP inhibits hypoxia-stimulated proliferation and collagen synthesis in cultured rat PASMCs via particulate guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptors through cGMP/PKG dependent mechanisms.

[Inhibition of moderate hypoxia-induced protein synthesis by vasonatrin peptide in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes].

The present work was to investigate the effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on cardiomyocyte protein synthesis induced by moderate hypoxia. In cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, MTT methods, total protein measurement and (3)H-leucine incorporation were used to calculate the cell number and measure the protein synthesis of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, radioimmunoassay was undertaken to observe the effects of VNP on the intracellular levels of cAMP, cGMP and the concentration of endothelin (ET) in the culture medium. The results showed that both the cell number and protein synthesis decreased with severe hypoxia for 24 h. In contrast, under moderate hypoxia, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy developed; the protein synthesis as evidenced by total protein content and 3H-eucine incorporation increased significantly. VNP reduced cardiomyocyte protein synthesis induced by moderate hypoxia in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, VNP increased the intracellular level of cGMP and decreased the concentration of ET in the culture medium under moderate hypoxia, but had no effect on the level of cAMP. These results suggest that VNP inhibits moderate hypoxia-induced protein synthesis in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. This effect is mediated, at least in part, by an increase in intracellular cGMP, a reduction in synthesis, and/or a release in ET of cardiomyocytes.

[Vasonatrin peptide attenuates the enhancement of electrically-induced intracellular calcium transient by isoproterenol in rat cardiac myocytes].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on electrically-induced intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) transient and mechanism of the effects in the cardiac myocytes. The [Ca(2+)](i) transient was measured with a fluoremetric method. The effects of HS-142-1, 8-Br-cGMP and methylene blue (MB) on [Ca(2+)](i) transient in cardiac myocytes were also determined. Isoproterenol (Iso) at 10(-10)~10(-6) mol/L augmented electrically-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient dose-dependently, which was (13+/-8)% (P>0.05), (26+/-13)% (P< 0.05), (66+/-10)% (P<0.01), (150+/-10)% (P<0.01) and (300+/-25)% (P<0.01), respectively. These effects were blocked by an beta-adrenergic bloker propranolol (10(-6) mol/L). The effect of Iso (10(-8) mol/L) on [Ca(2+)](i) transient was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner by VNP at 10(-10)~10(-6) mol/L, which was (99+/-3)% (P>0.05), (96+/-2)% (P<0.05), (84+/-6)% (P<0.01), (66+/-3)% (P<0.01) and (62+/-3)% (P<0.01), respectively. 8-Br-cGMP (10(-7)~10(-3) mol/L) aslo attenuated 10(-8) mol/L Iso-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient dose-dependent. The effect of VNP on [Ca(2+)](i) transient was almost abolished in the presence of HS-142-1 (2x10(-5) mol/L), an antagonist of the natriuretic peptide guanylate cyclase (GC) receptors. MB (10(-5) mol/L), an inhibitor of GC, not only blocked the effect of VNP in myocytes, but also augmented electrically-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient. VNP and HS-142-1 themselves did not change the [Ca(2+)](i) transient in the cardiac myocytes significantly. But MB augmented the [Ca(2+)](i) transient in the cardiac myocytes significantly. These results suggest that VNP attenuates [Ca(2+)](i) transient induced by Iso. This effect is possibly achieved by binding VNP with the natriuretic peptide GC receptors in the myocytes, leading to an increase in intracellular cGMP.

[Vasorelaxing role of vasonatrin peptide in human intramammary artery in vitro].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxing effect of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on human intramammary artery (HIMA).The vasorelaxing effect of VNP on HIMA was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The effects of HS-142-1, TEA, 8-Br-cGMP and methylene blue (MB) were also observed. It was found that VNP caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA which was independent of the endothelium. 8-Br-cGMP (0.1-1000 micromol/L) also caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA. The vasorelaxing effect of VNP disappeared in the presence of HS-142-1 (20 micromol/L), an antagonist of the natriuretic peptide guanylate cyclase (GC) receptor. MB (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor of GC, not only blocked completely the relaxation of HIMA, but also enhanced the vascular contraction induced by norepinephrine. TEA (1 mmol/L), an antagonist of calcium activated potassium channels (K(Ca)), reduced but not completely blocked the vasorelaxing effect of VNP. These findings suggest that VNP can relax HIMA, which is independent of the endothelium. This effect is possibly achieved by the binding of VNP with the natriuretic peptide GC receptors in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), leading to an increase in intracellular cGMP level. Moreover, the vasorelaxing effect of VNP is associated with K(Ca).

[Progress in research on heat shock proteins in cardiovascular system].

Diverse physiological stresses (e.g., heat shock, ischemia and hemodynamics) produce multiple changes in a cell that affect metabolic processes and cellular structures. In response, stress proteins are synthesized, and are thought to mediate cytoprotection through biological function as molecular chaperones. Accumulated evidence indicates that HSP70, HSP90, HSP47, HSP32 and HSP27 play an important role during cardiac ischemia, ischemia preconditioning, cardiac hypertrophy and vascular wall injury.

Expression patterns of atrial natriuretic peptide and its receptors within the cochlear spiral ganglion of the postnatal rat.

The spiral ganglion, which is primarily composed of spiral ganglion neurons and satellite glial cells, transmits auditory information from sensory hair cells to the central nervous system. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), acting through specific receptors, is a regulatory peptide required for a variety of cardiac, neuronal and glial functions. Although previous studies have provided direct evidence for the presence of ANP and its functional receptors (NPR-A and NPR-C) in the inner ear, their presence within the cochlear spiral ganglion and their regulatory roles during auditory neurotransmission and development is not known. Here we investigated the expression patterns and levels of ANP and its receptors within the cochlear spiral ganglion of the postnatal rat using immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy techniques, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. We have demonstrated that ANP and its receptors colocalize in both subtypes of spiral ganglion neurons and in perineuronal satellite glial cells. Furthermore, we have analyzed differential expression levels associated with both mRNA and protein of ANP and its receptors within the rat spiral ganglion during postnatal development. Collectively, our research provides direct evidence for the presence and synthesis of ANP and its receptors in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells within the cochlear spiral ganglion, suggesting possible roles for ANP in modulating neuronal and glial functions, as well as neuron-satellite glial cell communication, within the spiral ganglion during auditory neurotransmission and development.

Cardiac peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression is modulated by oxidative stress in acutely infrasound-exposed cardiomyocytes.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of acute infrasound exposure on oxidative damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms in rat cardiomyocytes. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured and exposed to infrasound for several days. In the study, the expression of CAT, GPx, SOD1, and SOD2 and their activities in rat cardiomyocytes in infrasound exposure groups were significantly decreased compared to those in the various time controls, along with significantly higher levels of O2 (-) and H2O2. Decreased cardiac cell viability was not observed in various time controls. A significant reduction in cardiac cell viability was observed in the infrasound group compared to the control, while significantly increased cardiac cell viability was observed in the infrasound exposure and rosiglitazone pretreatment group. Compared to the control, rosiglitazone significantly upregulated CAT, GPx, SOD1, and SOD2 expression and their activities in rat cardiomyocytes exposed to infrasound, while the levels of O2 (-) or H2O2 were significantly decreased. A potential link between a significant downregulation of PPAR-γ expression in rat cardiomyocytes in the infrasound group was compared to the control and infrasound-induced oxidative stress. These findings indicate that infrasound can induce oxidative damage in rat cardiomyocytes by inactivating PPAR-γ.

Expression and localization of atrial natriuretic peptide and its receptors in rat spiral ganglion neurons.

Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are the primary auditory neurons in the inner ear, conveying auditory information between sensory hair cells and the central nervous system. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), acting through specific receptors, is a regulatory peptide required for a variety of cardiac and neuronal functions. While the localization of ANP and its receptors (NPR-A and NPR-C) in the inner ear has been widely studied, there is only limited information regarding their localization in cochlear SGNs and their regulatory roles during primary auditory neurotransmission. Here we have investigated the presence of ANP and its receptors in the cochlear spiral ganglion of the postnatal rat using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. ANP and its receptors are expressed in the cochlear SGNs at both the mRNA and protein level, and co-localize in the cochlear SGNs as shown by immunofluorescence. Our research provides a direct evidence for the presence and synthesis of ANP as well as its receptors in the cochlear SGNs, suggesting a possible role for ANP in modulating the neuronal functions of SGNs via its receptors.

Infrasound exposure induces apoptosis of rat cardiac myocytes by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins.

It has been reported that exposure to infrasound causes cardiac dysfunction. Allowing for the key role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, the objective of this study was to investigate the apoptotic effects of infrasound. Cardiac myocytes cultured from neonatal rats were exposed to infrasound of 5 Hz at 130 dB. The apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. Also, the expression levels of a series of apoptosis-related proteins were detected. As a result, infrasound induced apoptosis of cultured rat cardiac myocytes in a time-dependant manner. The expression of proapoptotic proteins such as Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and FAS was significantly up-regulated, with concomitant down-regulated expression of antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl-x, and the inhibitory apoptosis proteins family proteins including XIAP, cIAP-1, and cIAP-2. The expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and ß-catenin, which are the substrate proteins of caspase-3, was significantly decreased. In conclusion, infrasound is an apoptotic inducer of cardiac myocytes.

AC-NP: a novel chimeric peptide with natriuretic and vasorelaxing actions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular and renal activities of a newly designed natriuretic peptide (NP). Here, we engineered a novel 28-amino acid chimeric peptide, termed AC-NP that combined the 17-amino acid ring of C type natriuretic peptide (CNP) with the 6-amino acid N-terminus and 5-amino acid C-terminus of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to determine the actions of AC-NP. In normal rats, AC-NP proved to be more potentially diuretic, natriuretic and hypotensive compared with other NPs, such as ANP, CNP and vasonatrin peptide (VNP), which is another man-made NP. In relaxation of isolated abdominal aorta from rat, AC-NP was equally effective to ANP, CNP and VNP. Elevated levels of 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in plasma and urine cGMP excretion indicated the participation of cGMP in the functions of AC-NP. Taken together, innovative designed AD-NP might be a new candidate therapeutic peptide against cardiorenal disorders.

Protecting effects of vasonatrin peptide against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis.

In order to investigate the effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP), a novel man-made natriuretic peptide, on liver fibrosis, mice received carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) injection for 12weeks and with or without VNP treatment during the last 6weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Sirius red staining were performed to evaluate the status of liver fibrosis. After treatment of VNP, DNA and collagen synthesis of cultured HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells were assessed by [(3)H]-thymidine and [(3)H]-proline incorporation, respectively. Additionally, involved signaling pathway was identified by radioimmunoassay to detect the levels of intracellular cGMP and by mimicking experiments using 8-br-cGMP (a membrane-permeable cGMP analog). Also, blocking experiments were performed using HS-142-1, an antagonist of guanylyl cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR), or KT-5823, the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitor. As a result, VNP markedly alleviated CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. In vitro, HSC-T6 cells demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction of DNA and collagen synthesis in the presence VNP. In addition, VNP significantly increased the intracellular levels of cGMP. These effects of VNP were mimicked by 8-br-cGMP, although inhibited by HS-142-1 or KT-5823. Taken together, VNP ameliorates liver fibrosis by inhibiting collagen production from hepatic stellate cells via guanylyl cyclase-coupled NPR/cGMP/PKG pathway, indicating that VNP might be a new effective reagent in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Suppressive effects of swainsonine on C6 glioma cell in vitro and in vivo.

Swainsonine, an extract from Astragalus membranaceus, is known for its anti-cancer effects and could prevent metastases. In order to investigate the effects and mechanisms of swainsonine in C6 glioma cells, we carry out correlated experiments in vitro and in vivo. After treatment with swainsonine, the effective dose and IC(50) value of swainsonine in the C6 glioma cell were examined using the MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic rates were analyzed using FCM and [Ca(2+)](i) was measured by LSCM. Expressions of p16 and p53 protein were evaluated by immunocytochemical methods. Simultaneously, glioma-bearing rats were administered swainsonine at doses of 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg body wt. The inhibition rate was calculated and pathological sections were observed. The results indicated that the growth of C6 glioma cells is inhibited by swainsonine in vitro, with an IC(50) value within 24h of 0.05 microg/ml. Increases in swainsonine correlate with S phase percentages of 11.3%, 11.6% and 12.4%, respectively. Moreover, the expression of apoptosis inhibiting p53 and p16 protein decreases gradually. Tumor weight in vivo decreased clearly and HE dyeing of tumor tissue showed gray, its texture was soft, with necrosis and hemorrhagic concentrated inward. Swainsonine could inhibit the proliferation of C6 glioma cells in vitro and the growth of C6 glioma in vivo. The mechanisms of swainsonine-induced apoptosis may relate with the expression of apoptosis-related genes and overloading-[Ca(2+)](i)-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress.

[Inhibitory effects of rosiglitazone against endothelin-1-induced proliferation of rat cardiac myocytes: the role of PKC-c-fos pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of rosiglitazone (RSG, the activator of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor lambda) for inhibiting endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced neonatal rat cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and c-fos. METHODS: In vitro cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were treated with ET-1, phorbol ester (PMA, the PKC activator), ET-1+RSG, ET-1+chelerythrine (che, the PKC inhibitor), PMA+RSG, or without treatment (control), respectively. The effects of RSG on the protein content, (3)H-leucine incorporation, PKC activity and C-fos protein expression were observed in the cardiac myocytes stimulated with ET-1 or PMA. RESULTS: After two days of culture, the intracellular protein content in ET-1 group and PMA group were increased by 15% (339-/+15 microg/ml) and 13% (329-/+14 microg/ml) as compared with the control cells (290-/+13 microg/ml), respectively (P<0.01). Compared with the ET-1 group, cells treated with ET-1+10(-8) mol/L RSG, ET-1+10(-7) mol/L RSG, and ET-1+che showed decreased intracellular protein content by 10% (303-/+14 microg/ml, P<0.05), 12% (292-/+11 microg/ml, P<0.05), and 13% (291-/+12 microg/ml, P<0.01), respectively. The intracellular protein content in PMA+10(-7) mol/LRSG group was decreased by 10% (P<0.05) in comparison with the PMA group. RSG inhibited protein synthesis enhancement and increased (3)H-leucine incorporation induced by ET-1 and PMA, and antagonized the effects of ET-1 and PMA in promoting PKC activity and c-fos protein expression in the myocytes. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of RSG on ET-1- or PMA-induced myocyte hypertrophy is associated with PKC-c-fos pathway.

[Effect of vasonatrin peptide on the Ca2+ activated K+ channels of vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from rat mesentery arteries].

AIM: To investigate effect and mechanism of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on Ca2+ activated K+ channels (K(Ca)) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from rat mesentery arteries. METHODS: Changes of K(Ca) induced by VNP were measured by the means of whole cell recording mode of patch clamp, furthermore effects of HS-142-1(0.3 g/L), 8-Br-cGMP and methylene blue (MB) were observed. RESULTS: K(Ca) was significantly enhanced by VNP (10(-6) mol/L), which was mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP(10(-3) mol/L) and blocked completely by HS-142-1 or MB (2 x 10(-5) mol/L). CONCLUSION: VNP increases K(Ca) of VSMCs isolated from rat mesenteric arteries, by binding with natriuretic peptide guanylate cyclase-coupled receptors and increasing the intracellular level of cGMP in VSMCs.

[Effect of vasonatrin peptide on the expression of C-type natriuretic peptide receptor in hypoxic rat hearts].

AIM: To investigate the effect of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on the expression of C-type natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-C) in hypoxic rat hearts. METHODS: Rats were divided randomly into three groups: control group, hypoxia group(3-28 d) and VNP (25-75 microg/kg per day) + hypoxia group. The plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in rats was measured by the means of radioimmunoassay. Furthermore, quantitative PCR was used to examine the NPR-C mRNA level in rat hearts. RESULTS: The plasma concentration ANP in rats was significantly higher than that of control group, and VNP (75 microg/kg per day) made it more higher. Hypoxia for 3 day of had no significant effect on the NPR-C mRNA level in rat hearts, while hypoxia for 7-28 d significantly increased the level of NPR-C mRNA in a time dependent manner. VNP (50-75 microg/kg per day) significantly reduced the NPR-C mRNA level in rat hearts in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: VNP increases the plasma concentration of ANP in hypoxic rats. Hypoxia can increase expression of NPR-C in rat hearts significantly, which can be inhibited by VNP.