[The role of caveolae in shear stress-induced endothelial nitric-oxide synthase activation].

This article deals with the influence of shear stress on endothelial NO synthesis, and the role of caveolae in shear stress-induced eNOS activation. Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured and exposed to different levels of laminal shear stress and Filipin, the perfused cultures were collected, and NO(2-)/NO(3-) was detected using nitrate reduction method. The structure of caveolae was observed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The level of NO(2-)-/NO(3-) was found to increase with the elevation of shear stress level (P < 0.01). It was the highest at 1.5 N/m2. After treatment with Filipin, the level of NO produced by HUVEC decreased significantly (P < 0.01), but after recovery and shear without Filipin, the level of NO synthesis bounded back (P < 0.01). It was then concluded that shear stress can induce endothelial NO synthesis and caveolae plays a key role in shear stress-induced eNOS activation.