Inhibitory effect of ghrelin on nicotine-induced VCAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol
; 53(3): 241-5, 2009 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19247191
Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a major cause of vascular injury in smokers. Ghrelin is a recently discovered peptide that plays a modulatory role in atherosclerosis. However, it is unknown how ghrelin regulates nicotine-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression. We examined nicotine-induced VCAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells pretreated with ghrelin and detected the activity of protein kinase C (PKC), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. Our study showed that ghrelin inhibited nicotine-induced VCAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent way. We also found that ghrelin inhibited nicotine-induced PKC, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB activation. The results suggest that ghrelin inhibits nicotine-induced VCAM-1 expression, and PKC, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB play active roles in that process. Exogenous ghrelin may provide a possible approach for preventing or reversing atherosclerosis in smokers.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Endotélio Vascular
/
Molécula 1 de Adesão de Célula Vascular
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Células Endoteliais
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Grelina
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Nicotina
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article