Endothelial NO synthase gene expression in experimental vasospasm in rabbits.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene expression and experimental vasospasm. METHODS: Sixteen rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups, which were subjected to balloon endothelial denudation with normal diet (n=8) or with hypercholesterol diet group (n=8). Angiography was performed to detect the vasospasm induced by ergonovine before and after denudation and 8 weeks after hypercholesterol feeding. In situ hybridization and Northern blotting were performed to localize and quantitate respectively the expression of eNOS mRNA. RESULTS: Visible vasospasm was induced at the denuded sites in rabbits with hypercholesterol diet, in which the expression of eNOS mRNA was detected in the endothelium by in situ hybridization at a lower level than that of rabbits with normal diet, as demonstrated by Northern blotting. CONCLUSION: The decrement of eNOS mRNA expression resulted from balloon endothelial denudation and hypercholesterolemia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of experimental vasospasm.