BACKGROUND Arteries and veins are exposed to different pressures and are easily distinguished by morphology. Although several recent studies have focused on differential gene expression between the arterial and venous endothelium, the molecular distinctions that give rise to the dramatic structural distinctions between arteries and veins, such as in the organization of the intima, are not known...

1. Mice lacking the apolipoprotein E and low density lipoprotein receptor genes (E degrees xLDLR degrees ) develop atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to characterize the roles of L-arginine and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) for endothelium-dependent relaxation and the changes in the vasoconstrictor response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) in thoracic aortic rings of E d...

This article has not been copyedited and formatted. The final version may differ from this version. Abstract Protective roles for protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR 2) in the airways including activation of epithelial chloride (Cl-) secretion are based on the use of presumably PAR 2-selective peptide agonists. To determine if PAR 2 peptide-activated Cl-secretion from mouse tracheal epithelium i...

Protective roles for protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR(2)) in the airways including activation of epithelial chloride (Cl(-)) secretion are based on the use of presumably PAR(2)-selective peptide agonists. To determine whether PAR(2) peptide-activated Cl(-) secretion from mouse tracheal epithelium is dependent on PAR(2), changes in ion conductance across the epithelium [short-circuit current (...

BACKGROUND Elevated arginase (Arg) activity is reported to be involved in diabetes-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction. It can reduce L-arginine availability to nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) and NO production. Akita mice, a genetic non-obese type 1 diabetes model, recapitulate human diabetes. We determined the role of Arg in a time-course of diabetes-associated endothelial dysfunction i...

objective(s) four novel losartan analogues 5a-d were synthesized by connecting a dihydropyridine nucleus to imidazole ring. the effects of 5a and 5b on angiotensin receptors (at') and l-type calcium channels were investigated on isolated rat aorta. materials and methods aortic rings were pre-contracted with 1 pm angiotensin ii or 80 mm kcl and relaxant effects of losartan, nifedipine, 5a a...