During pregnancy, relaxin stimulates nitric oxide (NO)-dependent renal vasodilation, hyperfiltration and reduced myogenic reactivity of small renal arteries via the endothelial ETB receptor subtype. Our objective in this study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which relaxin stimulates the endothelial ETB receptor/NO vasodilatory pathway. Using chronically instrumented conscious rats, we demons...

PURPOSE This study was performed to examine the gelatinolytic and caseinolytic activities and the levels of two proteinase inhibitors, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-antitrypsin) and alpha 2-macroglobulin, in the human aqueous humor. METHODS Aqueous humor samples were collected during elective surgery in patients with cataracts. Zymography with gelatin- and casein-containing gels was p...

BACKGROUND Vascular calcifications such as arteriosclerosis, which is characterized by a calcificiation of the tunica media, represent major comorbidities e.g. in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An essential step during the development of arteriosclerosis is the transdifferentiation/calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) resembling osteogenesis. The matrix metalloprote...

induce expression of active proteinases leading to increased matrix degradation. Other fragments increase matrix synthesis and cellular proliferation. Several studies have suggested that type II collagen fragments might influence chondrocyte differentiation in endochondral ossification, and we hypothesise that collagen II fragments might also promote cellular hypertrophy when they are over-prod...

OBJECTIVE Gelatinases are a large group of proteolytic enzymes that belong to the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are a broad family of peptidases, which proteolyse the extracellular matrix and have an important role in inflammation. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker extensively used in the treatment of numerous cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia and hypertension. The anti-t...

Testosterone-induced neuronal addition to the adult songbird vocal control center, HVC, requires the androgenic induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), followed by VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis. The expanded vasculature acts as a source of BDNF, which supports the immigration of new neurons from the overlying ventricular zone. In tumorigenesis, a similar process of adult angiogen...