We examined whether albumin-derived advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) downregulate the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Significant reductions in NOS activity and cGMP levels in bovine aortic endothelial cells were observed when exposed to different concentrations of albumin-derived AGEs. Western and Northern blot analyses showed significant decreases at the prote...

OBJECTIVE Endothelial dysfunction is an early risk factor for cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Mechanisms that participate in endothelial dysfunction include reduced nitric oxide (NO) generation and increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) generation. Endothelial ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels are responsible for maintaining the resting potential of endothelial cells and modulating the ...

We have recently found a novel fatty acid, 11-keto-9(E),12(E)-octadecadienoic acid (KOD), that enhances fibrinolytic activity of endothelial cells. The mechanism of action of KOD has been investigated. KOD increased 2-fold the plasmin activity of bovine aortic endothelial cells at 250 microM. The stimulation was dependent on plasminogen and was inhibited by anti-urokinase, whereas KOD did not e...

Cell-free plasma-derived serum (PDS) is deficient in the platelet-derived growth factor and will not support the growth of 3T3 cells, fibroblasts, or smooth muscle cells. However, when PDS-containing medium is preincubated with endothelial cells, the medium becomes modified so that it will support growth. The activity produced by the endothelial cells results from a polypeptide of 10,000 to 30,...