Leptin Inhibits the Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Induced by Angiotensin II through Nitric Oxide-Dependent Mechanisms

Objective. This study was designed to investigate whether leptin modifies angiotensin (Ang) II-induced proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from 10-week-old male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and the possible role of nitric oxide (NO). Methods. NO and NO s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Amaia Rodríguez, Javier Gómez-Ambrosi, Victoria Catalán, Ana Fortuño, Gema Frühbeck
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/105489
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Summary:Objective. This study was designed to investigate whether leptin modifies angiotensin (Ang) II-induced proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from 10-week-old male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and the possible role of nitric oxide (NO). Methods. NO and NO synthase (NOS) activity were assessed by the Griess and 3H-arginine/citrulline conversion assays, respectively. Inducible NOS (iNOS) and NADPH oxidase subutnit Nox2 expression was determined by Western-blot. The proliferative responses to Ang II were evaluated through enzymatic methods. Results. Leptin inhibited the Ang II-induced proliferative response of VSMCs from control rats. This inhibitory effect of leptin was abolished by NOS inhibitor, NMMA, and iNOS selective inhibitor, L-NIL, and was not observed in leptin receptor-deficient fa/fa rats. SHR showed increased serum leptin concentrations and lipid peroxidation. Despite a similar leptin-induced iNOS up-regulation, VSMCs from SHR showed an impaired NOS activity and NO production induced by leptin, and an increased basal Nox2 expression. The inhibitory effect of leptin on Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation was attenuated. Conclusion. Leptin blocks the proliferative response to Ang II through NO-dependent mechanisms. The attenuation of this inhibitory effect of leptin in spontaneous hypertension appears to be due to a reduced NO bioavailability in VSMCs.
ISSN:0962-9351
1466-1861