Endothelial NO synthase gene expression in experimental vasospasm in rabbits.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The decrement of eNOS mRNA expression resulted from balloon endothelial denudation and hypercholesterolemia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of experimental vasospasm.
Fu
Qiang
Q
Department of Cardiology, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. fq-tong@263.net
Fu
Xiang-Yang
XY
Fu
Xiao-Hua
XH
Jiang
Li
L
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011817:Rabbits
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III