title: Ghrelin in vitro modulates vasoactive factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether Ghrelin could affect prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The effect of Ghrelin on endothelial cell proliferation was also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro research report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Third-level referral academic centers, including molecular and cellular biology laboratories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human umbilical cords were obtained from healthy female volunteers at term of uncomplicated pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  HUVEC were cultured with Ghrelin (from 10(-11) to 10(-7) M). After 24 hours supernatants were collected and HUVEC were treated for total RNA extraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the culture medium PGs release was evaluated by RIA. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX2) and both the constitutive and the inducible isoforms of nitric oxide synthases (ECNOS and INOS) mRNA expressions were evaluated by retrotranscriptase polymerase chain reaction. Endothelial cell proliferation was evaluated by bromo-deoxy-uridine incorporation and by cell counting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ghrelin negatively affected PGs release as well as COX2, ECNOS, and INOS mRNA expressions in HUVEC. Furthermore, Ghrelin increased bromo-deoxy-uridine incorporation in HUVEC without affecting cell counting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our in vitro results allowed to hypothesize that Ghrelin could be involved in the modulation of vascular tone by affecting nitric oxide-related protein synthesis and PGs production in endothelial cells.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Fisiopatologia della Riproduzione Umana, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Minici
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tiberi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tropea
authors.forename: Mariateresa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Maria Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gangale
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catino
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanzone
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Apa
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D006801:Humans; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones