title: The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on expression of connexin-40 in Wistar rat aorta after lipopolysaccharide administration.
abstract: Connexin (Cx)-channels can represent one of targets of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in protection of cardiovascular system against injury. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of 10-day n-3 PUFA intake (30 mg/kg/day for 10 days) on expression of Cx40 isoform in the aorta of Wistar rats injected with a single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg, i.p.). LPS resulted in up-regulation of Cx40 expression in the aorta associated with reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation. LPS increased levels of inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde in circulation as well as NOS activity and CD68 expression in aortic tissue indicating presence of moderate inflammation. N-3 PUFA supplementation decreased expression of both Cx40 and CD68 in aortic tissue and suppressed concentrations of C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde of endotoxemic rats. N-3 PUFA did not improve NO-dependent relaxation of aorta and NOS activity in LPS rats. The results indicate the involvement of Cx40 in development of LPS-induced endothelium-dependent functional impairment of the aorta and partial health benefits of n-3 PUFA diet associated with improved Cx40 expression.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. ludmila.okruhlicova@savba.sk.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frimmel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vlkovicova
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sotnikova
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarova
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bernatova
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Okruhlicova
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology; D000097003:Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D017630:Connexins; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000097003:Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein; C539355:CD68 protein, rat; D000097382:CD68 Molecule