Effects of olmesartan on endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and function in carotid atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Olmesartan is a type of angiotensin II receptor inhibitor that can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events. However, its role in the function of endothelial progenitor cells in atherosclerosis patients is still unclear. Our study aimed to explore the effects and mechanism of olmesartan on endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and function in carotid atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Forty carotid atherosclerosis patients were enrolled. Patients were administrated olmesartan 20 mg/day for 3 months. Flow cytometry was used for counting circulating endothelial progenitor cells; colorimetric method was used to measure the serum levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide. Cell migration, adhesion, and proliferation capacity, and related signaling pathway were also analyzed. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the influence of olmesartan on endothelial progenitor cells and clinical characteristics (e.g., sex, age, blood pressure).


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells was significantly decreased. Olmesartan can increase circulating endothelial progenitor cells number and the serum levels of eNOS and NO. Furthermore, it can improve cell migration, adhesion, and proliferation capacities. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed there is no relationship between olmesartan promotion effects on endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and the clinical characteristics (P>0.05). P-eNOS and P-Akt expression can be unregulated by RNH-6270 treatment and blocked by LY294002.


CONCLUSIONS
Olmesartan can effectively promote the endothelial progenitor cells mobilization and improve their function in patients with carotid atherosclerosis, independent of basic characteristics. This process relies on the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.
Department of Health Care, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China (mainland).
Xin
X
Gong
Department of Health Care, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China (mainland).
Li
L
Shao
Department of Health Care, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China (mainland).
Yi-Min
YM
Fu
Department of Health Care, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China (mainland).
Yong
Y
Zou
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D066026:Endothelial Progenitor Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000097:blood; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D007093:Imidazoles; D013777:Tetrazoles; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C437965:olmesartan; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III