Aspirin inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species by downregulating Nox4 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in human endothelial cells exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2012 May;59(5):405-12. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e318248acba.

Abstract

Aspirin has antithrombotic activity and is commonly used to protect patients from cardiovascular disease attacks. The present study investigated whether aspirin reduces reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory proteins in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results showed that aspirin attenuated reactive oxygen species generation induced by ox-LDL and downregulated Nox4 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B was inactivated by aspirin, significantly preventing nuclear factor kappa B p65 subunit translocation into the nucleus. The expression of the monocyte/macrophage chemotactic protein 1 also decreased, but endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression increased in aspirin-treated cells. Aspirin ameliorated oxidative stress by downregulating Nox4 and inducible nitric oxide synthase and improved endothelial cell function by increasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression. Thus, aspirin may possess protective effects against ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / pharmacology*
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / pharmacology
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • NADPH Oxidases / drug effects
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • NOX4 protein, human
  • Aspirin