Up-regulation of thromboxane A₂ impairs cerebrovascular eNOS function in aging atherosclerotic mice

Pflugers Arch. 2011 Sep;462(3):371-83. doi: 10.1007/s00424-011-0973-y. Epub 2011 May 27.

Abstract

We previously reported that in healthy mouse cerebral arteries, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) produces H₂O₂, leading to endothelium-dependent dilation. In contrast, thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂), a potent pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory endogenous vasoconstrictor, is associated with eNOS dysfunction. Our objectives were to elucidate whether (1) the cerebrovascular eNOS-H₂O₂ pathway was sensitive to oxidative stress associated with aging and dyslipidemia and (2) TXA₂ contributed to cerebral eNOS dysfunction. Atherosclerotic (ATX = LDLR(-/-); hApoB(+/+)) and wild-type (WT) control mice were used at 3 and 12 months old (m/o). Three-m/o ATX mice were treated with the cardio-protective polyphenol catechin for 9 months. Dilations to ACh and the simultaneous eNOS-derived H₂O₂ production were recorded in isolated pressurized cerebral arteries. The age-associated decrease in cerebral eNOS-H₂O₂ pathway observed in WT was premature in ATX mice, decreasing at 3 m/o and abolished at 12 m/o. Thromboxane synthase inhibition by furegrelate increased dilations at 12 months in WT and at 3 and 12 months in ATX mice, suggesting an anti-dilatory role of TXA₂ with age hastened by dyslipidemia. In addition, the non-selective NADP(H) oxidase inhibitor apocynin improved the eNOS-H₂O₂ pathway only in 12-m/o ATX mice. Catechin normalized the function of this pathway, which became sensitive to L-NNA and insensitive to furegrelate or apocynin; catechin also prevented the rise in TXA₂ synthase expression. In conclusion, the age-dependent cerebral endothelial dysfunction is precocious in dyslipidemia and involves TXA₂ production that limits eNOS activity. Preventive catechin treatment reduced the impact of endogenous TXA₂ on the control of cerebral tone and maintained eNOS function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetophenones / metabolism
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy
  • Atherosclerosis / enzymology*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Benzofurans / metabolism
  • Catechin / therapeutic use
  • Cerebral Arteries / enzymology*
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism*
  • Oxidants / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism
  • Thromboxane A2 / genetics
  • Thromboxane A2 / metabolism*
  • Thromboxane-A Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Thromboxane-A Synthase / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation*

Substances

  • Acetophenones
  • Antioxidants
  • Benzofurans
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Oxidants
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Thromboxane A2
  • Catechin
  • acetovanillone
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Thromboxane-A Synthase
  • furegrelate