scholarly journals Acute simvastatin increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation via AMP-activated protein kinase and reduces contractility of isolated rat mesenteric resistance arteries

2011 ◽  
Vol 121 (10) ◽  
pp. 449-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana V. Rossoni ◽  
Mark Wareing ◽  
Camilla F. Wenceslau ◽  
Mahmood Al-Abri ◽  
Chris Cobb ◽  
...  

Statins can have beneficial cholesterol-independent effects on vascular contractility, which may involve increases in the bioavailability of NO (nitric oxide) as a result of phosphorylation of eNOS (endothelial NO synthase). Although this has been attributed to phosphorylation of Akt (also known as protein kinase B), studies in cultured cells have shown that statins can phosphorylate AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase); it is unknown whether this has functional effects in intact arteries. Thus we investigated the acute effects of simvastatin on resistance arterial contractile function, evaluating the involvement of NO, Akt and AMPK. Isolated rat mesenteric resistance arteries were mounted on a wire myograph. The effects of incubation (1 and 2 h) with simvastatin (0.1 or 1 μM) on contractile responses were examined in the presence and absence of L-NNA (N-nitro-L-arginine; 10 μM) or mevalonate (1 mM). Effects on eNOS, phospho-eNOS (Ser1177), and total and phospho-Akt and -AMPK protein expression were investigated using Western blotting. The effect of AMPK inhibition (compound C, 10 μM) on eNOS phosphorylation and contractile responses were also studied. Simvastatin (1 μM, 2 h) significantly reduced constriction to U46619 and phenylephrine and enhanced dilations to ACh (acetylcholine) in depolarized, but not in U46619-pre-constricted arteries. These effects were completely and partially prevented by L-NNA and mevalonate respectively. Simvastatin increased eNOS and AMPKα phosphorylation, but had no effect on Akt protein expression and phosphorylation after 2 h incubation. Compound C prevented the effects of simvastatin on eNOS phosphorylation and contractility. Thus simvastain can acutely modulate resistance arterial contractile function via mechanisms that involve the AMPK/phospho-eNOS (Ser1177)/NO-dependent pathway.

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Sasaki ◽  
Hiroshi Asanuma ◽  
Masashi Fujita ◽  
Hiroyuki Takahama ◽  
Masanori Asakura ◽  
...  

Background; Several studies have shown that metformin activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which mediates potent cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. AMPK is also activated in experimental failing myocardium, suggesting that activation of AMPK is beneficial for the pathophysiology of heart failure. We investigated whether metformin prevents oxidative stress-induced cell death in rat cardiomyocytes and attenuates the progression of heart failure in dogs. Methods and Results; The treatment with metformin (10 μmol/L) protected the rat cultured cardiomyocytes against cell death due to H 2 O 2 exposure (50 μmol/L) as indicated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), TUNEL staining, and flow cytometry. These effects were blunted by an AMPK inhibitor, compound-C (20 μmol/L), suggesting that the activation of AMPK decreased the extent of apoptosis-induced cell death due to H 2 O 2 exposure. Continuous rapid ventricular pacing (230/min for 4 weeks) in dogs caused heart failure and the treatment with metformin (100 mg/kg/day PO, n=8) decreased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension (32.8±0.4 vs. 36.5±1.0 mm, p< 0.01) and pressure (11.8±1.1 vs. 22±0.9 mmHg, p< 0.01), and increased LV fractional shortening (18.6±1.8 vs. 9.6±0.7 %, p< 0.01) along with enhanced phosphorylation of AMPK and the decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells of the LV myocardium compared with the vehicle group (n=8). Interestingly, metformin increased the protein and mRNA levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase of the LV myocardium and plasma nitric oxide levels. Metformin improved the plasma insulin resistance without increased myocardial GLUT-4 translocation. Furthermore, the subcutaneous administration of AICAR (50 mg/kg/every other day), another AMPK activator mediated the equivalent effects to metformin, strengthening the pivotal role of AMPK in reduction of apoptosis and prevention of heart failure. Conclusions; Activation of myocardial AMPK attenuated the oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and prevented the progression of heart failure in dogs, along with eNOS activation. Thus, metformin or AICAR may be applicable as a novel therapy for heart failure.


2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 409-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hernando Leon ◽  
Laura L Atkinson ◽  
Jolanta Sawicka ◽  
Ken Strynadka ◽  
Gary D Lopaschuk ◽  
...  

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in the heart results in enhanced production of H2O2 and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Since mutations in AMPK result in cardiovascular dysfunction, we investigated whether the activation of AMPK mediates the H2O2-induced reduction in cardiac mechanical function. Isolated working rat hearts were perfused at 37 °C with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Following a 20-minute equilibration period, a single bolus of H2O2 (300 µmol/L) was added and the hearts were perfused for an additional 5 min. H2O2 induced a dramatic and progressive reduction in cardiac function. This was accompanied by rapid and significant activation of AMPK, an increase in Thr-172 phosphorylation of AMPK, and an increase in the creatine to phosphocreatine (Cr/PCr) ratio. Addition of pyruvate (5 mmol/L) to the perfusate prevented the H2O2-mediated reduction in cardiac mechanical dysfunction, activation of myocardial AMPK activity, increase in AMPK phosphorylation and the increase in the Cr/PCr ratio. Hearts challenged with H2O2 (300 µmol/L) in presence of either AMPK inhibitor Compound C (10 µmol/L) or its vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 0.1%) showed reduced impairment in cardiac mechanical function. Compound C but not its vehicle significantly inhibited myocardial AMPK activity. Thus, H2O2 induces cardiac dysfunction via both AMPK-dependent and independent mechanisms.Key words: oxidative stress, AMPK, antioxidant, isolated rat heart, pyruvate.


2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 1025-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saadet Turkseven ◽  
Elif Ertuna

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a regulator of cellular metabolism and is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Data showing the effects of AMPK on vasculature are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of prolonged AMPK activation on vascular functions. For this purpose we have examined the role of AMPK in endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation and vascular contractions. For this, we incubated thoracic aortic rings, from rats, with AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR, 500 μmol/L or 2 mmol/L) in the presence or absence of AMPK inhibitor compound C (10 μmol/L). Next, cumulative dose–response curves to acetylcholine (ACh) (10−9−10−4 mol/L), nitroglycerine (NG) (10−9–3 × 10−5 mol/L), and noradrenaline (NA) (10−9−10−4 mol/L) were obtained. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression was determined. Our results show that endothelium-dependent relaxation was inhibited after AICAR treatment, and that this effect was reversed by AMPK inhibition. Moreover, AICAR enhanced the contractile response to NA and caused a decrease in eNOS protein expression. In conclusion, prolonged AMPK induction causes endothelial impairment, possibly via increased degradation and (or) reduced expression of eNOS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 9407
Author(s):  
Gi Ho Lee ◽  
Chae Yeon Kim ◽  
Chuanfeng Zheng ◽  
Sun Woo Jin ◽  
Ji Yeon Kim ◽  
...  

Rutaecarpine (RUT) is a bioactive alkaloid isolated from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa that exerts a cellular protective effect. However, its protective effects on endothelial cells and its mechanism of action are still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of RUT on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in endothelial cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. RUT treatment promoted NO generation by increasing eNOS phosphorylation. Additionally, RUT induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). Inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) attenuated RUT-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration and phosphorylation of CaMKII, CaMKKβ, AMPK, and eNOS. Treatment with KN-62 (a CaMKII inhibitor), Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), and STO-609 (a CaMKKβ inhibitor) suppressed RUT-induced eNOS phosphorylation and NO generation. Interestingly, RUT attenuated the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 induced by TNF-α and inhibited the inflammation-related NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that RUT promotes NO synthesis and eNOS phosphorylation via the Ca2+/CaMKII and CaM/CaMKKβ/AMPK signaling pathways through TRPV1. These findings provide evidence that RUT prevents endothelial dysfunction and benefit cardiovascular health.


2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (3) ◽  
pp. C750-C758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Ann Murphy ◽  
Kurt A. Fakira ◽  
Zhentao Song ◽  
Annie Beuve ◽  
Vanessa H. Routh

The mechanisms by which glucose regulates the activity of glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) are largely unknown. We have previously shown that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) increases nitric oxide (NO) production in VMH GI neurons. We hypothesized that AMPK-mediated NO signaling is required for depolarization of VMH GI neurons in response to decreased glucose. In support of our hypothesis, inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) or the NO receptor soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) blocked depolarization of GI neurons to decreased glucose from 2.5 to 0.7 mM or to AMPK activation. Conversely, activation of sGC or the cell-permeable analog of cGMP, 8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP), enhanced the response of GI neurons to decreased glucose, suggesting that stimulation of NO-sGC-cGMP signaling by AMPK is required for glucose sensing in GI neurons. Interestingly, the AMPK inhibitor compound C completely blocked the effect of sGC activation or 8-Br-cGMP, and 8-Br-cGMP increased VMH AMPKα2 phosphorylation. These data suggest that NO, in turn, amplifies AMPK activation in GI neurons. Finally, inhibition of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) Cl− conductance blocked depolarization of GI neurons to decreased glucose or AMPK activation, whereas decreased glucose, AMPK activation, and 8-Br-cGMP increased VMH CFTR phosphorylation. We conclude that decreased glucose triggers the following sequence of events leading to depolarization in VMH GI neurons: AMPK activation, nNOS phosphorylation, NO production, and stimulation of sGC-cGMP signaling, which amplifies AMPK activation and leads to closure of the CFTR.


2007 ◽  
Vol 403 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ho-Jin Koh ◽  
Michael F. Hirshman ◽  
Huamei He ◽  
Yangfeng Li ◽  
Yasuko Manabe ◽  
...  

Exercise increases AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activity in human and rat adipocytes, but the underlying molecular mechanisms and functional consequences of this activation are not known. Since adrenaline (epinephrine) concentrations increase with exercise, in the present study we hypothesized that adrenaline activates AMPK in adipocytes. We show that a single bout of exercise increases AMPKα1 and α2 activities and ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase) Ser79 phosphorylation in rat adipocytes. Similarly to exercise, adrenaline treatment in vivo increased AMPK activities and ACC phosphorylation. Pre-treatment of rats with the β-blocker propranolol fully blocked exercise-induced AMPK activation. Increased AMPK activity with exercise and adrenaline treatment in vivo was accompanied by an increased AMP/ATP ratio. Adrenaline incubation of isolated adipocytes also increased the AMP/ATP ratio and AMPK activities, an effect blocked by propranolol. Adrenaline incubation increased lipolysis in isolated adipocytes, and Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, attenuated this effect. Finally, a potential role for AMPK in the decreased adiposity associated with chronic exercise was suggested by marked increases in AMPKα1 and α2 activities in adipocytes from rats trained for 6 weeks. In conclusion, both acute and chronic exercise are significant regulators of AMPK activity in rat adipocytes. Our findings suggest that adrenaline plays a critical role in exercise-stimulated AMPKα1 and α2 activities in adipocytes, and that AMPK can function in the regulation of lipolysis.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e0119680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Bertoldo ◽  
Edith Guibert ◽  
Melanie Faure ◽  
Christelle Ramé ◽  
Marc Foretz ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Tokuda ◽  
K Kato ◽  
H Natsume ◽  
A Kondo ◽  
G Kuroyanagi ◽  
...  

We previously demonstrated that thrombin stimulates synthesis of interleukin 6 (IL6), a potent bone resorptive agent, in part via p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase but not through stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) among the MAP kinase superfamily in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In this study, we investigated the involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a regulator of energy metabolism, in thrombin-stimulated IL6 synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. The phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase, p38 MAP kinase, SAPK/JNK, or AMPK was determined by western blot analysis. The release of IL6 was determined by the measurement of IL6 concentration in the conditioned medium using an ELISA kit. The expression ofIL6mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Thrombin time dependently induced the phosphorylation of AMPK α-subunit (Thr-172). Compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, dose-dependently suppressed the thrombin-stimulated IL6 release in the range between 0.3 and 10 μM. Compound C reduced thrombin-induced acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation. TheIL6mRNA expression induced by thrombin was markedly reduced by compound C. Downregulation of AMPK by siRNA suppressed the thrombin-stimulated IL6 release. The thrombin-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase was inhibited by compound C, which failed to affect SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. These results strongly suggest that AMPK regulates thrombin-stimulated IL6 synthesis via p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase in osteoblasts.


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