Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 127 in total

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  1. Rahman A, Vasenwala SM, Iqbal M
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2017 Aug;36(8):785-794.
    PMID: 27758841 DOI: 10.1177/0960327116665675
    Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) has been used widely as a potent vasodilator to treat heart conditions, such as angina pectoris and chronic heart failure. This study aims to elucidate the effect of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) administration, using GTN, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats. The results obtained demonstrated that NO generated by the administration of GTN affords protection against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. Administration of CCl4resulted in a significant ( p < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation and tissue damage markers (aspartate and alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase) release in serum. Parallel to these changes, CCl4also caused downregulation of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and several fold induction in γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity. Subsequent administration of GTN resulted in significant ( p < 0.001) recovery of GSH-metabolizing enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. Further, administration of NO inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), exacerbated CCl4-induced oxidative tissue injury. Overall, the study suggests that GTN might suppress oxidant-induced tissue injury and hepatotoxicity in rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  2. Prakash A, Kumar A, Ming LC, Mani V, Majeed AB
    J Mol Neurosci, 2015 Jul;56(3):739-50.
    PMID: 25854775 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0508-7
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by impaired memory function and oxidative damage. NO is a major signaling molecule produced in the central nervous system to modulate neurological activity through modulating nitric oxide synthase. Recently, PPAR-γ agonists have shown neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative disorders. However, there have been only a few studies identifying mechanisms through which cognitive benefits may be exerted. The present study was designed to investigate the possible nitric oxide mechanism in the protective effect of pioglitazone against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced memory dysfunction. Wistar rats were intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected with STZ. Then rats were treated with pioglitazone, NO modulators [L-arginine and nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)] for 21 days. Behavioral alterations were assessed in between the study period. Animals were sacrificed immediately after behavioral session, and mito-oxidative parameters, TNF-α, IL-6, and caspase-3 activity were measured. STZ-treated rats showed a memory deficit and significantly increased in mito-oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in the hippocampus. Chronic treatment of pioglitazone significantly improved memory retention and attenuated mito-oxidative damage parameters, inflammatory markers, and apoptosis in STZ-treated rats. However, L-arginine pretreatment with lower dose of pioglitazone has not produced any protective effect as compared to per se. Furthermore, pretreatment of L-NAME significantly potentiated its protective effect, which indicates the involvement of nitric oxide for activation of PPAR-γ action. These results demonstrate that pioglitazone offers protection against STZ-induced memory dysfunction possibly due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic action mediating nitric oxide pathways and, therefore, could have a therapeutic potential in AD.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  3. Phan CS, Ng SY, Kim EA, Jeon YJ, Palaniveloo K, Vairappan CS
    Mar Drugs, 2015 May;13(5):3103-15.
    PMID: 25996100 DOI: 10.3390/md13053103
    Two new bicyclogermacrenes, capgermacrenes A (1) and B (2), were isolated with two known compounds, palustrol (3) and litseagermacrane (4), from a population of Bornean soft coral Capnella sp. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated based on spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was found to inhibit the accumulation of the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory IL-1b and NO production by down-regulating the expression of iNOS protein in RAW 264.7 macrophages.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  4. Perimal EK, Akhtar MN, Mohamad AS, Khalid MH, Ming OH, Khalid S, et al.
    Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol, 2011 Mar;108(3):155-62.
    PMID: 20955360 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2010.00635.x
    This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of zerumbone in chemical behavioural models of nociception in mice. Zerumbone given through intraperitoneal route (i.p.) produced dose-related antinociception when assessed on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test in mice. In addition, the i.p. administration of zerumbone exhibited significant inhibition of the neurogenic pain induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of capsaicin and bradykinin. Likewise, zerumbone given by i.p. route reduced the nociception produced by i.pl. injection of glutamate and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The antinociception caused by zerumbone in the acetic acid test was significantly attenuated by i.p. pre-treatment of mice with l-arginine (nitric oxide precursor) and glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive K(+) channel inhibitor). However, the antinociception of zerumbone was enhanced by methylene blue (non-specific gyanylyl cyclase inhibitor). Together, these results indicate that zerumbone produces pronounced antinociception against chemical models of nociception in mice. It also strongly suggests that the l-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP-PKC-K(+) ATP channel pathways, the TRPV1 and kinin B2 receptors play an important role in the zerumbone-induced antinociception.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  5. Paudel KR, Wadhwa R, Mehta M, Chellappan DK, Hansbro PM, Dua K
    Toxicol In Vitro, 2020 Oct;68:104961.
    PMID: 32771431 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104961
    Airway inflammation and infections are the primary causes of damage in the airway epithelium, that lead to hypersecretion of mucus and airway hyper-responsiveness. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their components in the pathophysiological mechanisms of airway inflammation have been well-studied and emphasized for the past several decades. Rutin, a potent bioflavonoid, is well-known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, especially in bronchial inflammation. However, poor solubility and rapid metabolism have led to its low bioavailability in biological systems, and hence limit its application. The present study aims to investigate the beneficial effects of rutin-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNs) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced oxidative damage in human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2-B) cells in vitro. LPS was used to stimulate BEAS-2-B cells, causing the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) that had led to cellular apoptosis. The levels of NO and ROS were detected by, Griess reagent kit and dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) respectively, whereas, cell apoptosis was studied by Annexin V-FITC and PI staining. The findings revealed that rutin-loaded LCNs significantly reduced NO, ROS levels and prevented apoptosis in BEAS-2B cells. The observations and findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the effectiveness of rutin-loaded LCNs in protecting the bronchial cells against airway inflammation, thus possessing a promising therapeutic option for the management of airway diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  6. Pang KL, Chin KY, Nirwana SI
    PMID: 36597600 DOI: 10.2174/1871530323666230103153134
    BACKGROUND: The immunomodulatory effects of plants have been utilised to enhance the immunity of humans against infections. However, evidence of such effects of agarwood leaves is very limited despite the long tradition of consuming the leaves as tea.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the immuno-modulatory effects of agarwood leaf extract (ALE) derived from Aquilaria malaccensis using RAW264.7 murine macrophages.

    METHODS: In this study, RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with ALE alone for 26 hours or ALE for 2 hours, followed by bacterial lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours. The nitrite and cytokine production (tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression in the macrophages were assayed.

    RESULTS: The study showed that ALE alone was immunostimulatory on the macrophages by increasing the nitrite, TNFα, and IL-6 production and COX2 expression (p<0.05 vs. untreated unstimulated cells). Pre-treatment of ALE suppressed nitrite level and iNOS expression but enhanced TNFα and IL-6 production and COX2 expression (p<0.05 vs. untreated lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated cells). ALE also increased IL-10 production regardless of LPS stimulation (p<0.05 vs. untreated cells).

    CONCLUSION: ALE was able to promote the immune response of macrophages by upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and COX2 expression. It also regulated the extent of the inflammation by reducing iNOS expression and increasing IL-10 levels. Thus, ALE may have a role in enhancing the innate immune system against infection; however, its validation from in vivo studies is still pending.

    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  7. Othman ZA, Zakaria Z, Suleiman JB, Nna VU, Che Romli A, Wan Ghazali WS, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Apr 19;22(8).
    PMID: 33921777 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084225
    Obesity and hyperlipidemia are major risk factors for developing vascular diseases. Bee bread (BB) has been reported to exhibit some biological actions, including anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic. This study aims to investigate whether bee bread can ameliorate vascular inflammation and impaired vasorelaxation activity through eNOS/NO/cGMP pathway in obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10/group), namely: control (normal group), obese rats (OB group), obese rats treated with bee bread (0.5 g/kg/day, OB/BB group) and obese rats treated with orlistat (10 mg/kg/day, OB/OR group). The latter three groups were given a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induced obesity before being administered with their respective treatments for another 6 weeks. After 12 weeks of the total experimental period, rats in the OB group demonstrated significantly higher Lee obesity index, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein), aortic proinflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-κβ), aortic structural damage and impairment in vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh). Bee bread significantly ameliorated the obesity-induced vascular damage manifested by improvements in the lipid profile, aortic inflammatory markers, and the impaired vasorelaxation activity by significantly enhancing nitric oxide release, promoting endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) immunoexpression. These findings suggest that the administration of bee bread ameliorates the impaired vasorelaxation response to ACh by improving eNOS/NO/cGMP-signaling pathway in obese rats, suggesting its vascular therapeutic role.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  8. Nur Azlina MF, Kamisah Y, Chua KH, Ibrahim IA, Qodriyah HM
    PLoS One, 2015;10(10):e0139348.
    PMID: 26465592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139348
    This study aimed to investigate the possible gastroprotective effect of tocotrienol against water-immersion restraint stress (WIRS) induced gastric ulcers in rats by measuring its effect on gastric mucosal nitric oxide (NO), oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of seven rats. The two control groups were administered vitamin-free palm oil (vehicle) and the two treatment groups were given omeprazole (20 mg/kg) or tocotrienol (60 mg/kg) orally. After 28 days, rats from one control group and both treated groups were subjected to WIRS for 3.5 hours once. Malondialdehyde (MDA), NO content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assayed in gastric tissue homogenates. Gastric tissue SOD, iNOS, TNF-α and IL1-β expression were measured. WIRS increased the gastric MDA, NO, and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels significantly when compared to the non-stressed control group. Administration of tocotrienol and omeprazole displayed significant protection against gastric ulcers induced by exposure to WIRS by correction of both ulcer score and MDA content. Tissue content of TNF-α and SOD activity were markedly reduced by the treatment with tocotrienol but not omeprazole. Tocotrienol significantly corrected nitrite to near normal levels and attenuated iNOS gene expression, which was upregulated in this ulcer model. In conclusion, oral supplementation with tocotrienol provides a gastroprotective effect in WIRS-induced ulcers. Gastroprotection is mediated through 1) free radical scavenging activity, 2) the increase in gastric mucosal antioxidant enzyme activity, 3) normalisation of gastric mucosal NO through reduction of iNOS expression, and 4) attenuation of inflammatory cytokines. In comparison to omeprazole, it exerts similar effectiveness but has a more diverse mechanism of protection, particularly through its effect on NO, SOD activity, and TNF-α.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  9. Nna VU, Abu Bakar AB, Ahmad A, Mohamed M
    Arch Physiol Biochem, 2021 Feb;127(1):51-60.
    PMID: 31072137 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2019.1610778
    CONTEXT: Lactate is the preferred energy substrate for developing testicular germ cells. Diabetes is associated with impaired testicular lactate transport/utilisation, and poor sexual behaviour.

    OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of metformin on parameters involved in testicular lactate production, transport/utilisation, and sexual behaviour in diabetic state.

    METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), and metformin-treated diabetic group (n = 6/group). Metformin (300 mg/kg b.w./day) was administrated orally for 4 weeks.

    RESULTS: Intra-testicular glucose and lactate levels, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased, while the mRNA transcript levels of genes responsible for testicular glucose and lactate transport/utilisation (glucose transporter 3, monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), MCT2, and LDH type C) decreased in DC group. Furthermore, penile nitric oxide increased, while cyclic guanosine monophosphate decreased, with impaired sexual behaviour in DC group. Treatment with metformin improved these parameters.

    CONCLUSIONS: Metformin increases testicular lactate transport/utilisation and improves sexual behaviour in diabetic state.

    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  10. Nik Yusoff NS, Mustapha Z, Govindasamy C, Sirajudeen KN
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2013;2013:927214.
    PMID: 23766863 DOI: 10.1155/2013/927214
    Hypertension is a risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases and oxidative stress suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology. Antihypertensive drug Clonidine action in ameliorating oxidative stress was not well studied. Therefore, this study investigate the effect of Clonidine on oxidative stress markers and nitric oxide (NO) in SHR and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) administered SHR. Male rats were divided into four groups [SHR, SHR+Clonidine (SHR-C), SHR+L-NAME, SHR+Clonidine+L-NAME(SHRC+L-NAME)]. Rats (SHRC) were administered with Clonidine (0.5 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) from 4 weeks to 28 weeks in drinking water and L-NAME (25 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) from 16 weeks to 28 weeks to SHRC+L-NAME. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured. At the end of 28 weeks, all rats were sacrificed and in their heart homogenate, oxidative stress parameters and NO was assessed. Clonidine treatment significantly enhanced the total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.001) and reduced the thibarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (P < 0.001) and protein carbonyl content (PCO) (P < 0.05). These data suggest that oxidative stress is involved in the hypertensive organ damage and Clonidine not only lowers the SBP but also ameliorated the oxidative stress in the heart of SHR and SHR+L-NAME.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  11. Ng CT, Fong LY, Low YY, Ban J, Hakim MN, Ahmad Z
    Physiol Res, 2016 12 13;65(6):1053-1058.
    PMID: 27539106
    The endothelial barrier function is tightly controlled by a broad range of signaling cascades including nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway. It has been proposed that disturbances in NO and cGMP production could interfere with proper endothelial barrier function. In this study, we assessed the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, on NO and cGMP levels and examined the mechanisms by which NO and cGMP regulate the IFN-gamma-mediated HUVECs hyperpermeability. The flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran across cell monolayers was used to study the permeability of endothelial cells. Here, we found that IFN-gamma significantly attenuated basal NO concentration and the increased NO levels supplied by a NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Besides, application of IFN-gamma also significantly attenuated both the basal cGMP concentration and the increased cGMP production donated by a cell permeable cGMP analogue, 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (8-Br-cGMP). In addition, exposure of the cell monolayer to IFN-gamma significantly increased HUVECs basal permeability. However, L-NAME pretreatment did not suppress IFN-gamma-induced HUVECs hyperpermeability. L-NAME pretreatment followed by SNP or SNP pretreatment partially reduced IFN-gamma-induced HUVECs hyperpermeability. Pretreatment with a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583), led to a further increase in IFN-gamma-induced HUVECs hyperpermeability. The findings suggest that the mechanism underlying IFN-gamma-induced increased HUVECs permeability is partly related to the inhibition of NO production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  12. Newaz MA, Nawal NN, Rohaizan CH, Muslim N, Gapor A
    Am J Hypertens, 1999 Aug;12(8 Pt 1):839-44.
    PMID: 10480480
    Antioxidant protection provided by different doses of alpha-tocopherol was compared by determining nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in blood vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated with alpha-tocopherol. SHR were divided into four groups namely hypertensive control (C), treatment with 17 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg diet (alpha1), 34 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg diet (alpha2), and 170 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg diet (alpha3). Wister Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normal control (N). Blood pressure were recorded from the tail by physiography every other night for the duration of the study period of 3 months. At the end of the trial, animals were sacrificed. The NOS activity in blood vessels was measured by [3H]arginine radioactive assay and the nitrite concentration in plasma by spectrophotometry at wavelength 554 nm using Greiss reagent. Analysis of data was done using Student's t test and Pearson's correlation. The computer program Statistica was used for all analysis. Results of our study showed that for all the three alpha-tocopherol-treated groups, blood pressure was significantly (P < .001) reduced compared to the hypertensive control and maximum reduction of blood pressure was shown by the dosage of 34 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg diet (C: 209.56 +/- 8.47 mm Hg; alpha2: 128.83 +/- 17.13 mm Hg). Also, NOS activity in blood vessels of SHR was significantly lower than WKY rats (N: 1.54 +/- 0.26 pmol/mg protein, C: 0.87 +/- 0.23 pmol/mg protein; P < .001). Although alpha-tocopherol in doses of alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 increased the NOS activity in blood vessels, after treatment only that of alpha2 showed a statistical significance (P < .01). Plasma nitrite concentration was significantly reduced in SHR compared to normal WKY rats (N: 54.62 +/- 2.96 mol/mL, C: 26.24 +/- 2.14 mol/mL; P < .001) and accordingly all three groups showed significant improvement in their respective nitrite level (P < .001). For all groups, NOS activity and nitrite level showed negative correlation with blood pressure. It was significant for NOS activity in hypertensive control (r = -0.735, P = .038), alpha1 (r = -0.833, P = .001), and alpha2 (r = -0.899, P = .000) groups. For plasma nitrite, significant correlation was observed only in group alpha1 (r = -0.673, P = .016) and alpha2 (r = -0.643, P = .024). Only the alpha2 group showed significant positive correlation (r = 0.777, P = .003) between NOS activity and nitrite level. In conclusion it was found that compared to WKY rats, SHR have lower NOS activity in blood vessels, which upon treatment with antioxidant alpha-tocopherol increased the NOS activity and concomitantly reduced the blood pressure. There was correlation of lipid peroxide in blood vessels with NOS and nitric oxide, which implies that free radicals may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  13. Nathan SA, Qvist R, Puthucheary SD
    FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol., 2005 Feb 1;43(2):177-83.
    PMID: 15681148
    The oxidative response of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Escherichia coli infected macrophages from normal and melioidosis subjects was determined by measuring the production of nitric oxide which is one of the reactive nitrogen intermediates, and the activation state of these macrophages was determined by measuring the generation of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), a bioactive product of free radical induced lipid peroxidation. Macrophages obtained from the melioidosis patients generated significantly lower levels of nitric oxide and 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) compared to macrophages obtained from the normal subjects (P<0.001). The reduced efficiency of the oxygen dependent microbicidal mechanism in macrophages of melioidosis patients may be one of the survival strategies developed by B. pseudomallei to remain viable intracellularly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  14. Nallathamby N, Malek SNA, Vidyadaran S, Phan CW, Sabaratnam V
    Int J Med Mushrooms, 2020;22(12):1215-1223.
    PMID: 33463938 DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2020037001
    Cordyceps militaris is known for its curative properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the reduction of nitric oxide production by BV2 cells by the bioactive fraction of stroma powder of C. militaris, and to deduce the potential chemical components and pathways that may be responsible. The CE2 fraction from ethyl acetate extract did not exert any cytotoxic effects toward the BV2 cells at concentrations 0.1 to 100 μg/mL. The CE2 fraction also showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in nitric oxide production at 1-100 μg/mL. At 10 μg/mL, the CE2 fraction attenuated 85% of the NO production in BV2 cells. Further, the CE2 fraction (10 μg/mL) downregulated inflammatory genes, iNOS and COX-2, and upregulated anti-inflammatory genes, HO-1 and NQO-1. The CE2 fraction reduced NO production via activation of NRF2 and NF-κB transcriptions. The chemical constituents of the bioactive CE2 fraction were identified via GCMS. Eleven lipid components were identified including fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and sterols.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  15. Muniandy K, Gothai S, Badran KMH, Suresh Kumar S, Esa NM, Arulselvan P
    J Immunol Res, 2018;2018:3430684.
    PMID: 30155492 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3430684
    Alternanthera sessilis, an edible succulent herb, has been widely used as herbal drug in many regions around the globe. Inflammation is a natural process of the innate immune system, accompanied with the increase in the level of proinflammatory mediators, for example, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PGE2); cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα); and enzymes including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) via the activation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) subunit p65 due to the phosphorylation of inhibitory protein, IκBα. Inflammation over a short period of time is essential for its therapeutic effect. However, prolonged inflammation can be detrimental as it is related to many chronic diseases such as delayed wound healing, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, ways to curb chronic inflammation have been extensively investigated. In line with that, in this present study, we attempted to study the suppression activity of the proinflammatory cytokines and mediators as a characteristic of anti-inflammatory action, by using stem extract of A. sessilis in the lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The results showed that the extract has significantly inhibited the production of the proinflammatory mediators including NO and PGE2; cytokines comprising IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα; and enzymes covering the iNOS and COX-2 by preventing the IκBα from being degraded, to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunit p65 in order to hinder the inflammatory pathway activation. These results indicated that the stem extract of A. sessilis could be an effective candidate for ameliorating inflammatory-associated complications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  16. Muharis SP, Top AG, Murugan D, Mustafa MR
    Nutr Res, 2010 Mar;30(3):209-16.
    PMID: 20417882 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2010.03.005
    Diabetes and hypertension are closely associated with impaired endothelial function. Studies have demonstrated that regular consumption of edible palm oil may reverse endothelial dysfunction. The present study investigates the effect of palm oil fractions: tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF), alpha-tocopherol and refined palm olein (vitamin E-free fraction) on the vascular relaxation responses in the aortic rings of streptozotocin-induced diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We hypothesize that the TRF and alpha-tocopherol fractions are able to improve endothelial function in both diabetic and hypertensive rat aortic tissue. A 1,1-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl assay was performed on the various palm oil fractions to evaluate their antioxidant activities. Endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine) and endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside) relaxations were examined on streptozotocin-induced diabetic and SHR rat aorta following preincubation with the different fractions. In 1-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl antioxidant assay, TRF and alpha-tocopherol fractions exhibited a similar degree of activity while palm olein exhibited poor activity. TRF and alpha-tocopherol significantly improved acetylcholine-induced relaxations in both diabetic (TRF, 88.5% +/- 4.5%; alpha-tocopherol, 87.4% +/- 3.4%; vehicle, 65.0 +/- 1.6%) and SHR aorta (TRF, 72.1% +/- 7.9%; alpha-tocopherol, 69.8% +/- 4.0%, vehicle, 51.1% +/- 4.7%), while palm olein exhibited no observable effect. These results suggest that TRF and alpha-tocopherol fractions possess potent antioxidant activities and provide further support to the cardiovascular protective effects of palm oil vitamin E. TRF and alpha-tocopherol may potentially improve vascular endothelial function in diabetes and hypertension by their sparing effect on endothelium derived nitric oxide bioavailability.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  17. Mokhtar SS, Vanhoutte PM, Leung SW, Suppian R, Yusof MI, Rasool AH
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2016 Feb 15;773:78-84.
    PMID: 26825543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.01.013
    Diabetes is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which is characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations. The present study aimed to examine the role of nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH), in the relaxation of ventral tail arteries of rats under diabetic conditions. Relaxations of tail arteries of control and diabetic rats were studied in wire myograph. Western blotting and immunostaining were used to determine the presence of proteins. Acetylcholine-induced relaxations were significantly smaller in arteries of diabetic compared to control rats (Rmax; 70.81 ± 2.48% versus 85.05 ± 3.15%). Incubation with the combination of non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin and potassium channel blockers, TRAM 34 and UCL 1684, demonstrated that NO-mediated relaxation was attenuated significantly in diabetic compared to control rats (Rmax; 48.47 ± 5.84% versus 68.39 ± 6.34%). EDH-type (in the presence of indomethacin and NO synthase inhibitor, LNAME) and prostacyclin-mediated (in the presence of LNAME plus TRAM 34 and UCL 1684) relaxations were not significantly reduced in arteries of diabetic compared to control rats [Rmax: (EDH; 17.81 ± 6.74% versus 34.16 ± 4.59%) (prostacyclin; 15.85 ± 3.27% versus 17.23 ± 3.75%)]. Endothelium-independent relaxations to sodium nitroprusside, salbutamol and prostacyclin were comparable in the two types of preparations. Western blotting and immunostaining indicated that diabetes diminished the expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), while increasing those of COX-1 and COX-2. Thus, since acetylcholine-induced NO-mediated relaxation was impaired in diabetes because of reduced eNOS protein expression, pharmacological intervention improving NO bioavailability could be useful in the management of diabetic endothelial dysfunction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  18. Mokhtar SS, Vanhoutte PM, Leung SW, Yusof MI, Wan Sulaiman WA, Mat Saad AZ, et al.
    Nitric Oxide, 2016 Feb 29;53:35-44.
    PMID: 26768833 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2015.12.007
    Diabetes impairs endothelium-dependent relaxations. The present study evaluated the contribution of different endothelium-dependent relaxing mechanisms to the regulation of vascular tone in subcutaneous blood vessels of humans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subcutaneous arteries were isolated from tissues of healthy controls and diabetics. Vascular function was determined using wire myography. Expressions of proteins were measured by Western blotting and immunostaining. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were impaired in arteries from diabetics compared to controls (P = 0.009). Acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxations [in the presence of an inhibitor of cyclooxygenases (COX; indomethacin) and small and intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channel blockers (UCL1684 and TRAM 34, respectively)] were attenuated in arteries from diabetics compared to controls (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
  19. Mohd Sabri NA, Lee SK, Murugan DD, Ling WC
    Sci Rep, 2022 Oct 21;12(1):17633.
    PMID: 36271015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21107-5
    Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been shown to have antihypertensive activity. However, the role of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in improving vascular function via modulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in hypertensive subjects is not well researched. Angiotensin II-infused hypertensive mice (8-10 weeks old) received EGCG (50 mg/kg/day) for 14 days via oral gavage. The arterial systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured using the tail-cuff method every three days. At the end of the treatment, the vascular reactivity of the isolated aortae was studied using wire myographs. The level of nitric oxide (NO), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and tetrahydrobiopterine (BH4) were determined using assay kits while the presence of proteins (NOS, p-eNOS and NOx-2) were determined using by Western blotting. In vivo treatment with EGCG for 14 days significantly attenuated the increase in SBP, alleviated the vascular dysfunction, increased the vascular cGMP and BH4 level as well as the expression of p-eNOS and decreased elevated ROS level and NOx-2 protein in angiotensin II-infused hypertensive mice. Collectively, treatment with EGCG in hypertensive mice exerts a blood pressure lowering effect which is partly attributed to the improvement in the vascular function due to its ability to reduce vascular oxidative stress in the aortic tissue leading to a decrease in eNOS uncoupling thus increasing NO bioavailability.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
  20. Mohd Ali N, Mohd Yusof H, Long K, Yeap SK, Ho WY, Beh BK, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:693613.
    PMID: 23484140 DOI: 10.1155/2013/693613
    Mung bean is a hepatoprotective agent in dietary supplements. Fermentation and germination processes are well recognized to enhance the nutritional values especially the concentration of active compounds such as amino acids and GABA of various foods. In this study, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of freeze-dried mung bean and amino-acid- and GABA-enriched germinated and fermented mung bean aqueous extracts were compared. Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) levels, and serum biochemical profile such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), triglycerides (TG), and cholesterol and histopathological changes were examined for the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of these treatments. Germinated and fermented mung bean have recorded an increase of 27.9 and 7.3 times of GABA and 8.7 and 13.2 times of amino acid improvement, respectively, as compared to normal mung bean. Besides, improvement of antioxidant levels, serum markers, and NO level associated with better histopathological evaluation indicated that these extracts could promote effective recovery from hepatocyte damage. These results suggested that freeze-dried, germinated, and fermented mung bean aqueous extracts enriched with amino acids and GABA possessed better hepatoprotective effect as compared to normal mung bean.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide/metabolism
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