Hypercholesterolemia alters vascular functions and gene expression of potassium channels in rat aortic smooth muscle cells
Abstract
Aim: To investigate the effects of hypercholesterolemia on functions of rat aorta and on gene expression of inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channels in aortic smooth muscle.
Methods: Rats were treated with high-cholesterol emulsion ig for 2 weeks; the aortic rings with and without endothelium were prepared to examine the aortic contractile and relaxation responses; RT-PCR was used to observe the gene expression of inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channels.
Results: Hypercholesterolemia damaged the endothelium-dependent vascular functions severely, but did not affect the endothelium-independent vascular functions; Kir6.2 mRNA expression was upregulated (P < 0.05) and Kir3.1 mRNA expression was downregulated markedly (P < 0.05) in hypercholesterolemic smooth muscle.
Conclusion: Hypercholesterolemia altered the vascular functions and regulated gene expression levels of specific inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channel subtypes.
Keywords:
Methods: Rats were treated with high-cholesterol emulsion ig for 2 weeks; the aortic rings with and without endothelium were prepared to examine the aortic contractile and relaxation responses; RT-PCR was used to observe the gene expression of inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channels.
Results: Hypercholesterolemia damaged the endothelium-dependent vascular functions severely, but did not affect the endothelium-independent vascular functions; Kir6.2 mRNA expression was upregulated (P < 0.05) and Kir3.1 mRNA expression was downregulated markedly (P < 0.05) in hypercholesterolemic smooth muscle.
Conclusion: Hypercholesterolemia altered the vascular functions and regulated gene expression levels of specific inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channel subtypes.