Thesis
Ethanol affects vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in coronary microvascular endothelial cells
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2004
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/178
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Moderate alcohol consumption has a cardiovascular protective effect, part of which is mediated by positive effects on high density lipoproteins (HDL). However, these effects only account for about 50% of the cardiovascular protective effects of ethanol. The endothelium is a key player in development of atherosclerosis, and many endothelial functions are controlled by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Ethanol increases VEGF and its receptors in some systems, but the effects of ethanol on the VEGF system in endothelial cells are not known. Accordingly, the purpose of the study is to examine the influence of ethanol on the expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors (VEGFR) in porcine coronary microvascular endothelial cells (PCMEC). Methods: PCMEC were exposed to one of two ethanol concentrations or no ethanol as a control (0, 10, or 25 mM) and four durations (0.5, 2, 4, or 8 h). VEGF and VEGFR proteins were analyzed quantitatively with ELISA and Western Blot techniques, respectively. VEGFR proteins were also analyzed qualitatively with scanning laser confocal microscopy. Results: With increasing ethanol concentrations, protein levels of VEGF (p=0.006) and VEGFR-1 (p=0.0007) increased significantly, whereas VEGFR-2 decreased significantly (p=0.0492). Increasing duration of ethanol exposure caused VEGF protein levels to increase (p< 0.0001), but had no effect on either VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2 (p=0.564 and p=0.475, respectively). Discussion: We conclude that ethanol at physiologically relevant concentrations can increase VEGF and VEGFR-1 in PCMEC. VEGF and VEGFR-1 are involved in endothelial maintenance and repair, which can attenuate the atherosclerotic process, and may be involved in the cardiovascular protective effects of moderate alcohol consumption.
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Details
- Title
- Ethanol affects vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in coronary microvascular endothelial cells
- Creators
- Sara Lynn Minier
- Contributors
- E. Carolyn Johnson (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525291701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis