Endothelial dysfunction in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic apoE-deficient mouse

Abstract

1. Endothelial dysfunction plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes-associated vascular disease and, in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced apoE-deficient diabetic mouse, we report that, when compared to the citrate (CIT)-treated nondiabetic apoE-deficient control, acetylcholine (Ach)-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation was reduced in the small mesenteric arteries (SMA) and the plaque-prone regions of the aorta from the STZ-diabetic mouse. 2. In the SMA the component of Ach-mediated relaxation that was attributed to nitric oxide (NO) from STZ-treated diabetic apoE-deficient mice was enhanced; however, the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated component was reduced. The EDHF component was assessed by determining the component of the Ach-mediated response that was resistant to the combination of the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ, and inhibited by the combination of the intermediate conductance K Ca (IK Ca) inhibitor TRAM-34 and the small-conductance K Ca (SK Ca) inhibitor apamin. 3. Endothelial NOS was increased but SK2, SK3 and connexin (Cx) 37 mRNA expressions were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the SMA from STZ-treated apoE-deficient mice compared to the CIT-treated controls. There was no difference in the IK Ca expression or in Cx 40, 43 and 45 mRNA levels between STZ- and CIT-treated mice. 4. The microvasculature of STZ-induced apoE-deficient mice developed endothelial dysfunction, which may be linked to a decrease in the contribution of the EDHF component due to a decrease in SK2 and 3 and Cx 37 expression. © 2005 Nature Publishing Group. All rights reserved.