OXIDIZED LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN STIMULATES NITRIC-OXIDE RELEASE BY RABBIT AORTIC ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

Incubation of rabbit aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) with oxidized low -density lipoprotein (LDL) for 16 h resulted in stimulation of calcium uptake and increased release of nitric oxide (NO) by these cells. Acc ompanying inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity in these cells was also observed. Conversely, native LDL was unable to p roduce any of those effects. These observations suggest that oxidized LDL could modulate two major signalling processes in endothelial cells : tyrosine dephosphorylation and NO synthesis. Such modulation may be of importance in the early phase of the atherogenic process. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.