Profile of eicosanoids produced by human saphenous vein endothelial cells and the effect of dietary fatty acids

Human saphenous vein endothelial cells (HSVECs) derived from primary cultur es of adult human veins constitute an excellent in vitro model for studying human endothelial metabolism. In this study we report the C-14-labelled pr ostanoid profile of HSVECs under resting and stimulated conditions and the effect of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and doc osahexaenoic acid on them. Results indicate that HSVECs while under resting conditions produce mainly prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)). After st imulation with calcium ionophore A23187, the cells were found to synthesise PGI(2), PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) as major products and thromboxane B-2 and PGD(2) as minor products. Production of C-14-labelled hydroxyeicosatetraeno ic acids was not detected. Eicosapentaenoic acid was found to inhibit basal and stimulated prostanoid production whereas docosahexaenoic acid inhibite d basal but strongly increased stimulated prostanoid production. These resu lts may offer the basis for further studies aiming to investigate targets f or pharmacological intervention in inflammatory conditions. (C) 2001 Harcou rt Publishers Ltd.