Effect of Ghrelin on endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in vascular endothelial cells of cultured rats and its mechanism

Objective To investigate the effect of Ghrelin on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and its mechanism.Methods Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) were isolated from aorta in rats and were cultured.ECs were divided into two groups:control group and Ghrelin group.The cells were incubated with Ghrelin in different concentration (10,50,100 and 200 nmol/L) for 3 hour in Ghrelin group.The protein expression levels of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protien kinase C (PKC) were measured by Western blot.Results Ghrelin can upregulate the phosphorylated eNOS expression level,and downregulate signal conduction pathway PKC phosphorylation in a dose dependent manner (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Ghrelin can improve the activity of eNOS in ECs,and it may be related to the loss of PKC activity. Key words: Ghrelin;  Endothelium;  Vascular;  Nitric oxide synthase;  Protien kinase C