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1. Angiotensin (Ang) II-mediated oxidative stress may be important in enhanced adventitial fibroblast collagen formation. The aim of the present study was to test whether PPAR-γ agonists 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) and pioglitazone could alter AngII-induced collagen type I formation in vascular adventitial fibroblasts via reactive oxygen species (ROS). 2. Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were isolated from rat thoracic aortas of male Sprague-Dawley rats and treated with different concentrations of AngII for different periods of time. The expression of collagen type I induced by AngII was examined by western blot. Expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Intracellular ROS generation was measured by flow cytometry. Activation of transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 was assessed by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. 3. Angiotensin II increased expression of collagen type I in a time- and dose-dependent manner in adventitial fibroblasts. In addition, AngII stimulated intracellular generation of ROS in adventitial fibroblasts. Pretreatment of cells with 15d-PGJ2 and pioglitazone attenuated collagen type I expression and generation of ROS induced by AngII, respectively. Moreover, we observed that N-acetylcysteine inhibited collagen type I expression induced by AngII as did the PPAR-γ agonists. Angiotensin II treatment activated the redox-sensitive transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1, whereas pretreatment with 15d-PGJ2 and pioglitazone reduced the AngII-induced DNA-binding activity of NF-κB but not AP-1. 4 Our data demonstrate that the PPAR-γ agonists 15d-PGJ2 and pioglitazone attenuate AngII-mediated collagen type I expression in adventitial fibroblasts, which may be mediated by the modulation of ROS release and the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-κB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. There is considerable controversy regarding the tolerance of diabetic hearts to ischaemia and the underlying mechanisms responsible for the increased heart tolerance to ischamia remain uncertain. In the present study, we observed, in vitro, type 1 diabetic heart responses to ischaemia and reperfusion at different degrees of hyperglycaemia. In addition, the possible role of increased osmolarity in cardioprotection due to hyperglycaemia was evaluated. 2. Hearts from 3 week streptozocin-induced diabetic rats were isolated and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus and subjected to 30 min ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion. Cardiac function and the electrocardiogram were recorded. Myocardial content of osmolarity associated heat shock protein (hsp) 90, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and anti-oxidant enzymes were determined in diabetic or hyperosmotic solution-perfused hearts using western blot. The hsp90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG; 2 × 10−7 mol/L) or the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (1 × 10−5 mol/L) was added to the perfusate to observe the effects of hsp90 inhibition and hsp90-associated endothelial NOS on ischaemic responses of diabetic hearts. 3. Compared with normal control rats, diabetic hearts with severe hyperglycaemia (blood glucose > 20 mmol/L) showed markedly improved postischaemic heart function with fewer reperfusion arrhythmias. Mild hyperglycaemia (< 12 mmol/L) exhibited no significant cardioprotection. 4. Elevated expression of hsp90 accompanied the enhanced resistance to ischaemia in diabetic hearts, which was abrogated by 17-AAG. In the presence of the NOS inhibitor, heart function was preserved, whereas reperfusion arrhythmias were increased in diabetes. Diabetic hearts also had markedly elevated HO-1 and catalase, with no significant change in superoxide dismutase. Hyperosmotic perfusion with glucose or mannitol also increased myocardial hsp90 and catalase. 5. The present findings reveal that heart resistance to ischaemia is increased in short-term type 1 diabetes with severe hyperglycaemia. Elevated osmolarity caused by significant hyperglycaemia may contribute to the enhanced myocardial activity against oxidative injury during ischaemia and reperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]