Elucidation of pharmacological action of docosahexaenoic acid on the function of vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to pulsatile pressure

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The effect of pressure stress on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) function and the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the function were investigated. The pressure stress which can simulate systolic hypertension was exposed to VSMCs by using an originally designed pulsatile pressure-loading apparatus. The pressure stress reduced interleukin-1beta-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and stimulated VSMCs hypertrophy. Reduced extracellular signal-regurated kinase activation by the pressure may cause the COX-2 reduction. Docosahexaenoic acid DHA prevented the COX-2 reduction and the hypertrophy.