Demethoxycurcumin Preserves Renovascular Function by Downregulating COX-2 Expression in Hypertension

Figure 5

Combined exposure to DMC prevents Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction in the renal arteries from WKY, with normalization of increased COX-2 expression. Ang II (100 nmol/L, 12 hours) results in impaired relaxations to ACh and unmasked contractions to ACh in the renal arteries from WKY rats ((a) and (c)). Combined administration of DMC (10 µmol/L) rescued the impaired vascular function and COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib offered similar protection ((b) and (d)). The overexpression of COX-2 by Ang II was also reversed by coincubation with DMC (e). Data are means ± SEM of 5-6 experiments. versus control; versus Ang II.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)