Vascular Endothelial σ<sub>1</sub>-Receptor Stimulation With SA4503 Rescues Aortic Relaxation via Akt/eNOS Signaling in Ovariectomized Rats With Aortic Banding

Abstract

σ1R is downregulated following PO-induced endothelial injury in OVX rats. The selective σ1R agonist SA4503 rescues impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the aorta from OVX-PO rats through σ1R stimulation, enhancing eNOS-cGMP signaling in vascular endothelial cells. These observations encourage development of novel therapeutics targeting σ1R to prevent vascular endothelial injury in vascular diseases.