Increased Activity of Nuclear Factor-κB Participates in Cardiovascular Remodeling Induced by Chronic Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Rats

Abstract

The NF-kappaB system participates importantly in the development of early vascular inflammation and subsequent medial thickening but not in fibrogenesis in this model. The present study may provide a new aspect of how endothelium-derived NO contributes to anti-inflammatory and/or antiarteriosclerotic properties of the vascular endothelium in vivo.