Hesperetin Inhibits Sphingosylphosphorylcholine-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Contraction by Regulating the...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular research
• Pharmacology
• Molecular biology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases are a major global health concern.
• Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) is identified as a key mediator of vasospasm.
• The SPC/Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn/Rho-kinase (ROK) pathway is a novel signaling pathway for vascular smooth muscle contraction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate hesperetin's inhibitory effect on SPC-induced vascular contraction.
• To determine if hesperetin affects K+-induced contraction.
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of hesperetin's action.

Main Methods:

• Utilized porcine coronary artery smooth muscle strips and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs).
• Assessed muscle contraction in response to SPC and high potassium (K+).
• Examined the translocation and phosphorylation of Fyn and ROK, and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation.

Main Results:

• Hesperetin significantly inhibited SPC-induced contraction but not K+-induced contraction.
• Hesperetin blocked SPC-induced translocation of Fyn and ROK in HCASMCs.
• Hesperetin suppressed SPC-induced alterations in Fyn, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1, and MLC phosphorylation.

Conclusions:

• Hesperetin inhibits SPC-induced vasospasm by suppressing the Fyn/ROK pathway.
• Hesperetin demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic for vasospasm prevention and treatment.