Docosahexaenoic Acid Enhances Cyclooxygenase-2 Induction by Facilitating p44/42, but Not p38, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract

The effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cyclooxygenase expression induced by interleukin (IL)-1β and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was investigated in order to clarify the cellular mechanism of cardiovascular protective effects. DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid slightly enhanced IL-1β-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, but not COX-1, expression, whereas arachidonic acid had no effect. DHA also slightly enhanced PMA-induced COX-2 expression. DHA stimulated both rapid and prolonged activation of p44/42, but not p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) induced by IL-1β and PMA. These results suggest that DHA enhances the COX-2 expression by selectively facilitating p44/42 MAPK activation in VSMCs. Keywords:: docosahexaenoic acid, cyclooxygenase-2, vascular smooth muscle cell