Does propofol increase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells?
Propofol enhances the ACE2 expression in HPAECs by increasing the transcription of ACE2 via a PI3K-dependent mechanism, which leads to increased ACE2 activity on the cell membrane. This study provides new insights into propofol's vascular protective effects as well as its therapeutic potential for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Insulin can increase ROS production through an NAD(P)H, phosphatidylinositol 3´-kinase-dependent mechanism in bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells ex vivo. ROS can regulate insulin-induced VEGF expression. Supplementation with antioxidants may help to attenuate the transient worsening of retinopathy in diabetes caused by acute intensive insulin therapy.