Analysis of peroxiredoxin decreasing oxidative stress in hypertensive aortic smooth muscle

To determine the role of peroxiredoxin (Prx) in response to oxidative stress and during hypertension in the vasculature, we identified Prx proteins and analyzed their antioxidant effects. Rat aortic smooth muscle contains all six Prxs (I–VI). Prx I, II, and VI shifted to its acidic site on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after exposure to H2O2. The total expression of Prx I and VI was increased in response to H2O2. The expression of Prx I, but not that of Prx II and VI, increases and the acidic form of Prx I and the sulfonic acid form of Prx (SO3H-Prx) are more strongly expressed in the aortic smooth muscle of hypertensive rats than in that of normotensive control rats. Prxs were also found in the mesenteric artery, heart, and kidney. The expression levels of Prx I and VI were increased in mesenteric artery, but not heart and kidney, from hypertensive rats compared with that from normotensive rats. These results suggest that Prxs play a crucial role against oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscles during hypertension.