Ebselen reduces cigarette smoke-induced endothelial dysfunction in mice

Abstract

Background and Purpose: It is well established that both smokers and patients with COPD are at a significantly heightened risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the mechanisms underpinning the onset and progression of co-morbid CVD are largely unknown. Here, we explored whether cigarette smoke (CS) exposure impairs vascular function in mice and given the well-known pathological role for oxidative stress in COPD, whether the antioxidant compound ebselen prevents CS-induced vascular dysfunction in mice. Experimental Approach: Male BALB/c mice were exposed to either room air (sham) or CS generated from nine cigarettes per day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Mice were treated with ebselen (1..