We examined the mechanism through which lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) induces endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) downregulation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with LPC (50-150 microM) for 0.5-2 h or the reactive oxygen species (ROS) donors, xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO), 1,4-hydroquinone (HQ) or tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) for 2 h. Protein levels of eNOS, superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1), catalase, and phospho-extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK 1/2) were assessed using immunoblotting. LPC treatment reduced SOD1 levels but increased catalase levels. The superoxide donors X/XO and HQ showed similar effects. The hydroperoxide donor TBHP increased SOD1 levels but did not change catalase levels. LPC concentration- and time-dependently decreased eNOS levels, but this effect was blocked by antioxidants and SOD and potentiated by the SOD1 inhibitor, ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. LPC and X/XO inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation, whereas TBHP stimulated phosphorylation. Taken together, these data indicate that LPC induces superoxide overload in HUVECs via SOD1 inhibition and downregulates phospho-ERK1/2 and eNOS levels.