NITRIC OXIDE IN THE MEDIATION OF PRESSURE NATRIURESIS

1. Recent studies have indicated that nitric oxide (NO) production in the kidney contributes to the regulation of renal haemodynamics and excretory function. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) reduces renal blood flow by approximately 25% and markedly reduces sodium excretion without reductions in filtered load. In particular, inhibition of NO synthesis markedly suppresses the slope of the arterial pressure-mediated response in sodium excretion. 2. Further studies have shown that constant intrarenal infusion of a NO donor in dogs treated with a NOS inhibitor produced diuretic and natriuretic responses but failed to restore the slope of the pressure-induced natriuretic response. These data indicate that an alteration in intrarenal NO activity, rather than the simple presence of NO during changes in arterial pressure is required for full expression of pressure natriuretic responses. 3. In support of the hypothesis that NO is involved in the mediation of pressure natriuresis, we also recently demonstrated a direct relationship between changes in arterial pressure and urinary excretion rate of sodium as well as nitrate and nitrite (a marker for endogenous NO activity) in the presence of efficient autoregulation of cortical and medullary blood flow. 4. The direct inhibitory actions of NO on tubular sodium reabsorption have also been observed in cultured tubular cells as well as isolated, perfused cortical collecting duct segments. 5. Thus, the collective data suggest that acute changes in arterial pressure induce changes in intrarenal NO production, which may directly alter tubular reabsorptive function to manifest the phenomenon of pressure natriuresis.     

ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE CONTROL OF GLOMERULAR MICROCIRCULATINO

1. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the control of glomerular haemodynamics and is synthesized from the amino acid L-arginine by a family of enzymes, NO synthase (NOS). 2. Nitric oxide synthase is present in the endothelium and also in the macula densa, a plaque of specialized tubular epithelial cells. Endothelial NOS is known to be stimulated by shear stress and hormones, while the factor that regulates the activity of macula densa NOS remains undefined. 3. Studies with the in vitro microperfusion of glomerular arterioles have shown that the constriction of afferent arterioles (Af-Art) induced by myogenic responses and angiotensin II (AngII) is stronger in the absence rather than in the presence of luminal flow. Furthermore, endothelial disruption or NOS inhibition abolishes such differences, suggesting that flow through the lumen stimulates the endothelium to synthesize and release NO, which in turn attenuates both the myogenic response and the action of AngII in the Af-Art. 4. In contrast, NOS inhibitors have no effect on efferent arteriolar (Ef-Art) constriction induced by AngII. 5. In preparations in which Af-Art and the macula densa are simultaneously microperfused, selective inhibition of macula densa NOS has been shown to augment Af-Art constriction when the NaCl concentration at the macula densa is high, suggesting that the macula densa produces NO, which in turn modulates tubuloglomerular feedback. 6. Thus, the differential actions of NO in the Af-Art, Ef-Art and the macula densa may be important in the control of glomerular haemodynamics under various physiological and pathological conditions.     

ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORTICOTROPIN-INDUCED HYPERTENSION IN SHEEP

1. The possibility that altered synthesis of vascular nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in the development of corticotropin-induced hypertension in sheep was examined by determining the effect of concomitant infusion of L-arginine, a precursor of NO, on the development of the hypertension. 2. Corticotropin (5 μg/kg per h) infused over 2 days increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 83 ± 4 to 99 ± 4 mmHg in five conscious sheep. Concomitant infusion of L-arginine (60 mg/kg per h) did not alter this response; infusion of L-arginine alone had no effect on blood pressure. 3. The dose of L-arginine (60 mg/kg per h) used blocked the rise in MAP (+16 mmHg) in response to a 5 h infusion of N-nitro-L-arginine (1 mg/kg per h). 4. These findings suggest that disruption of NO synthesis does not play a role in the development of corticotropin hypertension in sheep.     

NITRIC OXIDE: ROLE IN NEUROTOXICITY

1. Nitric oxide (NO) is a novel neuronal messenger molecule which interacts with surrounding neurones, not by synaptic transmission but by diffusion between cells. 2. No is produced following stimulation of the enzyme, NO synthase (NOS). After synthesis, NO exerts its biological actions by diffusion to the site of action. Therefore, the way to regulate the physiological actions of NO is to regulate NOS. 3. NOS is activated by the influx of calcium from glutamate-activated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Overactivation of these receptors leads to overproduction of NO and neuronal cell death. 4. NOS can be regulated at the catalytic site, at the flavoproteins, at the calmodulin site and by phosphorylation. 5. In excess, NO is toxic to neurones. This toxicity is mediated largely by an interaction with the superoxide anion, presumably through the generation of the oxidant, peroxynitrite. 6. NO or peroxynitrite-mediated neuronal injury involves the activation of the nuclear protein, poly(ADP-ribose)synthetase.     

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF NEURONAL TISSUE CULTURE IN IN VITRO TOXICOLOGY

1. Primary chick embryo forebrain neurones are relatively easy to culture and are quite resilient to treatment manipulation. These characteristics have allowed application in a surprisingly diverse number of areas. 2. These cultures have been used to investigate the anti-cholinesterase potencies of many organophosphate (OP) nerve agents and insecticides. 3. These cultures have been used to quantitate levels of OP in ‘spiked’ unknowns and in OP-contaminated soil samples. 4. These cells have also been used to test a variety of compounds using the MTT and neutral red cytotoxicity assays.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF A MAJOR SLOW OSCILLATION IN THE MESENTERIC CIRCULATION OF CONSCIOUS RATS

1. Little is known about spontaneous slow rhythms in regional circulations. The present study was aimed at characterizing low-frequency (LF; 78–269 mHz) oscillations in the mesenteric and hindquarter circulations of conscious rats. 2. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and indices (pulsed Doppler technique) of mesenteric (n= 25) and hindquarter (n= 23) blood flows were recorded in conscious, freely moving rats during 1 h periods. Fast Fourier transform analysis was applied to beat-to-beat data after resampling at 10 Hz of consecutive 205 s time series. 3. A major oscillation centred at 164±4mHz was present in the mesenteric, but not in hindquarter, circulation. Consequently, LF power accounted for approximately 43% of the overall variability of mesenteric blood flow. Cross-spectral analysis performed between MAP and mesenteric blood flow indicated that fractional changes in flow were approximately two-fold of those in MAP, in pressure, at the peak frequency. 4. Acute blockade of the autonomic, renin-angiotensin and vasopressin systems combined with noradrenaline infusion (n= 7) reduced the frequency of the mesenteric blood flow oscillation (115 ± 6 mHz) but did not change its contribution to overall flow variability (approximately 48%). A clear oscillation was still present after acute inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with N^G-nitro-l -arginine methyl ester (n= 8), but was virtually absent in chronically guanethidine-sympathectomized rats (n= 12). 5. In conclusion, the mesenteric blood flow of conscious rats exhibits a major slow oscillation that originates in the mesenteric vasculature and is not secondary to the activity of the major pressor systems or to the cyclic release of NO. Because of the strong attenuation of the oscillation in sympathectomized rats, we suggest that adrenergic vasoconstrictor tone plays a permissive role in its genesis.     

RESTORATION OF NITRIC OXIDE FUNCTION IN HUMAN HYPERLIPIDAEMIA, CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AND LIVER CIRRHOSIS

1. There is accumulating evidence for a range of abnormalities in the nitric oxide (NO) signalling cascade in human cardiovascular disorders. 2. In the present review we assess the literature detailing such evidence in early (hyperlipidaemia) and end-stage (heart failure) disease, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which the disturbances are thought to occur. 3. Strategies for the correction of disturbed NO signalling in these states are reviewed and include both prescribed pharmacological interventions, such as lipid-lowering therapy and novel uses of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, as well as non-pharmacological interventions, such as exercise and dietary supplementation with l -arginine and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. 4. In addition to a decreased production/function of NO, the possible detrimental effects of a chronic elevation in NO production in patients with liver cirrhosis, together with a novel use of antibiotics to correct this perturbation, is outlined.     

EFFECTS OF SELECTED ORGANIC SOLVENTS ON THE ASTROCYTE MEMBRANE ATPase IN VITRO

1. The present study deals with astrocyte cultures as a model for studying the membrane-mediated central nervous system-depressing effect of organic solvents. 2. The primary astrocyte cultures were prepared from neonatal rat cerebella. The cells were cultured in modified essential medium. The astrocyte membranes isolated from the cultures were exposed to solvents in incubation mixture at different dose levels (3, 6 and 9 mmol/L) for 1h. The physiologically important integral proteins Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase were studied. 3. The aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, styrene, xylene and ethylbenzene) inhibited the ATPase activities according to their lipid solubilities. n-Hexane and cyclohexane clearly had less effect than aromatic hydrocarbons, despite their greater lipid solubilities. 4. Astrocytes were shown to be sensitive targets to the effects of organic solvents, measured as the inhibition of the integral enzymes Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase.     

NEUROTOXICITY OF BETA-AMYLOID PROTEIN: CYTOCHEMICAL CHANGES AND APOPTOTIC CELL DEATH INVESTIGATED IN ORGANOTYPIC CULTURES

1. This study is an attempt to examine in vitro the cyto chemical changes in hippocampal neurones induced by beta-amyloid protein (β-AP). 2. The mechanism of cell death, and the vulnerability of different regions of the hippocampus to b-AP toxicity, has also been explored using TUNEL staining to locate fragmented DNA in both dissociated and organotypic cultures. 3. Apoptotic cell profiles and the detection by immunocytochemistry of ubiquitin and tau protein confirmed the acute neurodegenerative effects of b-AP, and organotypic cultures revealed the dentate gyrus to be especially vulnerable. 4. A scrambled sequence of b-AP, a peptide with similar hydrophobic groups to b-AP, and islet pancreatic amyloidogenic peptide also showed neurodegenerative effects, although less severely than b-AP. 5. It is concluded that organotypic cultures provide a valuable in vitro model with which to observe and characterize the neurotoxic effects of b-AP. These effects, however, may be non-specific and related more to the general amyloidogenicity of the b-AP molecule.     

CONTROL OF CORONARY BLOOD FLOW BY ENDOTHELIAL RELEASE OF NITRIC OXIDE

1. Nitric oxide (NO) is released from vascular endothelium following conversion of l-arginine to l-citrulline by calcium-calmodulin-dependent ‘constitutive’ NO-synthase. 2. Nitric oxide release occurs under basal conditions, in response to chemical stimuli (acetylcholine, bradykinin, thrombin, prostacyclin, serotonin, etc.) and in response to changes in shear stress (effects of blood velocity on vascular endothelium). 3. Analogues of l-arginine inhibit NO and are widely used to study the effects of NO on the cardiovascular system: in intact animals, these inhibitors cause vasoconstriction, leading to an increase in arterial blood pressure (ABP) and bradycardia. 4. Bradycardia induced by NO inhibitors is due, in part, to baroreceptor activity following the increase in ABP and in part to a direct effect on the sino-atrial node. 5. In the intact animals and isolated perfused heart, NO inhibitors cause coronary vasoconstriction and hence a reduction in basal coronary flow. This effect, however, is not seen in isolated coronary vessels. 6. From experiments in which ABP did not change, NO does not appear to have an important role in regulating coronary vasomotor tone under basal conditions. 7. Nitric oxide appears to be involved in the duration of reactive hyperaemia following coronary vascular occlusion but is not involved to any significant extent in the peak amplitude of hyperaemia. 8. Responses to vasodilator stimuli which do not involve NO in the initiation of the vasodilation may be prolonged by the effect of increased blood flow (shear stress) which releases NO and potentiates hyperaemia.     

Neuronal response to radical stress

Glutamate and reactive oxygen species including nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O2.-) have been postulated to play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of the neuronal cell loss that is associated with several neurological disease states including Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In mesencephalic cultures, nondopaminergic neurons but not dopaminergic neurons are susceptible to NO cytotoxicity, although both types of neurons are damaged by glutamate. Methylphenylpyridium ion (MPP+) selectively enhances glutamate and NO cytotoxicity against dopaminergic neurons of mesencephalic cultures. It is suggested that glutathione plays an important role in the expression of NO-mediated glutamate cytotoxicity in dopaminergic neurons. In cultured spinal neurons, glutamate coadministered with the glutamate transporter inhibitor selectively damages motor neurons. Motor neurons are injured by NO, whereas nonmotor neurons are protected by NO through the guanylyl cyclase-cGMP cascade. It is suggested that selective motor neuronal death caused by chronic low-level exposure to glutamate is mediated by the formation of NO in nonmotor neurons. It is possible that neurotoxicity induced by NO and O2.- associated with neurodegenerative disorders is regulated by intracellular defense systems such as glutathione and cGMP.     

褪黑素对大脑皮层细胞一氧化氮含量及其神经毒性作用的影响

目的：探讨褪黑素(MT)抗衰老作用与神经细胞NO释放之间的联系。方法：连续给予老年小鼠MT，检测大脑皮层神经细胞NO含量的变化,并用原代培养的大鼠皮层神经元，去血清培养后，观察MT对高钾、谷氨酸（Glu）诱发NO释放及硝普钠（SNP）致神经毒性作用的影响。结果：MT能明显抑制老年小鼠脑内NO含量的增高，并拮抗KCI与Glu诱发的NO释放及SNP引起的神经毒性，对大脑神经元有保护作用。结论：MT抑制大脑皮层NO含量增高，可能是其抗衰老作用的机制之一。     

ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE CONTROL OF THE RENAL MEDULLARY CIRCULATION

1. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated as an important controller in the short- and long-term regulation of arterial pressure. Studies performed in our laboratory have demonstrated that chronic intravenous administration of the NO synthase inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) selectively decreases renal medullary blood flow, causes sodium and water retention and leads to hypertension. 2. To determine the importance of the renal medullary effects in this model of hypertension, further studies were conducted to examine the influence of selective stimulation or inhibition of renal medullary NO on whole kidney function and cardiovascular homeostasis. With the use of a unique catheter to directly infuse into the renal medullary interstitial space, stimulation (bradykinin or acetylcholine) or inhibition (L-NAME) of renal medullary NO selectively increased or decreased renal medullary blood flow. 3. The changes in medullary flow in these experiments were associated with parallel changes in sodium and water excretion independent of alterations in renal cortical blood flow or glomerular filtration rate. 4. Studies were then undertaken to examine the long-term effects of selective NO inhibition in the renal medulla on cardiovascular homeostasis. Chronic infusion of L-NAME directly into the renal medullary interstitial space of uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats led to a selective decrease in renal medullary blood flow that was sustained throughout the 5 day L-NAME infusion period. The decrease in medullary blood flow was associated with retention of sodium and the development of hypertension and the effects were reversible. 5. The data reviewed indicate that NO in the renal medulla has a powerful influence on fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and the control of blood pressure.     

ACTIONS OF NITRIC OXIDE ON RENAL EPITHELIAL TRANSPORT

1. In vivo studies have demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) induces natriuresis. Nitric oxide-induced natriuresis occurs independently of changes in renal perfusion pressure, indicating that it is the result of a tubular effect of NO. 2. In support of this hypothesis investigators have shown that NO inhibits both Na⁺-H⁺ exchange and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in the proximal tubule. In the collecting duct, NO has been shown to decrease sodium flux with no effect on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity. 3. Thus, direct examination of the actions of NO have shown that NO can inhibit sodium transport in the nephron, which may account for the natriuresis observed in vivo.     

ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN TUBULOGLOMERULAR FEEDBACK: EFFECTS OF DIETARY SALT

1. The tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) response operates primarily by vasoconstriction of the afferent arteriole and a fall in glomerular capillary pressure (P_GC) and single-nephron glomerular nitration rate (SNGFR) during increased NaCl reabsorption in the macula densa (MD). Numerous studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized by the MD and acts to suppress TGF. As a high-salt (HS) diet has been found to blunt TGF, we tested the effects of salt intake on NO-dependent changes in TGF. 2. In the first series of experiments, values of SNGFR were contrasted from samples of tubular fluid taken from the proximal tubule (PT; MD delivery interrupted) and the distal tubule (DT; MD delivery intact). Compared with HS rats, the difference between PT and DT values of SNGFR was increased in low-salt (LS) diet rats (4.3 ± 0.4 vs 10.3 ± 1.2 nL/min, respectively; P < 0.001). Intravenous infusion of iV^G-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), in pressor doses increased the difference between PT and DT values of SNGFR of HS rats (4.3 ± 0.4 vs 9.5 ± 1.2 nL/min before and during L-NMMA, respectively; P < 0.001) without significantly affecting values in LS rats (10.3 ± 1.2 vs 12.3 ± 1.4 nL/min before and during L-NMMA, respectively; NS). 3. A second series of experiments assessed TGF responses directly. Changes in stop-flow pressure (PSF; an index of P_GC) were measured in response to graded perfusion of the loop of Henle (LH) with artificial tubular fluid. Loop perfusion with 10_-3 mol/1. L-NMMA did not affect the PSF responses of LS rats but did reduce (P < 0.01) the PSF of HS rats during perfusion at 20 nL/min (-1.5±0.4mmHg; P<0.01), 30nL/min (-1.8 ± O.5 mmHg; P < 0.01) and 40 nL/min (-2.2 ± 0.5 mmHg; P < 0.001). 4. We conclude that the TGF response is increased by suppression of NOS activity during HS but not LS intake.     

ROLE OF THE MESOLIMBIC DOPAMINE SYSTEM IN CARDIOVASCULAR HOMEOSTASIS. STIMULATION OF THE VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA MODULATES THE EFFECT OF VASOPRESSIN ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN CONSCIOUS RATS

1. The possible role of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and its dopaminergic projections in cardiovascular regulation is reviewed. 2. Our own work has shown that stimulation of the VTA by local microinjection of the substance P analogue DiMe-C7 caused an increase in blood pressure. The mechanism of the pressor response was an interaction of central dopaminergic activation, most likely at the level of the baroreflex, with the circulatory actions of vasopressin. 3. These findings are important for a possible role of the mesolimbic dopamine system in cardiovascular homeostasis. Several studies reviewed here show that neuronal activity of the VTA and its mesolimbic projections is altered by changes in blood pressure, salt and electrolyte balance, stress and food and water intake. 4. The VTA and mesolimbic dopamine system, while playing a widely accepted role in locomotor activity, cognition and reward mechanisms, may also be involved in the integration of sensory and behavioural information with cardiovascular homeostasis.     

Neurotrophic effects of simplified mastigophorene analogs on mesencephalic dopaminergic cells in primary culture

Mastigophorenes are dimeric isocuparane‐type sesquiterpenes of plant origin which have been found to exhibit neurotrophic properties. In this study, a simplified synthetically produced analog ( 1 ) and its dimethylether ( 2 ) were screened for potential neurotrophic effects on primary dopaminergic cell cultures in vitro. Dopaminergic cultures were prepared from embryonic mouse mesencephalon and 6‐day serum‐free cultures were exposed to low concentrations (0.05–5.0 μM) of these compounds for 6 days. Although differing by only two O‐methyl groups, the two substances differed in their effects on dopaminergic cells. 1 promoted growth of individual cells at low concentrations, whereas the more lipophilic 2 prevented cell death in culture and also clearly stimulated the growth of neuronal processes, although effects on growth of the total cell area were less pronounced. Effects on mitochondrial respiratory enzymes appear unlikely as 1 and 2 showed inhibitory effects only at concentrations 10–100‐fold higher than those used in cell culture. The results obtained show that synthetically produced substances analogous to neuron‐supportive mastigophorenes of plant origin can serve as neurotrophic substances. Drug Dev. Res. 50:153–156, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effects of resistin on insulin signaling in endothelial cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of resistin on insulin signaling in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were incubated with recombinant human resistin (0–100 ng/mL) for 24 h. Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation levels of endothelial cells under basal or insulin stimulated conditions were measured by Western blot. Nitric oxide (NO) production of HUVECs was also detected. The results showed that resistin could significantly inhibit Akt and eNOS phosphorylation and NO production in endothelial cells under insulin stimulated conditions (P < 0.05 vs control). But under basal conditions, treatment with resistin could result in a decrease in eNOS phosphorylation (P < 0.05 vs control) but had no effect on NO production and Akt phosphorylation levels. These findings suggested that resistin exerted an inhibitory effect on NO production by inhibiting insulin signaling and eNOS phosphorylation in endothelial cells.     

THE EFFECT OF APOMORPHINE AND CLONIDINE ON LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY IN MICE AFTER LONG TERM TREATMENT WITH HALOPERIDOL

1. Mice were given haloperidol (approximately 3 mg.kg^?1 day^?1) or vehicle for 21 days and then withdrawn from the drug. All tests were performed 4 days after withdrawal. 2. Haloperidol treated mice (premedicated with reserpine plus a-methyl-p-tyrosine) displayed an increased locomotor response to apomorphine and to apomorphine plus clonidine, but neither haloperidol- or vehicle-treated animals revealed any stimulant response to clonidine. 3. In mice which had not been pretreated with reserpine plus a-methyl-p-tyrosine, clonidine produced a significant stimulation of locomotor activity in animals withdrawn from haloperidol but not in those withdrawn from the vehicle. Phen-oxybenzamine blocked the locomotor stimulant difference between these two groups, but did not completely antagonize the stimulant effect of clonidine in mice withdrawn from haloperidol. Pimozide was largely effective in blocking the clonidine-induced stimulation. Co-administration of phenoxybenzamine and pimozide was completely effective in blocking the stimulant effect of clonidine in mice withdrawn from haloperidol. 4. The evidence for a change in catecholamine receptor sensitivity was supported by the increased stimulant effect of dexamphetamine in the haloperidol-treated, compared to the vehicle-treated animals. 5. The data suggest that there is a change in the functional responsiveness of both adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors after withdrawal from long term haloperidol treatment.     

脑室注射硝普钠、L-精氨酸、NG-硝基-L-精氨酸对清醒状态大鼠心血管活动的影响

给大鼠侧脑室内注射(icv)硝普钠(SNP)、NO的前体物质L-精氨酸(L-Arg)和精-精二肽(Arg-Arg),NO合成酶(NOS)抑制剂N^G-硝基-L-精氨酸(NNLA),观察清醒状态大鼠血压和心率的变化,探讨脑内NO对清醒状态大鼠心血管活动的调节作用。实验结果表明,icvSNP(8,16,32μg)使血压升高,并呈剂量效应关系,同时使心率加快。icvL-Arg(200μg)或不同剂量的精-精二肽也使血压升高,心率加快;icvNNLA(100μg)则使血压下降,心率减慢。以上结果提示,在一定范围内提高脑内NO,对心血管活动有正性调节作用,降低脑内NO则对心血管活动有负性调节作用。