Tamoxifen dilates porcine coronary arteries: roles for nitric oxide and ouabain-sensitive mechanisms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Experiments were designed to determine the mechanism of the relaxation induced by tamoxifen in porcine coronary arteries at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Porcine left circumflex coronary arteries were isolated and isometric tension was measured. [Ca2+]i in native endothelial cells of intact arteries was determined by a calcium fluorescence imaging technique and eNOS ser1177 phosphorylation was assayed by Western blotting. KEY RESULTS: Tamoxifen induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation that was antagonized by ICI 182,780 and abolished by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadizolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). L-Arginine reversed the effect of L-NAME while indomethacin was without effect. Tamoxifen-induced relaxation was attenuated by charybdotoxin (CTX) plus apamin, ouabain or by incubation in a K+ -free solution. Moreover, tamoxifen triggered extracellular Ca2+ -dependent increases in endothelial [Ca2+]i and this effect was abolished by ICI 182,780. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was also inhibited by ouabain or in a K+ -free solution. Furthermore, tamoxifen increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation at Ser-1177 and ICI 182,780 prevented this effect. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The present results suggest that tamoxifen mainly induces endothelium-dependent relaxation and that endothelial nitric oxide (NO) is the primary mediator of this effect. NO-dependent responses may result from elevated [Ca2+]i in endothelial cells; an effect abolished by ICI 182,780. NO activates Na+/K+ -ATPase in vascular smooth muscle, leading to relaxation. These results suggest that tamoxifen is able to modulate eNOS phosphorylation directly.     

Mechanisms involved in relaxation induced by exogenous nitric oxide in pig coronary arteries.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the mechanisms involved in the vasodilator responses elicited by nitric oxide (NO) in segments of porcine posterior descending coronary artery. Exogenous NO (0.1-30 microM) induced concentration-dependent relaxations in segments precontracted with a concentration of the thromboxane A2 mimetic, U-46619 (30-300 nM) that produced a contraction 70% (submaximal contraction) of that elicited by 75 mM K+ (maximal contraction). The relaxations were almost abolished by 6-anilinoquinoline-5,8-quinone (LY-83583, 10 microM), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, and with precontraction with 40 or 60 mM K+. Relaxations were reduced by 5 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA), a blocker of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels (Kca channels) and unaltered by ouabain (500 microM), 4-aminopyridine (1 mM), glibenclamide (10 microM), apamin (1 microM) and charybdotoxin (0.3 microM), inhibitors of sodium pump, voltage-sensitive, ATP-sensitive, small-conductance Kca and large-conductance KcaK+ channels, respectively. These results suggest that the relaxation caused by exogenous NO is mediated by guanylate cyclase activation, with only a slight participation of a hyperpolarizing mechanism mediated by activation of Kca channels.     

Vasorelaxation induced by L-glutamate in porcine coronary arteries

Isolated porcine coronary arteries (PCA) contracted by depolarization with high K0 or by histamine (10 microM) were relaxed concentration-dependently by glutamic acid, aspartic acid, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the PCA preparations contracted by high K0 or histamine the effects were monophasic, but the histamine-induced effects were more sustained and of larger amplitude. The ED50 values of cumulative concentration-response (CCR) curves obtained for the relaxation induced by L-glutamate in histamine-stimulated PCA preparations were shifted from 0.8 mM to 0.25 microM in presence of 1 mM glycine, a co-agonist required for the activation of NMDA receptors. The relaxations resulting from low-affinity binding of L-glutamic were dependent on Ca0 as evidenced by the shift of CCR curves to the right in the presence of 5-100 mM K0. In contrast, CCR curves obtained for contractions induced by NaF (1.5-12 mM), were significantly shifted to the left (from 6.3 to 3.1 mM). A depression of the maximum effect observed at higher F- concentrations was reversed by addition of 5 mM Mg0. Data show that glutamate induces a vasorelaxation that may be associated with symptoms seen in Chinese restaurant syndrome.     

Mechanisms of nitric oxide-independent relaxations induced by carbachol and acetylcholine in rat isolated renal arteries

1. In rat isolated renal artery segments contracted with 0.1 microM phenylephrine and in the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), carbachol and acetylcholine produced endothelium-dependent relaxations. The mechanisms underlying these relaxations were studied. 2. These relaxations were not affected by ODQ (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3, -a]quinoxalin-1-one) or indomethacin. In arteries contracted with 20 - 30 mM K(+), L-NAME-resistant relaxations induced by carbachol and acetylcholine were virtually absent. 3. The Na(+)-K(+) ATPase inhibitor ouabain reduced these relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. In K(+)-free media, addition of K(+) (5 mM) produced 90. 5+/-3.9% (n=3) relaxation of phenylephrine-induced tone. This relaxation was endothelium-independent and ouabain-sensitive. 5. Tetraethylammonium (TEA), charybdotoxin (ChTX) and iberiotoxin (IbTX) reduced the sensitivity of carbachol-induced relaxations, but did not change the maximal response. These relaxations were not altered by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), glibenclamide or apamin. Acetylcholine (1 microM)-induced relaxation was reduced by ChTX, but not by TEA or IbTX. 6. The cytochrome P450 inhibitor miconazole, but not 17-octadecynoic acid, reduced the sensitivity of carbachol-induced relaxations, without changing the maximal response. 7. In conclusion, in rat isolated renal arteries, acetylcholine and carbachol produced a non-NO/non-PGI(2) relaxation which is mediated by an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). This factor does not appear to be a cytochrome P450 metabolite. The inhibition by ouabain of these relaxations suggests the possible involvement of Na(+)-K(+) ATPase activation in EDHF responses, although other mechanisms cannot be totally ruled out.     

Tanshinone IIA elicited vasodilation in rat coronary arteriole: Roles of nitric oxide and potassium channels

Salvia miltiorrhiza has been widely used in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases due to its ability to improve coronary microcirculation and increase coronary blood flow. Tanshinone II_A, the major active lipophilic ingredient responsible for the beneficial actions of Salvia miltiorrhiza, was shown to induce vasodilation in coronary arteries. But its effects on coronary arterioles remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tanshinone II_A on isolated rat coronary arteriole and the underlying mechanisms. Coronary arterioles were carefully dissected, cannulated and pressurized. Tanshinone II_A-elicited vascular inner diameter change was recorded by a computerized diameter tracking system. To investigate the mechanisms governing the vasodilative effects of tanshinone II_A, the roles of endothelium, endothelium-derived vasoactive factors and potassium channels were assessed respectively. Endothelium denudation, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), inhibition of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, and blockade of the large conductance calcium(Ca²⁺)-activated potassium channels (BKca) significantly decreased the vasodilation elicited by Tanshinone II_A. The results indicated that tanshinone II_A induces an endothelium-dependent vasodilation in coronary arterioles; nitric oxide (NO) and cytochrome P450 metabolites contribute to the vasodilation; activation of BKca channels plays an important role in the vasodilation.     

Different potency of endothelium-derived relaxing factors against thromboxane, endothelin, and potassium chloride in intramyocardial porcine coronary arteries.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) and prostacyclin (PGI2) released from endothelial cells are potent vasodilators; endothelin-1 and thromboxane A2 may be their physiological antagonists. Interactions between these vasodilators and vasoconstrictors were studied in isolated intramyocardial porcine coronary arteries suspended in myographs for isometric tension recording. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin and serotonin were reduced to a similar extent in arteries contracted with endothelin-1 and KCl as compared to those contracted with the thromboxane analog U 46619 (p less than 0.05; n = 5-6). In contrast, relaxations to the nitric oxide donor SIN-1 were comparable. PGI2 was most potent in arteries exposed to U 46619, while its effects were inhibited in the presence of endothelin-1 or acetylcholine and prevented by KCl (p less than 0.05-0.0001; n = 5). At high concentrations PGI2 evoked contractions in arteries contracted with endothelin-1, acetylcholine, or KCl, but not in those with U 46619, which were prevented by the thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ 30741 (p less than 0.05; n = 5), indicating that PGI2 is a partial agonist for the thromboxane receptor. Thus, in intramyocardial porcine coronary arteries, contractile agonists differently interact with the release and action of EDRFs and PGI2. Both are most effective against contractions induced by thromboxane. In contrast, endothelin-1 and particularly KCl reduce the potency of these endogenous vasodilator systems.     

Mechanisms of cell death induced by nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in Calu-1 cells

S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is an important physiological redox form of nitric oxide (NO) and serves as an NO-releasing compound. 3-Morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1) produces NO and superoxide anion (O(2)(·-)) which results in the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). We investigate the cytotoxicity, cell death mechanisms and gene expression of NO and ONOO(-) in human lung epithelial cells show NO induced apoptosis and DNA genomic fragmentation. Whereas, ONOO(-) induced cell death more characteristic of necrosis than apoptosis. The concentrations of GSNO and SIN-1 required to cause death in 50% of cells were greater than 1 mM. Several gene products are important in controling the apoptotic and necrotic processes. Of these, bcl-2, bax and hsp 70 were studied. The level of expression of bcl-2 was dramatically decreased in cells treated with SIN-1 or GSNO, while the expression level of bax, the heterodimer of bcl-2, did not significant change. In addition, a roughly two-fold increase of hsp 70 was found in cells treated with SIN-1. There were no significant changes in hsp 70 levels in cells treated with GSNO.     

Nitric oxide formation and corresponding relaxation of porcine coronary arteries induced by plant phenols: essential structural features

The high intake of polyphenols is thought to contribute to the beneficial cardiovascular effects of plant-centered diets. A putative mechanism underlying the cardioprotective activity is thought to be a plant phenol-induced increase of nitric oxide formation by the constitutive endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Twenty-eight phenols of different classes commonly occurring in plant foods were examined for their capability of enhancing the endothelial nitric oxide release of isolated porcine coronary arteries by direct real-time measurement of the luminal surface nitric oxide concentration with an amperometric microsensor. Additionally, the relaxing activity of the phenols was measured on porcine coronary rings. Quercetin, myricetin, leucocyanidol, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins induced the highest increases in nitric oxide release (delta[NO] > 8.5 nM ); caffeic acid, fisetin, hyperosid, and isoquercitrin were moderately active (5 nM < delta[NO] < 8.5 nM ); the other phenolic compounds caused only marginal increases of the nitric oxide levels (delta[NO] < 5 nM). The nitric oxide-stimulating activity of the phenols was uniformly positively correlated with their vasorelaxing activity. However, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxations were limited to phenols inducing nitric oxide elevations > 5 nM (= Km value of the soluble guanylate cyclase). Analysis of structure-activity relations revealed that a high nitric oxide activity was confined to a flavan-moiety with free hydroxyl-residues at C3, C3', C4', C5, and C7 and a hydroxyl-, oxo-, or phenolic substituent at C4, whereas the caffeic acid scaffolding emerged as the minimally essential motif for the nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation.     

Mechanisms of L-NG nitroarginine/indomethacin-resistant relaxation in bovine and porcine coronary arteries.

1. Coronary arteries from bovines (BCA) and pigs (PCA) were used for measuring endothelium-dependent relaxation in the presence of L-NG nitroarginine and indomethacin. As some compounds tested have been found to have an inhibitory effect on autacoid-activated endothelial Ca2+ signalling, endothelium-dependent relaxation was initiated with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. 2. The common compounds for modulating arachidonic acid release/pathway, mepacrine and econazole only inhibited L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation in BCA not in PCA. In contrast, proadifen (SKF 525A) diminished relaxation in BCA and PCA. Mepacrine and proadifen inhibited Hoe-234-initiated relaxation in BCA and PCA, while econazole only inhibited Hoe 234-induced relaxation in PCA. Due to the multiple effects of these compounds, caution is necessary in the interpretation of results obtained with these compounds. 3. The inhibitor of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels, apamin, strongly attenuated A23187-induced L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation in BCA while apamin did not affect L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation in PCA. 4. Pertussis toxin blunted L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation in BCA, while relaxation of PCA was not affected by pertussis toxin. 5. Thiopentone sodium inhibited endothelial cytochrome P450 epoxygenase (EPO) in PCA but not in BCA, while L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation of BCA and PCA were unchanged. Protoporphyrine IX inhibited EPO in BCA and PCA and abolished L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation of BCA not PCA. 6. An EPO-derived compound, 11,12-epoxy-eicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) yielded significant relaxation in BCA and PCA in three out of six experiments. 7. These findings suggest that L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation in BCA and PCA constitutes two distinct pathways. In BCA, activation of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels via a pertussis-toxin-sensitive G protein and EPO-derived compounds might be involved. In PCA, no selective inhibition of L-NG nitroarginine-resistant relaxation was found.     

Inhibitory effects of nisoldipine on serotonin and potassium induced contractions of porcine coronary and femoral arteries

The inhibitory effect of nisoldipine (Baymycard, Syscor; CAS 63675-72-9) and nifedipine on the serotonin and potassium induced contractions of porcine coronary and femoral arteries in vitro has been investigated. Both nisoldipine and nifedipine inhibited preferentially the serotonin induced contraction in the coronary artery being less effective in the inhibition of the femoral artery. The coronary selectivity of nisoldipine is at least 10 times more pronounced than that of nifedipine. The serotonin antagonist ketanserin inhibited contractions on both vessels with the same potency. The potassium induced contraction was inhibited by the dihydropyridines in both coronary and femoral artery. Nisoldipine again, was more potent than nifedipine in the inhibition of coronary artery spasm but not in the contraction of femoral artery. Ketanserin did not inhibit contractions of any vessels.     

多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉及激活冠状动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道

采用血管环实验和膜片钳细胞贴附式技术分别在器官和细胞分子水平观察多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉作用及对平滑肌细胞大电导型钙激活钾通道(BKCa)的影响 .结果表明多巴胺引起前列腺素 F2α(PGF2α)预收缩动脉环浓度依赖性舒张反应 ,而不引起高 K 预收缩动脉环舒张反应 .表明多巴胺引起的冠状动脉血管舒张反应依赖于 K 生理浓度梯度的存在 ,结果提示钾通道参与了多巴胺的血管舒张反应 .向细胞浴液内灌流多巴胺增强冠状动脉血管平滑肌细胞膜 BKCa通道活性 .用 DA1受体阻断剂 SCH2 3390预处理细胞 ,完全阻断多巴胺的这一作用 ,而用 β受体阻断剂普萘洛尔无影响 .提示多巴胺通过 DA1受体激活 BKCa通道引起 PGF2α预收缩动脉环舒张反应     

多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉及激活冠状动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道

采用血管环实验和膜片钳细胞贴附式技术分别在器官和细胞分子水平观察多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉作用及对平滑肌细胞大电导型钙激活钾通道(BK_Ca)的影响. 结果表明多巴胺引起前列腺素F_2α(PGF_2α)预收缩动脉环浓度依赖性舒张反应, 而不引起高K⁺预收缩动脉环舒张反应. 表明多巴胺引起的冠状动脉血管舒张反应依赖于K⁺生理浓度梯度的存在, 结果提示钾通道参与了多巴胺的血管舒张反应. 向细胞浴液内灌流多巴胺增强冠状动脉血管平滑肌细胞膜BK_Ca通道活性. 用DA₁受体阻断剂SCH23390预处理细胞, 完全阻断多巴胺的这一作用, 而用β受体阻断剂普萘洛尔无影响. 提示多巴胺通过DA₁受体激活BK_Ca通道引起PGF_2α预收缩动脉环舒张反应.     

Dual actions of dephostatin on the nitric oxide/cGMP-signalling pathway in porcine iliac arteries

We examined the effects of the nitrosoamine dephostatin on the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP)-signalling in porcine iliac arteries. Dephostatin has been characterised as a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, but Western blot analyses showed that dephostatin did not augment tyrosine phosphorylation of arterial proteins. However, dephostatin relaxed pre-contracted arteries, and this effect was antagonised by the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). Furthermore, dephostatin increased the cGMP content and the serine phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein. Dephostatin also inhibited the relaxation induced by acetylcholine and the NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP). In contrast, dephostatin did not affect the NO-dependent actions of 1,2,3,4-Oxatriazolium, 3-(3-chloro-2-metylphenyl)-5-[[(4methylphenyl)sulfonyl]amino]-hydroxide inner salt (GEA 3175). Measurement of NO revealed that dephostatin accelerated the consumption of NO. In conclusion, dephostatin exerts dual effects on the NO/cGMP-signalling pathway in iliac arteries. The drug actions included scavenging of NO, but also stimulation of cGMP production. These effects were not related to inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases.     

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor released by 5-HT: distinct from nitric oxide in basilar arteries of normotensive and hypertensive rats.

1. The role of the endothelium in cerebrovascular responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) in vitro. 2. Cumulative addition of 5-HT caused concentration-dependent contractions in ring preparations of SHR basilar arteries; the contractile response was smaller in WKY basilar arteries. 3. Removal of the endothelium enhanced markedly the contractile responses to 5-HT in WKY arteries but had only a slight effect in SHR arteries. The responsiveness to 5-HT in WKY arteries after removal of endothelium was comparable to that in SHR arteries. 4. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine in WKY basilar arteries was almost abolished by treatment with 10 microM methylene blue or 10 microM NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). However, the response to 5-HT was not affected by treatment with methylene blue, L-NOARG or indomethacin. 5. Application of 10-20 mM K+ or 3.2 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) did not change significantly, or only increased slightly, the resting tension, but markedly enhanced the contractile response to 5-HT in WKY arteries with endothelium. In contrast, the submaximal response to 5-HT in SHR arteries with endothelium was significantly enhanced by 0.3 mM TEA. 6. In the presence of 1 mM TEA, the application of 10 microM L-NOARG further enhanced the responses of 5-HT in WKY arteries with endothelium. In SHR arteries with endothelium, 10 microM L-NOARG per se enhanced slightly but significantly the responses to 5-HT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mechanisms of anandamide-induced vasorelaxation in rat isolated coronary arteries

1. The cannabinoid arachidonyl ethanolamide (anandamide) caused concentration-dependent relaxation of 5-HT-precontracted, myograph-mounted, segments of rat left anterior descending coronary artery. 2. This relaxation was endothelium-independent, unaffected by the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (10 microM), and mimicked by the non-hydrolysable anandamide derivative, methanandamide. 3. Relaxations to anandamide were attenuated by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist, SR 141716A (3 microM), but unaffected by AM 251 (1 microM) and AM 630 (1 microM), more selective antagonists of cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors respectively. Palmitoylethanolamide, a selective CB(2) receptor agonist, did not relax precontracted coronary arteries. 4. Anandamide relaxations were not affected by inhibition of sensory nerve transmission with capsaicin (10 microM) or blockade of vanilloid VR1 receptors with capsazepine (5 microM). Nevertheless capsaicin relaxed coronary arteries in a concentration-dependent and capsazepine-sensitive manner, confirming functional sensory nerves were present. In contrast, capsazepine and capsaicin did inhibit anandamide relaxations in methoxamine-precontracted rat small mesenteric arteries. 5. Relaxations to anandamide were inhibited by TEA (1 mM) or iberiotoxin (50 nM), blockers of large conductance, Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK(Ca)). Gap junction inhibition with 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (100 microM) did not affect anandamide relaxations. 6. This study shows anandamide relaxes the rat coronary artery by a novel mechanism. Anandamide-induced relaxations do not involve the endothelium, degradation into active metabolites, or activation of cannabinoid CB(1) or CB(2) receptors, but may involve activation of BK(Ca). Vanilloid receptor activation also has no role in the effects of anandamide in coronary arteries, even though functional sensory nerves are present.     

Activation of nitric oxide modulator effect by isometric contraction in rat resistance arteries

The participation of nitric oxide (NO) as a modulator of the isometric contraction, as well as the underlying mechanism, was investigated in rat small mesenteric arteries. In the presence of a functional endothelium, L-NAME and L-NA similarly increased the contractions induced by phenylephrine, dependently on the level of contraction. However, no effect was observed in the absence of a functional endothelium. In the presence of selective inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), calphostin-C and wortmannin, respectively, the effect of L-NAME was not modified. The same observation was done in the presence of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin A-23. However, in the presence of a Ca2+-independent tyrosine kinase inhibitor, erbstatin-A, and on the presence of a non-selective kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, a strong reduction was observed. Our results suggest that protein kinases are involved in the activation of nitric oxide modulator effect on isometric contractions in resistance arteries.     

An evaluation of potassium ions as endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in porcine coronary arteries

In the rat hepatic artery, the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) was identified as potassium. Potassium hyperpolarizes the smooth muscles by gating inward rectified potassium channels and by activating the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)ATPase). Our goal was to examine whether potassium could explain the EDHF in porcine coronary arteries. On coronary strips, the inhibition of calcium-dependent potassium channels with 100 nM apamin plus 100 microM charibdotoxin inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxations, produced by 10 nM substance P and 300 nM bradykinin and resistant to nitro-L-arginine and indomethacin. The scavenging of potassium with 2 mM Kryptofix 2.2.2 abolished the endothelium-dependent relaxations produced by the kinins and resistant to nitro-L-arginine and indomethacin. Forty microM 18alpha glycyrrethinic acid or 50 microM palmitoleic acid, both uncoupling agents, did not inhibit these kinin relaxations. Therefore, EDHF does not result from an electrotonic spreading of an endothelial hyperpolarization. Barium (0.3 nM) did not inhibit the kinin relaxations resistant to nitro-L-arginine and indomethacin. Therefore, EDHF does not result from the activation of inward rectified potassium channels. Five hundred nM ouabain abolished the endothelium-dependent relaxations resistant to nitro-L-arginine and indomethacin without inhibiting the endothelium-derived NO relaxation. The perifusion of a medium supplemented with potassium depolarized and contracted a coronary strip; however, the short application of potassium hyperpolarized the smooth muscles. These results are compatible with the concept that, in porcine coronary artery, the EDHF is potassium released by the endothelial cells and that this ion hyperpolarizes and relaxes the smooth muscles by activating the Na(+)-K(+)ATPase.     

Characterisation of the relaxant response to raloxifene in porcine coronary arteries

The present study characterises the vasorelaxant response to raloxifene in isolated rings of porcine coronary artery. Tissues precontracted either with KCl (30 mM) or prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha); 3 microM) were concentration-dependently relaxed by raloxifene (0.1-10 microM). Relaxation was not inhibited by the estrogen receptor antagonist 7alpha-[9-[(4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentyl)sulfinyl]nonyl]-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17beta-diol (ICI 182,780; 1 microM). Preincubation with raloxifene (1-3 microM) caused an inhibition of the KCl or PGF(2alpha)-induced contraction. The effects of raloxifene were independent of the endothelium. The relaxant response to raloxifene was slow in the onset and could not be reversed after repeated washings. Raloxifene did not affect Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores since it failed to inhibit a transient contraction induced by caffeine (10 mM). Raloxifene-induced relaxation was not influenced by the intracellular calcium chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM; 10-20 microM). Calcium-induced contractions in Ca(2+)-free high K(+) (60 mM) depolarising medium were concentration-dependently inhibited by raloxifene (0.3-3 microM). If arterial rings were incubated with the L-type Ca(2+) channel activator (S)-(-)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-pyridine carboxylic acid methyl ester ((S)-(-)-Bay K 8644; 0.1 microM), cumulative concentration-response curves to Ca(2+) were shifted to the left. Raloxifene (0.3-3 microM) inhibited the effect of (S)-(-)-Bay K 8644 in a concentration-dependent manner. 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (SB 203580; 10 microM), an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), diminished raloxifene-induced relaxation in endothelium-denuded arterial rings. Western blot analysis demonstrated that raloxifene stimulated p38 MAPK. It is concluded that raloxifene has an inhibitory effect on voltage-gated and receptor-operated L-type Ca(2+) channels in porcine coronary arteries, thus inducing vascular relaxation independent of the endothelium. p38 MAPK is, at least in part, involved in the relaxant response to raloxifene.     

Enhanced response of pig coronary arteries to endothelin-1 after ischemia-reperfusion. Role of endothelin receptors, nitric oxide and prostanoids

To analyse the coronary effects of endothelin-1 after ischemia-reperfusion, the left anterior descending coronary artery of anesthetized pigs was subjected to 30-min occlusion followed by 60-min reperfusion. Then, rings distal (ischemic arteries) and proximal (control arteries) to the occlusion were taken from this artery and prepared for isometric tension recording. The sensitivity of the contraction in response to endothelin-1 (3 x 10(-10)-3 x 10(-7) M) and the endothelin ET(B) receptor agonist IRL-1620 (3 x 10(-10)-3 x 10(-7) M) was greater in ischemic vessels. The endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonist BQ-123 (10(-7)-3 x 10(-6) M) decreased the sensitivity of the response to endothelin-1 similarly in ischemic and control arteries. The endothelin ET(B) receptor antagonist BQ-788 (10(-6) M), endothelium removal or the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME 10(-4) M) potentiated the response to endothelin-1 and IRL-1620 in control arteries only. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor meclofenamate (10(-5) M) augmented the maximal response to endothelin-1 in control arteries, and reduced it in ischemic arteries. In precontracted arteries, IRL-1620 (3 x 10(-11)-3 x 10(-10) M) relaxed control but not ischemic arteries, and L-NAME or meclofenamate abolished this relaxation. Therefore, ischemia-reperfusion increases the coronary vasoconstriction in response to endothelin-1 probably due to impairment of endothelin ET(B) receptor-induced release of nitric oxide and prostacyclin, augmentation of the contractile response to activation of endothelin ET(B) receptors, and increased release of vasoconstrictor prostanoids.     

Acidosis induces relaxation mediated by nitric oxide and potassium channels in rat thoracic aorta

We investigated the mechanism by which extracellular acidification promotes relaxation in rat thoracic aorta. The relaxation response to HCl-induced extracellular acidification (7.4 to 6.5) was measured in aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (Phe, 10(-6) M) or KCl (45mM). The vascular reactivity experiments were performed in endothelium-intact and denuded rings, in the presence or absence of indomethacin (10(-5) M), L-NAME (10(-4) M), apamin (10(-6) M), and glibenclamide (10(-5) M). The effect of extracellular acidosis (pH 7.0 and 6.5) on nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated in isolated endothelial cells loaded with diaminofluorescein-FM diacetate (DAF-FM DA, 5μM). The extracellular acidosis failed to induce any changes in the vascular tone of aortic rings pre-contracted with KCl, however, it caused endothelium-dependent and independent relaxation in rings pre-contracted with Phe. This acidosis induced-relaxation was inhibited by L-NAME, apamin, and glibenclamide, but not by indomethacin. The acidosis (pH 7.0 and 6.5) also promoted a time-dependent increase in the NO production by the isolated endothelial cells. These results suggest that extracellular acidosis promotes vasodilation mediated by NO, K(ATP) and SK(Ca), and maybe other K(+) channels in isolated rat thoracic aorta.