Endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine, ATP and the calcium ionophore A 23187 in aortas from spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats

The present study was designed to determine whether or not an increase in endothelial intracellular concentration of calcium ([Ca2+]i) evokes endothelium-dependent contractions in the aorta from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Acetylcholine, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the calcium ionophore, A 23187, produced endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated aortic rings of both WKY and SHR. These relaxations in response to the three agonists were significantly smaller in the SHR when compared with the WKY. Endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine, ATP and A 23187 were observed only in the aorta isolated from the SHR. In the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine, an NO synthase inhibitor, the endothelium-dependent contractions in response to acetylcholine, ATP and A 23187 were potentiated significantly in the aorta SHR and were unmasked in that of WKY. However, the contractions were still significantly greater in SHR than in WKY. These contractions were abolished by indomethacin and valeryl salicylate (two cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors) as well as by S 18886 (a TP-receptor antagonist), indicating that the endothelium-dependent contraction produced by the three agonists share the same characteristics. The results of the present study indicate that the release/generation of endothelium-derived contracting factor, requires an increase in endothelial [Ca2+]i.     

Activation of nicotinic receptors can contribute to endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine in the rat aorta

Acetylcholine causes endothelium-dependent relaxations in the rat aorta. Both muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in endothelial cells. It is generally accepted that mAChRs are responsible for the endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by acetylcholine. The present study was designed to investigate whether nAChRs can also be involved in such responses evoked by the cholinergic transmitter. Rings with or without endothelium of aortae of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats were suspended in organ chambers for the measurement of isometric tension. In WKY aortae the muscarinic antagonist atropine abolished the relaxations to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine, confirming that mAChRs are responsible mainly for the response under control conditions. In SHR aortae, atropine caused only partial inhibition of the endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine; the remaining decreases in tension were inhibited by the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine, which did not significantly affect the response in the absence of atropine in either SHR or WKY preparations. Thus, when mAChRs are inhibited, nAChRs mediate relaxation to the cholinergic transmitter in the SHR but not the WKY aorta. Nicotine, a direct agonist of the nicotinic receptor, induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in both SHR and WKY rats via the activation of α7-nAChRs, but not by mecamylamine-sensitive nicotinic receptors (α3 subtype). The acetylcholine-induced, atropine-insensitive relaxations and those to nicotine both involve the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway. The present study demonstrates that the activation of nAChRs can contribute to acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxations in the aortae of hypertensive animals and suggests that these receptors may contribute to the endothelium-dependent regulation of vascular tone.     

Direct vascular actions of methyclothiazide and indapamide in aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats

In vitro experiments were designed to assess the inhibitory effect of the thiazide diuretics methyclothiazide (MCTZ), the hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), and the thiazide-related diuretic indapamide (IND) on contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) of aortic rings from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Changes in the tension of aortic ring preparations were measured isometrically. MCTZ (10(-4) M) induced endothelium-dependent inhibition of the vasoconstrictor responses to NE and AVP only in aortas from SHR, and the maximal vasoconstrictive effect of NE and AVP was decreased by 59 +/- 11% and 32.3 +/- 13%, respectively. Indapamide (10(-4) M) also induced endothelium-dependent inhibition of the contractile response to AVP in aortic rings from SHR, and the maximal vasoconstrictive effect of AVP was decreased by 33 +/- 5%. In contrast, HCTZ did not inhibit the contractile response to either NE or AVP, even at the highest concentration. This study provides evidence that methyclothiazide and indapamide inhibit the contractile response induced by norepinephrine and/or arginine vasopressin on SHR aortic preparations via an endothelium-dependent mechanism.     

Oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide causes vasoconstriction in the aorta from hypertensive and aged rats: role of cyclooxygenase-2 isoform

We analyzed the mechanisms involved in the effect of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) in isolated aortic rings with and without endothelium from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at 6, 18, and 24 months of age. t-BOOH (1 microM-10 mM) induced concentration-dependent contractions that were scarcely modified by aging and potentiated in SHR and by endothelium removal. The nitric oxide synthase and prostacyclin synthase inhibitors N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 microM) and tranylcypromine (100 microM), respectively, increased both basal tone and the t-BOOH-induced contractions in intact segments from WKY, with these effects not observed in SHR. Indomethacin (10 microM), a nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and SQ 29,548 (10 microM), a prostaglandin H(2)/thromboxane A(2) receptor blocker, abolished the t-BOOH-induced vasoconstriction, independent of age and hypertension. In both strains, these contractile responses were unaltered by the thromboxane synthase inhibitor imidazole (10 microM). The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 (10 microM) abolished or markedly reduced the t-BOOH-induced contractions in segments with or without endothelium, respectively. In addition, expression of cyclooxygenase-2 protein was detected in aorta from WKY and SHR in either basal condition or after stimulation with t-BOOH. These results suggest that (1) t-BOOH-induced vasoconstriction in the aorta from WKY and SHR is essentially mediated by cyclooxygenase-2 metabolites, different from thromboxane-A(2), probably prostaglandin-H(2), and/or isoprostanes; (2) aging scarcely modifies, whereas endothelium negatively modulates, these contractions in both strains; and (3) nitric oxide and prostacyclin exert a negative modulator role on the t-BOOH-induced vasoconstriction in WKY, with this modulator role lost in SHR.     

Gap junction inhibitors reduce endothelium-dependent contractions in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Experiments were designed to determine the effect of gap junction inhibitors on endothelium-dependent contractions. Isolated aortic rings of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were suspended in vitro for isometric force recording. The nonselective gap junction inhibitor, carbenoxolone, reduced endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine and the calcium ionophore A23187 [5-methylamino-2-(2S,3R,5R,8S,9S)-3,5,9-trimethyl-2-(1-oxo-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)-1,7-dioxaspiro-(5,5)undecan-8-yl)methyl)benzooxazole-4-carboxylic acid]. There was no or modest effect of the gap peptides (40)Gap27, (37,43)Gap27, or (43)Gap26 when applied alone on endothelium-dependent contractions. However, the combined treatment with the three gap peptides significantly decreased endothelium-dependent contractions. The combined inhibition of the three connexins was not as effective as carbenoxolone, suggesting the involvement of other connexins in the process of endothelium-dependent contraction. The present study shows the involvement of gap junctions in endothelium-dependent contractions of the SHR aorta, presumably that of the combination of connexins 37, 40, and 43 rather than a single subtype of these proteins. Contractions of the vascular smooth muscle caused by 9,11-dideoxy-11alpha, 9alpha-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F(2alpha) (U46619) and prostacyclin, but not to those of endoperoxides and phenylephrine, were reduced only minimally by carbenoxolone. Thus, if gap junction signaling is involved in the contraction of the vascular smooth muscle to thromboxane-prostanoid receptor agonists, their contribution is small. This suggests that the reduction of endothelium-dependent contractions by carbenoxolone and the gap peptides cannot be attributed to the homocellular gap junctions between vascular smooth muscle, but is more likely to involve the homocellular gap junctions between endothelial cells and/or myoendothelial gap junctions.     

Endothelium-dependent effects of carteolol

Experiments were designed to study the effect of the beta adrenergic antagonist, carteolol, on the endothelium-dependent responsiveness of isolated arteries. Rings of canine coronary arteries were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording; carteolol inhibited the relaxation to isoproterenol and abolished the difference in responsiveness to the beta adrenergic agonist between rings with and without endothelium. Carteolol did not cause endothelium-dependent relaxations of femoral or coronary arteries. In bioassay experiments, carteolol augmented the basal release of relaxing factors from the endothelium of the femoral artery; this effect was prevented by indomethacin. In rings of femoral arteries, carteolol increased the endothelium-dependent relaxations induced by the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist UK 14,304; this was not affected by indomethacin but prevented by propranolol. Carteolol did not modify the endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine, adenosine diphosphate, bradykinin, thrombin and the Ca+-ionophore A23187. Carteolol inhibited the endothelium-dependent hypoxic contraction of the canine coronary artery. It did not affect endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine in the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat. These experiments suggest that carteolol facilitates the abluminal release of endothelium-dependent relaxing factor caused by alpha-2 adrenergic activation, and causes the intraluminal release of vasodilator prostaglandins. The compound prevents the endothelium-dependent contractions which are not mediated by products of cyclooxygenase. These actions may contribute to the vasodilatator properties of carteolol in the intact organism.     

Pertussis toxin reduces endothelium-dependent and independent responses to alpha-2- adrenergic stimulation in systemic canine arteries and veins.

A pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) is involved in the signal transduction of certain endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian arteries. To determine whether a similar mechanism mediates endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian veins, rings of canine femoral arteries and veins with and without endothelium were suspended for the measurement of isometric force in organ chambers. In femoral arteries, incubation of the rings with pertussis toxin (from Bordetella pertussis, 100 ng/ml for 2 hr) in the presence of indomethacin and propranolol did not reduce significantly endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine and adenosine diphosphate, thrombin or the calcium ionophore A23187. However, endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist UK 14,304 were blocked by the pertussis toxin. In venous rings, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were reduced by the toxin, whereas the endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by adenosine diphosphate, thrombin and A23187 were not affected. UK 14,304 contracted the veins; these contractions were augmented by removal of the endothelium. Pertussis toxin inhibited contractions to UK 14,304 in venous rings without but not with endothelium. Relaxations of arterial and venous smooth muscle to nitric oxide were unaffected by the toxin. Contractions to phenylephrine were not altered by either removal of the endothelium or the toxin in the arteries or veins. These results suggest that the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in response to stimulation of purine and thrombin receptors probably does not involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in canine femoral arteries or veins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

ROLE OF ENDOTHELIUM ON PHENYLEPHRINE-TRIGGERED CONTRACTILE EVENTS IN AORTA OF SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The ability of basal release of endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) to alter contractile events in phenylephrine (PE)-triggered contraction was tested on ring segments of the thoracic aorta removed from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In normal medium, PE (1 microM) elicited similar whole contractions in endothelium denuded arteries of SHR and WKY. The presence of endothelium only reduced the WKY response. On aorta incubated in a Ca2+ free-medium, PE (1 microM) induced an initial phasic contraction due to intracellular Ca2+ release. This was followed by a tonic contraction after Ca2+ (2.5 mM) was restored to the bath. This sustained contraction was dependent on extracellular calcium influx. Identical phasic and tonic contractions were observed in endothelium denuded rings of SHR and WKY. However, the presence of endothelium only reduced the sustained contraction of WKY arteries. When experiments were carried out in medium containing D600 (1 microM), the presence of endothelium diminished the whole contraction of both SHR and WKY rings whereas the sustained but not the phasic contractions of WKY was also inhibited. This inhibitory effect of endothelium on WKY sustained contraction was significantly higher in the presence of D600. The calcium antagonist reduced both the whole and the tonic contractions of all preparations but was ineffective on the phasic one. The D600 inhibitory action on the sustained contraction was more pronounced in denuded SHR rings than in the corresponding WKY arteries. Thus it is concluded that there is a basal influence of endothelium in both SHR and WKY. Under our conditions, the endothelial function inhibited the extracellular Ca2+ influx and especially the part of Ca2+ influx insensitive to D600. This part of Ca2+ influx is diminished in SHR and thus the efficacy of endothelium products (e.g. EDRF) is reduced in this strain.     

Endothelial regulation of cyclic GMP and vascular responses in hypertension

The mechanism whereby endothelial modulation of drug-induced vascular responses might change during hypertension was examined. Acetylcholine (ACh) (1 microM) induced maximal relaxation of aortic ring segments with intact endothelium from both Wistar-Kyoto, normotensive rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at 5 to 6 weeks of age. At 15 to 18 weeks of age the relaxation response to ACh was reduced in rings from both SHR and WKY (to a greater extent in SHR) and was attenuated even more in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rat. The contractile responses of aortic preparations to norepinephrine (NE) (0.1 microM) were similar between 5-6-week-old and 15-18-week-old WKY, but were increased in 15-18-week-old SHR compared to 5-6-week-old SHR. Endothelial cell removal increased contractile responses to NE to a greater extent in WKY than SHR but this did not affect that seen in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Methylene blue treatment increased contractions of aortic rings with intact endothelium from 15-18-week-old WKY and SHR to the level detected in rubbed arteries, but it did not affect the NE-induced constriction of intact aortic rings from DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Basal cyclic GMP concentrations in intact aortic rings were not different between SHR and WKY at 5 to 6 weeks of age. The basal aortic cyclic GMP was unchanged in WKY at 15 to 18 weeks of age, but decreased in SHR and in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats of the same age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of protein kinase C in electrical-stimulation-induced neuronal nitric oxide release in mesenteric arteries from hypertensive rats

This study examines the influence of hypertension on neuronal nitric oxide (NO) release and its modulation by protein kinase C (PKC). For this purpose, mesenteric segments without endothelium were obtained from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and neurogenic NO release induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was examined in these segments. EFS induced frequency-dependent contractions. The NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and the sensorial neurotoxin capsaicin increased EFS-induced contractions in SHR segments, but did not affect these contractions in segments from WKY rats. In segments from SHRs, the increase in EFS-induced response by capsaicin was further increased by the combination of capsaicin and L-NAME. EFS-induced contractions in SHR arteries were unaltered by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide or by 2-amine-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,3-tiazine (AMT), an inhibitor of inducible NO synthase, and increased by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor Methylene Blue. In these arteries, capsaicin plus the PKC inhibitor calphostin C increased the contractions elicited by EFS; the addition of L-NAME did not affect this increase. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) did not modify the response to EFS in these arteries pretreated with capsaicin, although a combination of PDBu and L-NAME was effective. These results indicate that, in mesenteric arteries, EFS induces the release of NO from perivascular nitrergic nerves and of neuropeptides from sensory nerves, but only in hypertensive rats. The NO released is synthesized by constitutive neuronal NO synthase in a manner that is positively modulated by PKC, an enzyme that seems to be activated in hypertension.     

Effect of antihypertensive treatment on the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias among patients with isolated systolic hypertension without left ventricular hypertrophy

Background: The high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is well documented. However, few studies have been conducted on the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with isolated systolic hypertension without LVH.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with systolic hypertension without LVH and (2) estimate the effect of a perindopril/indapamide combination, which does not have an antiarrhythmic effect, on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias.Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed isolated systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] >160 mm Hg) and a control group of normotensive patients were enrolled. During the 2-week washout period, patients underwent physical examination (including blood pressure measurements), ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring, echocardiography, and laboratory urine and blood tests. Absence of LVH was confirmed by echocardiographic examination. The group of hypertensive patients received 1 tablet of 2 mg perindopril/0.625 mg indapamide per day for a total of 4 weeks. Physical examinations and ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring were repeated after treatment.Results: A total of 60 hypertensive (mean age, 63.1 years; mean SBP, 176.8 ± 3.1 mm Hg; mean diastolic blood pressure, 82.6 ± 2.9 mm Hg) and 60 normotensive patients were enrolled. Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring indicated that 18 of the 60 hypertensive patients (30%) had ventricular arrhythmias: 17 had ventricular premature contractions (>100/24 h) and 1 had ventricular tachycardia plus ventricular premature contractions. In the control group, 7 of 60 subjects (11.7%) had ventricular premature contractions. The difference between the 2 groups in incidence of ventricular arrhythmias was significant (P < 0.01). After treatment, mean SBP decreased to 136.1 ± 3.2 mm Hg, and ventricular premature contractions were found in 9 of 60 hypertensive patients (15%) (P < 0.02 vs pretreatment).Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that in patients with isolated systolic hypertension without LVH, (1) the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia is higher than in normotensive patients and (2) treatment with perindopril/indapamide decreases the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias.     

Influence of the endothelium on tone and the response of isolated pig coronary artery to norepinephrine

The influence of the endothelium on smooth muscle tone and the response of the pig right coronary artery to norepinephrine (NE) was studied. Isolated rings of artery with and without endothelium were stretched in the presence of nitroprusside to a tension previously determined to be optimal for contraction. During wash out of the nitroprusside, rings without endothelium spontaneously generated tone representing 24% of the contraction caused by potassium (120 mM); in rings with endothelium no significant spontaneous tone was observed. Relaxations were caused by NE in rings with endothelium contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). In rings without endothelium, NE relaxed spontaneously generated tone as well as that produced by PGF2 alpha. Independent of the mode or degree of contraction, rings with endothelium were more sensitive to NE than rings without endothelium. The difference in sensitivity to NE between rings with and without endothelium was likely due to endothelial cell alpha-2 adrenoceptors, inasmuch as the difference was abolished by rauwolscine. In the presence of propranolol and prazosin, endothelium-dependent relaxations were observed which were also inhibited by rauwolscine. Nevertheless, beta adrenoceptors are the predominant mediator of the relaxation to NE of pig coronary smooth muscle, because propranolol caused a greater shift to the right of the relaxation induced by NE compared to that caused by endothelium removal. Accordingly, under resting conditions, NE caused contractions only in the presence of propranolol. These contractions were attenuated by prazosin or rauwolscine, but blocked only by a combination of both alpha adrenoceptor antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Soy isoflavones improve endothelial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats in an estrogen-independent manner: role of nitric-oxide synthase, superoxide, and cyclooxygenase metabolites

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the isoflavones genistein and daidzein, and the mammalian estrogen 17beta-estradiol on endothelial function in isolated aortic rings from male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Relaxation to acetylcholine on precontracted rings was impaired and endothelium-dependent contraction to acetylcholine in aortic rings was increased in SHR compared with WKY. Aortic NADPH-stimulated O(2)(-) release and prostaglandin (PG)H(2) production evoked by acetylcholine were increased, whereas nitric-oxide synthase activity was reduced in SHR versus WKY. Genistein, daidzein, or 17beta-estradiol enhanced the relaxant response to acetylcholine and decreased the endothelium-dependent vasoconstrictor responses to acetylcholine in SHR, but not in WKY, and these effects were not modified by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 (7alpha,17beta-[9[(4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentyl)-sulfinyl]nonyl]estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol). Moreover, isoflavones enhanced nitric-oxide (NO) synthase activity and inhibited NADPH-stimulated O(2)(-) roduction and endothelial release of PGH(2). The contractions induced by the TP receptor agonist U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-11alpha,9alpha-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F(2alpha)) in denuded aortic rings were inhibited by genistein, daidzein, and 17beta-estradiol in both strains. In conclusion, the isoflavones genistein and daidzein and 17beta-estradiol restore endothelial function in male SHR through estrogen receptor-independent mechanisms. Increased NO production and protection of NO from O(2)(-)-driven inactivation might be involved in the improvement of vascular relaxation to acetylcholine in aortic rings from SHR. Moreover, isoflavones and 17beta-estradiol inhibited aortic endothelium-dependent contraction to acetylcholine in SHR by reducing the endothelial PGH(2) release and its vasoconstrictor response.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation is blunted in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The vasodilatory effect of VEGF has not been characterized in the setting of hypertension. This study investigated the in vitro vasorelaxant effects of VEGF in organ chambers in the aorta of the adult (12-week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), young (4-week-old) SHR without hypertension, and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats compared with acetylcholine (ACh). Cumulative concentration-relaxation curves were established for VEGF (approximately 10(-12)-10(-8.5) M) and ACh (approximately 10(-10)-10(-5) M) in U46619 (10(-8) M)-induced contraction. VEGF induced endothelium-dependent relaxation that was significantly reduced in the adult SHR compared with the age-matched WKY control (87.8 +/- 2.8 versus 61.4 +/- 8.6%, P = 0.01). These responses were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 300 microM) alone (SHR: 25.1 +/- 1.9%; WKY: 21.0 +/- 2.6%; P = 0.01) or indomethacin (7 microM) + L-NNA (SHR: 30.2 +/- 2.1%; WKY: 35.0 +/- 2.9%; P = 0.01). Further addition of oxyhemoglobin (20 microM) abolished the residual relaxation and reduced the relaxation induced by nitroglycerin. ACh induced similar responses to VEGF. In contrast, pretreatment with indomethacin alone enhanced VEGF- or ACh-induced relaxations and the effect was greater in the adult SHR than in WKY rats. In contrast to the adult SHR versus WKY rats, there were no significant differences of VEGF- or ACh-induced relaxations between young SHR and WKY rats. The results demonstrate that VEGF induces endothelium- or nitric oxide-dependent relaxation, which is blunted in the adult SHR. The mechanism of this impairment may be related to decreased release of NO although increased release of contracting factors from the dysfunctional endothelium may also be involved.     

Effect of indapamide on the electromechanical properties of rat myometrium and rat portal vein

The effects of indapamide were studied on membrane potentials, ionic currents and isometric contractions in pregnant rat uterine smooth muscle. Indapamide (5 X 10(-6) to 10(-3) M) depressed K contractures and twitch contractions within 3 to 6 min. At a concentration of 3 X 10(-4) M, indapamide decreased the rate of rise, amplitude and rate of repolarization of the action potential and prolonged the potential duration. The inward current, carried either by Ca or Na ions, was depressed without modification of the respective reversal potentials. The decrease in K outward current was dependent on the reduction of the Ca inward current. In both myometrium and rat portal vein, indapamide depressed the transient contractions induced in Ca-free, ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid-containing solutions by either acetylcholine (10(-4) M) or norepinephrine (10(-6) M). In myometrium, the maintained and repetitive contractions induced by acetylcholine as well as the contractions produced by prolonged membrane depolarizations were not affected by indapamide. The results indicate that indapamide acts primarily on the plasma membrane of spontaneously active smooth muscles by reducing both inward (Ca and Na) currents and outward (K) current; it may also exert an effect to depress contractions supported by a release of Ca from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Platelet-derived growth factor receptors on macrovascular endothelial cells mediate relaxation via nitric oxide in rat aorta.

The effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were studied in isolated rings of rat aorta contracted submaximally to phenylephrine. The BB isoform of PDGF elicited relaxation in rings with endothelium and further contraction in rings without endothelium. Both the endothelium-dependent relaxation and endothelium-independent contraction occurred at concentrations known to induce PDGF receptor-mediated responses in cultured cells. Furthermore, the relaxation was isoform specific. This conclusion is supported by the unique ability of PDGF-BB to induce endothelium-dependent relaxations, as well as by studies showing isoform specific, concentration-dependent desensitization of PDGF-BB relaxation. The relaxation induced by PDGF-BB was prevented by N omega-nitro-L-arginine. It was also observed that endothelium-independent contractions to the AB and AA isoforms of PDGF were less than those to PDGF-BB. Contrary to the widely held view that PDGF receptors are not present on the endothelium of macrovessels, these studies provide evidence for an endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide mediated relaxation of rat aorta caused by PDGF via PDGF beta beta-receptors.     

Aggregating human platelets cause direct contraction and endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated canine coronary arteries. Role of serotonin, thromboxane A2, and adenine nucleotides.

Aggregating human platelets contract isolated rings of canine coronary artery without endothelium, but relax rings with intact endothelium. We performed experiments to identify the substances released from platelets responsible for these effects. The contraction in rings without endothelium was reduced by treating the platelets with thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, dazoxiben, or treating the vessels with the thromboxane-receptor antagonist, SQ 29548. The serotonergic antagonist, methiothepin, also reduced the platelet-induced contraction. The combination of methiothepin plus dazoxiben or SQ 29548 caused a further inhibition. The endothelium-dependent relaxation to platelets during contractions evoked by prostaglandin F2 alpha was nearly abolished by the ADP- and ATP-scavenger, apyrase. It was not inhibited by methiothepin, which antagonizes endothelium-dependent relaxations to serotonin. Thus, both serotonin and thromboxane A2 contribute to the direct activation of coronary smooth muscle by aggregating human platelets, whereas adenine nucleotides are the principal mediators of the endothelium-dependent relaxation.     

Effect of destruction of the vascular endothelium upon pressure/flow relations and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in resistance beds of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. Pressure/flow relationships were determined in the in situ blood-perfused superior mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds of spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats before and after destruction of the endothelium with detergent. The effects of indomethacin on the regression of pressure on flow were also investigated in the spontaneously hypertensive rats, as were the endothelium-dependent relaxations in response to carbachol in the mesenteric bed. 2. In the spontaneously hypertensive rats the regression line of pressure on flow in the two vascular beds was both steeper and more elevated than in the Wistar-Kyoto rats, showing that there was greater resistance to flow in the hypertensive animals. Destruction of the endothelium significantly increased the slope of the regression in both Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats: the increases in the Wistar-Kyoto rats were 2.4 +/- 0.3 fold (mesenteric) and 2.0 +/- 0.5 fold (hindquarters) which were comparable with the respective increases of 1.6 +/- 0.3 fold and 1.8 +/- 0.3 fold in the spontaneously hypertensive rats. 3. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg, intravenously) had no effect on the pressure/flow relations in either of the vascular beds of the spontaneously hypertensive rats. 4. The dose-response curves for the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in response to carbachol were not significantly different in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats. 5. The results suggest that tonic release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor has similar effects in modulating resistance vessel tone in vivo in both hypertensive and normotensive rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Association and cosegregation of stroke with impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in stroke prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats.

While hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, it is not its sole determinant. Despite similar blood pressures, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) do not share the predisposition to cerebrovascular disease typical of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). We investigated vascular function in male SHR and SHRSP as well as in SHRSP/SHR-F2 hybrid animals. Animals were maintained on the appropriate dietary regimen necessary for the manifestation of stroke. Among the hybrid animals, a group of stroke-prone and a group of stroke-resistant rats were selected. Blood pressure was similar in all groups. Endothelium-independent vascular reactivity tested on isolated rings of thoracic aorta and basilar artery after death showed similar contractile and dilatory responses to serotonin and nitroglycerin, respectively, in all groups. In contrast, endothelium-dependent relaxation, in response to acetylcholine or substance P, was markedly reduced in SHRSP compared with SHR. Similarly, reduced vasodilatory responses were present in aortae of F2 rats that had suffered a stroke when compared with SHR or F2 rats resistant to stroke. The observed association and cosegregation of stroke with significant and specific impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation among SHRSP and stroke-prone F2 hybrids, respectively, suggest a potential causal role of altered endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in the pathogenesis of stroke.     

Augmented endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated relaxations attenuate endothelial dysfunction in femoral and mesenteric, but not in carotid arteries from type I diabetic rats

Individual vascular beds exhibit differences in vascular reactivity. The present study investigates the effects of streptozotocin-induced type I diabetes on endothelium-dependent responses of rat carotid, femoral, and mesenteric arteries. Rings with and without endothelium, suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording, were contracted with phenylephrine and exposed to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine. In carotid and femoral arteries, acetylcholine produced concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxations that were abolished by Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; specific nitric-oxide synthase inhibitor) and were impaired slightly in preparations from streptozotocin-treated rats (STZ-rats). This impairment could be prevented by L-arginine. In femoral arteries incubated with L-NAME, acetylcholine caused endothelium-dependent contractions that were abolished by 3-[(6-amino-(4-chlorobenzensulfonyl)-2-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronapht]-1-yl) propionic acid (S18886) (antagonist of thromboxane A2/prostaglandins H2-receptors) and reversed to relaxation by indomethacin (inhibitor of cyclooxygenase). The latter relaxation was inhibited by charybdotoxin plus apamin, suggesting a role of endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). This EDHF-mediated component was augmented slightly in arteries from STZ-rats. In mesenteric arteries, relaxations to acetylcholine were only partially inhibited by L-NAME, and the L-NAME-resistant component was abolished by charybdotoxin plus apamin. In the mesenteric arteries from STZ-rats, L-NAME-sensitive relaxations to acetylcholine were reduced and the EDHF-component was augmented. These findings demonstrate a marked heterogeneity in endothelium-dependent responses in rat arteries and their differential adaptation in the course of type I diabetes. In particular, the EDHF-mediated component not only compensates for the reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide in the femoral and mesenteric artery but also counteracts the augmented endothelium-dependent contractions in the former.