Prostacyclin aerosol and inhaled nitric oxide fail to reverse pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by thromboxane analogue in dogs

Inhalation of either prostacyclin (PGI₂) as an aerosol or nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to elicit selective pulmonary vasodilation during hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in dogs. Hypoxia may produce cardiovascular changes confounding interpretation of drug effects. Therefore, we investigated the effects of PGI₂-aerosol and inhaled NO (50 p.p.m.) on pulmonary pressure-flow relationships (P/Q_ plots) during thromboxane analogue (U46619) induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. In eight anaesthetized dogs infusion of U46619 (0.33 ± 0.18 μg kg_¹ min^-1) increased the slope (3.5 ± 1.1 to 8.4 ± 1.7 mmHg L^-1 min^-1, P < 0.001) and the intercept (4.4±2.3 to 10.2 ± 4.6 mmHg, P < 0.01) of P/Q plots indicating pulmonary vasoconstriction. Inhalation of both aerosolized PGI₂ solution (10μgmL^-1) and NO (50 p.p.m.) reduced neither the slope nor the intercept of the P/Q_ plots. Increasing the concentration of the aerosolized PGI₂ solution to 50 μg mL^-1: (n= 3) did not enhance the effect on pulmonary circulation but systemic vascular resistance fell by 23%. Oxygenation and intrapulmonary shunt remained unchanged during both PGI₂-aerosol and inhaled NO. The failure of PGI₂-aerosol to induce pulmonary vasodilation indicates that during aerosolization PGI₂-concentrations at receptor sites on pulmonary vessels were insufficient to surmount U46619 induced vasoconstriction; this notion is supported by unchanged arterial plasma concentrations of the PGI₂ degradation product 6-keto-PGF_lα. Considering that NO inhaled at comparable concentrations in sheep reversed U46619 induced pulmonary vasoconstriction, species differences may account for the failure of both PGI₂-aerosol and NO to dilate pulmonary vessels in dogs.     

Effects of alpha2-adrenoceptor blockade and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the cardiovascular system in the rabbit

The effects of two different doses of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on regional blood flows were studied in urethane-anaesthetized rabbits pretreated with the α₂ adrenergic antagonists yohimbine and idazoxan. The effects of yohimbine were also studied using unanaesthetized rabbits. Blood flow measurements were performed using the tracer microsphere method. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone was injected i. v. at a dose of either 0.1 mg kg^-1 or 2.0 mg kg^-1. Yohimbine and idazoxan did not modify the effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on mean arterial blood pressure. In the anaesthetized animals, blockade of the α₂ adrenoceptors resulted in a vasoconstriction in several peripheral organs and the vasoconstriction increased after thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration. Pretreatment with yohimbine reduced total cerebral blood flow moderately and in such animals thyrotropin-releasing hormone elicited only minor cerebral blood flow effects. Pretreatment with idazoxan did not reduce the total cerebral blood flow and in such animals it increased from 53± 1 to 75±4 g min^-1 100 g^-1 (P < 0.01) after the administration of the lower dose of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and from 64±5 to 112±17 g min^-1 100 g^-1 (P < 0.01) after the higher dose. In the conscious animals, yohimbine caused an increase in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Vascular resistance increased in several organs. The cerebral blood flow decreased in white matter (P <0.05) and the caudate nucleus (P < 0.05). The results indicate that there is a yohimbine-sensitive mechanism involved in the cerebrovasodilating effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in anaesthetized rabbits. There is also an activation of the sympathetic nervous system by thyrotropin-releasing hormone which results in increased vascular resistance and mean arterial blood pressure. Its effect on the vascular resistance may be enhanced by α₂ adrenoceptor blockade. In conscious animals, there seems to be a yohimbine-sensitive mechanism involved in the control of cerebral blood flow.     

The principal pathways involved in the in vivo modulation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction,pulmonary arterial remodelling and pulmonary hypertension

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) serves to optimize ventilation–perfusion matching in focal hypoxia and thereby enhances pulmonary gas exchange. During global hypoxia, however, HPV induces general pulmonary vasoconstriction, which may lead to pulmonary hypertension (PH), impaired exercise capacity, right‐heart failure and pulmonary oedema at high altitude. In chronic hypoxia, generalized HPV together with hypoxic pulmonary arterial remodelling, contribute to the development of PH. The present article reviews the principal pathways in the in vivo modulation of HPV, hypoxic pulmonary arterial remodelling and PH with primary focus on the endothelin‐1, nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase and adenine nucleotide pathways. In summary, endothelin‐1 and thromboxane A₂ may enhance, whereas nitric oxide and prostacyclin may moderate, HPV as well as hypoxic pulmonary arterial remodelling and PH. The production of prostacyclin seems to be coupled primarily to cyclooxygenase‐1 in acute hypoxia, but to cyclooxygenase‐2 in chronic hypoxia. The potential role of adenine nucleotides in modulating HPV is unclear, but warrants further study. Additional modulators of the pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia may include angiotensin II, histamine, serotonin/5‐hydroxytryptamine, leukotrienes and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. Drugs targeting these pathways may reduce acute and/or chronic hypoxic PH. Endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors may additionally improve exercise capacity in hypoxia. Importantly, the modulation of the pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia varies between species and individuals, with hypoxic duration and age. The review also define how drugs targeting the endothelin‐1, nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase and adenine nucleotide pathways may improve pulmonary haemodynamics, but also impair pulmonary gas exchange by interference with HPV in chronic lung diseases.     

Long-lasting coronary vasoconstrictor effects and myocardial uptake of endothelin-1 in humans

The effect of intravenous administration of the endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1 0.2, 1 and 8 pmol kg^?1 min^?1) on coronary blood flow in relation to plasma ET-1 as well as blood lactate and glucose levels were investigated in six healthy volunteers. Coronary sinus blood flow was measured by thermodilution. Administration of ET-1 elevated arterial plasma ET 35-fold, dose-dependently increased mean arterial blood pressure from 95±5 mmHg to 110±6 mmHg (P<0.01) and reduced heart rate from 64±4 beats min^?1 to 58±4 beats min^?1 (P<0.05) at 8 pmol kg^?1 min^?1. Coronary sinus blood flow was reduced maximally by 23±4% (P<0.01) and coronary vascular resistance increased by 48±11% (P<0.01). Coronary sinus oxygen saturation decreased from 35±1% to 22±2% at 2 min after the infusion (P<0.01). A coronary constrictor response was observed at a 4-fold elevation in plasma ET. The reduction in coronary sinus blood flow lasted 20 min and coronary sinus oxygen saturation was still reduced 60 min after the infusion. Myocardial oxygen uptake or arterial oxygen saturation were not affected by ET-1. Myocardial lactate net uptake decreased by 40% whereas glucose uptake was unaffected. At the highest infusion rate there was a net removal of plasma ET by 24±3% over the myocardium (P<0.05). The results show that ET-1 induces long-lasting reduction in coronary sinus blood flow via a direct coronary vasoconstrictor effect in healthy humans observable at a 4-fold elevation in plasma ET-1. Furthermore, there is a net removal of circulating ET-1 by the myocardium.     

Dual endothelin receptor blockade with tezosentan markedly attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in a porcine model

Aim: Our aim was to test the hypothesis that dual endothelin receptor blockade with tezosentan attenuates hypoxia‐induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. Methods: Fourteen anaesthetized, ventilated pigs, with a mean ± SEM weight of 30.5 ± 0.6 kg, were studied, in normoxia (FiO₂ 0.21) and with tezosentan (5 mg kg^?1) infusion during (n = 7) or before (n = 7) hypoxia (FiO₂ 0.10). Results: Compared to normoxia, hypoxia increased (P < 0.05) pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) by 3.4 ± 0.7 WU, mean pulmonary artery pressure by 13.7 ± 1.3 mmHg, mean right atrial pressure by 1.9 ± 0.4 mmHg and decreased (P < 0.02) systemic vascular resistance (SVR) by 5.2 ± 2.1 WU. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), mean aortic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume and blood‐O₂‐consumption were unaltered (P = ns). Tezosentan infused during hypoxia, normalized PVR, decreased (P < 0.05) maximally mean pulmonary artery pressure by 7.5 ± 0.8 mmHg, SVR by 5.8 ± 0.7 WU, mean aortic blood pressure by 10.8 ± 3.0 mmHg and increased (P < 0.04) stroke volume by 8.5 ± 1.8 mL. Mean right atrial pressure, PCWP, heart rate, cardiac output and blood‐O₂‐consumption were unaltered (P = ns). Tezosentan infused before hypoxia additionally attenuated approx. 70% of the initial mean pulmonary artery pressure increase and abolished the PVR increase, without additionally affecting the other parameters. Conclusion: Dual endothelin receptor blockade during hypoxia attenuates the ‘sustained’ acute pulmonary vasoconstrictor response by reducing the mean pulmonary artery pressure increase by approx. 62% and by normalizing PVR. Pre‐treatment with tezosentan before hypoxia, additionally attenuates the initial hypoxia‐induced mean pulmonary artery pressure rise by approx. 70% and abolishes the PVR increase, during stable circulatory conditions, without affecting oxygenation.     

Site of action of endogenous nitric oxide on pulmonary vasculature in rats

The effect of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) on the pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction was studied in isolated and blood perfused rat lungs. By applying the occlusion technique we partitioned the total pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) into four segments: (1) large arteries (R _a), (2) small arteries (R _a′), (3) small veins (R _v′), and (4) large veins (R _v). The resistances were evaluated under baseline (BL) conditions and during; hypoxic vasoconstriction and acetylcholine (Ach) which was injected during hypoxic vasoconstriction. After recovery from hypoxia and Ach, N ^ω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) was added to the reservoir and the responses to hypoxia and Ach were reevaluated. Before L-NA, hypoxia caused significant increase in the resistances of all segments (P < 0.05), with the largest being in R _a and R _a′. Ach-induced relaxation during hypoxia occurred in R _a, R _a′ and R _v′ (P < 0.05). L-NA did not change the basal tone of the pulmonary vasculature significantly. However, after L-NA, hypoxic vasoconstriction was markedly enhanced in R _a, R _a′, and R _v′ (P < 0.01) compared with the hypoxic response before L-NA. Ach-induced relaxation was abolished after L-NA. We conclude that, in rat lungs, inhibition of NO production during hypoxia enhances the response in the small arteries and veins as well as in the large arteries. The results suggest that hypoxic vasoconstriction in the large pulmonary arteries and small vessels is attenuated by NO release. Received: 22 May 1995/received after revision: 2 October 1995/Accepted: 5 March 1996     

Effect of alveolar hypoxia on segmental pulmonary vascular resistance and lung fluid balance in dogs

In a biventricular bypass preparation with constant-flow perfusion, pulmonary arterial pressure (P_pa), average pulmonary capillary pressure (P_pc), venous pressure (P_v), extravascular lung water volume (EVW_d) and capillary permeability-surface area product for urea (PS) were determined in control animals and in animals subjected to alveolar hypoxia. During hypoxia, P_pa increased in a biphasic manner, the site of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction being located in the arterial upstream segment. At baseline, P_pc values were identical in control and experimental animals (3.4 ± 0.4 vs. 3.6 ± 0.2 mmHg). During 150 min of airway hypoxia, the rise in P_pc (5.1 ± 0.3mmHg) did not exceed the rise in P_pc (4.9 ± 0.5mmHg) recorded in control animals at same time interval during normoxic ventilation. EVW_d increased during hypoxia to values significantly higher than those obtained in control animals (0.559 ± 0.036 vs. 0.466 ± 0.027 mL water g^?1 lung). PS remained unchanged at baseline level throughout experiments in both groups of animals. Present data suggest that lung oedema formation during alveolar hypoxia may be caused by increased transcapillary fluid loss preferentially through transcellular hydraulic pathways in capillary endothelial cells.     

Role of O2-sensitive K and Ca channels in the regulation of the pulmonary circulation: Potential role of caveolae and implications for high altitude pulmonary edema

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a potentially fatal complication in response to exposure to low O₂ at high altitudes. Hypoxia, by causing pulmonary vasoconstriction, increases pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure, both of which are features in the pathogenesis of HAPE. Uneven hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is thought to be responsible for increased capillary pressure and leakage, resulting in edema. O₂-sensitive ion channels are known to play pivotal roles in determining vascular tone in response to hypoxia. K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ channels are ubiquitously expressed in both endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the pulmonary microvasculature, subfamilies of which are regulated by local changes in P_O2. Hypoxia reduces activity of voltage-gated K⁺ channels and down-regulates their expression leading to membrane depolarization, Ca²⁺ influx in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (by activating voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels) and vasoconstriction. Hypoxia up-regulates transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) leading to enhanced Ca²⁺ entry through receptor- and store-operated Ca²⁺ channels. Altered enrichment of ion channels in membrane microdomains, in particular in caveolae, may play a role in excitation–contraction coupling and perhaps in O₂-sensing in the pulmonary circulation and thereby may contribute to the development of HAPE. We review the role of ion channels, in particular those outlined above, in response to low O₂ on vascular tone and pulmonary edema. Advances in the understanding of ion channels involved in the physiological response to hypoxia should lead to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of HAPE and perhaps in the identification of new therapies.     

Endothelin infusion reduces hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in pigs in vivo

Previous work has shown that the plasma levels of the potent vasoactive peptide endothelin (ET) are increased in pathophysiological conditions with increased pulmonary vascular resistance and it has been speculated that ET may play some part in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. We have therefore evaluated the effects of ET-infusion in the porcine pulmonary circulation after hypoxia-induced hypertension. Pigs under general anaesthesia were artificially ventilated through an endotracheal tube and hypoxia was induced by decreasing the fraction inhaled 0₂ from 0.21 to 0.10. Haemodynamic parameters were continuously recorded using a Swan-Ganz catheter in combination with thermodilution for cardiac output measurements. ET-1 or ET-3 was given as an i.v. infusion through the Swan-Ganz catheter in the right ventricle. Hypoxia induced a reproducible increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) and right ventricular stroke work (RVSW) while the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) slightly decreased. Cumulative infusion of ET-1 (10, 25 and 50 ng kg^-1 min^-1) dose-dependently decreased MPAP and PVR; at a higher dose (100 ng kg^-1min^-1), the PVR returned to the level observed at hypoxia. ET-infusions at 50 and 100 ng kg^-1 min^-1 evoked an increase in SVR and a decrease in cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV). RVSW also gradually decreased during ET-1 infusion. Infusion of ET-3 evoked effects similar to those of ET-1 infusions, although the response to ET-3 was not that rapid in onset. In a second series of animals, repeated 15 min periods of hypoxia evoked a stable, reproducible response with a consistent increase in PVR, MPAP and RVSW which returned to baseline values during normoxia. Infusion of ET-1 (25 ng kg^-1 min^-1) evoked a rapidly developing decrease in PVR and MPAP which was quickly normalized upon cessation of the ET-infusion. ET-1 infusion at this concentration did not per se influence the haemodynamic parameters during normoxia. It is concluded that in the pig, short-term ET-infusion reduces the pulmonary hypertension associated with acute hypoxia.     

Effects of high-altitude exposure on vascular endothelial growth factor levels in man

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen and permeability factor that is inducible by hypoxia. Its contribution to high-altitude illness in man is unknown. We measured VEGF levels in 14 mountaineers at low altitude (490 m) and 24 h after their arrival at high altitude (4,559 m). At high altitude, VEGF increased from [mean (SEM)] 32.5 (9.2) to 60.9 (18.5) pg·ml^–1 (P<0.004) in the arterial blood, and from 15.9 (2.9) to 49.3 (15.9) pg·ml^–1 (P=0.0001) in the mixed venous blood. Whereas at low altitude venous and arterial VEGF levels were not statistically different from each other (P=0.065), the VEGF concentration was significantly lower in venous than in arterial blood samples at high altitude (P=0.004). The pulmonary capillary VEGF concentration remained unchanged at high altitude [14.8 (2.5) vs 17.1 (5.4) pg·ml^–1, P=0.85]. VEGF levels in the nine mountaineers who developed symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), and in the six subjects who had radiographic evidence of high-altitude pulmonary edema were similar to those in subjects without symptoms. VEGF was not correlated with either AMS scores, mean pulmonary arterial pressures, arterial partial pressure of O₂, or alveolar-arterial O₂ gradients. We conclude that VEGF release is stimulated at high altitude, but that VEGF is probably not related to high-altitude illness. Electronic Publication     

Endogenous nitric oxide and pulmonary circulation response to hypoxia in high-altitude adapted Tibetan sheep

Nitric oxide (NO) is important for the pulmonary circulation response to acute and chronic hypoxia. We examined effects of endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on pulmonary vascular tone in response to hypoxia in Tibetan sheep dwelling at 3,000 m above sea level using a pressure chamber. Unanaesthetized male sheep living at 2,300 m above sea level (n=7) were prepared for vascular monitoring. Pulmonary artery (P_pa), pulmonary artery wedge (P_cwp) and systemic artery pressures together with cardiac output (CO) were measured, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was calculated as (P_pa–P_cwp)/CO. A non-selective NOS inhibitor, N-nitro-l-arginine (NLA; 20 mg kg^–1), and a selective NOS inhibitor, ONO-1714 (0.1 mg kg^–1), were used and measurements were made at 0 m, 2,300 m, and 4,500 m, with and without the NOS inhibitors. After NLA, P_pa increased slightly and CO decreased in animals at baseline (2,300 m). The increased PVR after NLA at 4,500 m was greater than that at 2,300 m (P<0.05). Selective NOS inhibition increased PVR at baseline, but not at 4,500 m. The enhanced pulmonary vasoconstriction after NO inhibition at basal and hypoxic conditions suggests a modulating role of NOS bioactivity in the pulmonary circulation and that augmented endothelial NOS plays a counterregulatory role in the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to acute hypoxia in high-altitude adapted Tibetan sheep.     

Contribution of endothelin to the coronary vasoconstriction in the isolated rat heart induced by nitric oxide synthase inhibition

The possible involvement of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II in the coronary vasoconstriction induced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition was investigated in isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Fifteen minutes of perfusion with the NOS inhibitor N ^G-nitro-L -arginine (L -NNA, 0.1 mM ) reduced coronary flow by 31%. Pre-treatment with the non-selective ET_A/ET_B receptor antagonist bosentan (1 and 10 μM ) attenuated this reduction in coronary flow to 16% (P < 0.05) and 8% (P < 0.01), respectively. The selective ET_A receptor antagonist BQ-123 (1 μM ) induced a similar inhibitory action, whereas the selective ET_B receptor antagonist BQ-788 and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist candesartan did not affect the vasoconstrictor response to L -NNA. In addition, bosentan administered after 15 min of L -NNA perfusion reversed the L -NNA-induced reduction in coronary flow in a dose-dependent manner. The high concentration of bosentan (10 μM ) increased the basal coronary flow by 17%, while the lower concentration of bosentan, BQ-123, BQ-788 and candesartan did not affect basal coronary flow. Bosentan (10 μM ) increased the level of ET-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in the coronary effluent twofold. L -NNA did not affect ET-LI level. These results indicate that ET-1 contributes to the coronary vasoconstrictor effect of L -NNA in the isolated rat heart, and that this action of ET-1 is mediated through ET_A receptor activation. Angiotensin II does not seem to contribute to L -NNA-induced vasoconstriction under the present condition.     

BQ123对慢性缺氧大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞电压门控钾通道活性的影响

目的：探讨内皮素-1受体（ETA）拮抗剂BQ123对慢性缺氧大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMCs) 电压门控钾通道（KV）活性的影响。方法： 将12只Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组和慢性缺氧组，每组6只。用急性酶分离法（胶原酶+木瓜酶）获得单个PASMCs，用全细胞膜片钳记录方法，观察BQ123对2组大鼠PASMCs电压门控钾电流（IKV）的影响。结果：(1)在2组大鼠，ET-1（10-8 mol·L-1）对PASMCs IKV都可产生抑制作用，+50 mV时的抑制率分别是（60.21±5.32）%和 (71.04±6.58)%。(2)对照组大鼠，单独使用BQ123对PASMCs IKV无影响（P>0.05，n=5），在此基础上使用ET-1， ET-1对IKV的抑制作用依然存在。(3)慢性缺氧组大鼠，单独使用BQ123可增加PASMCs IKV，+50mV从（98.36±12.04）pA/pF至（105.76±12.13）pA/pF，但差异无显著（P>0.05，n=6），同时使用ET-1后发现BQ123可部分抵消ET-1对IKV的抑制作用，+50 mV从（28.49±6.69） pA/pF升至（74.19±9.74）pA/pF（P<0.01，n=6）。结论：常氧时，ET-1对IKV的抑制作用不是通过ETA介导的。但在缺氧条件下，ETA拮抗剂BQ123可部分拮抗ET-1对IKV的抑制作用，说明缺氧时ETA受体介导了ET-1对IKV抑制作用。     

Influence of ethanol on systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics in anesthetized dogs

Immediate circulatory reactions to acute intragastric ethanol administration were studied by a catheterization technique in spontaneously breathing dogs. Diluted ethanol was given in a dosage of 1 g/kg in test group I (n = 11), and 2 g/kg in group II (n = 10). The control group (n = 14) received only water. The highest blood ethanol concentration was 0.90 ± 0.07 mg/ml (mean ± SE) in group I, and 1.97 ± 0.10 mg/ml in group II. Heart rate and cardiac output increased (p < 0.001), but stroke volume, mean aortic blood pressure and right atrial blood pressure remained practically unchanged. Systemic vascular resistance decreased. Mean pulmonary arterial blood pressure increased markedly in both test groups (p < 0.001) while pulmonary arterial wedge pressure did not change. The pulmonary arterial resistance increased (p xyl 0.01). Changes in respiratory rate or volume and arterial pO₂ were negligible in group I, but respiratory minute volume decreased in group II. In conclusion, ethanol in concentrations 0.5 to 2.0 mg/ml increased resistance in the pulmonary arterial tree, indicating pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction, but reduced systemic vascular resistance, thus putting a concept of peripheral vasodilation in favour.     

Acute and chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: a central role for endothelin-1?

In the pulmonary circulation, a decrease in oxygen tension results in the development of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), although the exact mechanism by which HPV occurs remains unclear. Evidence gathered from many laboratories suggests that while pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) can sense and respond to changes in oxygen tension, full expression of HPV requires modulating influences from the endothelium. In this review, we propose a model of HPV, based on recent studies from our laboratory, in which endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoactive peptide released from the endothelium, plays a central role and discuss how this model may be involved in the long-term adaptation to hypoxia.     

Role of calcium-dependent K+ channels in the regulation of arterial and venous tone by nitric oxide in pigs

Effects of inhibition of calcium-dependent potassium channels (K⁺ _Ca channels) on the regulation of arterial and venous tone by nitric oxide (NO) were studied in anaesthetized pigs following vagotomy and blockade of autonomic ganglia. Selective inhibition of K⁺ _Ca channels by charybdotoxin (CTX, 2 μg/kg iv) or iberiotoxin (IbTX, 1 μg/kg) significantly augmented mean total peripheral resistance (TPR) to levels 30–60% above control. Venous and pulmonary vascular tone were assessed by changes in effective compliances of the venous (EVC) and pulmonary (EPC) vascular beds as calculated from changes in central venous and diastolic pulmonary arterial blood pressure during haemorrhagia (−5 ml/kg) and hypervolaemia (+5 ml/kg). Blockade of K⁺ _Ca channels significantly decreased both EVC (−20 to −30%) and EPC (−30 to −50%). Both CTX and IbTX significantly diminished the vasodilation caused by the NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) both during control conditions and following experimental vasoconstriction induced by systemic inhibition of NO-synthesis by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or infusion of vasoconstrictor agonists. Dilator effects of the adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent agonist adenosine were only slightly reduced. However, blockade of K⁺ _Ca channels did not increase vasoconstriction induced by L-NAME significantly. These results suggest that activation of vascular K⁺ _Ca channels is an important mechanism by which NO attenuates the constrictor tone of resistance and capacitance vessels in vivo. + _Ca channel blockade during vasoconstriction by agonists The effects of CTX on the haemodynamic responses to infusions of AII, AVP, NA and ET-1, at doses producing similar increases in MAP of about 50 mmHg, are listed in Table 1. The increase in TPR caused by NA and ET-1 was significantly smaller after CTX, whereas the responses to AII and AVP were similar both before and after CTX. To characterize this effect of K⁺ _Ca channel blockade further, we constructed dose-response curves for AII and NA with and without pretreatment with IbTX. The results for TPR are shown in Fig. 5. The constrictor responses to the two lower doses of NA were significantly reduced by IbTX. Received: 12 February 1996 / Accepted: 31 March 1996     

Endothelin-1: increased plasma clearance, pulmonary affinity and renal vasoconstriction in young smokers.

Pulmonary and renal haemodynamics and elimination of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were studied in six young smokers in response to 20 min intravenous infusion of ET-1 (4 pmol kg(-1) min(-1)) after smoking. At 20 min of ET-1 infusion fractional ET-1 extractions in the lungs and kidneys were 60 +/- 2 and 60 +/- 7%, respectively. Cardiac output and renal blood flow (RBF) fell by 18 +/- 4% (P<0.05) and 34 +/- 5% (P<0.01). Mean systemic arterial pressure increased (P<0.05) whereas pulmonary pressures were unchanged. Compared with previously published data in non-smokers (Weitzberg et al., 1991, 1993) basal arterial ET-1 and ET-1-values during ET-1 infusion were lower with a more rapid return to basal value. Smokers had higher pulmonary extraction of ET-1 at the same pulmonary arterial concentration (P<0.05). RBF reduction was more pronounced (P<0.05). Systemic vascular resistance increased while pulmonary vascular resistance did not increase as in non-smokers. Increased plasma clearance and more efficient pulmonary elimination of ET-1 lowers the arterial level in young smokers. In addition ET-1 evokes more pronounced renal vasoconstriction in these individuals.     

Exogenous ghrelin improves blood flow distribution in pulmonary hypertension-assessed using synchrotron radiation microangiography

Ghrelin has cardioprotective properties and, recently, has been shown to improve endothelial function and reduce endothelin-1 (ET-1)-mediated vasoconstriction in peripheral vascular disease. Recently, we reported that ghrelin attenuates pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by chronic hypoxia (CH), which we hypothesized in this study may be via suppression of the ET-1 pathway. We also aimed to determine whether ghrelin’s ability to prevent alterations of the ET-1 pathway also prevented adverse changes in pulmonary blood flow distribution associated with PH. Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to CH (10% O₂ for 2 weeks) with daily subcutaneous injections of ghrelin (150 μg/kg) or saline. Utilizing synchrotron radiation microangiography, we assessed pulmonary vessel branching structure, which is indicative of blood flow distribution, and dynamic changes in vascular responsiveness to (1) ET-1 (1 nmol/kg), (2) the ET-1_A receptor antagonist, BQ-123 (1 mg/kg), and (3) ACh (3.0 μg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹). CH impaired blood flow distribution throughout the lung. However, this vessel “rarefaction” was attenuated in ghrelin-treated CH-rats. Moreover, ghrelin (1) reduced the magnitude of endothelial dysfunction, (2) prevented an increase in ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction, and (3) reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy—all adverse consequences associated with CH. These results highlight the beneficial effects of ghrelin for maintaining optimal lung perfusion in the face of a hypoxic insult. Further research is now required to establish whether ghrelin is also an effective therapy for restoring normal pulmonary hemodynamics in patients that already have established PH.     

The effect of acute hypoxia on left ventricular function during exercise

The effect of acute hypoxia on the human left ventricular function during exercise was evaluated by 2D and Doppler echocardiography on 11 healthy male college students. Each subject completed 6-min moderate intensity (100 W) supine cycling exercises in normoxia and hypoxia, respectively. The concentration of inspired O₂ was adjusted to keep arterial hemoglobin O₂ concentration (SpO₂) at 88–92% during hypoxia. Doppler indices obtained were compared between normoxia and hypoxia. The left ventricular myocardial diastolic function was increased during exercise in hypoxia compared with normoxia. The peak velocity of early filling wave increased at rest (P < 0.05) and during exercise (P < 0.05 at second minute, and P < 0.01 at sixth minute) in hypoxia. The heart rate (P < 0.01) and cardiac output (P < 0.001) were elevated markedly at rest during hypoxia. The left ventricular systolic function variables, such as stroke volume, ejection fraction, and end-systolic volume were relatively unaltered during hypoxia compared with normoxia. The results suggest that acute hypoxia increases the left ventricular myocardial diastolic function during moderate intensity supine cycling exercise without affecting the systolic function.     

BQ123对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞电压门控钾通道表达的影响

目的：探讨内皮素-1受体拮抗剂BQ123 对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞电压门控钾通道亚型基因表达的影响。 方法： 根据常氧 (PO2 152 mmHg ) 及慢性低氧（PO2 40±5 mmHg）的不同培养条件，将肺动脉平滑肌细胞分为常氧组和慢性低氧组，并用BQ123分别处理上述两组细胞，采用半定量RT-PCR技术检测大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞Kv2.1、Kv9.3基因表达的变化。 结果： 经过慢性低氧，大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞Kv2.1、Kv9.3的mRNA表达水平明显低于常氧组（P<0.01，n=5），BQ123对常氧组Kv2.1的mRNA表达无影响（P>0.05，n=5），但可明显增加慢性低氧组Kv2.1的表达（P<0.01，n=5）。无论在常氧还是慢性低氧时，BQ123对Kv9.3的mRNA表达均无影响（P>0.05，n=5）。 结论： 慢性低氧可降低大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞电压门控钾通道的表达，内皮素-1受体拮抗剂BQ123可能通过抑制PASMCs的增殖，改变了细胞内信号转导通路中某些因子的表达，从而间接促进Kv的表达。