Elevated pressure selectively blunts flow-evoked vasodilatation in rat mesenteric small arteries

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study investigated mechanisms underlying impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation elicited by elevating the intraluminal pressure in rat mesenteric small arteries. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Arterial segments (internal diameter 316+/-2 microm, n=86) were mounted in a pressure myograph. The effect of elevating pressure from 50 to 120 mmHg for 1 h before resetting it to 50 mmHg was studied on endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. KEY RESULTS: In arteries constricted with U46619 in the presence of indomethacin, shear stress generated by flow, evoked vasodilatation that was abolished by an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, asymmetric dimethylarginine (1 mM), whereas acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation was unchanged. After elevation of intraluminal pressure for 1 h and then resetting it to 50 mmHg, vasodilatation induced by shear stress and the NO donor, S-nitrosopenicillamine was inhibited, while vasodilatation induced by a guanylyl cyclase activator, BAY 412272, and acetylcholine was unaltered. Superoxide levels sensitive to polyethylene glycol superoxide dismutase were increased in segments exposed to elevated pressure. A superoxide scavenger, tempol (300 microM), a general endothelin receptor antagonist, SB 217242 and the selective ET(A) receptor antagonist, BQ 123 preserved shear stress-evoked vasodilatation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The present study shows that transient exposure to an elevated intraluminal pressure selectively inhibits flow-evoked NO-mediated vasodilatation, probably through activation of endothelin receptors and increased formation of superoxide. In contrast, elevation of pressure did not affect the acetylcholine-evoked endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor type vasodilatation in mesenteric small arteries.     

The superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol, blunts right ventricular hypertrophy in chronic hypoxic rats

1. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a membrane-permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol, added either alone or in combination with the nitric oxide (NO) donor molsidomine, prevents the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in chronic hypoxic rats. 2. Chronic hypobaric hypoxia (10% oxygen) for 2 weeks increased the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricle and lung wet weight. Relaxations evoked by acetylcholine (ACh) and the molsidomine metabolite SIN-1 were impaired in isolated proximal, but not distal pulmonary arteries, from chronic hypoxic rats. 3. Treatment with tempol (86 mg x kg(-1) day(-1) in drinking water) normalized RVSP and reduced right ventricular hypertrophy, while systemic blood pressure, lung and liver weights, and blunted ACh relaxation of pulmonary arteries were unchanged. 4. Treatment with molsidomine (15 mg x kg(-1) day(-1) in drinking water) had the same effects as tempol, except that liver weight was reduced, and potassium and U46619-evoked vasoconstrictions in pulmonary arteries were increased. Combining tempol and molsidomine did not have additional effects compared to tempol alone. ACh relaxation in pulmonary arteries was not normalized by these treatments. 5. The media to lumen diameter ratio of the pulmonary arteries was greater for the hypoxic rats compared to the normoxic rats, and was not reversed by treatment with tempol, molsidomine, or the combination of tempol and molsidomine. 6. We conclude that tempol, like molsidomine, is able to correct RVSP and reduce right ventricular weight in the rat hypoxic model. Functional and structural properties of pulmonary small arteries were little affected. The results support the possibility that superoxide dismutase mimetics may be a useful means for the treatment of PH.     

Effects of fluvastatin on endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor- and nitric oxide-mediated relaxations in arteries of hypertensive rats

Endothelial cells release endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), as well as nitric oxide (NO). It has recently been suggested that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) improve NO-mediated endothelial function, partially independently of their cholesterol-lowering effects. It is, however, unclear whether statins improve EDHF-mediated responses. Eight-month-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were treated with fluvastatin (10 mg/kg per day) for 1 month. Age-matched, normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats served as controls. Both EDHF- and NO-mediated relaxations were impaired in SHRSP compared with WKY rats. Fluvastatin treatment did not affect blood pressure and serum total cholesterol. The acetylcholine (ACh)-induced, EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization in mesenteric arteries did not significantly differ between fluvastatin-treated SHRSP and untreated SHRSP and the responses in both groups were significantly smaller compared with those of WKY rats. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated relaxations, as assessed by the relaxation to ACh in mesenteric arteries contracted with noradrenaline in the presence of N(G)-nitro-l-arginine and indomethacin, were virtually absent and similar in both SHRSP groups. In contrast, NO-mediated relaxation, as assessed by the relaxation in response to ACh in rings contracted with 77 mmol/L KCl, was improved in fluvastatin-treated SHRSP compared with untreated SHRSP (maximum relaxation in control and fluvastatin groups 42.0 +/- 5.2 and 61.2 +/- 3.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). Hyperpolarization and relaxation in response to levcromakalim, an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel opener, were similar between the two SHRSP groups. These findings suggest that fluvastatin improves NO-mediated relaxation, but not EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization and relaxation, in SHRSP. Thus, the beneficial effects of the statin on endothelial function may be mainly ascribed to an improvement in the NO pathway, but not EDHF.     

Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores enhances flow-induced vascular dilatation in rat small mesenteric artery

The effect of depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores on flow-induced vascular dilatation and the mechanism responsible for the vasodilatation were examined in rat isolated small mesenteric arteries. The arteries were pressurized to 50 mmHg and preconstricted with phenylephrine. Intraluminal flow reversed the effect of phenylephrine, resulting in vasodilatation. Flow dilatation consisted of an initial transient peak followed by a sustained plateau phase. The magnitude of dilatation was markedly reduced by removing Ca2+ from the intraluminal flow medium.Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores with either cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 2 microM) or 1,4-dihydroxy-2,5-di-tert-butylbenzene (BHQ, 10 microM) significantly augmented the magnitude of flow dilatation. Flow-induced endothelial cell Ca2+ influx was also markedly enhanced in arteries pretreated with CPA or BHQ.Flow-induced dilatation was insensitive to Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 microM) plus indomethacin (3 microM) or to oxyhemoglobin (3 microM), but was markedly reduced by 30 mM extracellular K+ or 2 mM tetrabutylammonium (TBA), suggesting an involvement of EDHF. Catalase at 1200 U ml-1 abolished the flow-induced dilatation, while the application of exogenous H2O2 (90-220 microM) induced relaxation in phenylephrine-preconstricted arteries. Relaxation to exogenous H2O2 was blocked in the presence of 30 mM extracellular K+, and H2O2 (90 microM) hyperpolarized the smooth muscle cells, indicating that H2O2 can act as an EDHF. In conclusion, flow-induced dilatation in rat mesenteric arteries can be markedly enhanced by prior depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Furthermore, these data are consistent with a role for H2O2 as the vasodilator involved.     

COMPARISON OF VASOPRESSOR EFFECTS OF NITRO ARGININE IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS AND WISTAR-KYOTO RATS

1. NG-nitro-L-arginine (NO2Arg) is a guanidine nitro arginine derivative and an inhibitor of endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. Significant rise of the systolic blood pressure was observed after 1 week administration of NO2Arg in food (0.023% in weight, about 2.8 mg of NO2Arg/rat per day) in female rats of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The rises were not different between SHRSP (21 mmHg) and WKY (23 mmHg). 2. In ring preparations of the thoracic aorta of NO2Arg-administered rats of both strains, relaxation by acetylcholine decreased markedly compared with those of the control rats (to 43-44%). On the contrary, glyceryltrinitrate-induced relaxation was slightly but significantly increased in the aorta of WKY after NO2Arg administration and the same tendency was observed in SHRSP. 3. The rise of blood pressure and the decrease of acetylcholine-induced relaxation suggested that NO2Arg inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxation not only in WKY but also in SHRSP. The relaxation of the thoracic aorta preparation of SHRSP by acetylcholine was much less (ca 38%) than that of WKY; however, that of SHRSP by glyceryltrinitrate was slightly less (ca 74%), indicating that endothelium-dependent relaxation declined in vascular preparation of SHRSP. 4. The present results suggest that endothelium-dependent relaxation has some contribution on blood pressure regulation in the hypertensive state, although a decline of endothelium-dependent relaxation is evident in vascular preparation of SHRSP compared with WKY.     

Endothelium-dependent relaxation in isolated renal arteries of diabetic rabbits

1 In this study, we have investigated the vasodilator response to acetylcholine under diabetes conditions in isolated renal arteries of rabbits. We have also examined the contribution of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) to the endothelium-dependent relaxation caused by acetylcholine in the renal arteries of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. 2 Acetylcholine (10(-10) - 10(-4) M) produced cumulative concentration-response curve in the renal arteries of both control and diabetic rabbits. The EC50 values and maximal responses to acetylcholine were not significantly different relative to diabetic conditions. In order to isolate the EDHF component of acetylcholine-induced vasodilator response, L-nitro-methyl arginine ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M) and indomethacin (10(-6) M) were added to the Krebs' solution throughout the experiment. Under these conditions, acetylcholine induced vasodilatation in the isolated renal arteries from both control and diabetic rabbits. The vasodilator response to acetylcholine was not affected under diabetic conditions. 3 Sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxation was increased in the diabetic rabbits compared with the control animals. 4 Tetrabutyl ammonium (TBA, 0.5 mM) produced a significant reduction in acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation in both preparations from control and diabetic animals, consistent with involvement of K+ channels in mediating this response. Glibenclamide (1 microM) attenuated acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation in preparations from control animals only, while iberiotoxin (0.05 microM) significantly reduced the vasodilator response to acetylcholine in preparations from both control and diabetic animals. 5 The role of EDNO in mediating acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation was examined. The vascular preparations were incubated with 20 mM K(+)-Krebs' solution to inhibit the EDHF contribution to acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation. Under this condition, acetylcholine induced a vasodilator response in both preparations from control and diabetic rats. Pretreatment with L-NAME (10(-4) M) attenuated acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation in both preparations, indicating an nitric oxide-mediated vasodilator response. 6 Our results indicated that acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation in the isolated renal arteries of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits was not affected under diabetic conditions. Acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation is mediated by two vasodilator components; namely, EDHF and EDNO. The contribution of EDHF and EDNO to acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation was not affected under diabetic conditions and there was no indication of endothelial dysfunction associated with diabetes. EDHF component was found to act mainly through high conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels under normal and diabetic conditions, while the adenosine triphosphate-dependent K+ channels were involved in mediating acetylcholine vasodilator response in the control preparations only.     

Pranidipine, a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that enhances nitric oxide-induced vascular relaxation

Pranidipine, a long acting 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, prolongs nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation of rat aorta; it prolongs acetylcholine-induced relaxation in presence of endothelium as well as nitroglycerin-induced relaxation in absence of endothelium. In rat aorta the effect of pranidipine on NO-mediated relaxation is cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-independent, but in guinea pig carotid artery the same effect of pranidipine is cGMP-dependent. It has been reported that in co-cultured human endothelial and smooth muscle cells pranidipine, at a higher concentration (10(-6) M), enhances vasorelaxant effect of NO by blocking NO decomposition. The enhancement of NO action by pranidipine differs from the direct NO-releasing action of other 1,4-dihydropyridines. It is expected that enhancement of NO-induced vasodilatation will lead to a venodilator action in vivo and less peripheral edema. The target organ protective effects of pranidipine are also reviewed in this article.     

Distinct endothelial pathways underlie sexual dimorphism in vascular auto-regulation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pre-menopausal females have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease compared with age-matched males, implying differences in the mechanisms and pathways regulating vasoactivity. In small arteries, myogenic tone (constriction in response to raised intraluminal pressure) is a major determinant of vascular resistance. Endothelium-derived dilators, particularly NO, tonically moderate myogenic tone and, because the endothelium is an important target for female sex hormones, we investigated whether NO-mediated moderation of myogenic tone differed between the sexes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Pressure-diameter or relaxation concentration-response curves to the NO donor spermine-NO or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulation (BAY41-2272) were constructed before and following drug intervention in murine mesenteric resistance arteries. Hypotensive responses to activators of the NO-sGC pathway were determined. Quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used for expression analysis. KEY RESULTS NO synthase inhibition enhanced myogenic tone of arteries of both sexes while block of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) enhanced responses in arteries of females only. Spermine-NO concentration-dependently relaxed mesenteric arteries isolated from either sex. However, while inhibition of sGC activity attenuated responses of arteries from male mice only, endothelial denudation attenuated responses of arteries from females only. BAY41-2272 and spermine-NO-induced vasodilatation and hypotension were greater in males than in females. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS NO moderated myogenic tone in arteries of male mice by a sGC-dependent pathway while EDHF was the predominant endothelial regulator in arteries of females. This is a potentially important sexual dimorphism in NO-mediated reactivity and further implicates EDHF as the predominant endothelial vasodilator in female resistance arteries.     

Persistence of EDHF pathway and impairment of the nitric oxide pathway after chronic mercury chloride exposure in rats: mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction

Chronic mercury exposure impairs vascular function, leading to the depression of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Loss of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway has been implicated, but little is known about effects on other endothelial mediators. This study investigated the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in rats subjected to chronic mercury chloride exposure. The endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat aorta evoked by acetylcholine (ACh) and isoproterenol was impaired in a dose-dependent manner by chronic mercury chloride exposure. Endothelium-independent responses to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were not affected by chronic mercury chloride exposure. In healthy vessels, ACh-induced relaxation was inhibited by L-N-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10(-4) M) and partially by glybenclamide (10(-5) M), indicating the involvement of NO and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). In vessels from mercury-exposed rats, responses to ACh were insensitive to L-NAME but were significantly reduced by glybenclamide, indicating selective loss of NO-mediated relaxation. In vessels from mercury-exposed rats, responses to ACh were partially restored after treatment with the antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, this effect was not seen when aorta from exposed group was incubated with L-NAME along with SOD and catalase indicating selective loss of NO-mediated vasodilatation and with no affect the EDHF-mediated component of relaxation. The results imply that chronic mercury exposure selectively impairs the NO pathway as a consequence of oxidative stress, while EDHF is able to maintain endothelium-dependent relaxation at a reduced level.     

Responses of sheep and kitten isolated coronary arteries to some vasoactive agents

In the present study, the effects of a range of vasoactive agents were assessed in sheep isolated coronary artery strips and in kitten isolated perfused coronary arteries. Both preparations contained muscarinic cholinoceptors. However, these receptors mediated contraction of sheep coronaries while dilatation was seen in the kitten. In sheep arteries, 5-hydroxytryptamine caused increases in resting tone and relaxation of acetylcholine-induced tone, while vasoconstriction was the predominant response in the kitten. Angiotensin increased tone in both preparations, although tachyphylaxis was evident. Conversely, adenosine and ATP caused reductions in tone in both preparations. Alpha-adrenoceptor agonists caused vasodilatation in kitten coronaries and decreased acetylcholine-induced tone in sheep arteries. However, weak contractions were observed in sheep coronaries in the absence of induced tone. Results also indicate that sympatomimetic amines mediate relaxation of sheep coronary arteries via beta 1-adrenoceptors. Sheep coronaries are readily and inexpensively obtained and provide a useful tool for the further study of coronary vascular smooth muscle.     

Secondary hyperalgesia in the rat first degree burn model is independent of spinal cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase

The present study investigated the mechanisms of vasodilatation of the human pancreatic polypeptide [cPP(1-7), NPY(19-23),Ala(31),Aib(32),Gln(34)]hPP (hPP) in mesenteric small arteries from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The arteries were isolated and mounted in microvascular myographs for isometric tension recording. In vasopressin-contracted preparations with endothelium from WKY rats, hPP evoked concentration-dependent relaxations with maximal responses of 50+/-2% (n=5). hPP relaxation was reduced by endothelial cell removal and abolished in the presence of a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME). hPP relaxation was blunted in segments with endothelium, and absent in segments without endothelium from SHR. The combined neuropeptide Y(1)- and Y(4)-receptor antagonist, GR23118 (Ile-Glu-Pro-Dpr-Tyr-Arg-Leu-Arg-Tyr-CONH(2)), and the neuropeptide Y(1) receptor antagonist, BIBP3226 ((R) -N2-(diphenylacetyl)-N-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)-methyl]-arginineamide), inhibited hPP-induced vasodilatation. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) relaxation was reduced in arteries from SHR compared to WKY. The CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP (8-37), antagonized vasodilatation induced by CGRP and rightward shifted concentration-response curves for hPP in arteries from WKY rats. There were no differences in nerves immunoreactive for CGRP in arteries from SHR compared to WKY rats. In contrast to neuropeptide Y which evokes contraction by activation of neuropeptide Y(1) and Y(2) receptors, the present results suggest hPP evokes relaxation of mesenteric small arteries by activation of prejunctional neuropeptide Y(1)-like receptors localized in CGRP-containing nerves followed by release of CGRP and of endothelium-derived NO. hPP relaxation is blunted in arteries from SHR probably as a consequence of endothelial cell dysfunction leading to reduced efficacy of CGRP.     

Effect of ethanolic extract of Physalis minima on lowering blood pressure in DOCA-salts hypertensive rat models

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of ethanolic extract of Physalis minima on lowering blood pressure in the DOCA-salts hypertensive rats.METHODS To produce hypertension,male rats were induced DOCA at dose of 10mg·kg-1 ip.twice weekly and 0.9% NaCl in drinking water ad libitum for six weeks.The ethanolic extract of Physalis minima were given at dose of 500,1500 and 2500mg·kg-1,respectively for 4weeks.After completion of treatment schedule,systolic blood pressure was evaluated using animal blood pressure analyzer.The serum nitric oxide levels was measured using the ELISA methods.SOD activity and MDA level were determined spectrophotometrically.Endothelial dysfunction was determined by acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation studies on isolated rat aortas.RESULTS The extract decreased systolic blood pressure significantly(P<0.001)in hypertensive rats.In addition,the extract also suppressed the production of MDA and restored SOD activity to normal level.There was a reduced relaxation response to acetylcholine in isolated aortic rings and serum NO level from hypertensive rats that were reversed by extract.CONCLUSION Physalis minima can lower blood pressure in hypertensive rats and its mechanism may be through the improvement of endothelial function due to the decrease of stress oxidative.     

Blunted non-nitric oxide vasodilatory neurotransmission in penile arteries from renal hypertensive rats

The present study was designed to explore whether there are any effects on neurogenic responses in penile small arteries during the development of hypertension in a one-kidney, one-clip (1K1C) model, a non-renin-dependent model of renovascular hypertension. Five weeks after surgery, male Sprague-Dawley rats were given vehicle, bendroflumethiazide (7.5 mg/kg/day), or L-arginine (2 g/kg/day) in their drinking water for five weeks. Experiments were performed on penile small artery rings (150-200 microm) mounted on microvascular myographs for electrical field stimulation (EFS), and erectile tissue was processed for immunohistochemistry. Maximal neurogenic contractions were unmodified in penile preparations. Relaxations induced by EFS were reduced in the presence of ADMA. In 1K1C rats, neurogenic vasorelaxation mediated by nitric oxide (NO) was unaltered, while relaxation resistant to NO synthase inhibition was blunted. L-arginine and bendroflumethiazide lowered blood pressure in 1K1C rats, but vasodilation was still blunted in the penile arteries. Immunoreactivity for factor VIII and neuronal NO synthase was unaltered in penile arteries from 1K1C animals. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation evoked by acetylcholine was also blunted in preparations from 1K1C rats, while exogenous NO relaxation was unaffected. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of ADMA did not differ among the experimental animals. Our findings indicate that the reduced release of a non-NO vasodilatory neurotransmitter accounts for the impaired neurogenic vasodilation of the penile arteries. Although ADMA inhibits penile vasorelaxation, it is unlikely to affect erectile function in 1K1C rats.     

Role of nitric oxide during coronary endothelial dysfunction after myocardial infarction

This study aimed to investigate whether permanent ischaemia influences subacute vasodilatation responses of non-infarcted rat coronary vasculature, and to characterise these coronary changes. Ischaemia led to a significant impairment of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator response, while coronary vasodilatory capacity remained unaltered. In normal coronary circulation, nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids contributed to vasodilatation, while basal involvement of endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor was limited. Vasodilatory impairment following myocardial infarction did not originate from alterations in the prostanoid pathway, and only a slightly increased influence of K+ channels was observed. However, NO-mediated vasodilatation was significantly increased after ischaemia, as also confirmed by higher mRNA and protein levels of iNOS and eNOS. Additionally, the amount of superoxide was enhanced following infarction. We conclude that subacute postinfarction remodeling is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction in non-infarcted coronary arteries. Although the NO-mediated response is increased after ischaemia, its final action is restricted due to the presence of superoxide.     

Effects of sesamin on aortic oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats

In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between the antihypertensive effect of sesamin, a lignan from sesame oil, and its antioxidative activity in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. After a 5-week treatment period, systolic blood pressure was significantly elevated in normal diet-fed DOCA-salt animals compared with cases in sham-operated animals. Sesamin feeding, tempol (a superoxide dismutase mimetic) treatment or antihypertensive drugs combination (triple therapy; reserpine, hydralazine, hydrochlorothiazide) significantly suppressed the development of DOCA-salt-induced hypertension. Compared with sham-operated rats, the normal diet-fed DOCA-salt rats revealed marked increases in aortic superoxide (O(2)(-)) production. These increases in O(2)(-) production were significantly suppressed by sesamin feeding or tempol treatment, but not by triple therapy. Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was markedly decreased in normal diet-fed DOCA-salt rats, compared with cases in sham-operated rats. Sesamin feeding and triple therapy significantly improved the DOCA-salt-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation. However, tempol treatment had no effect on the impaired vasodilator responses induced by DOCA-salt treatment. In DOCA-salt rats with or without sesamin feeding, systolic blood pressure significantly correlated with both aortic O(2)(-) production and endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. These findings suggest that sesamin feeding inhibits the enhancement of aortic O(2)(-) production in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, and this effect may contribute to the antihypertensive effect of sesamin. Sesamin feeding-induced improvement of endothelial dysfunction seems to result from the above antioxidative and antihypertensive effects.     

Panax notoginseng and its components decreased hypertension via stimulation of endothelial-dependent vessel dilatation

Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 are major components of Panax notoginseng (P.N.), an herb with known clinical efficacy in hypertension and myocardial ischemia in Eastern countries. This investigation is to elicit the mechanism of these components in hypertension via their effect on vascular reaction. To assess the ability of P.N. in hypertension, P.N. extracts were injected in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) via the vena caudalis; Low dosages of P.N. extracts significantly lowered blood pressure in SHR. Examination with Rb1 and Rg1 revealed significant vasodilatation using mouse coronary arteries in a dose-dependent manner. Rb1- and Rg1-induced vasodilatation was blocked by pre-incubation with eNOS and PI3K inhibitors. Coronaries of eNOS-/- mice showed attenuated vasodilatation with Rb1 and Rg1. In addition, both Rb1 and Rg1 induce nitric oxide (NO) generation through increasing the phosphorylation of eNOS, activating Na+-independent l-arginine transport, and stimulating cationic amino acid transport (CAT)-1 mRNA expression in cultured endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 increased endothelial-dependent vessel dilatation through the activation of NO by modulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway and l-arginine transport in endothelial cells. These findings may have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of clinical efficacy of the herb P.N. when used in the regulation of blood pressure.     

Novel approaches to improving endothelium-dependent nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatation

Endothelial dysfunction, which is defined by decreased endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, is associated with an increased number of cardiovascular events. Nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is reduced by altered endothelial signal transduction or increased formation of radical oxygen species reacting with NO. Endothelial dysfunction is therapeutically reversible and physical exercise, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor antagonists improve flow-evoked endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with hypertension and diabetes. We have investigated three different approaches, with the aim of correcting endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease. Thus, (1) we evaluated the effect of a cell permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol, on endothelial dysfunction in small arteries exposed to high pressure, (2) investigated the endothelial signal transduction pathways involved in vasorelaxation and NO release induced by an olive oil component, oleanolic acid, and (3) investigated the role of calcium-activated K channels in the release of NO induced by receptor activation. Tempol increases endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in arteries from hypertensive animals most likely through the lowering of radical oxygen species, but other mechanisms also appear to contribute to the effect. While oleanolic acid leads to the release of NO by calciumindependent phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase, endothelial calcium-activated K channels and an influx of calcium play an important role in G-protein coupled receptor-evoked release of NO. Thus, all three approaches increase bioavailability of NO in the vascular wall, but it remains to be addressed whether these actions have any direct benefit at a clinical level.     

Vascular bed heterogeneity in age-related endothelial dysfunction with respect to NO and eicosanoids

1. Endothelial dysfunction has been described with ageing but the mechanisms responsible have not been clearly elucidated and might be different from one vessel to the other. This study assesses the relative contribution of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) metabolites in relaxation to acetylcholine with ageing in the aorta and the small mesenteric artery of the rat. 2. In the aorta and branch II or III of superior mesenteric artery (SMA), endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was not different between 12 - 14 (adult) and 32-week-old rats whereas it was reduced at 70 - 100 (old) weeks of age. 3. Despite an increased endothelial NO-synthase protein expression, the NO-synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-sensitive component of relaxation decreased with ageing. 4. In old rats, exposure to the COX inhibitor, indomethacin, but not the selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, potentiated response to acetylcholine. The thromboxane A(2)/prostaglandin H(2) receptor antagonist, GR 32191B enhanced relaxation to acetylcholine in aorta but it had no effect in SMA. Furthermore, acetylcholine increased thromboxane B(2) production (enzymeimmunoassay) in aorta but not in SMA. Finally, Western blot analysis showed enhanced expression of COX-1 and 2 in the two arteries with ageing. 5. These results suggest that the decrease in acetylcholine-induced relaxation with ageing involves reduced NO-mediated dilatation and increased generation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids most likely from COX-1. They also point out vascular bed heterogeneity related to the nature of prostanoids involved between the aorta (i.e., thromboxane A(2)) and the SMA (unidentified) arteries even though increased expression of COX occurs in both vessels.     

Stress susceptibility as a determinant of endothelium-dependent vascular reactivity in rat mesenteric arteries

In order to investigate the consequences of stress susceptibility on vascular function, the authors assessed the respective contributions of nitric oxide (NO), prostanoids, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor to the vascular tone in rats with a constitutionally determined high and low susceptibility to behavioral stressors. In mesenteric resistance arteries mounted in a small vessel myograph and precontracted with l-phenylephrine hydrochloride (phenylephrine), the NO-synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-l-arginine (l-NOARG, 100 microM) elicited a smaller increase of vascular tone in apomorphine-susceptible (APO-SUS) rats (P < 0.01). Addition of indomethacin (10 microM), in the presence of l-NOARG, resulted in a smaller decrease of vascular tone in APO-SUS rats (P < 0.01). Although acetylcholine-induced relaxation in phenylephrine-precontracted arteries was not different (P > 0.1), the individual components contributing to this relaxation were. In arteries precontracted with 125 mM K+, and incubated with indomethacin, acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not significantly different (pEC(50) and E(max): P > 0.1). Sensitivity (pEC(50): P < 0.05) and maximum relaxation (E(max): P < 0.001) to sodium nitroprusside, in the presence of 125 mM K+, was more pronounced in APO-SUS rats. In phenylephrine-precontracted arteries, in the presence of l-NOARG and indomethacin, maximum relaxation to ACh was reduced in APO-SUS rats (E(max): P < 0.05). This study showed that in rats with a high susceptibility to stressors, the contribution of NO to vascular tone was decreased as was the ratio of vasoconstrictor and vasodilator cyclooxygenase products in alpha-adrenergic precontracted arteries. End-organ sensitivity to NO was greater in APO-SUS rats, possibly due to up-regulation. Moreover, the contribution of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor to acetylcholine-induced vasodilation was reduced in APO-SUS rat arteries.     

Time-dependent reduction of acetylcholine-induced relaxation in aortic rings of cholestatic rats

Changes in vascular responsiveness are the basis for some of the cardiovascular complications in cholestasis. Since the duration of cholestasis is important in determining the degree of the complications, we investigated the time-course dependent evolution of vascular relaxation responsiveness in the aortic rings of cholestatic rats. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was investigated in the isolated aortic rings of unoperated, sham-operated and two-, five-, seven- and fourteen-day bile-duct ligated rats. There was a significant reduction in acetylcholine-induced relaxation of the aortic rings by the second day after the bile-duct ligation operation, compared to those of unoperated and sham-operated groups, but more reduction still occurs in 5- and 7-day bile-duct ligated groups, reaching a plateau by the seventh day. The relaxation response to sodium nitroprusside in the aortic rings of the unoperated and the 7-day bile-duct ligated rats did not differ, implying the intact smooth muscle component of the relaxation pathway. L-NAME ( N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, attenuated the acetylcholine-induced relaxation in both groups (unoperated and bile-duct ligated), while L-arginine prevents this inhibitory effect. Indomethacin potentiated the acetylcholine-induced relaxation in the aortic rings of the bile-duct ligated rats while it has no effect on unoperated controls, providing evidence for the possible role of vasoconstrictor prostanoids in cholestasis-induced reduction in acetylcholine-induced relaxation. These results state that the reduced acetylcholine-induced relaxation in the cholestatic aortic rings during the first week, when no portal hypertension was reported to be present, may be due to the decreased acetylcholine-induced NO release from endothelium or increased NO inactivation.