High salt diet modulates cAMP- and nitric oxide-mediated relaxation responses to isoproterenol in the rat aorta

This study tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) production contributes to relaxation induced by 3',5'-cyclic adenylate monophosphate (cAMP)-elevating agents and that high salt diet impairs this mechanism of relaxation. Relaxation response to isoproterenol but not sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor, was reduced in the thoracic aorta from rats that were placed on a high salt diet (8% NaCl; 60+/-4%, P<0.001). 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolol [4,3,-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 microM), a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, but not N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM), an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), attenuated the relaxation to isoproterenol (59+/-16%, P<0.01). High salt diet also impaired the relaxation responses to forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, or 8-Bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP). (N-[2-((p-bromocinnamyl)aminoethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide hydrochloride (H-89) (8 microM), an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, did not affect the relaxation produced by isoproterenol. These data suggest that high salt diet impairs relaxation response to isoproterenol by a dual mechanism involving diminished NO/NOS pathway linked to cGMP pathway and diminished cAMP pathway that is independent of protein kinase A.     

Low dose of lipopolysaccharide induces a delayed enhanced nitric oxide-mediated relaxation in rat aorta.

Delayed effect on vascular reactivity of isolated aorta was studied after injection of a single low dose of lipopolysaccharide (0.5 mg/kg i.p.). The maximal vascular effect was observed 72 h after lipopolysaccharide administration with an increase in maximal endothelium-dependent relaxing response to acetylcholine and parallelly a decrease in contractile response to phenylephrine. The change in contractile response was nullified by endothelium removal as well by in vitro aortic rings incubation with N(omega)-monomethyl-L-arginine but not with indomethacin. A low dose of lipopolysaccharide induces a delayed enhanced nitric oxide-mediated vascular relaxation which could contribute to its delayed anti-ischemic properties in ischemic tolerance phenomenon.     

Effect of prolonged incubation with copper on endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat isolated aorta

1 We investigated the effects of prolonged exposure to copper (Cu(2+)) on vascular functioning of isolated rat aorta. 2 Aortic rings were exposed to CuSO(4) (3-24 h) in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium with or without 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) and then challenged with vasoconstrictors or vasodilators in the absence of Cu(2+). 3 Exposure to 2 micro M Cu(2+) in the absence of FBS did not modify the response to phenylephrine (PE) or acetylcholine (ACh) in aortic rings incubated for 24 h. Identical exposure in the presence of FBS increased the contractile response to 1 micro M PE by 30% (P<0.05) and impaired the relaxant response to 3 micro M ACh or 1 micro M A23187 (ACh, from 65.7+/-7.1 to 6.2+/-1.1%, n=8; A23187, from 74.6+/-8.2 to 12.0+/-0.8%, n=6; P<0.01 for both). Cu(2+) exposure did not affect the relaxant response to NO-donors. 4 Impairment of vasorelaxation appeared 3 h after incubation with 2 micro M Cu(2+) and required 12 h to attain a steady state. Vasorelaxation to ACh was partially restored by 1 mM tiron (intracellular scavenger of superoxide ions; maximum relaxation 34.2+/-6.4%, n=10, P<0.01 vs Cu(2+) alone), whereas catalase, superoxide dismutase or cycloheximide were ineffective. 5 Twenty-four hour-exposure to 2 micro M Cu(2+) did not affect endothelium integrity or eNOS expression, and increased the Cu content in arterial rings from 6.8+/-1.1 to 18.9+/-2.9 ng mg(-1) wet weight, n=8; P<0.01. 6 Our results show that, in the presence of FBS, prolonged exposure to submicromolar concentrations of Cu(2+) impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in aortic rings, probably through an intracellular generation of superoxide ions. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 136, 1185-1193     

Palytoxin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in the isolated rat aorta

Summary The effects of a potent marine toxin, palytoxin (PTX), were investigated on the contractile responses in the isolated rat aorta with or without endothelium. PTX in the concentrations of 10^–13–10^–11 mol/l showed little effect on the resting tension of the vessel with or without endothelium. PTX, 10^–10 mol/l, induced a small contraction in the aorta without endothelium but not in the aorta with endothelium. When added during the sustained contraction induced by 10^–7 mol/l norepinephrine, 10^–12 mol/l PTX sometimes (6 out of 43 strips) augmented the norepinephrine-induced contraction whereas 10 ^–11–10^–10 mol/l PTX induced a biphasic response which was composed of a transient augmentation followed by a relaxation. These effects of PTX were not observed in the aorta without endothelium. Influencesof atropine (10^–6 mol/l), indomethacin (2.5 × 10^–5 mol/l), methylene blue (5 × 10^–6 mol/l), hydroquinone (10^–4 mol/l), phenidone (5 × 10^–5 mol/l), hemoglobin (10^–6 mol/l) and p-bromophenacyl bromide (5 × 10^–5 mol/l) on the PTX (10^–10 mol/l) induced responses were examined. Methylene blue, hydroquinone, phenidone, hemoglobin and p-bromophenacyl bromide inhibited both the PTX-induced augmentation and relaxation of the norepinephrine-induced contraction. The endothelium-dependent relaxation due to 3 × 10^–7 mol/l carbachol was inhibited by atropine, methylene blue, hydroquinone, phenidone, hemoglobin and p-bromophenacyl bromide. These results suggest that PTX acts on the endothelium, modifies the synthesis or release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and thus changes the contractile response to norepinephrine in rat aorta. Send offprint requests to H. Nagase at the above address     

Role of endothelium/nitric oxide in atypical beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation in rat isolated aorta

The role of endothelium in the modulation of classical and atypical beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vasorelaxation was investigated in ring preparations of rat isolated thoracic aorta. Rings were pre-constricted with a sub-maximal concentration of noradrenaline (1 microM) and relaxant responses to cumulative concentrations of beta-adrenoceptor agonists obtained. Endothelium removal or pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM) or 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolol[4,3,-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 microM) significantly reduced the relaxant effects of isoprenaline, but had less effect on relaxant responses to the atypical beta-adrenoceptor agonist, (+/-)-4-(3-t-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)-benzimidazol-2-one hydrochloride (CGP 12177A). Sodium nitroprusside (3 nM) shifted the isoprenaline concentration-response curve to the left and restored the attenuated responses in the presence of L-NAME back to control levels. Sodium nitroprusside had little effect on the CGP 12177A concentration-response curve. The results show that the endothelium/nitric oxide (NO) pathway modulates beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vasorelaxation in rat aorta and that classical beta-adrenoceptors are modulated to a greater extent than atypical beta-adrenoceptors.     

The induction of nitric oxide-mediated relaxation of human isolated pulmonary arteries by PACAP

1. The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were analysed in human isolated circular segments of pulmonary arteries. Guinea-pig pulmonary arteries were used for comparison. The responses obtained were analysed in relation to the vascular endothelium and the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N^G-monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA).
2. PACAP and VIP induced concentration-dependent relaxations of precontracted pulmonary arteries. The maximal dilator response (I_max,%) and the potency (pEC₅₀ value) were the same for both peptides, and there were no differences in the effects obtained on human and guinea-pig segments. PACAP and VIP were both more potent that acetylcholine (ACh).
3. Removal of the vascular endothelium abolished the PACAP induced dilator response in pulmonary arteries from both species. The VIP induced dilatation was unaffected, whereas the response to ACh was abolished. L-NMMA given before PACAP inhibited the dilatation. Furthermore, L-NMMA also reversed the dilatation already induced by PACAP and excess concentrations of L-arginine restored the dilator response of the L-NMMA treated arteries.
4. PACAP is a potent dilator of human pulmonary arteries. Although the dilator effect seems to be similar in amplitude to the one induced by VIP, the present results suggest differences in the underlying mechanisms of action (endothelium-dependency) between the two peptides.

     

Pirarubicin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat isolated aorta.

The mechanism of relaxation produced by pirarubicin [(2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, THP] has been studied in rat isolated aorta. THP (1.5 x 10(-6)-4.5 x 10(-5) M) markedly relaxed contractions induced by noradrenaline (10(-7) M) in the aorta with endothelium, but not in that without endothelium. The relaxation induced by 1.5 x 10(-5) M THP was inhibited by methylene blue (5 x 10(-6) M), hydroquinone (10(-4) M), phenidone (5 x 10(-5) M), haemoglobin (10(-6) M) and p-bromophenacyl bromide (5 x 10(-5) M), but not by indomethacin (2.5 x 10(-5) M). The relaxation induced by THP (1.5 x 10(-7) -4.5 x 10(-5) M) was inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine (10(-5) M), but enhanced by superoxide dismutase (10 units mL-1) or by L-arginine (10(-2) M). However, the THP-induced relaxation was not inhibited by various receptor antagonists such as atropine (10(-6) M), cimetidine (10(-5) M), diphenhydramine (3 x 10(-6) M) and [D-Pro4, D-Trp7,9,10]-substance P(4-11) (1.5 x 10(-6) M). In fifteen anthracycline analogues, THP and 13-dihydropirarubicin (both with a tetrahydropyranyl group) produced endothelium-dependent relaxations. These results suggest that the THP-induced relaxation which is probably mediated by endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) was not produced by an activation of muscarine, histamine H1 or H2, or substance P receptor, and further that the tetrahydropyranyl group must play an important role in the THP-induced relaxation.     

Endogenous nitric oxide attenuates beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation in rat aorta

1. Divergent evidence suggests that the intracellular signalling pathways for beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vascular relaxation involves either cAMP/protein kinase (PK) A or endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release and subsequent activation of cGMP/PKG. The present study identifies the relative roles of NO and cAMP, as well as dependence on the endothelium for beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of rat isolated aortas. 2. Cumulative concentration-response curves to isoprenaline (0.01-3 micromol/L) in phenylephrine (0.1 micromol/L)-preconstricted endothelium-intact and -denuded aortas were constructed. Isoprenaline-mediated relaxation was partially reduced by endothelium removal and the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (0.1 mmol/L), but not by the cAMP antagonist (Rp)-cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS; 0.5 mmol/L). 3. In contrast, in endothelium-denuded aortas, the isoprenaline-mediated relaxation was inhibited by Rp-cAMPS and this inhibition was lost in the presence of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (1 nmol/L). This effect was not due to phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity because the non-selective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (1 micromol/L) failed to affect the isoprenaline vasorelaxant response. 4. The K(+) channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA; 1 mmol/L) attenuated isoprenaline-induced relaxation in endothelium-denuded aorta, but its effect was non-additive with Rp-cAMPS, suggesting that the K(+) channel component may involve cAMP. In endothelium-intact aortas, TEA but not Rp-cAMPS reduced isoprenaline relaxation, suggesting an additional non-cAMP component. 5. These findings suggest that beta-adrenoceptors induce vascular smooth muscle relaxation by acting through the NO-cGMP pathway and, when that is disrupted by endothelium removal or the presence of an NO synthase inhibitor, the cAMP pathway in smooth muscles is used. The lack of cAMP participation in endothelium-intact vessels may be because NO suppresses or overrides the cAMP effect.     

Nitric oxide-mediated relaxation to lactate of coronary circulation in the isolated perfused rat heart

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of lactate on coronary circulation. Rat hearts were perfused in a Langendorff preparation, and the coronary response to lactate (3-30 mM) was recorded after precontracting coronary vasculature with 11-dideoxy-1a,9a-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2α (U46619), in the presence or the absence of the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, N-omega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10 M), the blocker of Ca-dependent potassium channels, tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 M), or the blocker of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels, glybenclamide (10 M). The effects of lactate were also studied in isolated segments of rat coronary arteries that were precontracted with U46619, with or without endothelium. In perfused hearts, lactate induced concentration-dependent coronary vasodilatation and a reduction in myocardial contractility (left ventricular developed pressure and dP/dt) without altering the heart rate. Coronary vasodilatation in response to lactate was reduced by l-NAME but unaffected by TEA or glybenclamide. The effects of lactate on myocardial contractility were unchanged by l-NAME, TEA, or glybenclamide. In isolated coronary artery segments, lactate also produced relaxation, an effect attenuated by removing the endothelium. Together these findings suggest that lactate exerts coronary vasodilatory effects through the release of endothelial nitric oxide, independently of potassium channels. These findings may be relevant for the regulation of coronary circulation when lactate levels are elevated.     

Ginsenosides-induced nitric oxide-mediated relaxation of the rabbit corpus cavernosum.

1. Ginsenosides, the active ingredients extracted from Panax ginseng, have been shown to promote nitric oxide (NO) release in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Since the endothelial cells and the perivascular nerves in penile corpus cavernosum contain NO synthase and an NO-like substance has been shown to be released from these cells which relaxes corpus cavernosum, the possibility that ginsenosides may relax corpus cavernosum by releasing endogenous NO was examined. 2. With an in vitro tissue superfusion technique, ginsenosides (250, 500 and 750 micrograms ml-1) relaxed corpus cavernosum, concentration-dependently. 3. Using an in vitro tissue bath technique, acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxations were increased in the presence of ginsenosides (250 micrograms ml-1). 4. Ginsenosides at 100 micrograms ml-1 significantly enhanced the tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive relaxation of corpus cavernosum elicited by transmural nerve stimulation. 5. The ginsenosides-induced, ACh-induced and ginsenosides-enhanced transmural nerve stimulation-elicited relaxations were significantly attenuated by NG-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM) and oxyhaemoglobin (oxyHb; 5-10 microM), and were enhanced by superoxide dismutase (SOD; 50 u ml-1). 6. The relaxations and their attenuation by NG-nitro-L-arginine and TTX were associated with increase and decrease in tissue cyclic GMP levels, respectively. 7. It is concluded that ginsenosides may release NO from endothelial cells, and enhance NO release from endothelial cells elicited by other vasoactive substances and from perivascular nitrergic nerves in the corpus cavernosum. These endothelial and neurogenic effects of ginsenosides in inducing relaxation of the corpus cavernosum may account for the aphrodisiac effect of Panax ginseng.     

GABAergic inhibition of nitric oxide-mediated relaxation of guinea-pig ileum

The effects of GABA receptor agonists were investigated on guinea-pig isolated ileum longitudinal muscle with intact myenteric plexus. Electrical field stimulation (1 Hz, 10 s) of the histamine (1 μM)-precontracted preparation caused a contraction followed by a relaxation. Relaxations were inhibited by l-N ^G-nitro-arginine (l-NA; EC₅₀ 3 μM) in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of 10 μM l-NA was blocked by 10 μM l-arginine but not by d-arginine, which indicates that the relaxation was largely mediated by endogenous nitric oxide (NO). Tetrodotoxin (1 μM) reduced the relaxation only by about 50%. GABA and the GABA_B agonist, baclofen, inhibited the field stimulation-induced longitudinal muscle relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. The GABA_B receptor antagonist, saclofen (10 μM), antagonised the effect of baclofen (apparent pA ₂ of saclofen: 5.6). Muscimol (10 μM) similarly inhibited the relaxation, and this inhibition was prevented by bicuculline (1 μM). It is concluded that nitrergic nerves of the guinea-pig myenteric plexus are endowed with GABA_A and GABA_B receptors which mediate inhibition of NO release. Received: 5 February 1999 / Accepted: 22 March 1999     

The effect of Lithium on endothelial-dependent relaxation in rat isolated aorta

• 1.1. In endothelium-containing rings of rat aorta, precontracted by phenylephrine, addition of acetylcholine (Ach), resulted in a concentration-dependent relaxation through the release of endothelial dependent relaxing factors, including nitric oxide (IC₅₀ = 8.41 μM).
• 2.2. Pretreatment of the tissues with 20 μM indomethacin, significantly decreased the relaxation.
• 3.3. Preincubation of the preparations in medium solution in which sodium has been partially replaced by 0.5 mM lithium, significantly reduced Ach-induced endothelial dependent relaxation (EDR).
• 4.4. Lithium (2 mM) in medium, significantly increased Ach-induced relaxation.
• 5.5. As is shown in this study, lithium has two opposite actions on EDR, with the dose of 0.5 mM inhibiting, while the dose of 2 mM potentiates EDR. Thus it seems that the action of lithium on EDR is mediated through two separate mechanisms.

     

Clonidine induces rat aorta relaxation by nitric oxide-dependent and -independent mechanisms

To find more effective components which can trigger apoptosis in crude rattlesnake venom, and the possible mechanisms by which the venom causes apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells (VECs), we investigated the function of integrin beta4 by using the monoclonal antibody (mAb) of this integrin. We added anti-beta4 mAb 5 microg.ml(-1) to the cells treated with 2 microg.ml(-1) rattlesnake venom; apoptosis of these cells was completely inhibited 6 h after the treatment. Furthermore, the increase of P53 expression induced by the venom was markedly suppressed. The results first demonstrated that there was at least one important component target to integrin beta4 in crude rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom; moreover, this component played its role in the early phase of apoptosis. The results also showed that integrin beta4 participated in signal transduction of apoptosis induced by rattlesnake venom in VEC by up-regulating the expression of p53.     

The effects of diabetes on nitric oxide-mediated responses in rat corpus cavernosum.

Nitric oxide (NO)-mediated responses were investigated in corpora cavernosa isolated from 8-week diabetic rats. Relaxations to field stimulation were abolished by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (NOARG, 100 microM). Responses to stimulation and sodium nitroprusside were reduced in tissues from diabetic rats compared to control rats, when data were expressed as g tension, but not when expressed as g/g tissue. The endothelium-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine, failed to relax tissues. Stimulation-induced contractions were smaller in the diabetic group compared to the control group when data were expressed as g tension, but not g/g tissue. Contractions were enhanced by NOARG, and inhibited by acetylcholine (300 microM), by a similar degree in both groups. NOARG reduced the inhibitory effect of acetylcholine in tissues from control, but not diabetic rats. The results suggest diabetes caused a general impairment in responsiveness of rat corpus cavernosum, which may be a consequence of tissue weight change. A role for endothelium-dependent NO could not be identified; however, NO-mediated modulation of noradrenergic transmission by acetylcholine, may be defective in diabetes.     

Calcimimetic, AMG 073, induces relaxation on isolated rat aorta

Calcimimetics are a class of compounds that positively modulate the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) by allosterically increasing the affinity of the receptor for extracellular Ca(2+). In this study we have investigated the effects of the clinically used calcimimetic, AMG 073, on contractility of the rat aorta by wire myography. AMG 073 elicited a concentration-dependent vasodilatation of the precontracted aorta. Inhibition of endothelium function by L-NAME and indomethacin reduced AMG 073-induced relaxation of the vessel precontracted with phenylephrine, but not with 125 mM K(+). The vasodilatory effect could be mediated by the CaR or/and a direct action on the ion channels. Intriguingly, CaR agonists, neomycin and gadolinium, did not have any effect on the contractility of the aorta. Immunohistochemical staining of the aorta with two CaR specific antibodies demonstrated the presence of the CaR protein, predominantly in endothelial and adventitial layers.     

2,3-吲哚醌对大鼠离体胸主动脉舒缩功能的影响

<正>2,3-吲哚醌(2,3-indolinedione,isatin,ISA)为吲哚类衍生物,又名靛红,是近年发现存在于人和动物体内的一种内源性活性物质,且广泛存在于海洋生物如龙虾和十字花科植物中[1-2]。基础及临床研究表明,ISA在人体不同器官和体液中均有分布[3-5]。研究表明,ISA使动物产生类似焦虑的行为,并且在焦虑和紧张的状态下,心脏、脑、血浆中其水平会升高[6-8]。然而,目前ISA对胸主动脉舒缩功能的调控作用及机制尚不十分清楚。因此,本研究利用离体血管环实验模型,探讨ISA对大鼠离体胸主动脉舒收缩功能的影响及机制,为心血管疾病的防治提供新的理论依据。     

The novel phenylpropiophenone derivates induced relaxation of isolated rat aorta

Our aim was to define how different chemical properties of newly developed phenylpropiophenone derivates (PhPds) influenced their potency and efficacy to relax rat aorta. A contribution of ion channels in the PhPds and propafenone mechanism of vasodilatation was tested. PhPds were syntethysed by substitution in the benzyl moiety with -F, -CH3 or -CF3 groups on the ortho or para position. The vasodilatation by PhPds was examined on the rings of rat aorta precontracted with phenylephrine. In order to test involvement of voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels and L-type Ca2+ channels in a mechanism of action of PhPds, we used their blockers: lidocaine, nifedipine and 4-aminopiridine, respectively. Aorta was more sensitive to 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl derivate than to propafenone and other PhPds. The 5-para-methyl derivate had lower potency and efficacy than propafenone and other PhPds. Lidocaine did not influenced relaxation induced by PhPds, but slightly inhibited the effect of propafenone. The 4-aminopiridine only inhibited relaxation induced by 5-para-methyl derivate. Nifedipine inhibited relaxation of the rat aorta induced by 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl derivate and by propafenone. Introduction of 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl and 5-para-methyl group in the benzyl moiety of propafenone molecule changed its potency, efficacy and mechanism of action in the rat aorta. The 4-aminopiridine- and nifedipine sensitive ion channels are involved in mechanism of action of 5-para-methyl and 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl derivate. The introduction of other tested groups in the benzyl moiety does not affect pharmacological properties of the PhPds in relation to propafenone.     

The effect of chronic ethanol administration on nitric oxide-mediated responses in rat isolated trachea preparation

1. In the present study, we investigated the effect of chronic ethanol administration on nitric oxide (NO)-mediated responses in rat isolated trachea preparation. 2. Ethanol was given to rats in a modified liquid diet for 21 days. Isolated tracheal rings were then used to obtain responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) after precontraction with 100 microM histamine. The parameters of field stimulation were as follows: supramaximal voltage of 50 V, 0.5 ms duration, 10-s train; 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 Hz at 2-min intervals. The effects of L-and D-arginine (10(-6) M) on the responses to field stimulation (10-20 Hz) were studied. In other experiments, we tested the effects of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-6)-10(-5) M) and SIN-1 (10(-6)-10(-5) M) on the responses to field stimulation. 3. Electrical field stimulation induced relaxation responses in the tracheal rings precontracted with histamine from control- and ethanol-treated rats. The relaxation responses induced by EFS were significantly reduced in the tracheal rings precontracted with histamine from ethanol dependent group. The responses induced by EFS in both groups were completely abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM), but unaffected by hexamethonium (1 microM). Incubation with D-arginine did not cause statistically significant increases in relaxation responses to EFS in both groups. L-Arginine (10(-6) M) caused statistically significant increases in relaxation responses to EFS in control rats, but not in ethanol dependent rats. Incubation with L-NAME (10(-6)-10(-5) M) caused statistically significant inhibition of the relaxation responses to EFS in both groups. SIN-1 (10(-6)-10(-5) M) induced significantly increase in relaxation responses to EFS in both groups. 4. Our results suggest that the possible mechanism responsible for inhibition of tracheal inhibitory responses to EFS in ethanol-dependent rats may be a reduction in production of NO and in the uptake of L-arginine.     

Pharmacodynamic characterization of nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatory activity in isolated perfused rat mesenteric artery bed

Vasodilation profiles following a short-term infusion of nitric oxide (NO), acetylcholine (ACh), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) into an isolated perfused mesenteric artery bed were analyzed in rats to examine their vasodilatory efficacy under physiological conditions. These compounds commonly increase the intracellular NO concentration to exert vasodilatory activity. In an experiment with exogenous NO infusion where 100 μl of 1 : 300 diluted NO-saturated solution (approx. 53 pmol of NO) was applied, the infusion caused transient vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner, with the peak vasodilation value being 74.7% of the maximum relaxation value. In experiments with ACh, the peak vasodilation value was 81.5% of the maximum at a dose of 60 pmol. The vasodilation profile of ACh was similar to that of NO infusion, but the ACh-induced vasodilation reduced at a slower rate than that induced by NO infusion. The vasodilatory activity of SNP was less potent than that of ACh, and its peak value was 62.8% of the maximum at a dose of 2000 pmol. However, SNP activity was augmented by removing the vascular endothelia of the mesenteric artery bed, and the peak value reached 67.3% of the maximum at a dose of 60 pmol. Pharmacodynamic analysis indicated that NO and ACh are equivalent regarding their vasodilatory efficacy, while the efficacy of SNP was less than 1% of theirs, as the arterial vascular endothelium impeded intracellular SNP-related NO generation, by which 95% of SNP's vasodilatory efficacy was negated. These findings will be helpful to understand factors influencing the therapeutic efficacy of vasodilators.