Involvement of charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channel in the relaxation of bovine tracheal smooth muscle by glyceryl trinitrate and sodium nitroprusside.

To elucidate the involvement of K+ channels in the smooth muscle relaxation by glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), effects of several K+ channel antagonists on the relaxant responses to GTN, SNP and 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) were studied in bovine tracheal smooth muscle. Although an antagonist of large conductance Ca(++)-activated K+ channel, charybdotoxin, produced no definite effect on the relaxation induced by GTN, SNP and atriopeptin in the rabbit aortic ring preparation, this antagonist inhibited the relaxation by GTN, SNP, atriopeptin and 8-Br-cGMP in the bovine tracheal smooth muscle. Methylene blue, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, also had an inhibitory effect on the relaxation by GTN and SNP. Both apamin, a small conductance Ca(++)-activated K+ channel antagonist, and glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel antagonist, did not exhibit any inhibitory effect on the relaxant responses to GTN and SNP. GTN and SNP increased cGMP content. The increment was attenuated by methylene blue, whereas it was unaffected by charybdotoxin. These results indicate the involvement of large conductance Ca(++)-activated K+ channel in the relaxation of bovine tracheal smooth muscle by GTN, SNP and 8-Br-cGMP. The activation of K+ channel by GTN and SNP is thought to occur via increases in cGMP content.     

Glyceryl trinitrate-induced desensitization of guanylate cyclase in cultured rat lung fibroblasts

Cultured rat lung fibroblasts were used to explore desensitization of guanylate cyclase to nitrovasodilators. The effect of pretreatment with glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on the concentration-response curves of GTN and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) for cyclic GMP accumulation in intact cells and activation of guanylate cyclase in broken cell preparations was measured. Pretreatment of cells with 1 microM GTN for 3 h decreased cyclic GMP accumulation induced by GTN but had no effect on SNP-induced cyclic GMP accumulation. Pretreatment of cells with 100 microM GTN decreased the efficacy of GTN and SNP for cyclic GMP elevation by 89% and 40%, respectively. In contrast to results obtained with GTN, SNP slightly desensitized cyclic GMP accumulation induced by GTN and SNP. Pretreatment of cells with 100 nM atrial natriuretic peptide resulted in a 44% decrease in cyclic GMP accumulation induced by subsequent exposure to 10 nM atrial natriuretic peptide but had no effect on cyclic GMP elevation induced by nitrovasodilators. In experiments with crude preparations of soluble guanylate cyclase from cells pretreated with 1 mM GTN, activation of the enzyme by GTN and SNP was inhibited almost completely. Tolerance to GTN in intact cells could not be reversed by subsequent incubation with thiols such as cysteine, N-acetylcysteine or glutathione. However, overnight incubation of GTN-tolerant cells in media without added thiols resulted in complete recovery of responsiveness to GTN. Recovery of GTN-induced cyclic GMP accumulation was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by cycloheximide, suggesting that reversal of organic nitrate tolerance requires de novo synthesis of gyanylate cyclase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Methylene blue inhibits nitrovasodilator- and endothelium-derived relaxing factor-induced cyclic GMP accumulation in cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells via generation of superoxide anion.

The mechanism of modulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation by methylene blue (MB), a putative inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, was investigated in cultured rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (RPASM). Control or MB-pretreated RPASM were stimulated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), nitrosothiols or endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released basally from bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells, in short-term co-cultures. The putative EDRF, S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CYSNO), a stable deaminated analog of CYSNO, S-nitroso-3-mercaptoproprionic acid (MPANO) and SNP produced concentration-dependent (1-100 microM) increase (1.5- to 12-fold) in RPASM cGMP levels. MB pretreatment inhibited CYSNO and SNP-induced cGMP accumulation by 51% to 100%, but MPANO-mediated responses were not altered by MB. The inhibition profile of MB on nitrovasodilator-induced cGMP accumulation was quantitatively reproduced by extracellular generation of superoxide anion with xanthine (100 microM) and xanthine oxidase (5 mU). Similarly to MB pretreatment, superoxide anion generation had no effects on base-line cGMP levels or cGMP responses elicited by MPANO. Furthermore, MB induced a dose- and time-dependent generation of superoxide anion from RPASM, as evidenced from spectrophotometric determination of cytochrome c reduction. Inhibition of cGMP accumulation in response to CYSNO and SNP by MB was completely prevented by superoxide dismutase but not catalase. Selective pretreatment of endothelial cells with MB before co-culture with untreated RPASM produced a reduction in RPASM cGMP levels of a magnitude comparable with that seen in co-cultures of MB-pretreated RPASM with untreated endothelial cells, and which was partially prevented by superoxide dismutase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Selective blockade of endothelium-dependent and glyceryl trinitrate-induced relaxation by hemoglobin and by methylene blue in the rabbit aorta

Hemoglobin at 1 microM reduced and at 10 microM abolished the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine or by A23187 in rabbit aortic rings. Similarly, methylene blue at 10 microM reduced and at 50 microM abolished relaxation induced by acetylcholine and by A23187. Furthermore, hemoglobin (1-10 microM) and methylene blue (10-50 microM) each induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the endothelium-independent relaxation produced by glyceryl trinitrate, but neither had any effect on the relaxation produced by isoproterenol. The inhibitory effects of hemoglobin and methylene blue may be due to blockade of guanylate cyclase, as the rises in cyclic GMP content which accompany relaxation induced by acetylcholine, A23187 or glyceryl trinitrate were abolished. Isoproterenol-induced relaxation took place with no change in cyclic GMP content. Hemoglobin and methylene blue appear therefore to inhibit selectively vaso-relaxation induced by agents which increase cyclic GMP levels. Hemoglobin and methylene blue augment tone in aortic rings, particularly when endothelial cells are present, suggesting that the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) might be released spontaneously in low concentrations. The possibility that hemoglobin inhibits endothelium-dependent and glyceryl trinitrate-induced relaxation by binding EDRF and nitric oxide, respectively, is discussed together with the proposal that methylene blue might produce its effects by oxidizing a component of guanylate cyclase, possibly a ferrous heme group linked to the enzyme molecule. Methylene blue might, in addition, interact directly with EDRF.     

Relationship between LTD4-induced endothelium-dependent vasomotor relaxation and cGMP

The objective of the present investigation was to determine whether cyclic GMP (cGMP) participated in endothelium-dependent leukotriene (LT) D4-induced relaxation of canine superior mesenteric artery. All experiments were performed with endothelium-intact arterial rings, and tone was measured with isometric force displacement transducers. After tone had been induced with norepinephrine, LTD4 acetylcholine (ACh), nitroglycerin (GTN) and isoproterenol (ISOP), each produced concentration-dependent vasomotor relaxation. Because contractile responses produced by norepinephrine were enhanced in presence of methylene blue, the concentration of norepinephrine was reduced in order to induce tone that was equivalent to control. After this adjustment, incubation of the rings with methylene blue attenuated relaxation produced by LTD4, ACh and GTN, whereas ISOP-induced decreases in tone were unaltered. In addition, results of a separate series of experiments showed that cGMP levels in the arterial rings were enhanced at the time of peak relaxation produced in response to LTD4, ACh and GTN. In contrast to these observations, ISOP-induced relaxation was not associated with a change in cGMP concentration. When taken together, these results suggest that cGMP serves as a participant in endothelium-dependent relaxation produced by both LTD4 and ACh, as well as endothelium-independent relaxation produced by GTN.     

Differential sensitivity among nitric oxide donors toward ODQ-mediated inhibition of vascular relaxation

Nitric oxide (NO) donors are believed to exert their vasodilatory action through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), the heme site of which can be specifically inhibited by 1H-[1,2, 4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). We examined the vascular relaxation of the rat aorta mediated by eight different NO donors in the presence of ODQ (0.1, 1, or 10 microM), and demonstrated that these NO donors displayed different sensitivities toward ODQ inhibition (ANOVA, P <.05). Among the NO donors studied, S-nitrosothiols such as S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and S-nitrosoglutathione exhibited partial resistance toward ODQ inhibition at 0.1 microM ODQ, whereas nitroglycerin (NTG) showed nearly complete inhibition at this concentration of ODQ. Three NO donors representing increasing sensitivity toward ODQ inhibition, SNAP < sodium nitroprusside (SNP) < NTG, were chosen for additional mechanistic studies. ODQ (1 microM) inhibition of vascular relaxation by SNAP and SNP, but not that by NTG, was partially reversed by a sulfhydryl donor, N-acetylpenicillamine (100 microM), and by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast (10 microM), specific for cGMP. Our results strongly indicate that the vascular relaxation mechanism(s) of NO donors is not identical for each. In the rat aorta, NTG appeared to exhibit its vasodilatory effect exclusively through activation of the heme site of sGC. On the other hand, in the intact vascular tissue, SNAP and SNP could bring about vasodilation through a secondary pathway. These results are consistent with the view that SNAP and SNP, but not NTG, can induce vascular relaxation additionally through the activation of the sulfhydryl site of sGC.     

Interleukin 1 induces prolonged L-arginine-dependent cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitrite production in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

The cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1) inhibits contractile responses in rat aorta by causing endothelium-independent and prolonged activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. The present study tested whether IL-1 activates guanylate cyclase by inducing prolonged production of nitric oxide in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). IL-1 induced a marked time-dependent increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in VSMC which was significant at 6 h, and increased progressively for up to 36 h. This effect of IL-1 was abolished when protein synthesis was inhibited with cycloheximide or actinomycin D, suggesting that the effect of IL-1 involves new protein synthesis. IL-1-induced cGMP accumulation was inhibited by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue, LY83583, and hemoglobin and by the L-arginine analogue NGmonomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). The inhibitory effect of L-NMMA was reversed by a 10-fold excess of L-arginine, but not by D-arginine. Nitrite, an oxidation product of nitric oxide, accumulated in the media of VSMC incubated with IL-1 for 24 h in the presence of L-arginine, whereas both IL-1-induced cGMP accumulation and nitrite production were attenuated in VSMC incubated in L-arginine-deficient medium. In L-arginine-depleted VSMC, IL-1-induced cGMP accumulation was restored to control levels by a 15-min incubation with L-arginine. These results demonstrate that IL-1 activates guanylate cyclase in rat VSMC by inducing production of nitric oxide via a pathway dependent on extracellular L-arginine.     

Inhibition of low Km cGMP phosphodiesterases and Ca+(+)-regulated protein kinases and relationship to vasorelaxation by cicletanine.

In the present studies we sought to determine if cicletanine, which is an antihypertensive agent of unknown mechanism, could alter cGMP metabolism via inhibition of cGMP phosphodiesterases (PDE) in vascular smooth muscle. Cicletanine was determined to be a mixed (competitive, noncompetitive) inhibitor of both calmodulin-regulated and cGMP-specific PDEs from monkey aortic smooth muscle with Ki values of 450 to 700 microM. Cicletanine also potentiated vasorelaxation by the guanylate cyclase activators sodium nitroprusside and atrial natriuretic peptide in isolated rat aortas. Potentiation was not dependent upon the contractile agonists nor was it indomethacin-sensitive. Neither potentiation nor inhibition of cGMP PDEs was stereoselective. Methylene blue attenuated a component of cicletanine-induced vasorelaxation, but did not completely obviate relaxation. Both cicletanine and the cGMP-PDE inhibitor zaprinast potentiated sodium nitroprusside-mediated cGMP formation and relaxation, although the increase in cGMP content was markedly greater with zaprinast compared to cicletanine. In further studies, cicletanine did not potentiate cGMP activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, but did inhibit calmodulin-activated myosin light chain kinase and protein kinase C at relatively high concentrations (approximately 1 mM). In summary, these data demonstrate that cicletanine inhibits vascular cGMP PDEs, potentiates vasorelaxation, and to a limited extent, cGMP formation by guanylate cyclase activators in vascular smooth muscle. However, these relationships for cicletanine are dissimilar from the reference cGMP PDE inhibitor, zaprinast. Thus, other mechanisms may also contribute to the vasorelaxant action of cicletanine.     

Comparison of nicorandil-induced relaxation, elevations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and stimulation of guanylate cyclase with organic nitrate esters.

Nicorandil increases cyclic 3'5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in vascular smooth muscle. However, high concentrations are required to activate guanylate cyclase (GC). We examined the relationship between activation of GC, increases in cGMP and relaxation in canine mesenteric artery and vein, renal and coronary artery and thoracic aorta. Nicorandil (10-100 microM) relaxed in each of the blood vessels. Relaxation was associated with elevations of cGMP but independent of release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, and inhibited by methylene blue and hemoglobin. The organic nitrate esters nitroglycerin, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, 2-isosorbide mononitrate, and 5-isosorbide mononitrate each behaved in a similar manner. In each blood vessel pentaerythritol tetranitrate was the most potent and 5-isosorbide mononitrate the least potent relaxant and stimulant of cGMP. Each of the organic nitrate esters (1 microM to 1 mM) except nicorandil stimulated soluble GC activity in the presence of 10 mM cysteine. Nicorandil (EC50 38 mM) increased GC activity. Moreover, nicorandil (0.1 microM to 30 microM) did not inhibit cGMP phosphodiesterase. The EC50 for vascular relaxation was directly correlated with the EC50 for elevation of cGMP for each of the agonists in each blood vessel type. The EC50 for activation of GC was directly related to the reciprocal of the rate constant for nitric oxide formation for each of the organic nitrate esters. However, a direct correlation existed between the EC50 for activation of GC and the EC50 for 1) elevation of cGMP and 2) relaxation, for each of the organic nitrate esters except nicorandil. Thus, the high concentrations of nicorandil required to activate GC cannot account for the low concentrations required to elevate cGMP or relax smooth muscle. We postulate that nicorandil may interact with a membrane receptor or release a second messenger, distinct from nitric oxide or endothelium-derived relaxing factor, which then activates GC. This may represent a physiologic mechanism for regulation of GC activity in smooth muscle.     

Dissimilarities between methylene blue and cyanide on relaxation and cyclic GMP formation in endothelium-intact intrapulmonary artery caused by nitrogen oxide-containing vasodilators and acetylcholine

The objective of the present study was to ascertain whether cyanide shares the properties of methylene blue as a selective inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle relaxation elicited by agents that stimulate the formation of cyclic GMP. Experiments were performed with endothelium-intact rings prepared from bovine intrapulmonary artery. Methylene blue, a good inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, antagonized both arterial relaxation and cyclic GMP accumulation in response to sodium nitroprusside, glyceryl trinitrate, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and acetylcholine. In contrast, cyanide inhibited only the responses to sodium nitroprusside. Increasing concentrations of methylene blue depressed resting arterial levels of cyclic GMP and caused slowly developing but marked contractions whereas cyanide was without effect. Contractile responses to phenylephrine, potassium and U46619 were potentiated by methylene blue but not by cyanide. Preincubation of dilute solutions of cyanide containing sodium nitroprusside in oxygenated Krebs' buffer at 37 degrees C for 15 min before addition to bath chambers depressed relaxation and cyclic GMP accumulation caused by sodium nitroprusside markedly. Similar treatment of glyceryl trinitrate, however, failed to alter its effects in arterial rings. A chemical inactivation of sodium nitroprusside by cyanide appears to account for the specific inhibitory action of cyanide on arterial responses to sodium nitroprusside. This study indicates clearly that cyanide does not share the properties of methylene blue as an inhibitor of arterial relaxation elicited by vasodilators that stimulate cyclic GMP formation.     

Influence of stimulators and inhibitors of cyclic nucleotides on lower esophageal sphincter

These studies were performed in vitro to investigate the nature of the second messenger for lower esophageal sphincter (LES) smooth muscle relaxation in response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). It was seen that VIP, permeant derivatives of the cyclic nucleotide 8-bromo cyclic GMP (BrcGMP) and 8-bromo cyclic AMP (8-BrcAMP), the guanylate cyclase stimulant sodium nitroprusside (SNP), the adenylate cyclase stimulant forskolin, M&B 22,948 (cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and SK&F 94,120 (cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor) caused dose-dependent and tetrocotoxin resistant fall in LES tension. Guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (MB) (3 x 10(-5) M), caused significant antagonism of fall in LES tension by SNP without modifying the inhibitory response of forskolin. The possible adenylate cyclase inhibitor N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) (1 x 10(-4) M), on the other hand, caused significant antagonism of fall in LES tension by forskolin without any effect on that caused by SNP. The inhibitory responses of 8-BrcGMP and 8-BrcAMP were not modified by MB or NEM. NEM (1 x 10(-4) M) and MB (3 x 10(-5) M) caused significant inhibition of the fall in LES tension with EFS. NEM also caused inhibition of fall in LES tension by VIP. Furthermore, SK&F 94,120 and not M&B 22,948 caused significant potentiation of fall in LES tension by EFS. From these results we conclude that: 1) cAMP and cGMP may act as second messengers for LES relaxation with EFS and VIP, and 2) VIP may act primarily via cAMP system and remains a strong possibility for one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters in the LES.     

Effects of methylene blue on hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation in the rabbit

The present studies were conducted to examine the role of cerebrovascular guanylate cyclase in hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation. In arteries mounted in vitro for measurements of isometric tension, 20 min of hypoxia (bath oxygen partial pressure, approximately 15 Torr) significantly increased cyclic GMP levels from 16 to 32, from 15 to 25 and from 20 to 38 pmol/g in rabbit common carotid, internal carotid and basilar arteries. These increases were blocked either by pretreatment with 3 microM methylene blue, or by removal of the vascular endothelium. Methylene blue also significantly delayed hypoxic relaxation in the basilar and internal carotid arteries, and blocked transient hypoxic vasoconstriction in the common carotid. Together, these in vitro results demonstrate that vascular cytosolic guanylate cyclase participates in an endothelium-dependent manner in the direct effects of hypoxia on cerebral arteries, and that the nature of this participation varies significantly between arteries. When methylene blue (20 mg/kg) was administered in vivo, however, it had no effect on the magnitude of hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation as determined by both local (mass spectrometry) and global (venous outflow) methods of blood flow measurement. This latter finding suggests that: 1) large and small cerebral arteries may differ significantly in terms of either endothelial function or sensitivity to methylene blue; or 2) feedback regulation of other mechanisms of hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation compensate for the effects of guanylate cyclase inhibition. Additional experiments using other inhibitors of cytosolic guanylate cyclase and/or vessels isolated from the cerebral microcirculation will be necessary to distinguish between these possibilities.     

Burn-induced lung damage in rat is mediated by a nitric oxide/cGMP system

This study was conducted to demonstrate the burn-induced lung neutrophil deposition and damage in rats is affected by the nitric oxide (NO)-dependent downstream cGMP signaling. In experiment 1, 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-alpha] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) was given (20 mg/kg i.p.) to specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats immediately postburn to suppress the guanylate cyclase (GC) activity. At 8 h after burn, blood was assayed for the peroxynitrite-mediated dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) oxidation and lung tissues were harvested for myeloperoxidase (MPO) determination and histological studies. Pulmonary microvascular dysfunction was quantified by measuring the extravasations of Evans blue dye. In experiment 2, Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was given (2 mM, i.p.) to elevate cGMP levels and ODQ (20 mg/kg, i.p.) or methylene blue (100 microM, i.p.) or saline was given. The animals were sacrificed 4 h after injection and lung tissues were harvested for iNOS mRNA study. The MPO activity in lung, blood DHR 123 oxidation level, and lung permeability increased up to 2-fold, 4-fold, and 2.5-fold after burn. Inhibition of GC by ODQ administration significantly decreased MPO activity, blood DHR 123 oxidation, and lung permeability by 55%, 66%, and 53%, respectively, and markedly decreased the thermal injury-induced perivascular and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration and septum edema. The protective effects of ODQ were comparable to the use of selective iNOS inhibitor as demonstrated previously. Furthermore, ODQ decreased the burn or SNP-induced iNOS mRNA levels at 4 h after burn. These findings suggest that burn-induced lung dysfunction is mediated by the NO/cGMP system because it is abolished by application of either iNOS inhibitor or GC inhibitor. Also, the beneficial effect of ODQ is partly due to the attenuation of burn-induced iNOS expression by GC inhibition.     

Role of endothelium in responses of isolated hepatic vessels to vasoactive agents

The role of the endothelium as a participant in the responses to vasoactive agents was evaluated in isolated canine hepatic artery (HA) and portal vein (PV) rings. Endothelial and smooth muscle integrity was determined by pharmacologic responses as well as by histologic examination. Smooth muscle relaxation was expressed as the percent of decrease of norepinephrine-induced isometric contraction. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation of the HA was abolished by removing the endothelium or by the addition of either hemoglobin, methylene blue (MB) or Ng-mono-methyl-L-arginine. In addition, relaxation induced by nitroglycerin, but not that induced by prostaglandin E1, was attenuated by MB. These data suggest endothelium-dependency of the relaxation to ACh and mediation of the response by endothelium-derived relaxing factor through activation of guanylate cyclase. In contrast, ACh produced contraction of the PV which was unaffected by removing the endothelium. The calcium ionophore, A23187, on the other hand, produced relaxation of the PV, which was significantly decreased by removing the endothelium. Relaxation of both HA and PV, produced by 2-chloroadenosine (2-C-Ado) was partially attenuated by removing the endothelium. With the endothelium intact, neither hemoglobin, MB, Ng-monomethyl-L-arginine nor indomethacin affected the responses to 2-C-Ado in the HA and PV, suggesting that the responses were not mediated by endothelium-derived relaxing factor or products of guanylate cyclase or cyclooxygenase activity. Nitroglycerin relaxed both vessels in the presence or absence of endothelium, indicating that removal of the endothelium had not affected smooth muscle function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Phosphodiesterase isozyme inhibition and the potentiation by zaprinast of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and guanylate cyclase stimulating agents in vascular smooth muscle

We have examined the interaction of zaprinast with mediators of guanylate cyclase on the relaxation of aortic smooth muscle. Zaprinast, a selective inhibitor of the low Km-cyclic GMP (cGMP) phosphodiesterase [low Km cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE)], was equally effective in relaxing phenylephrine-contracted aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) with an intact endothelium [EC50 = 7.6 (3.5-16.6) microM vs. 9.3 (4.1-21.3) microM, respectively]. In contrast, the vasorelaxant activity of zaprinast in intact and denuded phenylephrine-contracted guinea pig aortas, as well as denuded (SHR and WKY) aortas was minimal. Sodium nitroprusside and atriopeptin II were significantly (P less than .05) more potent as vasorelaxants in denuded SHR aortas when compared with denuded aortas from WKY. Pretreatment with zaprinast potentiated the vasorelaxant potency of sodium nitroprusside in both SHR and WKY aortas whereas atriopeptin II responses were potentiated only in WKY aortas. In studies with the low Km cGMP PDE, isolated via DEAE column chromatography, the apparent Km for cGMP and potency of zaprinast were approximately 2-fold greater (P less than .05) in WKY when compared with the same PDE isozyme isolated from SHR aortic preparations. However, the Vmax (picomoles per milligram per minute) for cGMP hydrolysis was greater in SHR than in WKY. In conclusion, these data show that, although there are no apparent differences in the influence of spontaneously released endothelium-derived relaxing factor from SHR and WKY aortas, reactivity differences to other agents known to stimulate guanylate cyclase activity exist between SHR and WKY denuded aortas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Concentration and time-dependent relationships between isosorbide dinitrate-induced relaxation and formation of cyclic GMP in coronary arterial smooth muscle

This study is based on the hypothesis that isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN)-induced relaxation of coronary arterial smooth muscle is causally linked to formation of cyclic (c) GMP. The hypothesis requires the extent of relaxation to be correlated to both time-and concentration-dependent increases in coronary content of cGMP. Accordingly, studies were performed with bovine coronary arterial strips to determine the relationships among isometric force and coronary content of cGMP and cAMP with respect to time of exposure to and concentration of ISDN. Cyclic nucleotide levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. No change in cAMP levels was observed during ISDN-induced relaxation of KCl contracted strips. In sharp contrast, cGMP levels increased significantly with time of exposure and concentration of ISDN stimulation. Moreover, the addition of methylene blue, a reported inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, to the bathing medium significantly inhibited the relaxation and cGMP increase during ISDN stimulation. In addition, prolonged exposure to ISDN resulted in a redevelopment of force with a parallel decrease in cGMP content. The increase in cGMP during ISDN stimulation also occurs in the absence of depolarization by KCl and in an essentially Ca++-free medium. These data support the hypothesis that the relaxation of coronary arterial strips in response to ISDN stimulation is causally linked to cGMP.     

Inhibition of the low km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in intact canine trachealis by SK&F 94836: mechanical and biochemical responses

The mechanical and biochemical responses of the canine trachealis to SK&F 94836 [2-cyano-1-methyl-3-[4-(4-methyl-6-oxo- 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridazine-3-yl)phenyl]guanidine], a selective inhibitor (ki = 1-3 microM) of the low km cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase, were assessed. Time course studies indicated that SK&F 94836-induced relaxation of trachealis strips contracted with 0.1 microM methacholine was accompanied by an activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK). In subsequent experiments, trachealis strips were contracted with three concentrations of methacholine (0.1, 1.0 or 3.0 microM) or two concentrations of histamine (10 or 300 microM) before being relaxed by the cumulative addition of SK&F 94836. The relaxant response to SK&F 94836 (EC50 = 1-10 microM) decreased progressively as tissues were contracted with higher concentrations of methacholine. In parallel with its inhibitory effect on SK&F 94836-induced relaxation, methacholine suppressed the ability of SK&F 94836 to activate cAMP-PK. Interestingly, the inhibition of cAMP-PK activity was not accompanied by a significant inhibition of SK&F 94836-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Unlike the results with methacholine, the concentration of histamine used to contract tissues had no effect on SK&F 94836-induced relaxation or cAMP-PK activation. To determine the effect of SK&F 94836 on the mechanical and biochemical responses to the beta adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol, tissues were first contracted with 3.0 microM methacholine and then incubated with 0, 0.3, 3.0 or 30 microM SK&F 94836 before being relaxed by the cumulative addition of isoproterenol. In these experiments, SK&F 94836 potentiated isoproterenol-induced relaxation, cAMP accumulation and cAMP-PK activation in a concentration-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Activation of purified soluble guanylate cyclase by endothelium-derived relaxing factor from intrapulmonary artery and vein: stimulation by acetylcholine, bradykinin and arachidonic acid

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether "endothelium-derived relaxing factor" (EDRF) released from bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein is capable of directly activating soluble guanylate cyclase, thereby accounting for elevated vascular levels of cyclic GMP during EDRF release. Isolated arterial and venous rings, after equilibration and depolarization in bath chambers, were transferred to reaction tubes and incubated with soluble guanylate cyclase that had been purified to homogeneity from bovine lung. Addition of test agents to either bath chambers or enzyme reaction mixtures enabled the determination of their sites of action. Arterial and venous rings caused an endothelium-dependent 2- to 3-fold enzyme activation that was inhibited by methylene blue. Endothelium-dependent enzyme activation in artery but not vein was enhanced several-fold by acetylcholine in an atropine-sensitive manner. Bradykinin, which relaxes both artery and vein when endothelium is intact, activated guanylate cyclase upon addition of endothelium-intact rings to enzyme reaction mixtures. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, which causes endothelium-dependent relaxation of artery but not vein, also activated guanylate cyclase in the presence of endothelium-intact artery but not vein. Arachidonic acid activated the enzyme directly as well as through EDRF release from artery but not vein. Atrial peptides, prostacyclin, isoproterenol and nitroglycerin were inactive. Methylene blue was a powerful inhibitor of EDRF-elicited activation of guanylate cyclase but was without effect when rings were merely pretreated with methylene blue in bath chambers with no further addition to enzyme reaction mixtures. Thus, methylene blue did not interfere with the formation, release or chemical stability of EDRF, but rather inhibited its influence on guanylate cyclase. No agent was found to inhibit EDRF generation or release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nitric oxide amplifies interleukin 1-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in rat mesangial cells.

Interleukin 1 and nitric oxide (NO) from infiltrating macrophages and activated mesangial cells may act in concert to sustain and promote glomerular damage. To evaluate if such synergy occurs, we evaluated the effect if IL-1 beta and NO on the formation of prostaglandin (PG)E2 and cyclooxygenase (COX) expression. The NO donors, sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, alone did not increase basal PGE2 formation. However, these compounds amplified IL-1 beta-induced PGE2 production. Similarly, sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine by themselves did not induce mRNA and protein for COX-2, the inducible isoform of COX; however, they both potentiated IL-1 beta-induced mRNA and protein expression of COX-2. The stimulatory effect of NO is likely to be mediated by cGMP since (a) an inhibitor of the soluble guanylate cyclase, methylene blue, reversed the stimulatory effect of NO donors on COX-2 mRNA expression; (b) the membrane-permeable cGMP analogue, 8-Br-cGMP, mimicked the stimulatory effect of NO donors on COX-2-mRNA expression; and (c) atrial natriuretic peptide, which increases cellular cGMP by activating the membrane-bound guanylate cyclase, also amplified IL-1 beta-induced COX-2 mRNA expression. These data indicate a novel interaction between NO and COX pathways.     

Methylene blue inhibits vasodilation of skeletal muscle arterioles to acetylcholine and nitric oxide via the extracellular generation of superoxide anion

The mechanism of modulation of cyclic GMP-associated vascular responses by methylene blue, an agent employed to inhibit the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase in tissues, was investigated in the cremaster muscle microcirculation of pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. The effect of topically applied agents on the diameter of third-order arterioles (15-20 microns diameter) was determined by in vivo television microscopy. Topical application (100 microliters) of acetylcholine (0.01 microgram) or nitric oxide (0.06-6 micrograms) caused vasodilator responses that were inhibited (P less than .05, n = 6-8) 64% and 30 to 100%, respectively, by suffusion of the preparation with 5 microM methylene blue. Agents that are thought to produce activation of guanylate cyclase via cellular metabolism to nitric oxide, nitroglycerin (0.5 ng-0.5 microgram) or nitroprusside (0.5 ng-0.5 microgram), also produced vasodilation. However, methylene blue suffusion did not inhibit these responses (n = 6-9). The inhibition of vasodilation to acetylcholine or nitric oxide by methylene blue was completely prevented by suffusion of superoxide dismutase, but not affected by suffusion of catalase. Based on the current conceptualization of the mechanism of action of these vasodilator agents in isolated larger blood vessels, methylene blue appears to inhibit responses in this skeletal muscle microcirculatory preparation through the extracellular generation of superoxide anion and not via a direct interaction with guanylate cyclase.