Comparison of the pharmacological profile of S-nitrosothiols, nitric oxide and the nitrergic neurotransmitter in the canine ileocolonic junction.

1. In organ bath experiments, hydroquinone (30-100 microM) and hydroxocobalamin (30-100 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited the relaxations induced by NO (0.3-30 microM) but not those by nitroglycerin (GTN, 1 microM) in the canine ileocolonic junction (ICJ). Hydroxocobalamin reduced the relaxation to low frequency (2 Hz) stimulation of the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves, whereas hydroquinone only reduced the NANC nerve-mediated relaxations to electrical stimulation at 16 Hz, 0.5 ms. 2. Relaxations to S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CysNO, 1-30 microM), or S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP, 1-30 microM) were not inhibited by hydroquinone (30-100 microM), hydroxocobalamin (30-100 microM), pyrogallol (30-100 microM) or L-cysteine (1-3 microM). Hydroquinone (100 microM) only reduced the relaxation to 10 microM CysNO. Hydroxocobalamin, but not hydroquinone, pyrogallol or L-cysteine, potentiated the relaxations to the lowest concentration (1 microM) of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO, 1-30 microM). 3. In the superfusion bioassay, hydroquinone (100 microM) and hydroxocobalamin (1 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited the biological activity of authentic NO (1-4 pmol) to the same extent as that of the transferable nitrergic factor, released from the canine ICJ in response to NANC nerve stimulation (8-16 Hz, 2 ms). Responses to GTN (10 pmol) or adenosine 5'-triphosphate (10 nmol) were not affected. 4. In conclusion, the nitrosothiols CysNO, SNAP and GSNO relax the canine ileocolonic junction, but these relaxations, pharmacologically, behave differently from the NANC nerve-mediated relaxations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of S-nitrosothiols and nitrate tolerance in the rat gastric fundus.

1. The relaxant responses of S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CysNO), S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), S-nitroso-N-acetyl-L-cysteine (SNAC) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in the rat gastric fundus (forestomach) were studied and compared to the relaxant responses obtained in response to nitric oxide (NO) and electrical field stimulation (EFS, 10 s strains) of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves. 2. CysNO (10(-7)-3 x 10(-4) M) caused transient relaxation of the precontracted rat gastric fundus, comparable to the response to NO (10(-6)-10(-4) M) and EFS. SNAP, SNAC and GSNO elicited more sustained relaxations. 3. The cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast (3 x 10(-5) M) increased the relaxant effect of CysNO, SNAP and GSNO while the NO-synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 3 x 10(-4) M) had no influence. 4. In the presence of LY 83583 (10(-5) M), which releases superoxide anions, the relaxant response to NO and CysNO was decreased, whereas that to all other stimuli was unaltered. The inhibitory effect of LY 83583 on CsNO-induced relaxations was prevented by superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1000 u ml-1). 5. Tissues incubated for 1 h with 5.5 x 10(-4) M nitroglycerin (GTN) became tolerant to GTN. In this condition, the relaxant response to 10(-5) M NO was maintained, while the relaxations by EFS (8 Hz) and 3 x 10(-5) M SNAP were significantly decreased. The reduction of the response to the other S-nitrosothiols was not significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An investigation of some S-nitrosothiols, and of hydroxy-arginine, on the mouse anococcygeus.

1. The effect of five S-nitrosothiols, and of the stereoisomers of NG-hydroxy-arginine (HOARG), were investigated on the mouse anococcygeus. 2. All five S-nitrosothiols produced concentration-related (0.1-100 microM) relaxations of carbachol (50 microM)-induced tone; the order of potency was S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CYSNO) > S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP) > S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) > S-nitrosocoenzyme A (CoASNO) > S-nitroso-N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NACNO). The relaxations were unaffected by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NG-nitro-arginine (10 microM) (L-NOARG). 3. Cold-storage of the tissue for 72 h resulted in loss of sympathetic and non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerve function. NOS activity in the tissue was reduced by 97%. Despite this, relaxations induced by the S-nitrosothiols were unaffected. 4. Haemoglobin (50 microM) attenuated relaxations induced by NO and the S-nitrosothiols, although responses to 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine were unaffected. N-methyl-hydroxylamine (2 mM) which has been shown previously to produce selective inhibition of NANC and nitrovasodilator responses in this tissue, also reduced responses to all S-nitrosothiols. 5. Hydroquinone (100 microM) greatly reduced relaxations to CYSNO (by 88%) but had no effect on those to SNAP, GSNO, CoASNO or NACNO. Since hydroquinone does not reduce responses to NANC stimulation, CYSNO is unlikely to be the NANC transmitter. 6. L-HOARG by itself (up to 100 microM) had no significant effect on carbachol-induced tone or on NANC (10 Hz; 10 strain every 100 s) relaxations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of thiol modulators and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase inhibition on nitrergic relaxations in the rat gastric fundus.

1. The effects of superoxide anion generators before and after treatment with inhibitors of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and the effects of thiol-modulating agents were investigated on nitrergic relaxations to electrical stimulation of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves of the rat gastric fundus and on relaxations to authentic nitric oxide (NO) and nitroglycerin. 2. The superoxide anion generators, pyrogallol (30 microM) and duroquinone (30-60 microM), significantly inhibited the relaxations to NO (0.03-3 microM) but not nitrergic relaxations to NANC nerve stimulation (0.5-8 Hz) or those to ATP (10 microM). Treatment of the rat gastric fundus with the inhibitors of Cu/Zn SOD, diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC, 1 mM for 2 h) or triethylenetetramine (TETA, 100 microM for 2 h) had no effect on the relaxations to NANC nerve stimulation (1-8 Hz), NO (0.03-3 microM) or on those to ATP (10 microM). 3. After treatment of the rat gastric fundus with DETC (1 mM) but not after treatment with TETA (100 microM), pyrogallol (30 microM) and duroquinone (30-60 microM) significantly inhibited the nitrergic relaxations to electrical stimulation (0.5-8 Hz) and those to NO (0.03-3 microM). This inhibitory effect of pyrogallol and duroquinone was prevented by addition of exogenous SOD (250 units ml-1). Pyrogallol but not duroquinone also inhibited the NO-independent relaxations to ATP (10 microM). 4. The thiol modulators, buthionine sulphoximine (1 mM for 2 h) and ethacrynic acid (30 microM for 2 h), significantly inhibited the relaxations to nitroglycerin (0.03-3 microM) but had no effect on the nitrergic relaxations to electrical stimulation (0.5-8 Hz) or on those to NO (0.03-10 microM) and ATP (10 microM). The thiol modulators, sulphobromophthalein (100 microM for 2 h) and diamide (30-100 microM for 2 h) did not affect the relaxations to nitroglycerin, or those to NANC nerve stimulation and NO. 5. In summary, thiol modulators significantly inhibited the thiol-dependent relaxations to nitroglycerin but not those to NANC nerve stimulation or NO. Relaxations to nitrergic stimulation were decreased by superoxide anion generators only after inhibition of Cu/Zn SOD. These results suggest that the nitrergic NANC neurotransmitter in the rat gastric fundus is not a nitrosothiol but more likely free NO, which is protected from breakdown by tissue SOD.     

Role of copper in the relaxant action of S-nitrosothiols in the rat anococcygeus muscle

1. The effects of copper chelators were investigated on the relaxant actions of the S-nitrosothiols S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine (SNAP), the non-S-nitrosothiol nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), free radical NO (NO.) and the nitrergic neurotransmitter in rat isolated anococcygeus muscle. 2. Cumulative additions of GSNO (0.01-100 micro mol/L), SNAP (0.001-10 micro mol/L), SNP (0.001-1 micro mol/L) and NO. (0.5-5 micro mol/L) and electrical field stimulation (EFS; 1-5 Hz, 10 s) of nitrergic nerves in preparations precontracted with guanethidine (10-30 micro mol/L) and clonidine (0.01-0.3 micro mol/L) produced concentration-dependent relaxations. 3. The Cu[I] chelator neocuproine (10-30 micro mol/L) produced concentration-dependent inhibitions of the relaxations to GSNO and SNAP. At 30 micro mol/L, neocuprinone had no effect on relaxations to SNP (0.001-1 micro mol/L), NO. (0.5-5 micro mol/L) or EFS (1-5 Hz, 10 s). 4. The Cu[II] chelator cuprizone (30 micro mol/L) slightly and significantly enhanced relaxations to GSNO and NO., but had no effect on relaxations to SNAP, SNP or EFS. 5. In conclusion, the results indicate that Cu[I], but not Cu[II], may be involved in the relaxant actions of GSNO and SNAP in the rat anococcygeus muscle.     

Effect of diabetes on relaxations to non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerve stimulation in longitudinal muscle of the rat gastric fundus.

1. The effect of 8-week streptozotocin-induced diabetes has been examined on relaxations to non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerve stimulation in longitudinal strips of rat gastric fundus. 2. In the presence of noradrenergic and cholinergic blockade and raised tissue tone, electrical field stimulation (0.5-4 Hz, 30 s trains) induced frequency-dependent relaxations that were significantly smaller in gastric fundus strips from diabetic rats than in strips from control rats. 3. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME, 100 microM) significantly reduced NANC relaxations in muscle strips from both control and diabetic rats, but the reduction was greater in muscle strips from diabetic rats than in those from control rats at frequencies of 2 and 4 Hz. alpha-Chymotrypsin (1 u ml-1) slightly reduced relaxations to nerve stimulation in muscle strips from both control and diabetic rats. 4. The duration of NANC nerve relaxations (1-4 Hz, 30 s trains) was smaller in muscle strips from diabetic rats than in those from control rats. The duration of NANC relaxations was reduced by alpha-chymotrypsin (1 u ml-1) in muscle strips from control rats but not in muscle strips from diabetic rats. 5. Relaxations to both nitric oxide (NO; 1-30 microM) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP; 0.1-30 microM) were concentration-dependent and did not differ between muscle strips from control and diabetic rats. 6. The results suggest that streptozotocin-induced diabetes impairs relaxations to NANC nerve stimulation in the rat gastric fundus, which are largely mediated by NO and to a lesser extent by VIP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Discrimination by the NO-trapping agent, carboxy-PTIO, between NO and the nitrergic transmitter but not between NO and EDRF.

1. The effects of carboxy-PTIO, a scavenger of free radical nitric oxide (NO), were studied on endothelium-dependent relaxations of rat aorta and nitrergic nerve stimulation-induced relaxations of anococcygeus muscle and gastric fundus strips to test the hypothesis that endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and the transmitter released by nitrergic nerves is free radical NO. 2. Carboxy-PTIO (10-300 microM) produced concentration-dependent reductions of relaxations elicited by exogenous NO, and relaxations mediated by EDRF released by acetylcholine and ATP in rings of rat aorta. The inhibitory effect of carboxy-PTIO was removed by washing the tissues. 3. In the rat anococcygeus muscle, carboxy-PTIO (10-300 microM) produced concentration-dependent reductions of relaxations to exogenous NO; however, in concentrations up to 2000 microM it did not reduce relaxations elicited by nitrergic nerve stimulation (1-2 Hz), in fact, concentrations of 300 microM or more slightly enhanced them. 4. In rat gastric fundus strips, carboxy-PTIO (100 and 300 microM) reduced relaxations to exogenous NO, but relaxations elicited by stimulation of the nitrergic component of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerves were not affected. 5. These results suggest that EDRF is free radical NO and may be designated EDNO, but the transmitter released from nitrergic nerves does not appear to be identical to EDNO and may not be free radical NO.     

Nitrergic relaxation of the mouse gastric fundus is mediated by cyclic GMP-dependent and ryanodine-sensitive mechanisms

1. Ryanodine-sensitive, Ca(2+) release ('Ca(2+) sparks') from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) can activate plasmalemmal Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (K(Ca)) to cause membrane hyperpolarization and smooth muscle relaxation. Since cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) can modulate Ca(2+) spark activity, the aim of the present study was to determine if Ca(2+) spark-like events are involved in NO-dependent, NANC relaxations to electrical field stimulation (EFS) of mouse, longitudinal smooth muscle of the gastric fundus in isolated strips contracted to approximately 40% of their maximum contraction. 2. NANC relaxations to EFS were almost abolished by both the NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG; 100 microM) and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1-H-oxodiazol-[1,2,4]-[4,3-alpha] quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ; 10 microM). Also, ODQ abolished relaxations to the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 1 nM - 30 microM). NANC relaxations and SNP-evoked relaxations were both partly ryanodine (10 microM)- and nifedipine (0.3 microM)-sensitive, but in each case, the inhibitory effects of ryanodine and nifedipine were additive. 3. Apamin (1 microM), charybdotoxin (0.1 microM), iberiotoxin (0.1 microM), tetraethylammonium (TEA; 1 mM), glibenclamide (10 microM) and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM) had no effect on either NANC- or SNP-evoked relaxations, the latter of which were also unaffected by high extracellular K(+) (68 mM). 4. Caffeine (0.1 - 1 mM) caused concentration-dependent relaxations of gastric fundus which were inhibited by ryanodine but unaffected by L-NOARG. 5. Relaxation to ATP (30 microM) was abolished by nifedipine, partly inhibited by apamin and ryanodine, but was unaffected by L-NOARG. 6. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that nitrergic relaxations in the mouse longitudinal gastric fundus occur via a cyclic GMP-activated ryanodine-sensitive mechanism, which does not appear to involve activation of K(+) channels.     

The P(2)-purinoceptor antagonist suramin is a competitive antagonist at vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors in the rat gastric fundus

The P(2)-purinoceptor antagonist, suramin, was used to investigate the possible involvement of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in the inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) innervation of the rat gastric fundus. ATP (1-30 microM) produced biphasic responses consisting of concentration-dependent relaxations followed by concentration-dependent contractions. Suramin (200 microM) significantly reduced relaxations and abolished contractions to ATP. Under NANC conditions, electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced frequency-dependent relaxations. Suramin (200 microM) and the peptidase alpha-chymotrypsin (1 u ml(-1)) had the same effects on EFS-induced relaxations: their duration was reduced, but their magnitude was unaffected. Cumulative relaxations to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP; 0.1-100 nM), and to the VIP analogue pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide 1-27 (PACAP; 0.2-100 nM), were almost completely abolished by alpha-chymotrypsin (1 u ml(-1)), and were inhibited by suramin (3-200 microM) in an apparently competitive manner. Schild plot analysis indicated that suramin had pA(2) values of 5.1+/-0.2 (Hill slope=0.9+/-0.2) and 5.6+/-0.1 (Hill slope=1.0+/-0.1), against VIP and PACAP, respectively. Concentration-dependent relaxations to nitric oxide (1-30 microM) and cumulative relaxations to isoprenaline (0.1-300 nM) were not affected by suramin (200 microM). No conclusions can be made regarding the possible involvement of ATP in EFS-induced NANC relaxations. The results suggest that suramin acts as a competitive antagonist at VIP receptors in the rat gastric fundus.     

Influence of superoxide dismutase inhibition on the discrimination between NO and the nitrergic neurotransmitter in the rat gastric fundus.

1. The influence of diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA), that irreversibly inhibits Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase, on the inability of 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583), hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase, hydroquinone and hydroxocobalamin to reduce electrically-induced NANC relaxations in the rat gastric fundus was investigated. 2. Longitudinal muscle strips of the rat gastric fundus were mounted for auxotonic recording in the presence of atropine and guanethidine and tone was raised by administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha DETCA (3 x 10(-3) M) slightly reduced the short-lasting relaxations induced by 10(-5) M exogenous nitric oxide (NO) and transmural electrical stimulation for 10 s at 4 Hz but this effect was not influenced by 1000 u ml-1 superoxide dismutase (SOD). 3. DETCA (3 x 10(-5) -3 x 10(-3) M) concentration-dependently potentiated the inhibitory effect of LY83583 upon the electrically-induced relaxations, although this was less pronounced than the inhibition of the NO-induced relaxations. The inhibition of the electrically-induced non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations was not reversed by SOD while that of the NO-induced relaxations was partially reversed. 4. The inhibitory effect of hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase, hydroquinone and hydroxocobalamin on the electrically-induced NANC relaxations in the presence of DETCA (3 x 10(-3) M) was not different from the inhibitory effect of DETCA alone. 5. It was concluded that the differentiating effect of LY83583 between exogenous NO and the endogenous nitrergic neurotransmitter is partially related to protection of the endogenous nitrergic neurotransmitter by high levels of intracellular superoxide dismutase. This mechanism does not hold for hydroquinone and hydroxocobalamin, as they still discriminate between exogenous NO and the endogenous nitrergic neurotransmitter in the presence of DETCA. The possibility that the endogenous nitrergic neurotransmitter is not free NO in the rat gastric fundus therefore remains open.     

Inhibition of NO-medicate responses by 7-ethoxyresorufin, a substrate and competitive inhibitor of cytochrome P450.

1. The effects of 7-ethoxyresorufin (7-ER), which is a substrate for and competitive inhibitor of cytochrome P450, were studied on responses to nitric oxide (NO), the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations of rat and rabbit aortic rings and nitrergic nerve stimulation-induced relaxations of rat anococcygeus muscles. 2. In rat and rabbit aortic rings, 7-ER (2 microM) inhibited the relaxations to acetylcholine in endothelium-intact preparations and the relaxant action of NO in endothelium-denuded preparations. Relaxant responses to SNP and GTN were inhibited by 7-ER in the rat but not rabbit aortic rings. However, the relaxant actions of papaverine and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP were not affected by 7-ER. 3. In rat anococcygeus muscles, 7ER (2 microM) inhibited the relaxant action of NO, but relaxations elicited by nitrergic nerve stimulation were only partly inhibited by a higher concentration of 7-ER (10 microM). 4. After inhibition by 7-ER, superoxide dismutase (100 u ml-1) restored NO-induced relaxations of the rat aortic rings, but not acetylcholine-, SNP or GTN-induced relaxations, and restored NO- and nitrergic nerve stimulation-induced relaxations of anococcygeus muscles. 5. Another cytochrome P450 inhibitor, troleandomycin (10-30 microM), had no effect on NO- or acetylcholine-induced relaxations of rat aortic rings and NO- or nitrergic nerve stimulation-induced relaxations of anococcygeus muscles. However, resorufin, an analogue of 7-ER, inhibited responses to acetylcholine, NO and GTN in rat aortic rings. 6. The results suggest that 7-ER inhibited responses to NO and nitrergic nerve stimulation through generation of superoxide radicals. However, an additional mechanism may be involved in the reduction in acetylcholine-induced response in aortic rings. 7. A 7-ER sensitive P450 system may be involved in the bioactivation of GTN and SNP in rat aortic rings, but not in rabbit aorta or rat anococcygeus muscles.     

S-nitrosothiols and the nitrergic neurotransmitter in the rat gastric fundus: effect of antioxidants and metal chelation

1. The effects of the antioxidants ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol and of the metal chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were studied on relaxations in response to S-nitrosothiols, authentic nitric oxide (NO) and nitrergic non-adrenergic non-cholinergic stimulation of the rat gastric fundus.
2. The S-nitrosothiols S-nitrosocysteine (1–100 nM), S-nitrosoglutathione (0.01–3 μM) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (0.01–3 μM) induced concentration-dependent relaxations of the rat gastric fundus muscle strips, which were precontracted with prostaglandin F_2α. The relaxations to all S-nitrosothiols were concentration-dependently enhanced by the antioxidants ascorbic acid (0.1–3 μM) and α-tocopherol (3–30 μM) and inhibited by the metal chelator EDTA (26 μM).
3. Ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol alone did not induce a relaxation of the precontracted rat gastric fundus muscle strip. However, when ascorbic acid (1 μM) or α-tocopherol (1 μM) were injected in the organ bath 1 minute after S-nitrosoglutathione (0.1 μM) or after S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (0.1 μM), they induced an immediate, sharp and transient relaxation. This relaxation was inhibited by the superoxide generator pyrogallol (2 μM). Such a relaxation to ascorbic acid or α-tocopherol was not observed in the presence of S-nitrosocysteine (10 nM).
4. Electrical field stimulation (0.5–4 Hz) of the precontracted rat gastric fundus strips induced frequency-dependent nitrergic relaxations which were mimicked by authentic NO (3–300 nM) and by acidified sodium nitrite NaNO₂ (0.3–10 μM). Ascorbic acid (0.3–3 μM), α-tocopherol (3–30 μM) or EDTA (26 μM) did not affect the relaxations to nitrergic stimulation, NO or NaNO₂.
5. In summary, relaxations to S-nitrosothiols in the rat gastric fundus are enhanced by the antioxidants ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol and inhibited by the metal chelator EDTA. However, relaxations to nitrergic stimulation of the rat gastric fundus or those to authentic NO were not affected by the antioxidants or by the metal chelator. These results indicate that antioxidants and metal chelators have a different effect on the biological activity of S-nitrosothiols and on that of the nitrergic neurotransmitter. Therefore, our results suggest that S-nitrosothiols do not act as intermediate compounds in nitrergic neurotransmission in the rat gastric fundus.

     

Evidence that adenosine 5'-triphosphate is the third inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurotransmitter in the rat gastric fundus

In the rat gastric fundus, non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations are mediated by nitric oxide (NO), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and a third, as yet unidentified, neurotransmitter. The possible involvement of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in the NANC relaxations was examined using pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',5'-disulphonic acid (PPADS), apamin and desensitization to alpha,beta-methylene ATP. NANC responses were studied in the absence and presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME; 100 microM) and alpha-chymotrypsin (1 u ml(-1)), to inhibit responses to NO and VIP, respectively. PPADS (100 microM), apamin (1 microM) and desensitization to alpha,beta-methylene ATP (10 microM, three additions) all significantly (P<0.05) reduced NANC relaxations to electrical field stimulation (0.5 - 4 Hz, 30 s trains) in longitudinal strips of rat gastric fundus and almost abolished the residual relaxation remaining in the presence of NAME and alpha-chymotrypsin. PPADS had no effect on responses to the NO-donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or VIP. Apamin slightly reduced relaxations to SNP, but did not affect those to VIP, whereas desensitization to alpha,beta-methylene ATP markedly reduced responses to both SNP and VIP. The effects of PPADS and apamin in this study provide strong evidence that the third inhibitory NANC neurotransmitter in the rat gastric fundus is ATP.     

Lead effects on non-adrenergic non-cholinergic relaxations in the rat gastric fundus.

The effect of lead exposure on non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations in rat gastric fundus was evaluated in this work. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: The control group received tap water and the three other received 0.008% of lead acetate in their drinking water for 15, 30 and 120 days. NANC relaxations induced by electrical field stimulation (0.5-8 Hz, 1 ms, 60 V) of gastric fundus strips was inhibited in all groups treated with lead. The strips from groups, control and 120 days of lead treatment (LEAD 120), were incubated with L-NOARG (100 microM). The presence of this blocker did not produce any additional inhibition. Sodium nitroprusside (10(-10)-10(-6) M) and 8-Br-GMPc (3 x 10(-8)-3 x 10(-4) M) produced dose-dependent relaxations in strips of both groups control and LEAD 120, however, in the LEAD 120, the potencies were significantly reduced from 7.32 +/- 0.05 to 6.40 +/- 0.09 (n = 5) and 4.26 +/- 0.06 to 3.69 +/- 0.05 (n = 5), respectively. Our data suggest that the chronic exposure to lead inhibits NANC relaxations probably by modulating NO release from NANC nerves and/or by interacting with intracellular transducer mechanisms in rat gastric fundus.     

Pharmacological comparison between the nitrergic responses produced by intramural nerve stimulation and exogenous NO-donors in rat gastric fundus.

To investigate whether the nitrergic nerve-mediated smooth muscle relaxation is caused by authentic nitric oxide (NO) and is mediated via guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP), we compared the response to electrical field stimulation of nitrergic nerve (EFS) with other NO-related responses in rat gastric fundus strips. EFS, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), and acidified NaNO2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS)-mediated NO all produced relaxation and elevated cyclic GMP level in rat fundus strips. However, the basal and stimulated cyclic GMP levels were significantly lower than the basal level in aorta (40+/-4 pmol/g wet tissue). Methylene blue and 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583), both known as soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitors and O2- generators that scavenge NO, reduced the elevation of cyclic GMP level by all stimuli and inhibited the relaxations only in response to NaNO2 and iNOS-mediated NO but not to the other stimuli. These results suggest that in the rat gastric fundus strips the relaxations induced by not only nitrergic nerve but also SNP and SNAP are not associated with cyclic GMP production, in contrast to the relaxations mediated by authentic NO.     

Study on the cyclic GMP-dependency of relaxations to endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide in the mouse gastrointestinal tract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: cGMP mediates nitrergic relaxations of intestinal smooth muscle, but several studies have indicated that cGMP-independent mechanisms may also be involved. We addressed this contention by studying the effect of ODQ and ns2028, specific inhibitors of soluble guanylate cyclase, on nitrergic relaxations of the mouse gut. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Mouse gastric fundus and small intestinal muscle preparations were mounted in organ baths to study relaxations to exogenous NO, NO donors and electrical field stimulation (EFS) of enteric nerves. KEY RESULTS: In gastric fundus longitudinal muscle strips, ODQ and NS2028 abolished the L-nitroarginine-sensitive relaxations to EFS and the relaxations to NO and NO donors, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), SIN-1 and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). EFS of intestinal segments and muscle strips showed L-nitroarginine-resistant relaxations, which were abolished by the purinoceptor blocker suramin. In the presence of suramin, ODQ and NS2028 abolished all relaxations to EFS in intestinal segments and strips. ODQ and NS2028 abolished the relaxations to exogenous NO and to the NO donors GTN, SIN-1 and SNP in circular and longitudinal intestinal muscle strips. Intestinal segments showed residual relaxations to NO and GTN. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our results indicate that relaxations to endogenous NO in the mouse gastric fundus and small intestine are completely dependent on cGMP. ODQ and NS2028 incompletely blocked nitrergic relaxations to exogenous NO in intact intestinal segments. However, it is unlikely that this is due to the involvement of cGMP-independent pathways because ODQ and NS2028 abolished all relaxations to endogenous and exogenous NO in intestinal muscle strips.     

Involvement of nitric oxide in non-adrenergic non-cholinergic relaxation and action of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in circular muscle strips of the rat gastric fundus.

We examined the characteristics of the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerve induced relaxation and the possible interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the basal tone of the circular muscle of the rat gastric fundus. Electrically induced NANC relaxations were partly inhibited by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM), whereas sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10 microM) and VIP (5 nM) induced relaxations were not affected. 2-Amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,3-thiazine (AMT; 5 microM) also inhibited the responses to electrical stimuli to a similar extent as N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine but not VIP. However, AMT plus N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine did not give an additional inhibition above that of each drug alone on NANC relaxations, and dexamethasone (10 microM) had no effect on NANC nerve induced relaxations. 1H-[1,2,4,]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 10 microM), a selective inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, abolished the responses to NANC nerve stimulation and SNP, while VIP responses were not influenced. N-ethylmaleimide (100 microM), an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, attenuated relaxations to NANC nerve stimulation, VIP and isoproterenol (1 nM), while having no effect on those to SNP, but in combination with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine, there was no additional inhibition on the responses to nerve stimulation. Alpha-chymotrypsin (10 u ml(-1)) severely diminished VIP induced relaxations, but did not reduce electrical responses. In conclusion, these results suggest that NO is involved in the relaxations induced by short-term electrical stimulation. However, another possible unidentified transmitter that can trigger the accumulation of cyclic GMP is not entirely ruled out and there is no interaction between NO and VIP in the circular muscle strip of the rat gastric fundus, even in the basal state of the tissue.     

Investigation of a possible interaction between the heme oxygenase/biliverdin reductase and nitric oxide synthase pathway in murine gastric fundus and jejunum

This study investigated the possible interaction between the heme oxygenase (HO)/biliverdin reductase (BVR) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway in murine gastric fundus and jejunum, since previous studies have shown that both HO-2 and BVR are expressed in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and co-localized with neuronal NOS in a large proportion of myenteric neurons along the gastrointestinal tract. Neither HO inhibition by chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP) nor co-incubation with CO or biliverdin/bilirubin affected nitrergic neurotransmission - i.e. relaxations induced by non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerve stimulation or exogenous NO - under normal physiological conditions. However, biliverdin/bilirubin reversed the inhibitory effect of the superoxide generator LY83583 on exogenous NO-induced relaxations in both tissues. When gastric fundus muscle strips were depleted of the endogenous antioxidant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) by the Cu-chelator DETCA, electrically induced NANC relaxations were also affected by LY82583; however, biliverdin/bilirubin could not substitute for the loss of Cu/Zn SOD when this specific antioxidant enzyme was depleted. In jejunal muscle strips, the combination DETCA plus LY83583 nearly abolished contractile phasic activity and, hence, did not allow studying nitrergic relaxation in these experimental conditions. In conclusion, this study does not establish a role for HO/CO in inhibitory NANC neurotransmission in murine gastric fundus and jejunum under normal physiological conditions. However, the antioxidants biliverdin/bilirubin might play an important role in the protection of the nitrergic neurotransmitter against oxidative stress.     

Nitrergic and peptidergic components of NANC relaxations of cat gastric fundus

The mediators of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation of cat gastric fundus were examined in vitro. Electrical field stimulation (EFS, 10 pulses train and 10 s train) induced tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive relaxations in the presence of atropine and guanethidine. Relaxation induced by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was abolished by alpha-chymotrypsin (alpha-CT). N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) completely inhibited relaxation induced by EFS of 10 pulses train at all frequencies. L-NNA completely inhibited the relaxation induced by EFS of 10 s train at low frequencies but partly that at high frequencies; alpha-CT had an additive to L-NNA inhibitory effect on the relaxation. The results suggest a nitrergic nature of NANC relaxation in cat gastric fundus upon EFS of 10 pulses, and a nitrergic and peptidergic (VIP) nature of relaxations upon EFS of 10 s train.     

EFFECTS OF HYDROXOCOBALAMIN AND HAEMOGLOBIN ON NO-MEDIATED RELAXATIONS IN THE RAT ANOCOCCYGEUS MUSCLE

1. The effects of hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B_12a) on relaxations produced by nitric oxide (NO), some NO-donating compounds and nitrergic nerve stimulation in isolated preparations of the rat anococcygeus muscle were compared with the effects of haemoglobin. 2. Hydroxocobalamin (30 μmol/L) significantly reduced relaxations induced by NO (0.1–3 μmol/L) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 0.01–0.3 μmol/L) but did not affect relaxations induced by glyceryl trinitrate (GTN; 0.01–1 μmol/L), S-nitrosocysteine (0.1–0.3 μmol/L) or stimulation of nitrergic nerves. A higher concentration of hydroxocobalamin (100 μmol/L) slightly reduced nitrergic nerve stimulation-induced relaxations. 3. Haemoglobin (10 μmol/L) blocked relaxation induced by NO and reduced relaxations induced by SNP, GTN, S-nitrosocysteine and nitrergic nerve stimulation. 4. When nitrergic nerve stimulation-induced relaxations had been partially reduced by the NO synthase inhibitor l-NAME (5–10 μmol/L), hydroxocobalamin had only a weak and transient inhibitory effect. 5. Noradrenergic contractions induced by field stimulation were not affected by hydroxocobalamin (30 μmol/L), but were enhanced by haemoglobin (10 μmol/L). 6. The results suggest that the transmitter released from nitrergic nerves in anococcygeus muscles resembles NO-releasing compounds such as S-nitrosocysteine and GTN but not SNP or free NO.