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R J Gryglewski

Publications and source records attributed to R J Gryglewski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clonidine-induced coronary vasodilatation in isolated guinea pig heart is not mediated by endothelial alpha2 adrenoceptors.

Functional role of endothelial alpha(2)-adrenoceptor in coronary circulation remains unclear. Clonidine, an agonist of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, was reported to induce coronary vasodilatation via stimulation of endothelial alpha(2)-adrenoceptors or coronary vasoconstriction involving vascular smooth muscle alpha(2)-adrenoceptors. Moreover, H(2) receptor-dependent responses to clonidine were described. Here, we reassess the contribution of endothelial alpha(2)-adrenoceptor and H(2) receptors to coronary flow and contractility responses induced by clonidine in the isolated guinea pig heart. We found that clonidine (10(-9) - 10(-6) M) produced concentration-dependent coronary vasoconstriction without a significant change in contractility. This response was inhibited by the alpha(1)/alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist - phentolamine (10(-5) M) and the selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (10(-6) M), but it was not changed by the selective alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (10(-6) M). In the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (10(-4) M) the clonidine-induced vasoconstriction was potentiated. Clonidine at high concentrations of 10(-5) - 3 x 10(-5) M produced coronary vasodilatation, and an increase in myocardial contractility. These responses were abolished by a selective H(2)-receptor antagonist, ranitidine (10(-5) M), but not by phentolamine (10(-5) M). We conclude that in the isolated guinea pig heart, clonidine-induced vasoconstriction is mediated by activation of smooth muscle alpha(2)-adrenoceptors whereas clonidine-induced coronary vasodilatation is mediated by activation of vascular H(2) histaminergic receptors. Accordingly, endothelial alpha(2)-adrenoceptors does not seem to play a major role in coronary flow response induced by clonidine.

Animals↗

Mesoionic oxatriazoles (MOTA): NO-donating characteristics and pharmacology.

Biological role of nitric oxide (NO), functioning of isoforms of NO synthetases (NOS) and pharmacology of principle NO-donors were reviewed. NO donating characteristics and pharmacology of 23 mesoionic oxatriazoles (MOTA) were compared with those of 5-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), sodium nitroprusside (NaNP) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). It is concluded that in vitro NO donating profile of MOTA hardly can be used as a predicting measure for their pharmacological activities either in vitro or in vivo. If anything, fast NO releasers seem to be stronger vasorelaxants than MOTA with slow NO releasing properties. Still, among representatives of this last category of MOTA one may find efficient antithrombotic and thrombolytic agents. For instance, MOTA 5-oxides were more potent thrombolytics than SIN-1, SNAP or NaNP. Also MOTA with potent anti-platelet action in vitro seem to be potent relaxants of tracheal strips. In summary, by manipulating the chemical structures of MOTA one may obtain relative selectivity towards vasorelaxant, anti-platelet, thrombolytic or tracheorelaxant properties. Thus different categories of MOTA might be designed with a hope of achieving hypotensive, antithrombotic, thrombolytic or anti-asthmatic drugs.

Animals↗

Eosinophil-epithelial cell interaction augments cysteinyl leukotrienes synthesis.

Eosinophils accumulation in the airways and sustained eosinophil-derived cysteinyl leukotrienes production represent key elements of the inflammatory response seen in asthma. However, it is not known whether activated epithelial cells influence cysteinyl leukotrienes production by eosinophils from healthy valunteers. The aim of the present study was therefore to analyse the effects of interactions between non-atopic eosinophils and epithelial cells on cysteinyl leukotrienes production in vitro. We measured cysteinyl leukotrienes released by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) -activated human eosinophils or epithelial cells (human bronchial epithelial cell line -BEAS-2B) cultured alone or together. While activated BEAS-2B cells barely formed leukotrienes (1.39 pg/ml +/- 0.2) (n=32), activated eosinophils produced considerable amount of them (62.25 pg/ml +/- 10.29) (n=32). Interestingly, when activated eosinophils and epithelial cells were co-incubated, production of cysteinyl leukotrienes increased substantially (571.1 pg/ml +/- 80.9) (n=32). Thus, eosinophil-epithelial cell interactions, when occur, are associated with increased biosythesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes.

Bronchi↗

Flavonoids and nitric oxide synthase.

Induction of NOS-2 in macrophages and smooth muscles within vascular wall with concomittant suppression of endothelial NOS-3 activity is considered to be a hallmark of vascular inflammation that triggers atherogenesis. Accordingly, drugs designed to reverse these changes should not only support vaning function of NOS-3 but also suppress proinflammatory NO production by NOS-2. It means that using selective inhibitors of induction of NOS-2 (they spare ex definitione constitutive activity of NOS-3) is a more rational approach than using "selective" inhibitors of activity of previously induced NOS-2. First of all, those drugs are never sufficiently selective. In our work we tried to identify inhibitors of NOS-2 induction within the group of flavonoids, known stimulators of NOS-3 with putative antiatherogenic effects. Representatives of four main groups of flavonoids: flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, rutin), flavones (apigenin, primuletin), flavanols (catechine) and flavanones (hesperetin, hesperidin, naringenin) were tried on NOS-2 induction and activity in the in vitro model of LPS-treated macrophages (cell line J774.2). While none of these compounds inhibited activity of NOS-2, all with unexpectedly scattered potencies inhibited induction of NOS-2 protein in LPS-treated J774.2 cells, as evidenced by Western blotting technique. Subsequently, RT-PCR and Northern blotting methods revealed that so far the most potent compounds, kaempferol and apigenin, at micromolar concentrations did inhibit NOS-2 induction at the level of NOS-2 gene transcription. We conclude that some of flavonoids are potent inhibitors of NOS-2 induction. At the same time they may increase endothelial NOS-3 activity. Could these flavonoids become natural parents of future drugs, which will be used for reversal of inflammatory component of atherothrombosis?

Animals↗

No-dependent vasodilation induced by nebivolol in coronary circulation is not mediated by beta-adrenoceptors or by 5 HT1A-receptors.

Nebivolol is a unique beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist which possesses peripheral vasodilator properties dependent on endothelial NO. Nebivolol-induced release of NO was attributed to its L stereoisomer and to its ability to stimulate endothelial beta2, beta3 adrenoceptors or 5-HT1A receptors. Here, in the isolated guinea pig heart we analysed coronary vasodilator potency of L- and D-nebivolol and a possible role of beta2, beta3 adrenoceptors and 5-HT1A receptors in nebivolol-induced vasodilation. Surprisingly, we found that not only L-nebivolol (3-30 x 10(-6) M) but also D-nebivolol (3-30 x 10(-6) M) induced coronary vasodilation, and both responses were inhibited by L-NAME (10(-4) M). In contrast with the stereoisomers of nebivolol, atenolol at the equimolar concentrations did induce slight vasoconstriction. The nonselective beta1/beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist--nadolol (10(-5) M), the selective beta3-adrenoceptor antagonist--L 748337 (10(-6) M) and the 5 HT1A receptor antagonist--NAN 190 (5 x 10(-6) M), none of them inhibited coronary vasodilation induced by D- and L-nebivolol. In summary, in the isolated guinea pig heart both D- and L-nebivolol act as coronary vasodilators. Coronary vasodilation induced by stereoisomers of nebivolol is mediated by endothelium-derived NO and does not depend on beta2, beta3 adrenoceptors or 5 HT1A receptors.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Synthesis and thrombolytic activity of new thienopyrimidinone derivatives.

It has been observed that ticlopidine and clopidogrel show, apart from their delayed antiplatelet properties, an immediate and transient thrombolytic action related to the ability of these thienopyridines to stimulate the secretory function of vascular endothelium. With the objective to construct new molecules with identical thrombolytic potency but at a higher level, we carried out different structural modifications in the thienopyridine chemical molecule to conclude that the presence of a second N atom in the pyridine cycle (yielding pyrimidine moiety) and the presence of an additional cycle fused to the thienyl ring would lead to enhanced thrombolytic effects. Here we report the six-step synthesis of a series of new benzothienopyrimidinone derivatives characterized by this searched for potent thrombolytic activity. The pharmacological assay used anaesthetised Wistar rats with extracorporal circulation in which arterial blood superfused thrombi adhering to a strip of collagen. Weight of thrombi was continuously monitored. Six compounds of the series were much more potent thrombolytic agents than their thienopyridine references: the effective thrombolytic dose that produced 30% of maximum thrombolysis (ED30) was at a range of 8 to 170 microg kg(-1) as compared with ED30 values of 16000 to 20000 microg kg(-1) for clopidogrel and ticlopidine respectively. Especially with the most active compound, this difference in the threshold thrombolytic dose, giving an intensity of action higher by three orders of magnitude, was accompanied by a lengthening of the response. Apart from that these compounds have shown to be synthetic thrombolytics, they certainly deserve further studying.

Animals↗

Interleukin 1beta induces functional prostaglandin E synthase in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide H2 (PGH2) is generated from arachidonic acid by either constitutive (COX-1) or inducible (COX-2) cyclooxygenases. In arterial wall PGH2 is converted by PGI2 synthase (PGI-S) to prostacyclin (PGI2), and in platelets by thromboxane synthase (TX-S) to thromboxane (TXA2). Other prostanoids as PGD2, PGF2alpha, or PGE2 were believed to arise non-enzymatically from PGH2. Only recently, human prostaglandin E synthase (PGE-S) has been identified and cloned as a membrane bound, microsomal, glutathione-dependent inducible enzyme. Here we demonstrated that interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) is an inducer of COX-2 and PGE-S in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Functional expression of PGE-S was measured at the level of specific mRNA by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, PGE-S protein was detected by Western blot in HUVEC, while PGE2 was measured by immunoassay in the supernatant. Actinomycin D, a classical transcription inhibitor, was used to prove that indeed IL-1beta induced the functional PGE-S enzyme. PGE2 generation in HUVEC was inhibited by indomethacin, acetaminophen and dexamethasone. In conclusion, we found that in cultured endothelial cells IL-1beta induced as evidenced by the appearance of its transcript and its functional enzyme. The induction of endothelial PGE-S and COX-2 appeared to be and their transcripts were induced as fast as one might expect from immediate early genes. It means that IL-1beta-triggered-PGE2 biosynthesis in endothelial cells is probably regulated by induction of both COX-2 and PGE-S. This is way we hypothesise the existence of at least two distinct pools of COX-2: the first selectively coupled to PGE-S and the second one that is coupled to PGI-S yielding the main endothelial product--PGI2.

Blotting, Western↗

Paradoxical augmentation of bradykinin-induced vasodilatation by xanthine/xanthine oxidase-derived free radicals in isolated guinea pig heart.

Increased generation of reactive oxygen species contribute to endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart failure. Recently, it was suggested that bursts of superoxide anions may inactivate endothelial surface-bound enzymes such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Here, we tested effects of xanthine/xanthine oxidase-derived superoxide anions on vascular responses and ACE activity in the isolated guinea pig heart. We analysed effects of intracoronary infusion of low concentration of xanthine oxidase (10 mU/ml) in the presence of xanthine (0,5 mM) (X/XO) on bradykinin, other endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilators (acetylcholine, ADP, SNAP), as well as vasoconstrictor responses to angiotensin I and angiotensin II. Surprisingly, X/XO significantly augmented coronary response to bradykinin without an effect on responses to ADP, acetylcholine, SNAP, angiotensin I and angiotensin II. In contrast, inhibition of ACE by perindoprilate (100 nM) resulted in augmentation of bradykinin-induced vasodilatation as well as diminution of angiotensin I-evoked vasoconstriction without an influence on other responses. In summary, in the isolated guinea pig heart, X/XO-derived free radicals selectively augmented coronary vasodilator response to bradykinin, which cannot be explained by X/XO-induced derangement of ACE. The mechanism of this paradoxical phenomenon, which might represent a defensive response of the coronary circulation to oxidative stress requires further investigations.

Angiotensin I↗

Comparison of endothelial pleiotropic actions of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and statins.

Two in vitro and one in vivo assay were performed to study the endothelial pleiotropic actions of "tissue type" angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) such as perindopril and quinapril, their active forms, that is, quinaprilat and peridoprilat, or of statins belonging to natural (lovastatin), semisynthetic (simvastatin), and synthetic enantiomeric (atorvastatin, cerivastatin) classes. Cytoplasmic [Ca2+]i levels in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells and endothelium-dependent nitric oxide-mediated coronary vasodilatation in the Langendorff preparation of guinea pig heart constituted our in vitro assays. The in vivo assay consisted of study of PGI2-mediated thrombolytic response in arterial blood of rats after intravenous administration of drugs. In this last assay, perindopril and quinapril proved to be, by two orders of magnitude, more potent PGI2-dependent thrombolytics than the most potent statin (atorvastatin). However, in both in vitro assays we found a higher endothelial efficacy of statins as compared to ACE-Is. In particular, those statins that contain the lactone ring in their molecules (lovastatin, simvastatin) were the most potent coronary vasodilators. In summary, the in vivo profile of action of ACE-Is and statins contrasted with their reversed order of potency in vitro. We hypothesize that the endocrine-like function of the pulmonary circulation [28-31] may be responsible for the in vivo bradykinin-triggered, PGI2-mediated thrombolysis by ACE-Is, whereas the pleiotropic action of statins, possibly involving inhibition of prenylation [14-19], is diffused throughout many vascular beds.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Thrombolysis by thienopyridines and their congeners.

We propose that anti-platelet thienopyridines, such as ticlopidine or clopidogrel, are thrombolytic owing to endothelial release of prostacyclin (PGI2) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). In this study we used anaesthetised Wistar rats with extracorporal circulation in which arterial blood superfused thrombi which adhered to a strip of collagen. Weight of thrombi was continuously monitored. When administered intravenously, clopidogrel or its R enantiomer deprived of anti-platelet action, both at doses of 3 mg x kg(-1), produced lost in weight of thrombi by 14.1 +/- 1.3% or 16.0 +/- 1.4% (n = 9), and at doses 10 mg x kg(-1) by 28.3 +/- 2.3% or 30.4 +/- 1.9% (n = 8), respectively. Maximum of thrombolysis occurred 30-45 min following the drug administration. Ticlopidine at a dose of 30 mg x kg(-1) reduced weight of thrombi by 33.7 +/- 1.7% (n = 32). Thrombolytic action of ticlopidine was accompanied by a rise in 6!keto-PGF1alpha blood levels from 0.42 +/- 0.10 to 1.58 +/- 0.29 ng x ml(-1) and t-PA antigen plasma levels from 4.70 +/- 1.00 to 12.90 +/- 1.15 ng x ml(-1) (n = 7). Five out of eleven tested thienopyridine congeners with pyrimidine or pyrimidinone instead of pyridine rings had thrombolytic potencies similar to that of clopidogrel (ED30s at a range of 6.2-11.4 mg x kg(-1)). A substantial increase in thrombolytic potency (ED30s at a range of 0.3-2.1 mg x kg(-1)) was observed for congeners in which thienyl ring was condensed with an additional cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl structures or in which thienopyridine complex was replaced for a pyridopyrimidine one. We claim that thienopyridines, independently of their delayed anti-platelet action, do produce immediate thrombolysis in vivo. This new activity emulates capacity of their native, non-metabolised molecules to release prostacyclin and tissue plasminogen activator. We have also shown that structural changes in molecules of thienopyridines may intensify their thrombolytic potency.

Animals↗

Antiplatelet action of losartan involves TXA2 receptor antagonism but not TXA2 synthase inhibition.

Various AT1 receptor antagonists including losartan are known to inhibit human platelet activation by antagonising TXA2/PGH2 receptors (TP receptors). Presently, we check a hypothesis that losartan, an imidazole derivative in contrast with valsartan, a non-imidazole compound, may inhibit human platelet activation also through inhibition of TXA2 synthesis. Inhibitory action of losartan (2-n butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-beta(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5yl)biphenyl-4-yl)methyl] imidazole), its active metabolite EXP 3174 (2-n-butyl-4-chloro-1-beta (2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) biphenyl-4-yl) methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid) and valsartan ((S)-N-valeryl-N-(beta2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]valine), on collagen-induced platelet aggregation and TXA2 generation was compared to effects achieved by each compound on U46619-induced aggregation in aspirinized platelets. Losartan and aspirin inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation with approximately the same potency, whereas EXP 3174 and valsartan showed much weaker antiplatelet effects. Interestingly, losartan, EXP 3174 and valsartan displayed similar potencies as inhibitors of U46619-induced aggregation in asprinized platelets as in collagen-induced aggregation in non-aspirinized platelets. None of the above three AT1 antagonists, up to a concentration of 300 microM, did influence collagen-induced TXA2 synthesis in human platelets. In conclusion, antiplatelet effects of AT1 antagonists, irrespective of the presence or absence of non-condensed imidazole in their chemical structure, involve antagonism of TP receptors but not inhibition of TXA2 synthesis in platelets.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Effect of ticlopidine on streptokinase-induced thrombolysis in rats.

Using our original assay system we found that ticlopidine (TP, 30 mg/kg i.v.) had produced a prompt thrombolysis of preformed clots in extracorporeal circulation of anaesthetized rats. In contrast with ticlopidine streptokinase (SK, 30,000 U/kg i.v.) proved thrombogenic for an initial period of 10-30 min, followed only later by the expected thrombolytic action. In ticlopidine pretreated rats the thrombogenic effect of streptokinase was eliminated, and its thrombolytic potency intensified. This is the first experimental support for a conception that a combined therapy with ticlopidine and streptokinase may restrict the "early hazard" associated with streptokinase therapy.

Animals↗

Role of thromboxane A2 and platelet activating factor in early haemodynamic response to lipopolysaccharide in rats.

The mechanism of early pulmonary and systemic haemodynamic response to intravenous infusion of LPS from Escherichia coli was investigated in anesthetised Wistar rats. 10 mg of LPS given at a rate of 4 mg/kg/min but not at a rate of 1 mg/kg/min induced an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and a fall in systemic arterial pressure (SAP). Pretreatment with a PAF receptor antagonist; WEB 2170 (5 and 25 mg/kg) inhibited both PAP and SAP responses to LPS (4 mg/kg/min) while an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis; Camonagrel (10 and 20 mg/kg) abolished PAP response without a major effect on SAP response to LPS. In conclusion, both PAF and TXA2 mediate LPS induced rise in pulmonary arterial pressure while LPS-induced fall in systemic arterial pressure is mediated by PAF.

Animals↗

Biphasic response to lipopolysaccharide from E. coli in the isolated ventilated blood-perfused rat lung.

We characterised early circulatory and respiratory responses to lipopolysaccharide from E. coli (LPS, serotype 0127:B8) in the isolated, ventilated and perfused rat lung preparation. Lungs were isolated from anaesthetised Wistar rats and perfused with full blood, platelet rich plasma (PRP), platelet poor plasma (PPP) or Krebs-Henseleit solution (KH). LPS (300 microg/ml) injected into the blood-perfused lung induced a characteristic biphasic response consisting of an immediate, transient decrease in respiratory tidal volume and an increase in pulmonary perfusion pressures followed by a delayed decrease in respiratory tidal volume. An immediate respiratory/circulatory response to LPS was of considerable magnitude only in full blood-perfused lung whereas the delayed response was fully expressed irrespective whether blood, PRP, PPP or KH was used for the lung perfusion. Immediate respiratory/circulatory response was inhibited by WEB 2170 (100 microM), a PAF receptor antagonist, and by camonagrel (300 microM), a TXA2 synthase inhibitor, but not by MK 571 (100 microM), a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist. Delayed respiratory response was inhibited by camonagrel only. In summary, we demonstrated that the immediate coupled respiratory/circulatory response is mediated by blood cell-derived PAF and TXA2 whereas the delayed uncoupled respiratory response is mediated by lung parenchyma-derived TXA2.

Animals↗

Thienopyridines: effects on cultured endothelial cells.

In cultured endothelial cells harvested from human umbilical vein (HUVEC) or bovine aorta (BAEC) the 30 min incubation with calcium ionophore A 23187 (1 microM) or ticlopidine (100 microM) caused an increase in nitrite generation in HUVEC from basal 227 +/- 37 to 372 +/- 60 or to 325 +/- 33 pmoles per 10(6) cells, respectively, and in BAEC from basal 182 +/- 17 to 378 +/- 18 or to 423 +/- 66 pmoles per 106 cells (n = 6), respectively. Calcium ionophore A 23187 (1 microM) or ticlopidine (100 microM) next to 30 min incubation with BAEC increased release of 6-keto-PGF 1alpha from basal level of 9.4 +/- 1.8 to 96.2 +/- 5.1 or to 99.5 +/- 10.2 pmoles per 10(6) cells, respectively. The pretreatment with aspirin (300 microM) cut down this rise to 4.2 +/- 0.1 pmoles per 10(6) cells (n = 8). Basal cytoplasmic calcium levels, [Ca2+]i, in immortalised HUVEC cell line - ECV304, HUVEC and BAEC were 47.7 +/- 3.3 nM (n = 53), 68.3 +/- 5.0 nM (n = 30) and 53.1 +/- 3.0 nM (n = 15), respectively. In these cultured endothelial cells calcium ionophore A 23187 (0.1 microM) produced net maximum rise in [Ca2+]i by 157 +/-27 nM (n = 16)[ ECV304], by 107 +/- 58 nM (n=4) [HUVEC], and by 231.0 +/- 41.3 nM (n = 8) [BAEC], respectively, while ticlopidine (30 microM) produced net maximum rise in [Ca2+]i by 30.0 +/- 3.2 nM (n=9)[ECV304], 48.8 +/- 15.6 nM (n = 4)[HUVEC] and 28.4 +/- 5.4 nM (n = 8)[BAEC], respectively. Effect of ticlopidine on [Ca2+]i was not only weaker than that of calcium A 23187 but also its maximum appeared after a lag period that was 2 3 times longer than that for A23187. In ECV304 clopidogrel at concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 microM produced maximum increment of [Ca2+]i by 16.5 +/- 3.8 nM (n = 7), 47.0 +/- 6.9 nM (n = 8) and 67.2 +/- 8.3 nM (n = 8), respectively. Incubation of BAEC with A23187 (microM), ticlopidine or clopidogrel (100 microM) for 2 h did not influence viability of cultured endothelial cells. We claim that thienopyridines, independently of their delayed anti-platelet properties ex vivo do release NO and PGI2 from cultured endothelial cells in vitro. The above endothelial action of thienopyridines might be mediated by a rise in [Ca2+]i, however, this possibility has not been proved.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Reversal of the postischaemic suppression of coronary function in perfused guinea pig heart by ischaemic preconditioning.

In the isolated guinea pig hearts suppression of endothelium-dependent (Acetylcholine, Substance P, postocclusive hyperaemia) and endothelium-independent (Sodium nitroprusside, PGE1) responses after 30 min subglobal ischaemia (reduction of coronary flow to 5%) were analysed in hearts which were not preconditioned or preconditioned by various protocols. Preconditioning consisted of single 5 min ischaemia (IP5) or single 10 min ischaemia (IP10) or double 5 min ischaemia (IP5 + 5). Thirty minutes of ischaemia followed by reperfusion reduced both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent responses approximately by 30-50% and slightly suppressed basal coronary flow by 10%. IP5 and IP5 + 5 protected against postischaemic suppression of responses to NaNP but not against postischaemic impairment of SP, ACh, and POH responses. The endothelium-dependent responses and postischaemic suppression of basal coronary flow were protected by IP10 only. In summary, in the isolated guinea pig heart the 30-min ischaemia impairs vasodilator responses to both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent agents. Ischaemic preconditioning protects both endothelial and smooth muscle cells function against this impairment, though endothelial cells require a more extensive preconditioning to put in motion protective mechanisms than smooth muscle cells do. Independent mechanisms of IP in endothelial cells and in smooth muscle cells are suggested.

Acetylcholine↗

Effects of nitric oxide and prostacyclin on deformability and aggregability of red blood cells of rats ex vivo and in vitro.

Although many diseases of the heart and circulatory system have been linked with insufficient deformability and increased aggregability of red blood cells, there are only a few drugs which can modulate these biological functions of erythrocytes. Here, we show evidences that iloprost, stable prostacyclin analogue and SIN-1, active metabolite of molsidomine which spontaneously releases NO, may be sufficient pharmacological tools for modulating red blood cell deformability and aggregability. Deformability of red blood cells was measured by shear stress laser diffractometer (Rheodyn SSD) and expressed in percent of red blood cell deformability index (DI). MA-1 (Myrenne) erythrocyte aggregometer was used for photometric measurements of aggregability in arbitrary units (MEA) of mean extent of aggregation. Experiments were carried out on rats ex vivo and in vitro using whole rat blood or isolated erythrocytes. Ex vivo SIN-1 (infusion 2 mg/kg/min i.v.) and iloprost (bolus injection 10 microg/kg i.v.) significantly improved erythrocyte deformability and aggregability at 5-15 min after administration. L-NAME (10 mg/kg i.v.)- inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, and aspirin (1 mg/kg i.v.) caused worsening of deformability of erythrocytes in experiments ex vivo. Studies in vitro also revealed improvement of red blood cell deformability and aggregability by SIN-1 (3 microM, 15 min incubation at 22 degrees C) or iloprost (1 microM, 15 min incubation at 22 degrees C) and this phenomenon appeared not only in whole blood but also in isolated red cells. It is concluded that NO- and prostacyclin-induced improvement of red blood cell deformability and aggregability results from direct action of these compounds on erythrocytes. NO-donors and iloprost could be useful in the treatment of disorders of blood fluidity.

Animals↗