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W F Jackson

Publications and source records attributed to W F Jackson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Inhibition of Ca2+-induced relaxation by oxidized tungsten wires and paratungstate.

Recent studies of rat mesenteric arteries using a wire myograph detected decreased Ca2+ and acetylcholine-induced relaxation responses. Preliminary experiments indicated the reduced responses were associated with the tungsten wire used in the myograph system. Compared with earlier observations, arteries mounted on aged 28-microm tungsten wire showed decreased maximal Ca2+-induced relaxation responses of arteries precontracted with phenylephrine (91.9 +/- 1.5 versus 54.8 +/- 4.5%, p < 0.001) and reduced sensitivity to Ca2+ (ED50 = 1.65 +/- 0.07 versus 4.58 +/- 0.16 mM, p < 0.001). Similar shifts were seen for acetylcholine. When the surface of the wire was cleaned by abrasion with fine sandpaper, both the ED50 for Ca2+ and maximal relaxation significantly improved. An enhanced sensitivity to Ca2+ was also seen when arteries were mounted on newly purchased 14-microm tungsten or 14-microm 24K gold wire with the rank order: 14-microm gold > 14-microm tungsten >> 28-microm aged tungsten wire. Laser Raman spectral analysis of the aged 28-microm tungsten wire showed that the surface was in an oxidized state that shared spectral characteristics with the paratungstate [W12O42](-12) anion. The effect of the paratungstate anion on arterial relaxation was therefore tested. Paratungstate, but not the structurally dissimilar tungstate and metatungstate anions, significantly reduced the sensitivity and magnitude of relaxation induced by Ca2+ and to a lesser extent, relaxation induced by acetylcholine. To learn whether paratungstate inhibits relaxation through the generation of oxygen radicals, the effect of the superoxide dismutase mimetic 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (1 mM) was assessed and found to have no effect. Since Ca2+-induced relaxation is inhibited by iberiotoxin, the effect of paratungstate on K+ channel activity was assessed. Paratungstate had no effect on currents through large conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channels in whole-cell recordings from vascular smooth muscle cells, ruling out an action at the BK(Ca) channel. We conclude that: 1) surface oxidation of tungsten wire commonly used in wire myography significantly and adversely affects vascular responses to vasodilator compounds, 2) the effect is likely mediated by the paratungstate anion, and 3) the effects of the anion are not associated with free radical generation or K+ channel inhibition.

Acetylcholine↗

Ion channels and vascular tone.

Ion channels in the plasma membrane of vascular muscle cells that form the walls of resistance arteries and arterioles play a central role in the regulation of vascular tone. Current evidence indicates that vascular smooth muscle cells express at least 4 different types of K(+) channels, 1 to 2 types of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, >/=2 types of Cl(-) channels, store-operated Ca(+) (SOC) channels, and stretch-activated cation (SAC) channels in their plasma membranes, all of which may be involved in the regulation of vascular tone. Calcium influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+), SOC, and SAC channels provides a major source of activator Ca(2+) used by resistance arteries and arterioles. In addition, K(+) and Cl(-) channels and the Ca(2+) channels mentioned previously all are involved in the determination of the membrane potential of these cells. Membrane potential is a key variable that not only regulates Ca(+2) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, but also influences release of Ca(2+) from internal stores and Ca(2+)- sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. By controlling Ca(2+) delivery and membrane potential, ion channels are involved in all aspects of the generation and regulation of vascular tone.

Animals↗

The fate of diphenyl sulphide, diphenyl sulphoxide and diphenyl sulphone in the rat.

Radiolabelled [UL-14C]-diphenyl sulphide, [UL-14C]-diphenyl sulphoxide and [UL-14C]-diphenyl sulphone were administered by gavage (1.0 mmol/kg body weight) to adult male Wistar rats following an overnight fast. For all compounds, faeces were the major route of excretion of radioactivity (50%). Urinary elimination (40%) was similar during the first (19%) and second (16%) days and a small amount of radioactivity (6%) was found within the carcass after four days. From urinary and faecal data, metabolism occurred via ring hydroxylation with subsequent conjugate formation. Oxidation of the sulphur to form the sulphoxide and sulphone also took place; a small amount of sulphoxide reduction was apparent but no sulphone reduction was found. No evidence for exclusion of the sulphur was obtained, and it appeared unlikely that extensive cleavage of the ring structures occurred.

Animals↗

Hypoxia does not activate ATP-sensitive K+ channels in arteriolar muscle cells.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that hypoxia activates ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels in cremasteric arteriolar muscle cells, resulting in membrane hyperpolarization and inhibition of norepinephrine-induced contraction. METHODS: Arteriolar muscle cells were isolated enzymatically from second- and third-order arterioles that were surgically removed from hamster cremaster muscles. The effects of hypoxia (PO2 = 12-15 mm Hg) were then examined on norepinephrine-induced contraction, membrane currents, and membrane potential in these cells at room temperature. Whole-cell currents and membrane potential were recorded using the perforated patch technique. RESULTS: Hypoxia (12-15 mm Hg PO2) reversibly inhibited norepinephrine-induced contraction to 52 +/- 6% of the response in normoxic solutions (156 mm Hg, n = 12 digests, p < 0.05). These effects of hypoxia could be prevented by superfusion of the cells with either solutions containing the KATP channel antagonist glibenclamide (1 microM) or solutions containing 35 mM K+ to reduce the electrochemical gradient for K+ diffusion. Cromakalim, an activator of KATP channels, also inhibited norepinephrine-induced contraction to a similar extent as hypoxia, and in a glibenclamide and 35 mM K(+)-sensitive manner. These results are consistent with the KATP channel hypothesis. In contrast, hypoxia had no effect on estimated whole-cell membrane conductance between -40 and -90 mV in voltage-clamp experiments; on holding current measured at -60 mV in cells superfused with 143 mM K+ under voltage-clamp conditions; or on membrane potential in current-clamp experiments, despite positive effects of cromakalim in all three protocols. These electrophysiological data lead to rejection of the hypothesis that hypoxia activates KATP channels. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia inhibits norepinephrine-induced contraction of cremasteric arteriolar muscle cells by a mechanism that does not involve KATP channels. It is speculated that the inhibitory effects of glibenclamide and 35 mM K+ on the effects of hypoxia on contraction resulted from depolarization induced by these treatments rather than specific inhibition of KATP channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cytochrome P-450 omega-hydroxylase senses O2 in hamster muscle, but not cheek pouch epithelium, microcirculation.

The goal of this study was to investigate the role of cytochrome P-450 omega-hydroxylase in mediating O2-induced constriction of arterioles in the microcirculation of the hamster. Male Golden hamsters were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, and the cremaster muscle or cheek pouch was prepared for observation by intravital microscopy. Arteriolar diameters were measured during elevations of superfusate PO2 from approximately 5 to 150 mmHg. Arteriolar responses to elevated PO2 were determined in the cremaster muscle, in the retractor muscle where it inserts on the cheek pouch, and in the epithelial portion of the cheek pouch. Elevation of superfusion solution PO2 caused a vigorous constriction of arterioles in the cremaster and retractor muscles and in the epithelial portion of the cheek pouch. Superfusion with 10 microM 17-octadecynoic acid, a suicide substrate inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 omega-hydroxylase, and intravenous infusion of N-methylsulfonyl-12,12-dibromododec-11-enamide, a mechanistically different and highly selective inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 omega-hydroxylase, caused a significant reduction in the magnitude of O2-induced constriction of arterioles in the cremaster and retractor muscles. However, arteriolar constriction in response to elevated PO2 was unaffected by 17-octadecynoic acid or N-methylsulfonyl-12,12-dibromododec-11-enamide in the epithelial portion of the cheek pouch. These data confirm that there are regional differences in the mechanism of action of O2 on the microcirculation and indicate that cytochrome P-450 omega-hydroxylase senses O2 in the microcirculation of hamster skeletal muscle, but not in the cheek pouch epithelium.

Amides↗

Disposition of diphenyl sulphoxide in rat.

1. Radiolabelled diphenyl sulphoxide (U-14C- or 35S-) was administered by gavage (1.0 mmol/kg body weight) to the adult male Wistar rat following an overnight fast. 2. For both labelled forms faeces was the major route of excretion of radioactivity (50%) with substantial amounts still being voided during the third and fourth days (13%). Urinary elimination (42%) was similar during the first (20%) and second (17%) days and a small amount of radioactivity (7%) was found within the carcass after 4 days. 3. Plasma data showed a peak concentration at 40 min (tmax), a distribution half-life of 2 h (t1/2 alpha) and an elimination half-life of 22.5 h (t1/2 beta). Biliary studies revealed that 16% of the dose traversed the bile duct during the first day with nearly half of this being excreted in the first 8 h. 4. From urinary data, metabolism occurred via ring hydroxylation with subsequent conjugate formation. Oxidation of the sulphur to form the sulphone also took place. No evidence for sulphoxide reduction, cleavage of the ring structures or exclusion of the sulphur was obtained.

Animals↗

Characterization and function of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in arteriolar muscle cells.

We examined the functional role of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ (KCa) channels in the hamster cremasteric microcirculation by intravital videomicroscopy and characterized the single-channel properties of these channels in inside-out patches of membrane from enzymatically isolated cremasteric arteriolar muscle cells. In second-order (39 +/- 1 microns, n = 8) and third-order (19 +/- 2 microns, n = 8) cremasteric arterioles with substantial resting tone, superfusion with the KCa channel antagonists tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM) or iberiotoxin (IBTX, 100 nM) had no significant effect on resting diameters (P > 0.05). However, TEA potentiated O2-induced arteriolar constriction in vivo, and IBTX enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction of cremasteric arteriolar muscle cells in vitro. Patch-clamp studies revealed unitary K(+)-selective and IBTX-sensitive currents with a single-channel conductance of 240 +/- 2 pS between -60 and 60 mV (n = 7 patches) in a symmetrical 140 mM K+ gradient. The free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) for half-maximal channel activation was 44 +/- 3, 20 +/- 1, 6 +/- 0.4, and 3 +/- 0.5 microM at membrane potentials of -60, -30, +30, and +60 mV, respectively (n = 5), with a Hill coefficient of 1.9 +/- 0.2. Channel activity increased e-fold for a 16 +/- 1 mV (n = 6) depolarization. The plot of log[Ca2+] vs. voltage for half-maximal activation (V1/2) was linear (r2 = 0.9843, n = 6); the change in V1/2 for a 10-fold change in [Ca2+] was 84 +/- 5 mV, and the [Ca2+] for half-maximal activation at 0 mV (Ca0; the Ca2+ set point) was 9 microM. Thus, in vivo, KCa channels are silent in cremasteric arterioles at rest but can be recruited during vasoconstriction. We propose that the high Ca0 is responsible for the apparent lack of activity of these channels in resting cremasteric arterioles, and we suggest that this may result from expression of unique KCa channels in the microcirculation.

Animals↗

Oxygen induces electromechanical coupling in arteriolar smooth muscle cells: a role for L-type Ca2+ channels.

We tested whether O2-induced vasomotor responses of arterioles correspond to changes in membrane potential (Em) of cells in the arteriolar wall. The cheek pouches of anesthetized male hamsters were prepared for intravital microscopy and intracellular recording. Microelectrodes containing Lucifer yellow dye were used to label smooth muscle cells (SMC) or endothelial cells (EC) during arteriolar responses to O2. During low- PO2 superfusion (approximately 20 Torr; arteriolar diameter 55 +/- 2 micron), Em of SMC and EC averaged -37 and -36 mV, respectively. High-PO2 superfusion ( approximately 150 Torr) depolarized SMC (to -15 +/- 1 mV) with vasoconstriction (to 24 +/- 2 micron) and diameter cycled with Em of SMC during vasomotion. In contrast, the Em of EC did not change with PO2 nor during vasomotion, yet Em depolarized by 21 +/- 2 mV when the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) was raised to 55 mM. Superfusion with diltiazem (10 microM) or nifedipine (1 microM) abolished vasomotor and electrical responses to PO2 in SMC but did not eliminate depolarizations to elevated [K+]o. We conclude that, under physiological conditions, electrical and mechanical responses of arteriolar SMC to changes in PO2 are mediated through L-type Ca2+ channels without corresponding electrical activity in EC.

Animals↗

Intracellular acidosis differentially regulates KV channels in coronary and pulmonary vascular muscle.

Decreases in intracellular pH (pHi) potently dilate coronary resistance arteries but constrict small pulmonary arteries. To define the ionic mechanisms of these responses, this study investigated whether acute decreases in pHi differentially regulate K+ currents in single vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells isolated from rat coronary and pulmonary resistance arteries. In patch-clamp studies, whole cell K+ currents were elicited by 10-mV depolarizing steps between -60 and 0 mV in VSM cells obtained from 50- to 150-micrometers-OD arterial branches, and pHi was lowered by altering the NH4Cl gradient across the cell membrane. Progressively lowering pHi from calculated values of 7.0 to 6.7 and 6.4 increased the peak amplitude of K+ current in coronary VSM cells by 15 +/- 5 and 23 +/- 3% but reduced K+ current in pulmonary VSM cells by 18 +/- 3 and 21 +/- 3%, respectively. These changes were reversed by returning cells to the control pHi of 7.0 and were eliminated by dialyzing cells with pipette solution containing 50 mmol/l HEPES to buffer NH4Cl-induced changes in pHi. Pharmacological block of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and Ca2+-activated K+ channels by 1 micromol/l glibenclamide and 100 nmol/l iberiotoxin, respectively, did not prevent changes in K+ current levels induced by acidotic pHi. However, block of voltage-gated K+ channels by 3 mmol/l 4-aminopyridine abolished acidosis-induced changes in K+ current amplitudes in both VSM cell types. Interestingly, alpha-dendrotoxin (100 nmol/l), which blocks only select subtypes of voltage-gated K+ channels, abolished the acidosis-induced decrease in K+ current in pulmonary VSM cells but did not affect the acidosis-induced increase in K+ current observed in coronary VSM cells. These findings suggest that opposing, tissue-specific effects of pHi on distinct subtypes of voltage-gated K+ channels in coronary and pulmonary VSM membranes may differentially regulate vascular reactivity in these two circulations under conditions of acidotic stress.

4-Aminopyridine↗

Enzymatic isolation and characterization of single vascular smooth muscle cells from cremasteric arterioles.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to develop a method to isolate viable arteriolar muscle cells from single cremasteric arterioles, which retain the contractile and electrophysiological phenotype of the donor microvessels. METHODS: Arterioles were hand-dissected from rat and hamster cremaster muscles and dissociated by incubation in papain and dithioerythritol for 35 min followed by incubation in collagenase, elastase, and soybean trypsin inhibitor for 10 to 25 min in solutions containing 100 microM Ca2+. 10 microM sodium nitroprusside, and 1 mg/ml albumin at 37 degrees C. RESULTS: Populations of single smooth muscle cells enzymatically isolated from cremasteric arterioles showed elongated fusiform morphology and intact plasmalemmal membranes as indicated by retention of calcein, by exclusion of ethidium homodimer-1 and by high membrane resistances (11 +/- 0.8 C omega, n = 36 for rat cells; 8 +/- 0.6 C omega, n = 21 for hamster cells: p < 0.05). Muscle cells contracted in a concentration-dependent fashion in response to pipette application of norepinephrine (10 nM-100 microM). Cell shortening in response to 1 microM norepinephrine was inhibited by 10 microM phentolamine, 1 microM sodium nitroprusside, and 1 microM nifedipine or nominally Ca(2+)-free media. Resting membrane potential recorded in patch-clamped cells by perforated patch methods was -48 +/- 1 mV (n = 47) for rat cells and -44 +/- 2.8 mV (n = 14) for hamster cells (p > 0.05). Families of voltage-dependent K+ currents were observed during stepwise depolarizing pulses from -60 mV to more positive potentials. Blockers of voltage-gated and ATP-sensitive K+ channels (4-aminopyridine [3 mM] and glibenclamide [1 microM], respectively) inhibited membrane K+ conductance, increased membrane resistance, and depolarized cells by 20 +/- 4 mV (n = 8) and 14 +/- 3 mV (n = 6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present method permits isolation of smooth muscle cells from a single cremasteric arteriole. These cells seem to retain the contractile phenotype, alpha-adrenergic signaling cascade, membrane potential, and K+ conductances described for the donor arteriole. Correlating the functional and electrophysiological properties of these smooth muscle cells to in situ and in vitro studies of their donor arterioles should provide a useful extension for understanding the physiology, pathophysiology, biophysics, and cell biology of the microcirculation in skeletal muscle.

Animals↗

Rp diastereomeric analogs of cAMP inhibit both cAMP- and cGMP-induced dilation of hamster mesenteric small arteries.

Cross talk between the adenosine (3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) (cAMP) and the guanosine (3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) (cGMP) signalling pathways in vascular smooth muscle may occur such that cAMP may act through cGMP-dependent protein kinase rather than cAMP-dependent protein kinase to induce relaxation of this tissue. Therefore, it was hypothesized that due to this crosstalk, competitive antagonists of cAMP may not show much selectivity in inhibition of cAMP- or cGMP-induced vasodilation. To test this hypothesis, the effects of Rp-diastereomeric phosphorothioate derivatives of cAMP, putative competitive antagonists of cAMP at cAMP-dependent protein kinase, were assessed on vasodilation induced by Sp-phosphorothioate derivatives of cAMP, dibutyryl cAMP, 8-Br cGMP and sodium nitroprusside. Hamster mesenteric arteries (200-400 microns i.d.) were cannulated and pressurized to 75 mm Hg and constricted to approximately 50% of maximum with 1 mumol/l phenylephrine. Vasodilators were then added in cumulative fashion and diameter responses recorded in the absence and presence of (Rp)-adenosine (3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate) (Rp cAMPs) or (Rp)-8-(parachlorophenylthio) adenosine (3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate) (Rp 8CPT cAMPs). Rp cAMPs (0.1-0.5 mmol/l) inhibited dilations induced by the cAMP agonists, (Sp)-adenosine (3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate) (Sp cAMPs) and dibutyryl cAMP, but also inhibited dilations induced by 8-Br cGMP and sodium nitroprusside (p < 0.05 and n > 4 for all). In a more detailed study we found that Rp 8CPT cAMPs against Sp 8CPT cAMPs (3.6 +/- 1.2) was similar to the pA2 for Rp 8CPT cAMPs against 8-Br cGMP (4.1 +/- 1.2) (p > 0.05, d.f. = 37). These data support the hypothesis that both cAMP and cGMP act through a common protein kinase to cause vasodilation and urge caution in the use of Rp-diastereomeric analogs of cyclic nucleotides to dissect out specific signal transduction pathways in blood vessels.

Animals↗

Enzymatic isolation and characterization of single vascular smooth muscle cells from cremasteric arterioles.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to develop a method to isolate enzymatically viable arteriolar muscle cells from single cremasteric arterioles, which retain the contractile and electrophysiological phenotype of the donor microvessels. METHODS: Arterioles were hand-dissected from rat and hamster cremaster muscles and dissociated by incubation in papain and dithioerythritol for 35 min followed by incubation in collagenase, elastase, and soybean trypsin inhibitor for 10 to 25 min in solutions containing 100 microM Ca2+, 10 microM sodium nitroprusside, and 1 mg/ml albumin at 37 degrees C. RESULTS: Populations of single smooth muscle cells enzymatically isolated from cremasteric arterioles showed elongated fusiform morphology and intact plasmalemmal membranes as indicated by retention of calcein, by exclusion of ethidium homodimer-1, and by high membrane resistances (11 +/- 0.8 G omega, n = 36 for rat cells; 8 +/- 0.6 G omega, n = 21 for hamster cells; p < 0.05). Muscle cells contracted in a concentration-dependent fashion in response to pipette application of norepinephrine (10 nM-100 microM). Cell shortening in response to 1 microM norepinephrine was inhibited by 10 microM phentolamine, 1 microM sodium nitroprusside, and 1 microM nifedipine or nominally Ca(2+)-free media. Resting membrane potential recorded in patch-clamped cells by perforated patch methods was -48 +/- 1 mV (n = 47) for rat cells and -44 +/- 2.8 mV (n = 14) for hamster cells (p > 0.05). Families of voltage-dependent K+ currents were observed during stepwise depolarizing pulses from -60 mV to more positive potentials. Blockers of voltage-gated and ATP-sensitive K+ channels (4-Aminopyridine [3 mM] and glibenclamide [1 microM], respectively) inhibited membrane K+ conductance, increased membrane resistance, and depolarized cells by 20 +/- 4 mV (n = 8) and 14 +/- 3 mV (n = 6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present method permits isolation of smooth muscle cells from a single cremasteric arteriole. These cells seem to retain the contractile phenotype, alpha-adrenergic signaling cascade, membrane potential, and K+ conductances described for the donor arteriole. Correlating the functional and electrophysiological properties of these smooth muscle cells to in situ and in vitro studies of their donor arterioles should provide a useful extension for understanding the physiology, pathophysiology, biophysics, and cell biology of the microcirculation in skeletal muscle.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Selective in vivo antagonism of pinacidil-induced hypotension by the guanidine U37883A in anesthetized rats.

The pyridylcyanoguanidine pinacidil exerts its hypotensive effect by opening ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K+ATP) in vascular smooth muscle. Direct glyburide-like antagonism of pinacidil-induced vasorelaxation by the guanidine U37883A (4-morpholinecarboximidine-N-1-adamantyl-N'- cyclohexylhydrochloride) has recently been demonstrated in isolated rabbit mesenteric artery. We herein report the first detailed in vivo cardiovascular interaction between U37883A and pinacidil in an anesthetized rat model. U37883A, administered from 0.1 to 3.0 mg/kg i.v. 10 min subsequent to pinacidil, immediately and dose-dependently reversed pinacidil's steady-state hypotensive effects by 29-100% (ED50 = 0.4 mg/kg), while reversal of pinacidil's tachycardiac effects from 10 to 79% was evident with 0.1-1.0 mg/kg i.v. U37883A (ED50 = 0.5 mg/kg). In contrast to these effects, pretreatment with 0.3-3.0 mg/kg i.v. U37883A only moderately inhibited the acute pinacidil-induced hypotension by 6-58%. Because U37883A's separate bradycardiac effects lowered basal heart rate, U37883A pretreatment precipitated a paradoxical 15-51% augmentation of sustained pinacidil-induced tachycardia, although absolute heart rates were below those seen with pinacidil alone. Qualitatively similar K+ATP blocking effects by U37883A were also observed in rats treated with the K+ATP openers (PCOs) cromakalim (BRL 34915), RPS 49365 and minoxidil. However, U37883A-treated rats remained responsive to the hypotensive action of both i.v. sodium nitroprusside and isoproterenol and buccal nifedipine. This study corroborates prior in vitro and in vivo findings and establishes that the guanidine U37883A is an effective and relatively selective blocker of PCO-induced vasodilation in the anesthetized rat. U37883A also appears more effective at closing basally and pinacidil-opened K+ATP than preventing K+ATP opening by pinacidil in vivo.

Adamantane↗

Prostacyclin-induced vasodilation in rabbit heart is mediated by ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

We tested the hypothesis that prostacyclin and its stable analogue iloprost act as agonists of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) to induce vasodilation of the coronary circulation. The selective blocker of KATP, glibenclamide, was used as a probe for vasodilation mediated by KATP in saline-perfused rabbit hearts (constant flow, Langendorff preparation). Glibenclamide (10-300 nM) significantly increased coronary perfusion pressure and inhibited vasodilation induced by iloprost (1-30 nM), prostacyclin (10 nM), adenosine (0.3 microM), and cromakalim (0.1 microM), a known agonist of KATP. This potassium channel antagonist also inhibited vasodilation of rabbit hearts in response to 10 nM bradykinin in the presence of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (30 microM NG-nitro-L-arginine). Because bradykinin-induced vasodilation is mediated by prostacyclin released from endothelial cells when nitric oxide synthesis is inhibited, these data indicate that glibenclamide is also effective against endogenous prostacyclin. The inhibitory effects of glibenclamide were selective: vasodilation induced by sodium nitroprusside (1-10 microM) or acetylcholine (1 microM) were not inhibited by this potassium channel antagonist. In addition, basal and bradykinin-stimulated release of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha was not affected by this antagonist of KATP. Glibenclamide also did not inhibit the activation of adenylate cyclase, as indicated by its lack of effect on adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation induced by iloprost (10 nM-1 microM) in bovine coronary arterial segments, a tissue in which iloprost-induced vascular smooth muscle relaxation is inhibited by glibenclamide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Regional differences in mechanism of action of oxygen on hamster arterioles.

Leukotrienes have been implicated in the arteriolar constriction induced by elevated PO2 in the hamster cheek pouch. The role of leukotrienes in arteriolar O2 reactivity in other tissues has not been studied. To test the hypothesis that leukotrienes mediate O2 reactivity in all tissues, the effects of a leukotriene receptor antagonist, SKF-102922 (10 microM), a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, SC-43251 (30 microM), and a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein antagonist, MK-886 (10 microM), on arteriolar O2 reactivity in hamster cheek pouch were compared with their effects on cremasteric arteriolar O2 reactivity. All three agents significantly decreased O2-induced arteriolar constriction in the cheek pouch, as reported previously. However, none of the antagonists inhibited O2-induced constriction of cremasteric arterioles. The efficacy of the leukotriene receptor antagonist, SKF-102922, was verified in the cremaster muscle: 10 microM SKF-102922 completely abolished constriction induced by topical application of leukotriene D4. These data support the hypothesis that leukotrienes mediate O2 reactivity in the cheek pouch. However, leukotrienes do not appear to mediate O2 reactivity in the cremaster muscle. These data suggest that there are significant regional differences in the mechanism of action of O2 on arterioles.

Animals↗

Arteriolar tone is determined by activity of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

The role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) in determining resting arteriolar tone and vasodilator reactivity was assessed in superfused, hamster microcirculatory beds studied via intravital microscopy. Under resting conditions, the selective KATP blocker, glibenclamide, produced concentration-dependent vasoconstriction in both the cheek pouch and the cremaster muscle. Concentration-related constriction of cheek pouch arterioles was also observed with tetrapentylammonium, although this agent appeared to have toxic effects on the microcirculation. Glibenclamide (2 microM) abolished arteriolar vasodilation to cromakalim and pinacidil over a concentration range (10 nM-1 microM) in which these agents are selective KATP agonists and also significantly inhibited adenosine-, carbacyclin-, and isoproterenol-induced vasodilation. In contrast, responses to other vasodilators were not significantly affected [methacholine, forskolin, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)] or only slightly depressed (sodium nitroprusside). Thus the activity of KATP determines, in part, resting arteriolar tone in the hamster. Furthermore, vasodilators like adenosine, beta-adrenergic agonists, and prostacyclin appear to act through these ion channels by a mechanism that may not involve cAMP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Elevated guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate mediates the depression of nitrovasodilator reactivity in endothelium-intact blood vessels.

The influence of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) on relaxation induced by the nitrovasodilators, sodium nitroprusside and sodium nitrite was assessed in phenylephrine-stimulated hamster thoracic aortas, a preparation that displays significant basal release of EDNO. Removal of the endothelium or treatment with the NO synthase inhibitors, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAG, 10-30 microM) or NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 100 microM) increased the potency and, except for sodium nitroprusside in endothelium-denuded segments, also increased the efficacy of the nitrovasodilators. Removal of the endothelium had no effect on relaxations induced by isoproterenol, an indication that these effects were specific for the nitrovasodilators. Removal of the endothelium, treatment of endothelium-intact preparations with L-NAG or L-NMMA, or exposure of these vessels to the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue (10 microM) increased reactivity of the aortas to the guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) analogue, 8-Br cGMP. Measurement of cGMP revealed that endothelium-intact segments had a 6.5 fold higher level of cGMP than endothelium-denuded preparations and that sodium nitroprusside increased cGMP in both preparations by similar amounts in a concentration-dependent fashion. Exposure of endothelium-denuded or L-NAG-treated segments to sodium nitroprusside, to mimic the effects of basally released EDNO, depressed sodium nitrite and 8-Br cGMP reactivity in a manner similar to endothelium-intact segments. These data indicate that EDNO increases cGMP levels in vascular smooth muscle and that the elevated cGMP levels depress nitrovasodilator and 8-Br cGMP reactivities.

Animals↗