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Effect of different intensities of exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans: role of endothelium-dependent nitric oxide and oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensive patients, patients with chronic heart failure, and healthy individuals. However, it is unclear how the intensity of exercise affects endothelial function in humans. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of different intensities of exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated the forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine, an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and isosorbide dinitrate, an endothelium-independent vasodilator, before and after different intensities of exercise (mild, 25% VO2max; moderate, 50% VO2max; and high, 75% VO2max; bicycle ergometers, 30 minutes, 5 to 7 times per week for 12 weeks) in 26 healthy young men. Forearm blood flow was measured using a mercury-filled Silastic strain-gauge plethysmograph. Twelve weeks of moderate-intensity exercise, but not mild- or high-intensity exercise, significantly augmented acetylcholine-induced vasodilation (7.5+/-2.4 to 11.4+/-5.8 mL/min per 100 mL tissue; P<0.05). No intensity of aerobic exercise altered isosorbide dinitrate-induced vasodilation. The administration of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, abolished the moderate-intensity exercise-induced augmentation of the forearm blood flow response to acetylcholine. High-intensity exercise increases plasma concentrations of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (from 6.7+/-1.1 to 9.2+/-2.3 ng/mL; P<0.05) and serum concentrations of malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (from 69.0+/-19.5 to 82.4+/-21.5 U/L; P<0.05), whereas moderate exercise tended to decrease both indices of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans through the increased production of nitric oxide and that high-intensity exercise possibly increases oxidative stress.

Acetylcholine↗

Exercise training enhances vasodilation responses to vascular endothelial growth factor in porcine coronary arterioles exposed to chronic coronary occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Chronic coronary occlusion (CCO) impairs endothelial function of distal collateral-dependent microvasculature; however, long-term exercise training (EX) seems to improve endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that EX enhances vasodilation responses to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165), mediated via nitric oxide (NO), in arterioles exposed to CCO. METHODS AND RESULTS: The proximal left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) of female Yucatan miniswine was surgically instrumented with an ameroid occluder to induce CCO; 8 weeks after surgery, animals were randomized into 14-week sedentary (SED) or EX (treadmill; 5 d/wk) protocols. Coronary arterioles ( approximately 100 microm in diameter) were isolated from collateral-dependent (LCx) and nonoccluded (left anterior descending; LAD) perfused myocardium of SED and EX animals. Vasodilation was assessed by videomicroscopy and MacLab data acquisition. Responses to VEGF165 were unaffected by EX in nonoccluded LAD arterioles; in contrast, EX markedly enhanced VEGF165-induced vasodilation of collateral-dependent LCx arterioles (P<0.05; EX versus SED). Furthermore, VEGF165-induced vasodilation of EX LCx arterioles exceeded that of EX or SED LAD arterioles (P<0.05). Enhanced vasodilation of EX LCx arterioles was abolished by inhibition of NO synthase and tyrosine kinase activity. Combined inhibition of NO synthase and cyclooxygenase decreased VEGF165-induced vasodilation of all vessels. CONCLUSIONS: EX enhances VEGF165-induced vasodilation in arterioles distal to CCO; EX effects seem to be mediated through increases in NO.

Animals↗

Endogenous estrogen and acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in normotensive women.

Acute exogenous estrogen administration enhances endothelial function in postmenopausal women. To evaluate the effect of endogenous estrogen on endothelium-dependent vasodilation, in 10 fertile normotensive women (age range 45 to 51 years) we studied the changes in forearm blood flow (strain-gauge plethysmography) induced by intrabrachial acetylcholine (0.15, 0.45, 1.5, 4.5, 1.5 micrograms.100 mL-1.min-1), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, or sodium nitroprusside (1, 2, 4 micrograms.100 mL-1.min-1), an endothelium-independent vasodilator, in basal conditions and within 1 month after ovariectomy. As control subjects, 10 matched healthy women were also evaluated. In basal condition, vasodilation to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was similar in patients and control subjects. Ovariectomy was followed by endogenous estrogen deprivation (from 71.6 +/- 31.3 to < 12 pg/mL) and was associated with a significant (P < .01) reduction in acetylcholine-induced vasodilation compared with baseline (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: baseline 568.2 +/- 47.1%; ovariectomy 309.5 +/- 37.4%); the response to sodium nitroprusside was unaffected by ovariectomy (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: baseline 526.4 +/- 36.5%; ovariectomy 454.7 +/- 47.2%; P = NS). In 6 of 10 patients, the study was repeated after 3 months of estrogen replacement therapy (17 beta-estradiol, 50 micrograms/d by transdermal patches). Exogenous estrogen restored acetylcholine-induced vasodilation (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: 548.9 +/- 43.1%; P < .01 versus ovariectomy), which was no longer different from baseline, whereas the response to sodium nitroprusside was not affected (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: 480.2 +/- 39.3%; P = NS). These results suggest a protective role of endogenous estrogen on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the forearm vascular bed of normotensive women.

Acetylcholine↗

Vitamin C improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is impaired in humans with diabetes mellitus. Inactivation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide by oxygen-derived free radicals contributes to abnormal vascular reactivity in experimental models of diabetes. To determine whether this observation is relevant to humans, we tested the hypothesis that the antioxidant, vitamin C, could improve endothelium-dependent vasodilation in forearm resistance vessels of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We studied 10 diabetic subjects and 10 age-matched, nondiabetic control subjects. Forearm blood flow was determined by venous occlusion plethysmography. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was assessed by intraarterial infusion of methacholine (0.3-10 micrograms/min). Endothelium-independent vasodilation was measured by intraarterial infusion of nitroprusside (0.3-10 micrograms/min) and verapamil (10-300 micrograms/min). Forearm blood flow dose-response curves were determined for each drug before and during concomitant intraarterial administration of vitamin C (24 mg/min). In diabetic subjects, endothelium-dependent vasodilation to methacholine was augmented by simultaneous infusion of vitamin C (P = 0.002); in contrast, endothelium-independent vasodilation to nitroprusside and to verapamil were not affected by concomitant infusion of vitamin C (P = 0.9 and P = 0.4, respectively). In nondiabetic subjects, vitamin C administration did not alter endothelium-dependent vasodilation (P = 0.8). We conclude that endothelial dysfunction in forearm resistance vessels of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus can be improved by administration of the antioxidant, vitamin C. These findings support the hypothesis that nitric oxide inactivation by oxygen-derived free radicals contributes to abnormal vascular reactivity in diabetes.

Adult↗

Age-dependent changes in the regulatory roles of nitric oxide and vasodilator prostanoids on the mechanical activities of isolated rabbit spinal arterioles.

The developmental changes in acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasodilator response in isolated rabbit spinal arterioles were investigated with special reference to endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and vasodilator prostaglandins. Spinal arterioles from juvenile (1-3 months) and adult (12-14 months) Japanese white rabbits were dissected, cannulated, and perfused. In both age groups, ACh produced a comparable vasodilation of the arterioles preconstricted with KCl (20-40 mM). In juveniles, a major part of the ACh-induced vasodilation was eliminated by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 microM), whereas the effect of the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 microM) was smaller. In contrast, L-NAME completely eliminated the ACh-induced vasodilation in the adult group, which was partially restored with additional treatment with L-arginine (1 mM). Vasodilations induced by isocarbacyclin (a prostacyclin analogue) and cilostazol (a cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor) was attenuated in the adult, whereas that induced by sodium nitroprusside was unaltered. These results suggest that the mechanisms of ACh-induced vasodilation of rabbit spinal arterioles change with the development: prostanoid-associated in juveniles and NO-associated in the adult. Such age-related modulation of the mediator roles of prostanoids and NO might represent an increase in NO production and a decreased sensitivity of the vascular smooth muscle to cAMP-mediated responses with age.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

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↗

Blockade of nitric oxide synthase potentiates the suppression of vasodilators by norepinephrine in the hepatic artery.

We have previously shown that nitric oxide (NO) and adenosine suppress vasoconstriction induced by norepinephrine infusion and sympathetic nerve stimulation in the hepatic artery and superior mesenteric artery. NO is involved in the control of basal vascular tone in the superior mesenteric artery but not the hepatic artery. The vasodilation induced by adenosine is inhibited by NO in the superior mesenteric artery but not in the hepatic artery. Based on these known interactions of catecholamines, adenosine, and NO, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that NO modulates the interaction between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators in the hepatic artery. We examined the ability of norepinephrine to suppress adenosine-mediated vasodilation and the role of NO in this interaction. Hepatic arterial blood flow and pressure were monitored in pentobarbital-anesthetized cats. The maximum hepatic arterial vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine infusion was potentiated by blockade of NO production using Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and the potentiation was reversed by L-arginine. The maximum dilator response to adenosine was only slightly suppressed (14.0+/-5.8%, P < 0.05) by norepinephrine infusion; however, after the NO blockade, the suppression by norepinephrine of the vasodilation induced by adenosine was substantially potentiated (45.2+/-9.1%, P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained for isoproterenol-induced vasodilation. We conclude that the interaction between these vasodilators and norepinephrine was modulated by NO which inhibited the vasoconstriction and the suppression of vasodilators caused by norepinephrine and that in the absence of NO production, norepinephrine-induced constriction and the ability to antagonize dilation is substantially potentiated.

Adenosine↗

Antidromic vasodilation in frog: identification of the nerve fiber types involved.

In anesthetized, immobilized frogs arteriolar vasodilation in the submaxillaris muscle in response to electrical stimulation of the submaxillar nerve (peripheral end) was observed directly and vasodilation in the hind leg in response to stimulation of the sciatic nerve (peripheral end) measured by plethysmography. With pulses of 0.1 ms duration at 20 Hz, the threshold for arteriolar vasodilation in the submaxillaris muscle was close to 3 T, where T was the activation threshold of the most excitable fraction of motor fibers of the submaxillar nerve. Atropine had no effect on the arteriolar vasodilation. When the sciatic nerve was stimulated with pulses of 0.1 ms duration, the threshold for vasodilation in the hind leg was 3.6 +/- 1.2 T (mean +/- SEM). The thresholds for excitation of the A alpha beta, A delta and C-afferent fibers in the sciatic nerve and the range of stimulus intensities for recruiting each of these fiber groups were evaluated by recording compound action potentials in the VIII-X dorsal roots. Excitation of A delta-afferent fibers was found to occur in the same intensity range as that which evoked vasodilation in the hind leg. It is concluded that, in the frog, these myelinated afferent fibers are capable of dilating the blood vessels by antidromic action in both submaxillaris muscle and hind leg. This finding is in accordance with recent reports of an antidromic vasodilator action of A delta-afferent fibers in rabbit and rat skin.

Action Potentials↗

Lack of relationship between muscle sympathetic nerve activity and skeletal muscle vasodilation in response to insulin infusion.

Increases in plasma insulin concentration result in vasodilation in skeletal muscle but also in an increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) which is thought to cause vasoconstriction. The increase in MSNA could therefore be a response to vasodilation (baroreflex), or MSNA could cause vasodilation via putative sympathetic vasodilatory fibres. To examine the relationship between vasodilation, MSNA and insulin action we studied nine non-diabetic Pima Indian men (age 29 +/- 7 years, weight 91 +/- 19 kg, 29 +/- 6% body fat, mean +/- SD) during sequential euglycaemic clamps at low and high insulin doses (80 and 600 mU.m-2.min-1). Leg blood flow was measured by thermodilution, leg glucose uptake by the balance technique, arterial pressure by invasive monitoring and MSNA by microneurography of the peroneal nerve. Whole body glucose uptake (M) ranged from 6.7 to 48.3 during low dose and from 9.4 to 67.7 mumol kg fat free mass-1.min-1 during high dose insulin infusion. At both insulin doses, incremental leg blood flow correlated with M (r = 0.63 and 0.71, respectively). No correlation was found between incremental MSNA and leg blood flow, M or leg glucose uptake. Blood pressure was unchanged throughout the study. MSNA increased after 15-40 min of insulin infusion in all the subjects, whereas leg blood flow started to increase only after 45 min in the most insulin sensitive but not in the most insulin resistant subjects. Thus, insulin stimulates MSNA more rapidly than vasodilation. In conclusion, insulin-mediated MSNA: 1) is neither a response to nor a cause of the vasodilation observed in insulin sensitive men, 2) has no net pressor effect even in the most insulin resistant men in whom insulin-mediated vasodilation was impaired. We conclude that the effect of insulin to stimulate MSNA is dissociated from its acute haemodynamic action.

Adult↗

The impaired renal vasodilator response attributed to endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in streptozotocin--induced diabetic rats is restored by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the development of diabetic vascular complications. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes could lead to new approaches to prevent microvascular disease. METHODS: Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilator responses were investigated in the renal microcirculation of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We measured renal blood flow changes with an electromagnetic flow probe. In addition, the responses of the different segments of the renal microcirculation were evaluated with videomicroscopy using the hydronephrotic kidney technique. Because endothelial cells release different relaxing factors (nitric oxide, prostacyclin and an unidentified endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor), responses to acetylcholine were measured before and after treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methylester HCI (L-NAME) and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. We evaluated with the effect of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the active form of folate, on the responses. RESULTS: The L-NAME- and indomethacin-resistant vasodilation to intra-renal acetylcholine was significantly reduced in the diabetic compared with control rats, suggesting impaired endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated vasodilation. The responses to the nitric oxide donor (Z)-1-[-2-(aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-i um-1,2-diolate (DETA-NONOate) and to the K+-channel opener pinacidil were similar in diabetics and controls, indicating intact endothelium-independent vasodilator mechanisms. The contribution of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor to vasodilation induced by acetylcholine was greatest in the smallest arterioles. In diabetic rats, the response to acetylcholine was increasingly impared as vessel size decreased. Defective vasodilation in diabetic kidneys was rapidly normalized by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. CONCLUSION-INTERPRETATION: Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated vasodilation is impaired in the renal microcirculation of diabetic rats, in particular in the smallest arteries. Treatment with folate restores the impaired endothelial function in diabetes.

Acetylcholine↗

CGRP receptors in the gerbil spiral modiolar artery mediate a sustained vasodilation via a transient cAMP-mediated Ca2+-decrease.

Alteration of cochlear blood flow may be involved in the etiology of inner ear disorders like sudden hearing loss, fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus. The aim of the present study was to localize the vasodilator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and to identify CGRP receptors and their signaling pathways in the gerbil spiral modiolar artery (SMA) that provides the main blood supply of the cochlea. CGRP was localized in perivascular nerves by immunocytochemistry. The vascular diameter and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i in the smooth muscle cells were measured simultaneously with videomicroscopy and fluo-4-microfluorometry. Calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) mRNA was identified by RT-PCR as a specific 288 bp fragment in total RNA isolated from the vascular wall. The SMA was preconstricted by a 2-min application of 1 nM endothelin-1 (ET1). CGRP, forskolin, and dibutyryl-cAMP caused a vasodilation (EC50 = 0.1 nM, 0.3 mM, and 20 mM). CGRP and forskolin caused an increase in cAMP production and a transient decrease in the [Ca2+]i. The CGRP-induced vasodilation was antagonized by CGRP8-37 (KDB = 2 mM). The K+-channel blockers iberiotoxin and glibenclamide partially prevented the CGRP- or forskolin-induced vasodilations but failed to reverse these vasodilations. These results demonstrate that CGRP is present in perivascular nerves and causes a vasodilation of the ET1-preconstricted SMA. The data suggest that this vasodilation is mediated by an increase in the cytosolic cAMP concentration, a transient activation of iberiotoxin-sensitive BK and glibenclamide-sensitive KATP K+ channels, a transient decrease in the [Ca2+]i and a long-lasting Ca2+ desensitization.

Animals↗

Effects of continuous intravenous infusion of isosorbide dinitrate on development of tolerance to vasodilating action in human epicardial coronary arteries.

This study was performed to determine the effects of long-term intravenous infusion on the coronary vasodilating actions of continuous intravenous and bolus intracoronary administration of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). With quantitative coronary angiography, the coronary diameter and the vasodilating response to intracoronary ISDN (1 mg) at angiographically normal segments were studied before and after intravenous administration of ISDN, 10 to 60 micrograms/min for 1 hour, 2 days, or 5 days. The vasodilating effects of intravenous ISDN were 72% +/- 13%, 65% +/- 21%, and 6% +/- 11% of the response to intracoronary ISDN in the baseline study in each group. Irrespective of the duration of intravenous infusion, subsequent intracoronary ISDN dilated coronary arteries to extent similar to that observed in each baseline study. In conclusion, significant coronary vasodilating effects of intravenous ISDN were observed after a 2-day infusion, whereas tolerance to the vasodilating effects apparently developed within 5 days of infusion. The vasodilating response to bolus intracoronary ISDN was preserved even when the vasodilating effects of intravenous ISDN were no longer present.

Angina Pectoris↗

L-NG-monomethyl arginine inhibits the vasodilating effects of low dose of endothelin-3 on rat mesenteric arteries.

We have reported that low doses of endothelin-3 (ET-3) elicited continuous vasodilation of rat mesenteric arteries, which is possibly related to endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). In order to clarify whether or not the vasodilating effects of ET-3 are associated with EDRF, we examined the effects of L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), an analog of L-arginine, on low-dose ET-3 induced vasodilation of rat mesente-Hc arteries. Infusion of 50 microM L-NMMA inhibited the vasodilation induced by 10(-13) M ET-3 and rather elicited an increase in perfusion pressure, which itself was decreased by infusion of 150 microM L-arginine. In the presence of 50 microM L-NMMA, 10(-13) M ET-3 did not elicit any vasodilation of the mesenteric arteries preconstricted with NE, in which 150 microM L-arginine, but not D-arginine, caused considerable vasodilation. These data suggest that the vasodilating effects of low doses of ET-3 are associated with EDRF as an endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

Animals↗

Differential effects of nitric oxide synthesis inhibition on basal blood flow and antidromic vasodilation in rat oral tissues.

The role of nitric oxide in the mediation of (a) antidromic and (b) substance P-induced vasodilation in the pulp, lip, oral mucosa and submandibular gland was investigated in anaesthetized rats by means of laser Doppler flowmetry. Bolus or continuous infusion of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increased mean arterial blood pressure and reduced basal blood flow in the pulp but not in the lip. Electrical stimulation of the inferior alveolar nerve, in the presence of phenoxybenzamine, resulted in a long lasting vasodilation in lower lip and incisor pulp. Infusion of L-NAME enhanced the antidromic vasodilation in both lip and pulp. Pretreatment with L-arginine prevented these effects. Administration of the enantiomer (D-NAME) did not exert any effect on basal blood flow and on antidromic vasodilation. Infusion of substance P resulted in a transient vasodilation in all of the oral tissues studied. L-NAME reduced this vasodilation in the submandibular gland (only the lower doses) but it potentiated the responses in the pulp and oral mucosa. Pretreatment with L-arginine prevented the potentiated responses in the pulp and those induced by the lower doses of substance P in the oral mucosa. Thus, nitric oxide appears to differentially regulate the basal blood flow and the antidromic or substance P-induced vasodilation in the microvasculature of the lip and dental pulp.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses of the isolated mesenteric bed are preserved in long-term streptozotocin diabetic rats.

Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent responses to exogenous vasoactive substances were compared in isolated, perfused mesenteric beds from control rats and in rats subjected to prolonged (15-17 weeks) streptozotocin induced diabetes. The main aim of the study was to determine whether the prolonged period of diabetes altered vascular endothelial function, and thereby modified vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictors or vasodilators. Noradrenaline induced vasoconstriction was not significantly altered in preparations from diabetic rats compared to control. Vasodilator responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and ATP were endothelium-dependent, since they were greatly reduced or abolished after endothelium removal by perfusion with 0.1% Triton-X 100. The vasodilator action of these agents was fully preserved in the diabetic animals. Sodium nitroprusside produced a vasodilation which was endothelium-independent, this vasodilation was also preserved in the diabetic animal. We conclude that prolonged streptozotocin-induced diabetes does not reduce the ability of the mesenteric vascular endothelium to release vasodilator substances, nor does it alter the responsiveness of the bed to exogenous endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside or vasoconstrictor noradrenaline.

Acetylcholine↗

The coronary vasodilator mediator released by hypoxia and isoprenaline is not affected by cyclo-oxygenase inhibition.

Donor and recipient guinea-pig hearts were perfused in series, the recipient being perfused with regassed donor effluent. Coronary perfusion pressure and force and rate of contraction were measured. Exposure of donor hearts to hypoxia (1.5 min) and to isoprenaline (5 ng) caused the appearance of vasodilator material in recipient hearts, the direct beta-adrenoceptor effects of isoprenaline carried over in the effluent being antagonized in the recipient by propranolol. Cyclo-oxygenase was inhibited by infusion of meclofenamate (60 micrograms X min-1) which consistently abolished the vasodilator responses to arachidonic acid added to the donor. The vasodilator responses of the donor to hypoxia and isoprenaline were unaffected by meclofenamate. The falls in perfusion pressure of the recipient in response to material released by these procedures were also not significantly different before (hypoxia, 11.5 +/- 2.6mm Hg; isoprenaline, 10.3 +/- 1.3mm Hg) and during the infusion (hypoxia, 10.2 +/- 4.1; isoprenaline, 11.0 +/- 1.3mm Hg). The coronary vasodilator responses to hypoxia and isoprenaline and the vasodilator material released by these procedures do not therefore appear to be due to products of arachidonic acid via cyclo-oxygenase pathways. Furthermore, since there was also no potentiation of the responses, there does not appear to be a concomitant release of a prostanoid to inhibit the major vasodilator material. Adenosine, as the likely candidate for this predominant vasodilator mediator, is discussed.

Animals↗

Fish oil improves endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation in heart transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary fish oil supplementation enhances endothelium-mediated vasodilator responses in human heart transplant recipients, a group known to have coronary artery disease and endothelial dysfunction. BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to enhance endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation in animal models of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to intracoronary acetylcholine infusion and endothelium-independent responses to nitroglycerin were evaluated in heart transplant recipients who received a high dose of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids for 3 weeks (5 g of eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid/day, n = 7) and compared with responses in a group of matched heart transplant recipients who did not receive fish oil (control patients, n = 7). Acetylcholine was selectively infused into the midportion of the left anterior descending or left circumflex coronary artery, with the noninfused left coronary artery serving as a control vessel. Serial coronary angiograms were performed after infusion with increasing doses of acetylcholine (infused concentrations 10(-6) to 10(-3) mol/liter) and after intracoronary nitroglycerin administration. RESULTS: The patients treated with fish oil showed a normal vasodilator response to acetylcholine with 14 +/- 2.5% and 15 +/- 7% vasodilation (vs. baseline diameter) at infused acetylcholine concentrations of 10(-5) and 10(-4) mol/liter, respectively. In contrast, the control patients demonstrated vasoconstrictor responses (-1 +/- 1% and -9 +/- 4%) to acetylcholine at these same doses (p < 0.05 and < 0.005, respectively, for treated vs. control patients). There were no differences in the response to nitroglycerin between the control and treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with fish oil significantly alters endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation in heart transplant recipients without alteration of the responses to endothelium-independent vasodilation. Whether this enhancement of endothelial function can beneficially alter the natural history of heart transplant atherosclerosis warrants further study.

Acetylcholine↗

Atypical antagonism of D1-receptor-mediated vasodilator response in the perfused kidney by SCH23390.

Vasodilator responses to dopexamine, fenoldopam and dopamine, which are known to have agonist activity at D1-dopamine receptors, were examined in the rat isolated perfused kidney preparation. Perfusion pressure was raised by perfusing with the thromboxane TxA2 analogue, U46619, and vasodilator responses were observed as dose-related falls in perfusion pressure. Propranolol (10(-6) M) and prazosin (10(-6) M) were present throughout to eliminate beta 2 and alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated responses, respectively. The vasodilator responses were antagonized by SCH23390 (10(-9) M), indicating that they were mediated via D1-receptors. The displacements of the dose-response curves for fenoldopam, dopexamine and dopamine were, however, non-parallel with significant depression of the maxima to 30.2, 37.9 and 34.3%, respectively. In the presence of SCH23390 (10(-8) M) and prazosin (10(-6) M), dopexamine, isoprenaline and noradrenaline produced dose-related renal vasodilation. This was antagonized by propranolol indicating a role for beta-adrenoceptors. In the case of dopexamine, the maximum response was depressed in the presence of propranolol. The reason for the atypical blockade of vasodilator responses by SCH23390 was investigated. One possibility was the appearance of transient vasoconstrictor responses at higher doses of fenoldopam, dopexamine and dopamine, usually preceding the vasodilatation. The possibility was therefore considered that the vasoconstriction may have opposed the usual vasodilation at high doses and thus limited the size of the maximum vasodilation in the presence of SCH23390. The vasoconstriction by fenoldopam was not antagonized by S-sulpiride, the D2-receptor antagonist but was blocked by mianserin and therefore attributed to 5-HT2 receptor stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗