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PubMed1989

Mutual interaction of vasoconstriction and endothelial damage in stenotic arteries.

Coronary artery vasomotion may be important in the pathogenesis of angina pectoris. Numerous experimental studies demonstrated accentuated arterial vasomotion in endothelium-damaged vessels. We examined interactions of stenosis, arterial vasoconstriction, and endothelium denudation in a stenosed artery preparation in vitro. Canine carotid arteries and porcine coronary arteries were perfused with a physiological salt solution under constant pressure and a fixed distal resistance. Pressures at the proximal and distal ends of the artery, as well as the flow, were continuously recorded. Hemodynamic responses to serotonin, norepinephrine, and angiotensin II were separately studied. In intact arteries without stenosis, the agonists produced a 30-40% reduction in lumen diameter without altering flow or distal pressure. After a luminal stenosis was created, vasoconstriction produced by the agonists decreased flow and increased the pressure gradient across the stenosis. Flow decreased to (or near) zero, indicating occlusion at the stenotic site. After endothelial loss, this effect was amplified, demonstrating occlusion of the artery and suppression of the flow at significantly (P less than 0.05) lower concentrations of agonist (0.1-0.3) compared with endothelial intact arteries. These studies illustrate 1) the necessity for the presence of stenosis in large arteries for vasoconstriction to impair flow and 2) the protecting effect of intact endothelium in blunting the effects of arterial vasoconstriction in stenosed vessels. Through the reciprocal interaction of arterial stenosis, vasoconstriction, and endothelial damage, ischemic events associated with certain types of vasomotion can be explained.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1989

Stenotic amplification of vasoconstriction responses.

Based on simple hemodynamic principles, arterial stenoses could accentuate the effects of arterial vasoconstriction by reducing intraluminal pressure. To examine this mechanism we employed an in vitro stenotic carotid artery preparation. Eight carotid arteries, obtained from anesthetized heartworm-positive dogs, were isolated and perfused with a physiological salt solution under constant pressure (100 mmHg) and with a fixed distal resistance. After creating an intraluminal stenosis, proximal pressure, distal pressure, and flow were continuously recorded as norepinephrine was incrementally added to the perfusion reservoir. At each norepinephrine concentration, arterial dimensions were recorded on 35-mm film and measured by quantitative dimensional analysis. These data were approximated by a four-parameter logistic equation. The proximal diameter data were considered to represent solely the effects of arterial vasoconstriction, while the stenotic diameter data were considered to be affected both by arterial vasoconstriction and by stenotic pressures. The stenotic diameters shortened significantly more than the proximal diameter (1.2 +/- 2 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.1 mm, P less than 0.01). The shape of the stenotic diameter dose-response curve was similar to the distal pressure curve and was significantly (P less than 0.05; - 3.4 +/- 0.7) steeper than the proximal diameter curve (-0.7 +/- 0.1). Furthermore, the half maximum effective doses (ED50) were significantly interrelated for distal pressure and stenotic diameter data and unrelated for proximal diameter data. In five additional experiments, to eliminate the stenotic pressure changes, the flow was maintained constant. Maintaining stenotic vasoconstriction response (0.6 +/- 2 mm). The results of the present study show exaggerated stenotic vasoconstriction caused by a stenotic pressure decrease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Halothane anesthesia causes active flow-independent pulmonary vasoconstriction.

We utilized multipoint pulmonary vascular pressure-flow (P/Q) plots to investigate the effects of halothane anesthesia on the pulmonary circulation. Our first objective was to assess the extent to which the P/Q relationship measured in conscious dogs is altered during halothane anesthesia. P/Q plots were constructed by stepwise constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava to decrease venous return and Q. Compared with conscious dogs, halothane (approximately 1.2% end-tidal) resulted in active, flow-independent pulmonary vasoconstriction (P less than 0.01) at all levels of Q. Halothane also decreased (P less than 0.01) systemic arterial pressure and Q. Thus our second objective was to determine whether the halothane-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction was mediated by reflex neurohumoral activation or by metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway. However, the magnitude of halothane-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction was not significantly reduced by sympathetic alpha-adrenoreceptor block, angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibition, combined arginine vasopressin V1 + V2 receptor block, or by cyclooxygenase inhibition. Finally, halothane-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (P less than 0.01) was also observed when compared with pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs during controlled ventilation. Thus, compared with the conscious state, halothane anesthesia causes active flow-independent pulmonary vasoconstriction that is not mediated by reflex neurohumoral activation, by metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway, nor is it due to the effects of general anesthesia and controlled ventilation.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1992

Serotonin and norepinephrine vasoconstriction in rat hindlimb have different oxygen requirements.

Serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) are potent vasoconstrictors in the non-erythrocyte constant-flow perfused hindlimb at 25 degrees C. Because 5-HT inhibits and NE stimulates oxygen uptake, these agonists may exert control at different sites in the vasculature that have different metabolic requirements. In this study, it was found that hypoxia, cyanide, or azide had no significant effect on 5-HT-mediated vasoconstriction; however, in the presence of cyanide and absence of glucose, vasoconstriction was transient. NE-mediated vasoconstriction displayed two prazosin-sensitive components. At low concentrations (less than 50 nM), NE-mediated vasoconstriction was totally blocked by hypoxia, cyanide, or azide. At concentrations of NE significantly greater than 50 nM, oxygen-independent vasoconstriction was observed. In conclusion, NE and 5-HT sites are biochemically distinguishable, with 5-HT sites probably located on larger vessels and supportable by anaerobic metabolism and oxygen-dependent NE sites probably located on smaller arteries or arterioles. Supraphysiological concentrations of NE may interact with a subgroup of vascular alpha 1-adrenoceptors on larger vessels giving results similar to 5-HT, thus highlighting problems with high levels of NE in the perfused rat hindlimb.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis augments centrally induced sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction in cats.

The principal effect of sympathetic activation on the coronary circulation is an alpha-adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction in the presence of beta-receptor blockade. Secondary effects include vasodilation due to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation and alpha 2-mediated release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from the coronary vascular endothelium. We hypothesized that blockade of nitric oxide synthesis (nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME) would augment coronary vasoconstriction to sympathetic stimulation as a result of a decrease in alpha 2-mediated EDRF release. In chloralose-anesthetized cats, hypothalamic stimulation produced increases in coronary vascular resistance [maximum 26 +/- 9% (SE)] and arterial pressure (41 +/- 7%) and a decrease in coronary blood flow velocity (15 +/- 6%). L-NAME (3 mg/kg iv) increased baseline arterial pressure from 69 +/- to 92 +/- 7 mmHg (P < 0.05). After L-NAME, a greater increase in coronary vascular resistance (55 +/- 20%, P < 0.05), a decrease in coronary blood flow velocity (24 +/- 7%, P < 0.05), and a similar pressor response (34 +/- 7%) were observed in response to hypothalamic stimulation. L-Arginine reversed the effect of L-NAME on coronary vasoconstriction to hypothalamic stimulation. Similar increases in arterial pressure (from 73 +/- 3 to 91 +/- 5 mmHg, P < 0.05) with vasopressin (0.01-0.05 U/min) failed to enhance coronary vasoconstriction to activation in anterior hypothalamus. We conclude that inhibition of EDRF synthesis augments centrally induced sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction in the cat.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Chronic exercise decreases adrenergic agonist-induced vasoconstriction in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chronic exercise on adrenergic agonist-induced vascular responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Four-week-old male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats were divided into control and trained groups. The trained groups ran on a drum exerciser at 70% of peak oxygen consumption for 60 min/day 5 days/wk for 10 wk. Resting systolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured by a tail-cuff method, and changes in these parameters were considered as indexes of effective training. At the end of experiments, thoracic aortas and carotid arteries were isolated. Vasoconstricting responses to norepinephrine (NE) or phenylephrine (PHE) were studied. To clarify the role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) in the alteration of NE-induced vasoconstriction after chronic exercise, we measured the changes in vasoconstricting responses to NE (10(-8) M) after treatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine. Vasorelaxing responses to PHE or clonidine were also studied. Our results showed that 1) vasoconstricting responses to NE or PHE in the endothelium-intact thoracic aorta were reduced, whereas PHE- or clonidine-induced EDNO release was enhanced by exercise training, and 2) the latter could be eliminated by N omega-nitro-L-arginine. Therefore, training may decrease adrenergic agent-induced vasoconstricting responses by increasing their stimulated EDNO release in hypertensive and normotensive rats.

Adrenergic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Endothelin-1 mediates nitro-L-arginine vasoconstriction of hypertensive rat lungs.

Inhibition of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by L-arginine analogs such as nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) elicits marked precapillary vasoconstriction in lungs from rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. To investigate the role of endogenous endothelin (ET)-1 in L-NNA-induced vasoconstriction, we tested, in salt solution-perfused hypertensive lungs isolated from chronically hypoxic (3-4 wk at barometric pressure = 410 mmHg) adult male rats, if the pressor responses to L-NNA and exogenous ET-1 were inhibited by either separate or combined ETA and ETB receptor blockade. Whereas only combined pretreatment with 5 microM BQ-123 (selective ETA receptor blocker) and 5 microM BQ-788 (selective ETB receptor blocker) inhibited the response to 100 microM L-NNA, the response to 10 nM ET-1 was reduced by both BQ-123 alone and the combined blockers. Because exogenous ET-1 causes postcapillary vasoconstriction in salt solution-but not blood-perfused normotensive rat lungs, we next compared effects of ETA and ETB receptor blockade on L-NNA and ET-1 vasoconstrictions in blood-perfused hypertensive lungs. In this case, the combined but not the separate effects of BQ-123 and BQ-788 inhibited the responses to both L-NNA and ET-1. The last experiment showed that the use of BQ-788 to inhibit ETB receptor-mediated clearance of circulating ET-1 resulted in greater accumulation of endogenous ET-1 in the perfusate of hypertensive than of normotensive lungs. There was no difference between L-NNA-treated and vehicle control hypertensive lungs in accumulation of ET-1. These results suggest that increased endogenous levels of ET-1 acting through stimulation of both ETA and ETB receptors contribute to the vasoconstriction unmasked by inhibition of NO synthesis in hypertensive rat lungs. The increased ET-1 is apparently not due to the inhibition of NO synthesis, but, instead, its underlying stimulation of smooth muscle cell contraction is counteracted by NO activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Evidence for a role of protein kinase C in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) matches lung perfusion to ventilation, thus optimizing gas exchange. NADPH oxidase-related superoxide anion generation has been suggested as part of the signaling response to hypoxia. Because protein kinase (PK) C activation can occur during hypoxia and PKC activation is known to be critical for NADPH oxidase stimulation in different cell types, we probed the role of PKC in hypoxic vasoconstriction in intact rabbit lungs. Control vasoconstrictor responses were elicited by angiotensin II (ANG II) and the stable thromboxane analog U-46619. Portions of the experiments were performed while NO synthesis and prostanoid generation were blocked with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and acetylsalicylic acid to avoid confounding effects due to interference with these vasoactive mediators. The PKC inhibitor H-7 (10-50 microM) caused dose-dependent inhibition of HPV, but this agent lacked specificity because ANG II- and U-46619-induced vasoconstrictions were correspondingly suppressed. In contrast, low concentrations of the specific PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I (BIM; 1-15 microM) strongly inhibited the hypoxic vasoconstriction without any interference with the responses to the pharmacological agents. Superimposable dose-inhibition curves were also obtained for BIM when lung NO synthesis and prostanoid generation were blocked throughout the experiments. Under either condition, BIM did not affect normoxic vascular tone. The PKC activator farnesylthiotriazole (FTT), ascertained to stimulate rabbit NADPH oxidase by provocation of alveolar macrophage superoxide anion generation in vitro, caused rapid-onset, transient pressor responses in normoxic lungs. After FTT, the hypoxic vasoconstrictor response was totally suppressed, in contrast to the largely maintained pressor responses to ANG II and U-46619. The lungs became refractory even to delayed hypoxic challenges after FTT application. In conclusion, these data support the concept that activation of PKC is involved in the transduction pathway forwarding pulmonary vasoconstriction in response to alveolar hypoxia.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1978

Parabrachial pons mediates hypothalamically induced renal vasoconstriction.

The role of the parabrachial region of the dorsal rostral pons (PB) in mediating control of renal blood flow and of systemic arterial blood pressure was investigated in nine cats anesthetized with chloralose-urethan. Electrical stimulation through electrodes placed stereotaxically in lateral and medial positions in the hypothalamus (LH and MH) in PB and in ventrolateral reticular formation (VLRF) of each cat elicited pronounced systemic arterial pressor responses and renal vasoconstrictions. Stimulation parameters were adjusted so that renal flow responses elicited from each site were equal. Following a unilateral lesion in the PB, responses of renal vasoconstriction induced by hypothalamic stimulation were attenuated, but responses of arterial pressure were not altered. Stimulation of the VLRF, posterior to the lesion, consistently produced undiminished systemic pressor responses and renal vasoconstriction throughout the durations of the experiments excluding decay of renal vascular responsiveness. Thus, the data suggest that pathways mediating renal vasoconstriction in response to hypothalamic stimulation was discrete and pass through the parabrachial region, whereas pathways mediating systemic vasoconstriction in response to hypothalamic stimulation are distinct or less compact.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Myogenic vasoconstriction in mouse renal interlobar arteries: role of endogenous beta and gammaENaC.

Mechanosensitive ion channels are thought to initiate pressure-induced vasoconstriction, however, the molecular identity of these channels is unknown. Recent work from our laboratory suggests that members of the Degenerin/Epithelial Na+ Channel (DEG/ENaC) family may be components of the mechanosensitive ion channel complex in vascular smooth muscle (VSM); however, the specific DEG/ENaC proteins mediating myogenic constriction are unknown. The goal of this study is to determine if specific knockdown of beta or gammaENaC, using dominant-negative (DN) or small-interference RNA (siRNA) molecules, inhibits pressure-induced vasoconstriction in mouse renal interlobar arteries. To address this goal, isolated arteries were transiently transfected with beta or gammaENaC DN-cDNA or siRNA molecules. After 24 h, vessels were either 1) cannulated and pressurized for pressure-diameter response curves or 2) dissociated and immunolabeled to determine VSM cell endogenous ENaC protein expression. We found that transfection of betaENaC DN-cDNA or siRNA suppresses beta-, but not gammaENaC protein expression. Similarly, gammaENaC DN-cDNA or siRNA suppresses gamma-, but not betaENaC protein expression. In addition, transfection of beta- or gammaENaC DN-cDNA or siRNA molecules inhibits pressure-induced vasoconstriction, but does not block agonist-induced vasoconstriction. Our results provide the first direct evidence that beta and gammaENaC proteins are essential in mediating myogenic vasoconstriction in mouse renal interlobar arteries.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Calcium entry and mobilization signaling pathways in ANG II-induced renal vasoconstriction in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of calcium signaling pathways in angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced renal vasoconstriction in vivo. Nifedipine was used to antagonize dihydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent calcium channels; BAY K 8644 was employed to activate these calcium channels. Intracellular calcium mobilization was evaluated using TMB-8 or heparin to inhibit calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Renal blood flow was measured by electromagnetic flowmetry in anesthetized euvolemic Wistar-Kyoto rats. The animals were pretreated with indomethacin to avoid interactions with prostaglandins. ANG II (2 ng) or BAY K 8644 (1 microgram) was injected into the renal artery to produce a transient 30-50% decrease in renal blood flow without affecting arterial pressure. Coadministration of nifedipine with BAY K 8644 produced dose-dependent inhibition of the maximum renal vasoconstriction elicited by BAY K 8644. The calcium-channel antagonist had similar effects on ANG II-induced renal vasoconstriction. Nifedipine exerted maximum inhibition by blocking 50% of the peak ANG II response. To evaluate intracellular calcium mobilization, TMB-8 or heparin was coadministered with ANG II. Each agent produced dose-dependent inhibition of up to 50% of the maximum renal vasoconstriction produced by ANG II. The inhibitory effects of nifedipine and TMB-8 were additive; neither agent had an effect when ANG II AT1 receptors were antagonized with losartan. These observations indicate that one-half of the ANG II-induced constriction of renal resistance vessels is mediated by voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels responsive to the dihydropyridine nifedipine. The remaining 50% of the renal vasoconstriction elicited by ANG II is mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated calcium mobilization from intracellular sources. The additive nature of the inhibitory effects indicates distinct mechanisms involving calcium mobilization and calcium entry signaling pathways that are of equal importance in ANG II activation of AT1 receptors to trigger constriction of renal resistance vessels under basal conditions.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1996

Enhanced renal vasoconstriction induced by vasopressin in SHR is mediated by V1 receptors.

The development of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is associated with renal dysfunction; the observed renal vasoconstriction may reflect an imbalance of constrictor and dilator systems. The present studies evaluated renal vascular reactivity to arginine vasopressin (AVP) and mediation by V1 and/or V2 receptors. Renal blood flow (electromagnetic flowmetry) was measured in water-loaded, 8-wk-old SHR, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), and Munich-Wistar rats. Injection of AVP (2 and 5 ng) into the renal artery caused dose-dependent renal vasoconstriction. The maximum blood flow response was approximately twofold larger in SHR than both normotensive strains. The strain difference was largely unaffected by indomethacin administration, although the reduction in blood flow produced by 5 ng AVP was 4-6% larger in both SHR and WKY during cyclooxygenase inhibition. The V1 receptor antagonist, [D-(CH2)5,Tyr(Me)2,Tyr(NH2)9]Arg8-vasopressin, blocked up to 90% of the renal vasoconstriction elicited by AVP. Intrarenal injection of the V1-receptor agonist [Phe2,Ile3,Org8]vasopressin produced renal hemodynamic effects similar to AVP; this agonist reduced renal blood flow, with twofold larger responses in SHR (-40 vs. -18% for 10 ng). In contrast, similar doses of the V2-receptor agonist 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin had no effect. These results indicate that AVP-induced vasoconstriction is mediated predominantly by the V1 receptor in the rat kidney. The enhanced vascular reactivity in 8-wk-old SHR may reflect an increased V1 receptor density and/or affinity or postreceptor signaling pathways, largely independent of buffering by the vascular V2 receptor or vasodilator prostaglandin activity. The strain difference in the vascular response to AVP may contribute to the renal vasoconstriction observed during the development of genetic hypertension.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

TP receptor-mediated vasoconstriction in microperfused afferent arterioles: roles of O(2)(-) and NO.

Thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2)) preferentially constricts the renal afferent arteriole. Nitric oxide (NO) modulates vasoconstriction and is rapidly degraded by superoxide radical (O(2)(-)). We investigated the roles of NO and O(2)(-) in rabbit isolated, perfused renal afferent arteriole responses to the TxA(2)/prostaglandin H(2) (TP) receptor agonist U-46,619. U-46,619 (10(-10)-10(-6) M) dose-dependently reduced afferent arteriolar luminal diameter (ED(50) = 7.5 +/- 5.0 nM), which was blocked by the TP receptor antagonist ifetroban (10(-6) M). Tempol (10(-3) M) pretreatment, which prevented paraquat-induced vasoconstriction in afferent arterioles, blocked the vasoconstrictor responses to U-46,619. To test whether U-46,619 stimulates NO and whether tempol prevents U-46, 619-induced vasoconstriction by enhancing the biological activity of NO, we examined the luminal diameter response to U-46,619 in arterioles pretreated with N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M) or L-NAME + tempol. During L-NAME, the sensitivity and maximal responses of the afferent arteriole to U-46, 619 were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced. Moreover, L-NAME restored a vasoconstrictor response to U-46,619 in vessels pretreated with tempol. In conclusion, in isolated perfused renal afferent arterioles TP receptor activation stimulates NO production, which buffers the vasoconstriction, and stimulates O(2)(-) production, which mediates the vasoconstriction, in part, through interaction with NO.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1984

Leukotriene synthesis and receptor blockers block hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

We hypothesized that leukotrienes are involved in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, since they are pulmonary vasoconstrictors and cells capable of producing leukotrienes are located in the lung near resistance vessels. We investigated in isolated perfused rat lungs whether three structurally unrelated blockers [diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), U-60257, and FPL 55712] of leukotriene synthesis or action block hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. DEC blocked ongoing and subsequent hypoxic pressor responses while minimally affecting the angiotensin II pressor response. The inhibition of the hypoxic pressor response by DEC was not affected by cyclooxygenase or H1-receptor blockers. Potassium-induced vasoconstriction, which is dependent on calcium entry, was largely blocked by verapamil but not by DEC, suggesting that DEC was not acting primarily as a calcium-entry blocker. U-60257 blocked the hypoxic pressor response without inhibiting the pressor response to angiotensin II or potassium chloride. FPL 55712, a leukotriene end-organ blocker, in a dose which inhibited vasoconstriction caused by exogenous leukotriene C4, inhibited the pressor response to hypoxia but not to angiotensin II. We conclude that leukotriene inhibitors preferentially inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in isolated perfused adult rat lungs.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1987

Effects of intracellular pH on hypoxic vasoconstriction in rat lungs.

Isolated rat lungs perfused with physiological salt-Ficoll solutions were studied to test whether hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction was potentiated by increases in intracellular pH (pHi) and blunted by decreases in pHi. Whereas addition to perfusate of 5 nM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a stimulator of exchange of intracellular H+ for extracellular Na+, potentiated hypoxic vasoconstriction, 1 mM amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+-H+ exchange, blunted the hypoxic response. Hypoxic vasoconstriction was also potentiated by the weak bases NH4Cl (20 mM), methylamine (10 mM), and imidazole (5 mM) and was inhibited by the weak acid sodium acetate (40 mM). NH4Cl, imidazole, and acetate had the same effects on KCl-induced vasoconstriction and on the hypoxic response. Hypoxic vasoconstriction was greater in lungs perfused with N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES)-buffered solution than in those perfused with CO2/HCO3--buffered solution. Similarly, lungs perfused with CO2/HCO3--buffered solution containing 1.8 mM Cl- (NaNO3 and KNO3 substituted for NaCl and KCl) had larger hypoxic and angiotensin II pressor responses than those perfused with 122.5 mM Cl-. Because PMA, NH4Cl, methylamine, imidazole, HEPES-buffered solutions, and low-Cl- solutions can cause increases in pHi and amiloride and acetate can cause decreases in pHi, these results suggest that intracellular alkalosis and acidosis, respectively, potentiate and blunt vasoconstrictor responses to hypoxia and other stimuli in isolated rat lungs. These effects could be related to pHi-dependent changes in either the sensitivity of the arterial smooth muscle contractile machinery to Ca2+ or the release of a vasoactive mediator or modulator by some other lung cell.

Acetates↗
PubMed1992

Rapid onset of hypoxic vasoconstriction in isolated lungs.

A fast-response O2 analyzer that samples air at low flow rates allows the quasi-instantaneous measurement of O2 concentration change in the airways of isolated blood-perfused rat lungs. This instrument and an oximeter were used to measure the stimulus-response delay time of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction when the lungs were challenged with 10, 5, or 3% O2. The estimate for the shortest delay time between accomplished fall in airway O2 concentration and the onset of hypoxia-induced vasoconstriction was approximately 7 s. We found that the slope of pressure rise, but not the stimulus-response delay time, correlated with the magnitude of hypoxic vasoconstriction. Oscillations in pulmonary arterial pressure were observed when the lungs were challenged with 10% O2 but not when the challenge was 12, 5, or 3%, indicating perhaps that these oscillations were a threshold phenomenon. Established hypoxic vasoconstriction was sensitive to brief changes in airway O2 concentration. Vasodilation occurred when the gas mixture was switched from 3 to 21% O2 for two to five breaths, and vasoconstriction occurred when the gas was changed during a single breath from 5 to 3% O2.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Protein kinase C-mediated pulmonary vasoconstriction in rabbit: role of Ca2+, AA metabolites, and vasodilators.

We studied the effects of three chemically distinct protein kinase C activators on pulmonary vascular tone in the buffer-perfused isolated rabbit lung. The three activators, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (12,13-phorbol), mezerein, and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, produce concentration-dependent increases in pulmonary arterial pressure, whereas the inactive compound 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate does not affect pulmonary arterial pressure. Reducing calcium availability with verapamil, a calcium-free buffer, or a chelator of intracellular calcium significantly decreases the response to 12,13-phorbol or mezerein. Pretreatment with phloretin, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, has no affect on the vasoconstriction caused by infusion of a KCl bolus, but it does inhibit in a dose-dependent manner the response to 12,13-phorbol and mezerein. 12,13-Phorbol at a concentration of 2.5 microM, but not of 1 microM, stimulates prostacyclin and thromboxane synthesis by the isolated lung. Because inhibitors of thromboxane synthesis significantly decrease the response, thromboxane likely contributes to the vasoconstriction produced by higher concentrations of 12,13-phorbol and mezerein. Pretreatment with isoproterenol or nitroprusside reduces the increase in pulmonary arterial pressure caused by the protein kinase C activators but does not reverse vasoconstriction, even though subsequent treatment with verapamil does. In summary, activating protein kinase C in the isolated rabbit lung causes long-lasting pulmonary vasoconstriction, reducing calcium availability decreases the response, part of the increase in pulmonary arterial pressure appears secondary to thromboxane generation, and pretreatment with isoproterenol or nitroprusside prevents the vasoconstriction, but posttreatment with these vasodilators is ineffective.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

TNF potentiates PAF-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in the rat: role of neutrophils and thromboxane A2.

Both tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) are released during sepsis and are important mediators of septic lung injury. I investigated the interactions of TNF and PAF on vasoactive responses in the pulmonary circulation. In isolated rat lungs perfused with a cell- and plasma-free physiological salt solution, PAF (0.01- and 0.1-micrograms boluses) caused transient dose-dependent pulmonary arterial and venous constrictions. In vivo pretreatment of the rats with TNF (0.02 or 0.2 mg/kg i.v.) 1 h before lung isolation increased lung myeloperoxidase activity and markedly enhanced PAF-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction without affecting the pressor responses to angiotensin II or hypoxia. In contrast, pretreatment with lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg), which increased lung myeloperoxidase to the same extent as TNF, caused only a modest enhancement of PAF-induced vasoconstriction associated with reduced pressor responses to angiotensin II and hypoxia. Ex vivo perfusion of isolated lungs with TNF for 1 h did not affect PAF vasoconstriction. The TNF-induced potentiation of PAF vasoconstriction was not altered by depletion of circulating neutrophils with vinblastine but was blocked by Dazmegrel, a thromboxane synthase inhibitor. Thus, TNF potentiates PAF-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction by an in vivo mechanism that is neutrophil independent but thromboxane dependent. This TNF-PAF interaction likely contributes to the development of pulmonary hypertension during sepsis.

Animals↗