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PubMed2005

Venular constriction of submucosal arterioles induced by dextran sodium sulfate.

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte and platelet adherence in postcapillary venules has been speculated to induce constriction of closely paired arterioles. This mechanism was investigated in the current study, in a model of intestinal inflammation induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS; 5,000 molecular weight). METHODS: Closely paired, parallel arterioles and venules in the submucosa of the mouse intestine were observed using fluorescent intravital microscopy. Arterioles in control mice were compared to arterioles in mice given 5% DSS in drinking water for 11 days. RESULTS: DSS induced an inflammatory response in which fluorescently labeled leukocytes and platelets were observed adhering to venules. Arterioles constricted and flow decreased significantly when the arterioles were paired with venules having adherent leukocytes and platelets, although the decreases in flow and diameter appeared to be more dependent on platelet than leukocyte adherence. No significant constriction was observed in arterioles paired with venules having minimal platelet adherence. Inhibition of thromboxane with 100 mg/kg ozagrel induced a significant dilation of arterioles in DSS mice that was absent in control mice. CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with a proposed mechanism in which thromboxane constricts submucosal arterioles when the arterioles are closely paired with platelet-bearing venules in DSS-induced inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Intracellular Mg2+ interacts with structural determinants of the narrow constriction contributed by the NR1-subunit in the NMDA receptor channel.

1. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor channels are blocked by intracellular Mg2+ in a voltage-dependent manner. Amino acid residues positioned at or near the narrow constriction that interact with intracellular Mg2+ were identified in recombinant NR1-NR2A channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes or human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. 2. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the block of wild-type channel by intracellular Mg2+ measured using macroscopic currents showed a voltage dependence (delta) of around 0.38 and a voltage-independent affinity for the channel of 4 mM. These parameters were independent of the Mg2+ concentration (0.05-10mM), and were indistinguishable from those found for the reduction of single channel amplitudes under the same ionic conditions. Under bionic conditions with high intracellular Mg2+ and K+ extracellularly, Mg2+ was weakly permeant. Mg2+ efflux, however, attenuated the block only at positive potentials (> +80 mV). 3. Substitutions of the N-site asparagine in the NR1-subunit altered intracellular Mg2+ block over physiological membrane potentials (+10 to +50 mV). Substitution of glycine, glutamine or serine attenuated the extent of block whereas the negatively charged aspartate enhanced it, consistent with the side chain of the native asparagine at this position contributing to a blocking site for intracellular Mg2+. 4. Substitutions of the N-site or N + 1 site asparagine in the NR2A-subunit, which form a blocking site for extracellular Mg2+, also altered the block by intracellular Mg2+. However, for the NR2A-subunit N-site asparagine, the block was reduced but only at non-physiological high potentials (> +70 mV). 5. The NR2A-subunit N + 1 site asparagine, which together with NR1-subunit N-site asparagine forms the narrow constriction of the channel, also contributed to a blocking site for intracellular Mg2+. However, it did so to lesser extent than the NR1-subunit N-site and in a manner different from its contribution to a blocking site for extracellular Mg2+. 6. It is concluded that intracellular Mg2+ interacts with residues that form the narrow constriction in the NMDA receptor channel with the N-site asparagine of the NR1-subunit representing the dominant blocking site. Thus, intracellular Mg2+ interacts with different asparagine residues at the narrow constriction than extracellular Mg2+, although the two blocking sites are positioned very close to each other.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Renal D1 receptors, and not D2, are upregulated after aortic constriction and may be involved in cardiac hypertrophy.

1. The characteristics of dopamine (D) receptors were studied in kidney using the radiolabelled receptor assay of [3H]-SCH-23390 for D1 and [3H]-sulpiride for D2 receptors during cardiac hypertrophy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (175-200 g) underwent abdominal aortic constriction above the renal arteries and were studied 28 days thereafter. Sham operated animals without aortic constriction were used as control. 2. Membranes obtained from kidney cortex showed an increase in the number of binding sites (Bmax) of D1 receptors in the aortic banded group. The apparent affinity for the ligand (Kd) was unchanged with D1 receptors, as compared to sham control. Both Bmax and Kd were unchanged for D2 receptors in the aortic banded group. 3. Autoradiographic data further reinforced the findings, showing an increased number of D1 receptors in the kidney at 28 days after abdominal aortic constriction. These changes were associated with an increase in plasma renin activity in the aortic banded group. Further, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase as measured by fmol of 32Pi released from [gamma-32P]-ATP, was decreased in the kidney cortex of banded animals. 4. Reversal of hypertrophic parameters was observed in the aortic banded group treated for 14 days with SCH 23390 hydrochloride (0.1 mg kg-1 i.p.), a known D1 receptor antagonist. 5. The present study shows an upregulation of renal D1 receptors following abdominal aortic constriction and it is suggested that upregulation of D receptors may be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Congenital constriction band of the trunk.

Constriction band of the trunk is a rare congenital malformation. A 2-year-old girl with a congenital circumferential constriction band around the waist is described. Six other cases of congenital constriction band of the trunk are reviewed. Like constriction band of the limbs, this malformation is probably related to the amniotic band syndrome. Surgical correction should be considered carefully because natural evolution is usually benign and the postoperative esthetic benefit may be questionable. There is no evidence of any risk of familial recurrence.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

Electro-oculography, electroretinography, visual evoked potentials, and multifocal electroretinography in patients with vigabatrin-attributed visual field constriction.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic visual field constriction thought to be associated with vigabatrin has been reported. The current study investigated the visual fields and visual electrophysiology of eight patients with known vigabatrin-attributed visual field loss, three of whom were reported previously. Six of the patients were no longer receiving vigabatrin. METHODS: The central and peripheral fields were examined with the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. Full visual electrophysiology, including flash electroretinography (ERG), pattern electroretinography, multifocal ERG using the VERIS system, electro-oculography, and flash and pattern visual evoked potentials, was undertaken. RESULTS: Seven patients showed marked visual field constriction with some sparing of the temporal visual field. The eighth exhibited concentric constriction. Most electrophysiological responses were usually just within normal limits; two patients had subnormal Arden electro-oculography indices; and one patient showed an abnormally delayed photopic b wave. However, five patients showed delayed 30-Hz flicker b waves, and seven patients showed delayed oscillatory potentials. Multifocal ERG showed abnormalities that sometimes correlated with the visual field appearance and confirmed that the deficit occurs at the retinal level. CONCLUSION: Marked visual field constriction appears to be associated with vigabatrin therapy. The field defects and some electrophysiological abnormalities persist when vigabatrin therapy is withdrawn.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Localization of endothelin ETA and ETB receptor-mediated constriction in the renal microcirculation of rats.

1. The aim of the study was to visualize endothelin-1 (ET-1)-mediated constriction in renal vessels of cortical and juxtamedullary glomeruli in the split hydronephrotic rat kidney in vivo and to functionally characterize the ET receptor subtypes involved. 2. ET-1 (10(-9) M) constricted preglomerular vessels (by 6-18%) and efferent arterioles (by 11-13%), and decreased glomerular blood flow (GBF, by 55%) of cortical and juxtamedullary glomeruli. 3. The ETA antagonist BQ-123 (10(-6) M), as well as the ETB antagonist BQ-788 (2 x 10(-7) M) and IRL 1038 (10(-6) M), shifted the concentration-response curve of GBF for ET-1 to the right by one order of magnitude. While BQ-123 antagonized ET-1 constriction only in preglomerular vessels, BQ-788 and IRL 1038 were effective both in preglomerular vessels and efferent arterioles. 4. The ETB agonist IRL 1620 (10(-8) M) reduced GBF by 50% and constricted efferent arterioles (by 20-33%) about two times more than preglomerular vessels (by 6-14%). 5. Our results suggest that in renal cortical and juxtamedullary vessels of rats, ET-1-induced preglomerular vasoconstriction is mediated by ETA and ETB receptors, while efferent vasoconstriction is predominantly mediated by ETB receptors, which might have important consequences for the regulation of glomerular filtration pressure by ET.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Sound transmission across duct constrictions with and without tapered sections.

The sound power transmission loss across duct constrictions with linearly tapered sections is studied with the finite element method. Results show that the acoustic energy distributions of transmitted waves at high frequency depend critically on the exit configuration of the constriction. The corresponding strengths of these waves are very much affected by the entrance setup of the constriction. The difference between inlet and outlet impedance of a constriction leads to weaker resonant sound transmission.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Role of muscarinic receptor subtypes in the constriction of peripheral airways: studies on receptor-deficient mice.

In the airways, increases in cholinergic nerve activity and cholinergic hypersensitivity are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. However, the contribution of individual muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes to the constriction of smaller intrapulmonary airways that are primarily responsible for airway resistance has not been analyzed. To address this issue, we used videomicroscopy and digital imaging of precision-cut lung slices derived from wild-type mice and mice deficient in either the M1 (mAChR1-/- mice), M2 (mAChR2-/- mice), or M3 receptor subtype (mAChR3-/- mice) or lacking both the M2 and M3 receptor subtypes (mAChR2/3-/- double-knockout mice). In peripheral airways from wild-type mice (mAChR+/+ mice), muscarine induced a triphasic concentration-dependent response, characterized by an initial constriction, a transient relaxation, and a sustained constriction. The bronchoconstriction was diminished by up to 60% in mAChR3-/- lungs and was completely abolished in mAChR2/3-/- lungs. The sustained bronchoconstriction was reduced in mAChR2-/- bronchi, and, interestingly, the transient relaxation was absent; the bronchoconstriction in response to 10-8 M muscarine was increased by 158% in mAChR1-/- mice. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the disruption of specific mAChR genes had no significant effect on the expression levels of the remaining mAChR subtypes. These results demonstrate that cholinergic constriction of murine peripheral airways is mediated by the concerted action of the M2 and M3 receptor subtypes and suggest the existence of pulmonary M1 receptor activation, which counteracts cholinergic bronchoconstriction. Given the important role of muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms in pulmonary disease, these findings should be of considerable therapeutic relevance.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Positive correlation between size at initiation of chromosome replication in Escherichia coli and size at initiation of cell constriction.

The variability of (i) the length (size) at which cells initiate chromosome replication, (ii) the length at which they initiate cell constriction, and (iii) the time interval between these events has been estimated for Escherichia coli B/r K at two different slow growth rates. Steady-state cultures were pulse-labeled with [3H]thymidine and, after fixation, analyzed by electron microscopic radioautography. The coefficient of variation of length at initiation of chromosome replication was found to be 15 to 22%, the coefficient of variation of length at initiation of cell constriction was 10%, and the coefficient of variation of the time interval between both events was 25%. With the help of these values we calculated a high positive coefficient of correlation (rho) between the length at which a round of chromosome replication is initiated and that at which the onset of cell constriction occurs. At both growth rates rho has a value of 0.6 to 1.0. This correlation excludes a model in which chromosome initiation and cell constriction are independently triggered by some aspects of cell growth. It favors a model in which an event before or at chromosome initiation triggers both.

Cell Division↗
PubMed2005

Distinct constrictive processes, separated in time and space, divide caulobacter inner and outer membranes.

Cryoelectron microscope tomography (cryoEM) and a fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) assay were used to characterize progression of the terminal stages of Caulobacter crescentus cell division. Tomographic cryoEM images of the cell division site show separate constrictive processes closing first the inner membrane (IM) and then the outer membrane (OM) in a manner distinctly different from that of septum-forming bacteria. FLIP experiments had previously shown cytoplasmic compartmentalization (when cytoplasmic proteins can no longer diffuse between the two nascent progeny cell compartments) occurring 18 min before daughter cell separation in a 135-min cell cycle so the two constrictive processes are separated in both time and space. In the very latest stages of both IM and OM constriction, short membrane tether structures are observed. The smallest observed pre-fission tethers were 60 nm in diameter for both the inner and outer membranes. Here, we also used FLIP experiments to show that both membrane-bound and periplasmic fluorescent proteins diffuse freely through the FtsZ ring during most of the constriction procession.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed1985

Pupillary constriction to darkness.

Patients with congenital achromatopsia and congenital stationary night blindness have been known to show a transient pupillary constriction to darkness. We examined 50 normal subjects and 108 patients with retinal and optic nerve dysfunction to see if any had an initial pupillary constriction to darkness. We used a new infrared television apparatus. Four patients with congenital stationary night blindness, four with achromatopsia, two with bilateral optic neuritis, and one with dominant optic atrophy showed the phenomenon. In the patients who showed this unusual pupillary response to darkness it was the first observable event every time the lights were turned off. The constriction could usually be seen with a handlight, and it was similar in latency to the normal pupillary dilatation to darkness. Pupillary constriction to darkness is a clinically valuable sign that can be used in the detection of congenital retinal disease in children with poor vision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Nitric oxide-endothelin-1 interactions after acute ductal constriction in fetal lambs.

Acute partial compression of the fetal ductus arteriosus (DA) results in an initial increase in pulmonary blood flow (PBF) that is followed by acute vasoconstriction. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO)-endothelin-1 (ET-1) interactions in the acute changes in pulmonary vascular tone after in utero partial constriction of the DA. Twelve late-gestation fetal lambs (132-140 days) were instrumented to measure vascular pressures and left PBF. After a 24-h recovery period, acute constriction of the DA was performed by partially inflating a vascular occluder, and the hemodynamic variables were observed for 4 h. In control lambs (n = 7), acute ductal constriction initially increased PBF by 627% (P < 0.05). However, this was followed by active vasoconstriction, such that PBF was restored to preconstriction values by 4 h. This was associated with a 43% decrease in total NO synthase (NOS) activity (P < 0.05) and a 106% increase in plasma ET-1 levels (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis demonstrated no changes in lung tissue endothelial NOS, preproET-1, endothelin-converting enzyme-1, or ET(B) receptor protein levels. The infusion of PD-156707 (an ET(A) receptor antagonist, n = 5) completely blocked the vasoconstriction and preserved NOS activity. These data suggest that the fetal pulmonary vasoconstriction after acute constriction of the DA is mediated by NO-ET-1 interactions. These include an increase in ET(A) receptor-mediated vasoconstriction and an ET(A) receptor-mediated decrease in NOS activity. The mechanisms of these NO-ET-1 interactions, and their role in mediating acute changes in PBF, warrant further studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Imaging remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton in vascular smooth muscle cells after mechanosensitive arteriolar constriction.

Experiments were performed to determine whether remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton contributes to arteriolar constriction. Mouse tail arterioles were mounted on cannulae in a myograph and superfused with buffer solution. The alpha1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (0.1-1 micromol/l) caused constriction that was unaffected by cytochalasin D (300 nmol/l) or latrunculin A (100 nmol/l), inhibitors of actin polymerization. In contrast, each compound abolished the mechanosensitive constriction (myogenic response) evoked by elevation in transmural pressure (PTM; 10-60 or 90 mmHg). Arterioles were fixed, permeabilized, and stained with Alexa-568 phalloidin and Alexa-488 DNAse I to visualize F-actin and G-actin, respectively, using a Zeiss 510 laser scanning microscope. Elevation in PTM, but not phenylephrine (1 micromol/l), significantly increased the intensity of F-actin and significantly decreased the intensity of G-actin staining in arteriolar vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The increase in F-actin staining caused by an elevation in PTM was inhibited by cytochalasin D. In VSMCs at 10 mmHg, prominent F-actin staining was restricted to the cell periphery, whereas after elevation in PTM, transcytoplasmic F-actin fibers were localized through the cell interior, running parallel to the long axis of the cells. Phenylephrine (1 micromol/l) did not alter the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton. In contrast to VSMCs, the actin cytoskeleton of endothelial or adventitial cells was not altered by an elevation in PTM. Therefore, the actin cytoskeleton of VSMCs undergoes dramatic alteration after elevation in PTM of arterioles and plays a selective and essential role in mechanosensitive myogenic constriction.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1986

Reactive dilation and late-hyperemic constriction of epicardial coronary artery after short coronary occlusion.

Coronary blood flow and epicardial coronary artery diameter were simultaneously measured by an electromagnetic or Doppler flow probe and a pair of ultrasonic crystals, respectively, during reactive hyperemia in conscious dogs. Reactive dilation appeared after the full appearance of reactive hyperemia and lasted for a period of 4-20 times the duration of the coronary occlusion. beta-Receptor blockade (propranolol, 1 mg/kg iv) attenuated both the reactive hyperemia in volume by 21-22% (P less than 0.01) and dilative responses of the epicardial coronary diameter by 27-28% (P less than 0.01), despite a nonsignificant attenuation of the resting or peak hyperemic coronary blood flow. When coronary blood flow was held constant during reperfusion, by an occluder distal to the ultrasonic crystals, the reactive dilation disappeared. A peculiar reactive constriction was noted when coronary occlusion was performed proximal to the site of the ultrasonic crystals. Appearance of this constriction was at 149 and 385 s after the release of 5 and 60 s of coronary occlusion, respectively. This late reactive constriction disappeared after pretreatment with alpha- (phentolamine, 1 mg/kg iv) and/or alpha- + beta-blockade, but not with beta-blockade alone, and it was not observed when the coronary diameter was measured proximal to the occluder. Thus reactive dilation of the epicardial coronary artery derives from an increase in coronary flow and is reduced by propranolol via a reduction in the hyperemic flow, suggesting a flow-dependent change in the diameter of the epicardial coronary artery. Reactive constriction is a local phenomenon following marked reduction in the coronary diameter and is abolished by alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1988

Flow-mediated dilation attenuates constriction of large coronary arteries to serotonin.

We tested the hypothesis that flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation can attenuate humorally mediated constriction of large coronary arteries in vivo. Accordingly, we measured constriction of large coronary arteries to serotonin when flow was allowed to increase and when flow was constant in the presence and absence of endothelium. The left anterior descending coronary artery of anesthetized dogs was perfused at constant pressure (100 mmHg) and diameter measured with an ultrasonic dimension gauge. Coronary flow was measured with an in-line electromagnetic flow probe. Flow-mediated dilation was demonstrated by measuring diameter (D) after increased flow in response to adenosine (1 mg/min ic). Adenosine (n = 9) increased flow (341 +/- 69%) and resulted in large artery dilation [diameter change (delta D) = 101 +/- 54 microns], which was abolished by maintaining constant flow (distal snare) or by removing endothelium. Serotonin (n = 9, 50 micrograms/min ic) increased flow (298 +/- 45%) while simultaneously decreasing large artery diameter (delta D = -58 +/- 22 microns). When flow was kept constant, serotonin produced a greater constriction (delta D = -173 +/- 29 microns). After the removal of endothelium (n = 10), constrictor responses to serotonin were similar when flow increased (delta D = -84 +/- 13 microns) and when flow was kept constant (delta D = -79 +/- 23 microns). We conclude that flow-mediated dilation of large coronary arteries can attenuate constriction to serotonin and that this effect is dependent on endothelium.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1995

Pregnancy-induced alterations of neurogenic constriction and dilation of human uterine artery.

The responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) of perivascular nerves in human uterine arteries were characterized. The arteries were removed from pregnant and nonpregnant patients undergoing hysterectomy. Tetrodotoxin, guanethidine, and phentolamine blocked EFS (2 min, 80 V, 0.1-ms duration)-induced constriction. The constrictions and the endogenous norepinephrine levels were lower (P < 0.01) in uterine arteries from pregnant than from nonpregnant patients. When arterial rings were precontracted, the response to EFS was biphasic, consisting of an initial constriction followed by a postconstriction relaxation. The EFS-induced relaxation was endothelium independent and was greater (P < 0.01) in uterine arteries from pregnant than from nonpregnant patients. The relaxation was enhanced by guanethidine and superoxide dismutase, inhibited by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, blocked by tetrodotoxin, and unaffected by atropine, propranolol, or indomethacin. The results demonstrate that human uterine arteries respond to EFS with contraction and relaxation and that these responses may be mediated, respectively, by norepinephrine and, in part, by nitric oxide released from periarterial nerves. The decrease in neuronally mediated uterine arterial constriction and the increase in dilation could be physiological mechanisms for ensuring appropriate uteroplacental perfusion.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Adenosine preconditions against endothelin-induced constriction of coronary arterioles.

Myocardial hypoperfusion is accompanied by concomitant increases in adenosine and endothelin-1 (ET-1) production, but the vasodilatory effect of adenosine prevails over that of ET-1. Therefore, we hypothesized that adenosine-induced or ischemic preconditioning reduces the vasoconstrictive effect of ET-1. Coronary arteriolar diameter in vivo was measured using fluorescence microangiography in anesthetized open-thorax dogs. ET-1 (5 ng. kg(-1). min(-1) administered intracoronary, n = 10) induced progressive constriction over 45 min [25 +/- 6% (SE)]. The constriction was blocked by preconditioning with adenosine (25 microgram. kg(-1). min(-1) administered intracoronary) for 20 min and 10 min of washout (n = 10) or attenuated by ischemic preconditioning (four 5-min periods of ischemia, 9 +/- 5% at 45 min). To investigate the receptor involved in this process, coronary arterioles (50-150 micrometer) were isolated and pressurized at 60 mmHg in vitro. The ET-1 dose-response curve (1 pM-5 nM) was rightward shifted after preconditioning with adenosine (1 microM) for 20 min and 10 min of washout (n = 11). Blockade of A(2) receptors [8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine, 1 microM, n = 9] but not A(1) receptors (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, 100 nM, n = 7) prevented this shift. These results suggest that adenosine confers a vascular preconditioning effect, mediated via the A(2) receptor, against endothelin-induced constriction. This effect may offer a new protective function of adenosine in preventing excessive coronary constriction.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2004

Influence of maturation on constrictive response to stimulation of C-fiber afferents in isolated guinea pig airways.

We investigated whether the airway constrictive response to stimulation of bronchopulmonary C-fiber afferents is altered during the maturation process. Isometric tension was measured in airway rings isolated from three tracheobronchial locations (intrathoracic trachea and main and hilar bronchi) and compared in mature [M, 407 +/- 10 (SE) g body wt, n = 36] and immature (IM, 161 +/- 5 g body wt, n = 35) guinea pigs. Our results showed no difference in the ACh (10(-5) M)- or KCl (40 mM)-induced contraction between M and IM groups, regardless of the airway location. In sharp contrast, the concentration-response curves of 10(-8)-10(-6) M capsaicin were distinctly lower in IM hilar bronchi; for example, response to the same concentration of capsaicin (10(-6) M) was 89.2 +/- 15.3% of the response to 10(-5) M ACh in IM and 284.7 +/- 43.2% in M animals. Similar, but smaller, differences in the bronchoconstrictive response to capsaicin between IM and M groups were also observed in the trachea and main bronchus. Electrical field stimulation induced airway constriction in all three locations in M and IM groups. However, after administration of 10(-6) M atropine and 10(-6) M propranolol, electrical field stimulation-induced contraction was significantly smaller in the hilar bronchus of IM than M animals, and this difference was not prevented by pretreatment with 5 x 10(-5) M indomethacin. Although radioimmunoassay showed no difference in the tissue content of substance P between M and IM airways, the constrictive responses to exogenous substance P and neurokinin A were markedly greater in M airways at all three locations. In conclusion, the constriction of isolated airways evoked by C-fiber stimulation was significantly weaker in the IM guinea pigs, probably because of a less potent effect of tachykinins on the airway smooth muscle.

Aging↗