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PubMed1996

Endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta by amrinone-induced nitric oxide release.

To determine whether amrinone and its induced increase of cyclic AMP releases nitric oxide and enhances endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation, we studied nitric oxide production and vascular relaxation of rat thoracic aorta on treatment with amrinone and forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase. When 20 microM amrinone was applied to ring segments of aorta previously contracted with phenylephrine, relaxation was greater in segments with endothelium than in those without (% relaxation 94 +/- 4 vs 37 +/- 7%, P < 0.01). However, a higher concentration of amrinone (> 50 microM) induced the same degree of relaxation in ring segments with or without endothelium, probably due to its direct effect on vascular smooth muscle. The maximal relaxant concentration (100 microM) of amrinone induced an increase (2.5 fold) in cyclic GMP in ring segments. Forskolin also induced concentration-dependent relaxation, but removal of the endothelium attenuated the relaxation induced by forskolin about seven-fold. NG-nitro L-arginine reversed the relaxation induced by amrinone or forskolin in ring segments with, but not without, endothelium. Nitric oxide production in ring segments of aorta, following application of amrinone or forskolin, was detected by nitric oxide-selective electrode and electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping methods. Pre-treatment with NG-nitro L-arginine or removal of the endothelium suppressed nitric oxide production by amrinone or forskolin. These data showed that amrinone enhances the release of nitric oxide from rat aortic endothelial cells, and induces endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation.

Amrinone↗
PubMed2002

Isoflurane inhibits neutrophil-endothelium interactions in the coronary circulation: lack of a role for adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels.

UNLABELLED: Isoflurane protects myocardium during ischemia-reperfusion via a mechanism involving the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels. We tested the hypothesis that an inhibition of the neutrophil-endothelium interactions by isoflurane contributes to this effect. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils and coronary artery segments were obtained from 35 healthy dogs. Superoxide production by neutrophils, stimulated with platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1.0 microM), was measured spectrophotometrically. Adherence of PAF-activated neutrophils to the endothelium of coronary segments was assessed by direct counting of neutrophils labeled with fluorescent dye. Coronary artery rings were exposed to PAF-activated neutrophils, and, after washing and preconstriction with U46619, they were evaluated for vasorelaxation responses to acetylcholine (endothelium dependent) and sodium nitroprusside (endothelium independent). Measurements were performed in the absence and presence of isoflurane (1 and 2 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration) both with and without glibenclamide (10 microM). Isoflurane inhibited superoxide production and adherence by neutrophils and abolished neutrophil-induced reductions in coronary vascular relaxation responses to acetylcholine. Glibenclamide did not alter the effects of isoflurane on neutrophils or coronary artery endothelium. In conclusion, isoflurane had an inhibitory action on neutrophil-endothelium interactions and neutrophil-mediated coronary endothelial dysfunction--effects that may be involved in its cardioprotective action in vivo. These inhibitory actions of isoflurane were not mediated by adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels. IMPLICATIONS: Isoflurane inhibited neutrophil-endothelium interactions and the inflammatory response in vitro via a pathway independent of the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels. This action could be involved in the cardioprotection by isoflurane observed in vivo.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1989

Endothelium-dependent effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on isolated rat aortic vascular rings.

To determine the endothelium-dependent vascular effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane, isometric tension was recorded in isolated ring preparations of rat thoracic aorta suspended in Kreb's buffer and aerated with 95% O2/5% CO2. One set of the rings had intact endothelium and the other set of the rings had the endothelium mechanically denuded. The rings were precontracted with phenylephrine (1 x 10(-6) M). Halothane, enflurane, or isoflurane gas was bubbled through the baths at increasing concentrations (0.5-5.0%) in preparations with and without indomethacin (28 microM). Endothelium-intact rings demonstrated significant (P less than 0.05) vasoconstriction at low concentrations of both isoflurane and enflurane followed by vasodilation at higher concentrations. Halothane also induced vasoconstriction in some rings, but its mean effect was not significantly different from control. After discontinuation of the anesthetic gas, endothelium-intact rings demonstrated a rebound vasoconstriction above previous maximal levels for all three anesthetics. When indomethacin was added to the baths, the vasoconstriction was potentiated and was statistically significant for all three anesthetics. These results suggest that at low concentrations, enflurane and isoflurane cause vasoconstriction through inhibition of basal EDRF production and/or stimulation of the release of an endothelium-derived constricting factor. At higher anesthetic concentrations, a direct vasodilating effect of the anesthetic predominates. The potentiation of vasoconstriction in the presence of indomethacin suggests that these volatile anesthetics stimulate the release of a vasodilating prostanoid from endothelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Isoflurane produces endothelium-independent relaxation in canine middle cerebral arteries.

Although it is generally accepted that isoflurane can cause cerebral vasodilation, the sensitivity of the cerebral vessels to this anesthetic agent remains controversial. Furthermore, the mechanism by which isoflurane produces its direct effects on the cerebral vasculature remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if isoflurane-induced relaxation of canine middle cerebral arteries is dose-dependent and/or endothelium-dependent. In an additional series of experiments, isoflurane-induced relaxation was studied in the presence of indomethacin to inhibit prostacyclin release, and endothelium-independent relaxation was examined with sodium nitroprusside. The response to isoflurane was examined in middle cerebral arteries prior to and following pretreatment with 300 microM NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (LnMMA), an inhibitor of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Vascular rings (2.5 mm in length and 600-800 microns in diameter) were suspended in tissue baths and isometric tension recorded. The rings were constricted with either 0.2 microM 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5 microM prostaglandin F2 alpha and subsequently exposed to increasing concentrations of isoflurane (0.65-4.9%). In separate experiments the procedure was repeated in vessels with and without endothelium. Isoflurane produced a dose-dependent relaxation in all vessels. This relaxation was not inhibited by LnMMA and was unaffected by the absence of endothelium. The isoflurane response was independent of cyclooxygenase inhibition. These results demonstrate that isoflurane-induced relaxation of canine middle cerebral arteries: 1) is dose-dependent; 2) is not mediated by modulation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor or a release of prostacyclin; and 3) is endothelium-independent.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Inhibitory effects of propofol on acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation and prostacyclin synthesis in rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries.

BACKGROUND: Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) modulates endothelium-dependent relaxation in some arterial preparations. The effect of propofol on endothelium-dependent, prostacyclin-mediated responses in mesenteric resistance arteries has not yet been clarified. METHODS: The effect of propofol was examined on acetylcholine-induced membrane potential changes in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) in endothelium-intact rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries in vitro. The effects of propofol were also examined on the endothelium-dependent relaxation and prostacyclin synthesis that was induced by acetylcholine in the presence of L-NOARG and nicardipine. The effect of propofol on the relaxation induced by a prostacyclin analogue was examined in strips treated with L-NOARG and diclofenac. RESULTS: Acetylcholine produced an initial and a slow membrane hyperpolarization. Propofol, 10 microM, and diclofenac each inhibited the acetylcholine-induced slow hyperpolarization, but not the initial hyperpolarization. Acetylcholine produced an endothelium-dependent relaxation that was significantly inhibited by propofol, 10 microM, and diclofenac. Propofol, 10 microM, greatly inhibited the acetylcholine-induced synthesis of prostacyclin, as did diclofenac. Propofol, 10 microM, had no effect on the relaxation induced by a prostacyclin analog. CONCLUSIONS: In rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries, propofol inhibits the synthesis of prostacyclin and thus attenuates acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent responses. Our results may help to explain why some actions seen with propofol in some preparations (e.g., vasoconstriction) are not seen after the endothelium is removed.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1997

Role of endothelium in the endothelin-1-mediated potentiation of the norepinephrine response in the aorta of hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the endothelium in the functional interaction between endothelin-1 and norepinephrine in the contractile response of aortas from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Thoracic aorta rings with and without endothelium from SHR and from WKY rats were suspended in an organ bath to record the isometric tension. After an equilibration period of 120 min, the preparations with and without endothelin-1 were subjected to single and cumulative additions of norepinephrine in different experiments. To characterize the mechanisms involved in the interaction between endothelin-1 and norepinephrine, the aortic rings were pretreated with a cyclooxygenase pathway inhibitor (piroxicam, SO29548), an inhibitor of NO synthase [NG-nitro-L-arginine (NLA)], or selective endothelin receptor blockers (BQ-123 or BQ-788). In some experiments we examined the contractile responses to norepinephrine in aortas pretreated either with angiotensin II (AII) or with U46619, an agonist of prostaglandin H2-thromboxane A2 receptors. Finally, we examined the effect of the combination of calcium-entry blockade by administration of nifedipine and treatment with either endothelin-1 or U46619 on the norepinephrine reactivity. RESULTS: Administration of 3 x 10(-10) mol/l endothelin-1 potentiated the contractile response to norepinephrine in SHR aortas with endothelium, irrespective of whether they had been treated with NLA. No endothelin-1-mediated enhancement of the response to norepinephrine was observed in SHR denuded rings and in untreated and NLA-treated WKY rat aortas. All did not affect the response to norepinephrine in SHR rings with endothelium. The amplification by endothelin-1 of the response to (1-100) x 10(-9) mol/l norepinephrine was abolished by blockade of the cyclooxygenase pathway with piroxicam or SO29548. In WKY rat and SHR denuded aortas, 10(-8) mol/l U46619 potentiated the contractile responses to norepinephrine. Administration of 3 x 10(-6) mol/l BQ-123 abolished the increase in reactivity to norepinephrine evoked by endothelin-1 in intact SHR aorta, whereas 3 x 10(-6) mol/l BQ-788 failed to modify this potentiating effect. Administration of 10(-8) mol/l nifedipine inhibited the potentiation of the norepinephrine-induced contractions evoked both by endothelin-1 in SHR aortic rings with endothelium and by U46619 in SHR denuded rings. CONCLUSION: Our results show that a low concentration of endothelin-1 induced potentiation of the contractile response to norepinephrine in SHR aortas but not in WKY rat aortas. This response was endothelium-dependent. Furthermore, our study affords functional arguments that both endothelial and smooth muscle pathways are involved in the potentiating interaction. We propose that endothelin-1 stimulates the production of endothelium- and cyclooxygenase-generated vasoconstrictor factors, which in turn may serve directly as priming stimuli at the vascular smooth muscle level, to activate the Ca(2+)-signal pathway and consequently to increase locally the vascular sensitivity to norepinephrine.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1986

Properties and mechanisms of production and action of endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

A brief review is given of the vasodilators that require an intact vascular endothelium to exert their relaxing effect. Then some major issues of the phenomenon of endothelium-dependent smooth muscle relaxation are discussed in more detail: The chemical structure of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), which mediates this type of vasodilation, is still unclear. There is agreement that EDRF is chemically unstable, but determinations of its biological half-life have yielded discrepant values (6-50 s). Recent evidence suggests that oxygen and/or activated oxygen species accelerate the evanescence of the factor. The biochemical mechanisms involved in the production of EDRF are still largely unknown. Both stimulators of phospholipase A2 and inhibitors of lysolecithin acyltransferase were found to induce EDRF-mediated relaxation, while several phospholipase inhibitors block these relaxations. These findings suggest that cleavage of phospholipids (and formation of free fatty acids and lysophosphatides) play an important role in EDRF production. EDRF-mediated relaxations are associated with increased levels of cyclic GMP in vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelial cells were found to produce a factor that directly stimulates the enzymatic activity of soluble guanylate cyclase. This stimulating factor is likely to be identical with EDRF. The significance of the endothelium-dependent relaxing mechanism in resistance vessels is still largely unclear. In the blood-perfused hind limb of the rabbit, two irreversible inhibitors of endothelium-dependent vasodilation (gossypol and p-bromophenacyl-bromide) blocked the vasodilation induced by the endothelium-dependent agent acetylcholine, but not the response to the endothelium-independent vasodilator prostaglandin E1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of muscarinic cholinergic receptors on the endothelium and the smooth muscle of the rabbit thoracic aorta.

Pharmacodynamic and quantitative autoradiographic studies were performed to characterize the muscarinic receptors on the endothelium and smooth muscle of the rabbit thoracic aorta. The antagonistic effect of atropine and pirenzepine on the relaxation induced by acetylcholine showed that the relaxation was mediated by muscarinic receptors with pA2 values of 9.4 and 6.6, respectively, suggesting the presence of muscarinic receptors on the endothelium with low affinity for pirenzepine. The quantitative autoradiographic study using [3H]-propylbenzilylcholine mustard (3H-PrBCM) showed that the specific 3H-PrBCM binding was time dependent and saturable. Saturation times of the bindings were not significantly different between the receptors on the endothelium and those on the smooth muscle layer. The density of the receptors was higher in the smooth muscle layer than in the endothelium. The specific [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate (3H-QNB) binding was displaced by atropine or pirenzepine dose dependently. IC50 of pirenzepine for the receptors on the endothelium was not significantly different from that for the receptors on the smooth muscle layer. These findings suggest that there is a smaller density of muscarinic receptors on the endothelium than on the smooth muscle layer of the rabbit thoracic aorta. The muscarinic receptors on the endothelium can be subclassified into the same subtype as the receptors on the smooth muscle layer, which have low affinity for pirenzepine.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1993

Mechanisms of endothelium-dependent responses to vasoactive agents in isolated porcine coronary arteries.

In isolated porcine coronary arteries, acetylcholine elicited contractions that were potentiated by endothelium denudation. In endothelium-intact strips, the contraction deteriorated by repeated trials and was reversed to a relaxation. NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), a nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor, abolished the relaxation or reversed it to a contraction. Endothelium-dependent relaxations caused by serotonin were also reversed to a contraction by treatment with L-NA. Relaxations caused by substance P were dependent on the endothelium and were abolished by oxyhemoglobin; however, L-NA did not completely abolish the relaxation. It may be concluded that porcine coronary arteries respond to acetylcholine with contractions by a direct action on smooth muscle that are minimized by stimulated release of NO from the endothelium. It appears that the relaxation caused by serotonin is due to NO released from the endothelium, whereas the substance P-induced relaxation is associated mainly with endothelium-derived NO produced by NO synthase sensitive to L-NA and also with NO produced via a L-NA-resistant process or via a pathway distinct from that through NO synthase.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1993

Endothelium-dependent contractions to endothelin in the rat aorta are mediated by thromboxane A2.

The present experiments were designed to determine the role of endothelium-derived contracting factor(s) in the contractions of the rat aorta to endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3). Rings, with and without endothelium, of aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine [NLA; inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)]. The removal of endothelium decreased the contractions evoked by both ETs in the aorta of the SHRs but not of the WKY rats. Indomethacin (inhibitor of cyclooxygenase), dazoxiben (inhibitor of thromboxane synthase), and SQ 29,548 (antagonist of thromboxane A2 receptors) reduced the contractions to ETs in rings with, but not without, endothelium in the SHRs, whereas their effect was not endothelium dependent in the WKY rats. The presence of endothelium increased the basal and ET-stimulated release of thromboxane B2 in the aorta of the SHRs but not of WKY rats. These findings suggest that endothelium-derived thromboxane A2 contributes to contractions evoked by ET-1 and ET-3 in the aorta of the SHRs but not of the WKY rats.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1995

Different involvement of nitric oxide in endothelium-dependent relaxation of porcine pulmonary artery and vein: influence of hypoxia.

We designed experiments to determine in vitro the influence of hypoxia on endothelium function in porcine pulmonary artery and vein. Rings of large isolated intralobar pulmonary arteries and veins were mounted in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. In veins and arteries with endothelium (precontracted with histamine and U 46619, respectively), hypoxia induced a transient contractile response that was significantly greater in veins. These contractile responses were fully blocked by L-nitro arginine (LNA) in arteries but only partially in veins. In pulmonary vessels without endothelium, only venous rings produced a contractile response to hypoxia; this contraction was blocked by indomethacin. In precontracted pulmonary arterial and venous rings, bradykinin (BK) induced endothelium-dependent relaxations unaffected by indomethacin. Venous relaxations were fully blocked by LNA, but arterial relaxations were only partially inhibited by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor. In KCl (30 mM)-precontracted vessels, the endothelium-dependent relaxations were minimally affected in veins but significantly inhibited in arteries. Identical results were obtained in tissue contracted with histamine or U 46619 in presence of tetraethyl ammonium (TEA 10 mM). Hypoxia (30 mm Hg) abolished the venous relaxation but did not significantly influence the arterial relaxation. In arterial rings, the effects of KCl and LNA (or hypoxia) were additive. These results suggest that in isolated porcine pulmonary veins, endothelium-dependent relaxation to BK is exclusively dependent on NO formation. In arteries, however, NO production is partially involved. Another mechanism, possibly endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization, exists. These differences in endothelial responsiveness lead to different patterns of response to hypoxia.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1996

Chronic lead exposure may inhibit endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor in rats.

We designed experiments to determine the effect of chronic lead exposure on endothelium-dependent responses to acetylcholine (Ach) in rat isolated blood vessels. Male Wistar rats were maintained for 1 or 3 months with or without oral lead administration. Membrane potential and isometric tension were measured in mesenteric arteries. Ach caused concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxation in rings with endothelium contracted with phenylephrine (PE). There was no significant difference in relaxation between lead-exposed and control animals. In the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), both endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and relaxation to Ach were significantly reduced in animals from the 3-month lead-exposed group. In aorta from lead-exposed groups, endothelium-dependent relaxation to Ach was not significantly different from that of age-matched controls, whereas both were completely inhibited in the presence of L-NAME. The basal levels of cyclic GMP in the aorta were not affected by lead exposure regardless of duration. These data indicate that both endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and L-NAME-resistant relaxation decrease with chronic lead exposure in rat mesenteric arteries and suggest that lead is an inhibitor or endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF).

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1997

Angiotensin-(1-7) and the rat aorta: modulation by the endothelium.

Peptide metabolites of angiotensin I and II are active components of the renin-angiotensin system. One such peptide is angiotensin-(1-7), which has been shown to be present in various tissues and has properties distinct from those of angiotensin II. We examined the effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on endothelium-intact and denuded rat aorta. Second, we evaluated whether an interaction occurred between angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotensin peptides, as well as noradrenaline. Finally, we addressed whether the responses to angiotensin-(1-7) were mediated by an AT1 receptor. Angiotensin-(1-7) produced concentration-dependent relaxations of the rat aorta that were significantly greater in endothelium-intact preparations (81.1 +/- 18.9% and 29.6 +/- 2.9% for intact and denuded, respectively). Angiotensin-(1-7) inhibited responses generated to angiotensin I, II, III, and noradrenaline. In endothelium-denuded preparations, angiotensin-(1-7) produced a rightward shift of the concentration-effect curves to angiotensin II and noradrenaline. In addition, the inhibition against angiotensin I and II was significantly greater in endothelium-intact preparations [mean median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for endothelium-intact preparations, 1.25 x 10(-9) M and 1.57 x 10(-9) M for angiotensin I and II, respectively; and for endothelium-denuded preparations, 1.77 x 10(-8) M and 1.17 x 10(-8) M for angiotensin I and II, respectively). Losartan did not affect relaxations in endothelium-intact preparations but caused a significant potentiation of the relaxation by angiotensin-(1-7) in denuded preparations. We conclude that angiotensin-(1-7) is a component of the renin-angiotensin system that acts to modulate the pressor effects of angiotensin II and noradrenaline.

Angiotensin I↗
PubMed2006

Endothelium and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The endothelium is a viable target for injury, repair and cellular modulation. Because of its vast extension and active metabolic status of producing mediators for vasomotor tone, coagulation, and inflammation, it is a key target for therapy during ischemia/reperfusion injury. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a model of whole-body ischemia/reperfusion injury. It has become apparent that the endothelium participates in a host of responses elicited by ischemia/reperfusion. This review examines the role of the endothelium during and after ischemia/reperfusion and the participation by its mediators and evidence for endothelial involvement during and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The strategic location of the endothelium makes it an excellent signal transduction mechanism for a host of disease processes. In addition to biochemical stimuli, mechanical stimulation of the endothelium elicits production of several mediators, including endothelium-derived nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and antithrombotics and anticoagulants. Whole-body, periodic acceleration is a novel method of stimulating the endothelium via pulsatile shear stress. Periodic acceleration has been shown to be an effective experimental method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, with evidence of postresuscitation cardioprotective effects. This review indicates that understanding endothelial modulation during and after ischemia/reperfusion will significantly improve therapeutic choices.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Differences in endothelium-dependent relaxation in various arteries from Watanabe heritable hyperlipidaemic rabbits with increasing age.

1. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) and the calcium ionophore A23187 was examined in aorta, coronary, basilar and renal arteries isolated from Watanabe heritable hyperlipidaemic (WHHL) rabbits of 2, 6 and 12 months of age, with normolipidaemic heterozygous WHHL rabbits as controls. 2. In the rings of WHHL rabbit aortae and coronary arteries preconstricted with vasoconstrictors, endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to ACh was attenuated with age compared to the heterozygous WHHL rabbits. A significant negative correlation was found between the total cholesterol content and the relaxation response to ACh in the aortae or coronary arteries from 6 and 12 month old WHHL rabbits. 3. In the rings of basilar arteries, endothelium-dependent relaxations to ACh were not modified with age. Similarly, in the rings of renal arteries, the relaxation response to ACh was not changed with age, but in the 6 and 12 month preparations, after the age of 6 months, a contraction following the relaxation appeared at higher concentrations of ACh (10(-7) to 10(-6) mol/L). The contraction was endothelium-dependent and inhibited by indomethacin. 4. A23187-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations were also markedly attenuated in the aorta and significantly in the coronary artery with age. 5. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was not changed in all arteries from WHHL rabbits of different ages. 6. These findings indicate that in the aorta and coronary artery of the WHHL rabbit, the endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh and A23187 becomes impaired with increasing age (i.e., with the progression of cholesterol deposition in the arterial wall) but is preserved in the basilar and renal artery.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1996

Augmented endothelium-dependent constriction to hypoxia early and late following reperfusion of the canine coronary artery.

1. Canine coronary arteries with intact endothelium respond to hypoxaemia or serotonin infusion with dilatation, but when the endothelium is injured or dysfunctional, these stimuli can cause constriction. The present studies investigated whether or not regional ischaemia and reperfusion alter endothelium-dependent responsiveness of canine coronary arteries in vivo and in vitro. 2. In organ chamber experiments, isolated control and reperfused coronary artery rings were contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha and exposed to hypoxia (PO2 less than 5 mmHg). 3. Hypoxia augmented the response of reperfused arteries more than that of controls. The hypoxic augmentation was blocked by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis from L-arginine. 4. These findings demonstrate that early following coronary reperfusion the hypoxic augmentation, which is mediated by a nitric oxide-dependent pathway in the endothelium, is facilitated. 5. In vivo studies revealed hyperconstriction of reperfused arteries in response to hypoxaemia (PO2 = 30-40 mmHg) and administration of either serotonin or ergonovine. 6. Twelve weeks following reperfusion injury, coronary arteries still exhibited augmented endothelium-dependent hypoxic augmentations in vitro, which were inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. 7. Furthermore, resting coronary segments with endothelium displayed hypoxia-induced contractions that could not be inhibited by indomethacin, the lipoxygenase inhibitor AA861, superoxide dismutase plus catalase, deferoxamine, ouabain, or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. 8. These endothelium-dependent hypoxic response may play a role in the pathogenesis of hyperconstriction (vasospasm) following coronary reperfusion.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spontaneous and agonist-induced contractions and endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortae from SHRSP and WKY rats under various levels of passive force.

1. The influence of the passive force on the contraction and endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortae of normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were compared. 2. Force changes of endothelium-intact and -removed preparations were measured isometrically by a force-displacement transducer. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was observed by applying acetylcholine to the preparation precontracted in the presence of 5 x 10(-7) mol/L noradrenaline. 3. The preparations showed spontaneously developed tension (tone) that increased with the increase in the passive force. The effect of passive force was greater in preparations from SHRSP. Contraction initiated by noradrenaline was also increased by passive force up to 30 mN, then showed a tendency to decrease. 4. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was depressed as the passive force was increased. Preparations from SHRSP showed impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation and were influenced by passive force to a lesser degree when compared with preparations from WKY rats. 5. Relaxation by sodium nitroprusside was influenced by passive force to a much lesser extent than that by acetylcholine. 6. Indomethacin potentiated endothelium-dependent relaxation and blocked the effect of passive force in both preparations. 7. The difference in relaxation and the effect of passive force is primarily caused by the difference in the release of endothelium-derived contracting factor, which is thought to be a product of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway of the arachidonic acid cascade.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Effect and mechanism of cardioplegic arrest on the coronary endothelium-smooth muscle interaction.

1. During cardiac surgery, the heart is arrested and protected by hyperkalaemic cardioplegia. The coronary endothelium may be damaged by ischaemia-reperfusion and cardioplegia. Subsequently, this may affect cardiac function immediately after cardiac surgery and cause mortality and morbidity. 2. We investigated coronary endothelium-smooth muscle interaction after exposure to depolarizing (hyperkalaemic; K+ 20 or 50 mmol/L) and hyperpolarizing (the K+ channel opener aprikalim) cardioplegia and organ preservation solution (University of Wisconsin (UW) solution). Endothelium-dependent relaxation and hyperpolarization of the coronary smooth muscle were studied in the porcine and human large conductance and micro-coronary arteries. Intracellular free calcium concentration in endothelial cells was also measured. 3. The endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated relaxation to A23187, bradykinin, and substance P in arteries contracted by either U46619 (10 nmol/L) or K+ (25 mmol/L) was reduced after exposure to either high K+ or UW solution, but was maximally preserved after exposure to aprikalim. The hyperpolarization of the membrane potential in response to the above endothelium-derived relaxing factor stimuli was also reduced by exposure to depolarizing cardioplegia. Studies in microcoronary arteries are in accordance with findings in large arteries. The intracellular free calcium concentration remained unchanged after exposure to hyperkalaemia. 4. We concluded that: (i) during cardiac surgery, the function of coronary circulation may be changed due to exposure to depolarizing cardioplegia or preservation solutions; (ii) the functional change in the coronary circulation is related to the altered interaction between the endothelium and smooth muscle; (iii) depolarizing (hyperkalaemia) cardioplegia or hyperkalaemic organ preservation solutions affect endothelium-smooth muscle interaction through the EDHF pathway; (iv) EDHF relaxes the porcine large and microcoronary arteries through multiple K+ channels; and (v) that hyperpolarizing vasodilators (K+ channel openers) may protect EDHF-mediated endothelial function when used as cardioplegia.

Animals↗