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At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Extent of salmeterol-mediated reassertion of relaxation in guinea-pig trachea pretreated with aliphatic side chain structural analogues.

1. Salmeterol is a potent, selective and long acting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist. In vitro, salmeterol exerts 'reassertion' relaxation of airways smooth muscle. Reassertion relaxation refers to the capacity of salmeterol to cause repeated functional antagonism of induced contraction when airway smooth muscle is intermittently exposed to, then washed free from, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists such as sotalol. The mechanism(s) underlying reassertion relaxation are unknown but may relate to high affinity binding of the long aliphatic side chain of salmeterol to an accessory site, distinct from the agonist recognition site, in or near the beta 2-adrenoceptor (exosite binding hypothesis). 2. In order to test the exosite hypothesis, three pure analogues of salmeterol, each exactly preserving the molecular structure of the aliphatic side chain but with zero or low efficacy at the beta 2-adrenoceptor were synthesized. The effect of pre-incubating guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle with these analogues on salmeterol-induced reassertion relaxation was determined. 3. Computer Assisted Molecular Modelling of these molecules revealed that each of them exactly preserved the low energy linear conformation of the aliphatic side chain of salmeterol. Measurement of lipophilicity (octanol:water partition coefficient; log P) and direct partition into synthetic membranes (membrane partition coefficient; Kpmem) showed that all compounds had high affinity for lipids and membranes. In particular the biophysical properties of CGP 59162 (log P 1.89, Kpmem 16500) were very similar to salmeterol (log P 1.73, Kpmem 16800). 4. Two of the analogues, CGP 54103 and D 2543 (1 microM), which are structural mimics of the side chain of salmeterol, differing slightly in their length, did not prevent either the initial relaxation induced by salmeterol (0.1 microM) or the reassertion relaxation; however, it was not possible to determine whether either of these molecules occupied the beta 2-adrenoceptor. 5. The third analogue, CGP 59162, which has the substituents on the active saligenin head group of salmeterol in transposed positions, itself exerted a weak beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation antagonized by ICI 118551 (beta 2-selective antagonist) but not CGP 20712 (beta 1-selective antagonist) and, at higher concentrations CGP 59162 caused reassertion relaxation suggesting that it may occupy and activate the beta 2-adrenoceptor in a manner analogous to salmeterol. 6. CGP 59162, at concentrations up to ten fold molar excess, did not prevent or reduce salmeterol-induced reassertion relaxation. 7. In conclusion these data are not consistent with the existence of a distinct 'exosite' recognising the aliphatic side chain of salmeterol mediating reassertion.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

Gastric fundus relaxation and emetic sequences induced by apomorphine and intragastric lipid infusion in healthy humans.

OBJECTIVES: Experimental animal studies have suggested that gastric relaxation precedes emesis, whether induced by peripheral or central stimuli. We aimed to quantify the gastric relaxatory and symptomatic responses to a standardized emetic inductor. METHODS: In healthy volunteers, we measured the gastric and symptomatic response to two different proemetic stimuli: a peripheral stimulus (intragastric infusion at 5 ml/min of 50% fat emulsion in water) and a central stimulus (s.c. apomorphine at 0.01 mg/kg). Proximal gastric tone was continuously recorded by an electronic barostat. Symptoms were simultaneously quantified by a graded questionnaire. RESULTS: Lipid-induced gastric relaxation occurred in 17/17 subjects and was followed by nausea in 12/17. The total amount of intragastric fat required to trigger gastric relaxation was 139 +/- 34 ml and to induce nausea, 258 +/- 32 ml. Gastric relaxation after subcutaneous apomorphine occurred in 13/14, and nausea/emesis, in the same 13/14. As expected, timing of events after stimulation was much shorter in response to the central than to the peripheral stimulus. Thus, gastric relaxation began 4.0 +/- 0.6 min after subcutaneous apomorphine and 28 +/- 7 min after the onset of lipid infusion (p < 0.05); likewise, the symptomatic response to central stimulation with apomorphine was 8.5 +/- 1.8 min versus 52 +/- 6 min for lipid infusion, p < 0.05. However, the magnitude of gastric relaxation was quite similar for both stimuli (apomorphine: 208 +/- 35 ml; intragastric lipid: 235 +/- 23 ml). No correlation was observed between the symptomatic response and the magnitude of the gastric relaxation, whether elicited by intragastric infusion of lipids or by subcutaneous apomorphine. Specifically, when symptomatic and gastric motor responses were compared in each of the 14 subjects who received both stimuli, no significant correlation between individual responses was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric relaxation invariably precedes nausea and emesis and is of the same magnitude whether induced by apomorphine (central stimulus) or intragastric lipid infusion (peripheral stimulus). Nevertheless, in some instances and depending on the nature of the stimulus, fundic relaxation is a physiological event unassociated with nausea.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Light-dependent effects of zinc protoporphyrin IX on endothelium-dependent relaxation resistant to N omega-nitro-L-arginine.

Acetylcholine (ACh) induces an N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG)-resistant relaxation and hyperpolarization in the rat isolated hepatic artery. The possibility that carbon monoxide (CO) produced by haem oxygenase (HO) is an endogenous mediator of this response was investigated. Exogenously applied CO evoked a concentration-dependent relaxation, and the CO 'scavenger' oxyhaemoglobin (10 microM) reduced the maximum ACh-induced relaxation by 25%. The HO inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP, 10 microM) virtually abolished the ACh-induced relaxation in experiments carried out under ordinary light conditions. However, ZnPP did not affect the ACh-induced relaxation under dark conditions, even after exposure of ZnPP to intense light before the preincubation period. Biliverdin (0.1 mM), a feedback inhibitor of HO, was also inactive under dark conditions, and the HO substrate haematin (0.1 mM) did not facilitate the ACh-induced relaxation. The relaxation induced by the nitric oxide (NO) donor 3-morpholino-sydnonimin was not affected by ZnPP in the presence of light. However, ZnPP inhibited the relaxation evoked by the potassium channel opener levcromakalim and the tonic component of the contractile response to 60 mM potassium, indicating that ZnPP has effects distinct from HO inhibition in the presence of light. ZnPP should therefore be protected from light when used to inhibit HO-mediated CO formation. The results do not suggest that CO generated by HO mediates the endothelium-dependent, L-NOARG-resistant relaxation induced by ACh in the rat hepatic artery.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1991

Pirarubicin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat isolated aorta.

The mechanism of relaxation produced by pirarubicin [(2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, THP] has been studied in rat isolated aorta. THP (1.5 x 10(-6)-4.5 x 10(-5) M) markedly relaxed contractions induced by noradrenaline (10(-7) M) in the aorta with endothelium, but not in that without endothelium. The relaxation induced by 1.5 x 10(-5) M THP was inhibited by methylene blue (5 x 10(-6) M), hydroquinone (10(-4) M), phenidone (5 x 10(-5) M), haemoglobin (10(-6) M) and p-bromophenacyl bromide (5 x 10(-5) M), but not by indomethacin (2.5 x 10(-5) M). The relaxation induced by THP (1.5 x 10(-7) -4.5 x 10(-5) M) was inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine (10(-5) M), but enhanced by superoxide dismutase (10 units mL-1) or by L-arginine (10(-2) M). However, the THP-induced relaxation was not inhibited by various receptor antagonists such as atropine (10(-6) M), cimetidine (10(-5) M), diphenhydramine (3 x 10(-6) M) and [D-Pro4, D-Trp7,9,10]-substance P(4-11) (1.5 x 10(-6) M). In fifteen anthracycline analogues, THP and 13-dihydropirarubicin (both with a tetrahydropyranyl group) produced endothelium-dependent relaxations. These results suggest that the THP-induced relaxation which is probably mediated by endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) was not produced by an activation of muscarine, histamine H1 or H2, or substance P receptor, and further that the tetrahydropyranyl group must play an important role in the THP-induced relaxation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Slowing of relaxation during fatigue in single mouse muscle fibres.

1. In the preceding paper we analysed the force decline in fatigue of isolated mouse muscle fibres. Using the same preparation and stimulation scheme we have now examined another aspect of muscle fatigue, namely slowing of relaxation. 2. Relaxation at the end of a tetanic contraction can usually be divided into two phases, an initial nearly linear force decline, followed by an exponential phase. We have analysed the initial phase in terms of decline rate and duration. In rested fibres the decline rate after a 350 ms tetanus was not affected by a 30% reduction of tetanic tension (obtained by decreasing the stimulation frequency). 3. Relaxation became gradually slower during fatiguing stimulation with a maximum reduction at the time when tetanic tension was reduced to about 75% of the original (end of phase 2, see preceding paper). At this time the decline rate of the linear phase had fallen to 55.2 +/- 2.9% (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 25) and its duration had increased to 151.3 +/- 14.2% of the control (unfatigued 350 ms, 70 Hz tetanus). 4. Short rest periods (duration = 10s), given at various times during fatiguing stimulation, resulted in a clear, but partial, normalization of the relaxation parameters; at the time of maximum slowing the mean decline rate increased from 50.3 to 58.7% and the duration decreased from 167.9 to 144.0% of the control (n = 14). 5. The influence of intracellular acidosis on relaxation was studied by exposing rested fibres to 30% CO2 instead of the normal 5%. This resulted in a decline rate of 43.0 +/- 2.6% and a duration of 221.1 +/- 13.1% of the control (n = 7). 6. In amphibian muscle relaxation is known to become gradually slower during a single, prolonged tetanus. The existence of such an effect also in the present preparation was studied by giving 'interrupted' tetani with a total duration of about 2 s. In rested fibres the mean rate of relaxation was found to fall from 140.9 to 71.8% (n = 11) of the control (end of 350 ms stimulation) with a time constant of about 0.5 s. Thus, a marked slowing during a long tetanus occurs also in mammalian muscle. 7. A distinct slowing of relaxation during prolonged tetani was observed also in the fatigued and in the acidified state. Under these two conditions the mean rate of relaxation fell from 87.0 to 34.0% (n = 3) and from 74.0 to 23.0% (n = 5) of the control, respectively, with time constants similar to that in the rested state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Mediation by nitric oxide of neurogenic relaxation of the urinary bladder neck muscle in sheep.

1. Mechanical recordings were made in vitro from circularly oriented strips of the bladder neck muscle of sheep. In the absence of drugs, electrical field stimulation at frequencies of 0.2-1 Hz evoked clear-cut relaxations throughout 1 min stimulation periods, while higher stimulus frequencies (2-8 Hz) evoked variable responses consisting of relaxation, contraction or a mixture of both. All of the responses were abolished by tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M). 2. The contractions were reduced by guanethidine (10(-6) M) and atropine (10(-6) M), so that in the presence of these drugs clear-cut relaxations were obtained at 0.2-8 Hz stimulation, indicating that the relaxations were mediated by non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves. 3. The NANC relaxations were blocked by L-NG nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis. The antagonism by L-NAME was reversed by L-arginine. 4. Another feature of the NANC relaxation was 'rebound contraction' which occurred when the stimulus was switched off. The rebound contraction was also blocked by L-NAME and restored by L-arginine. 5. The relaxations and rebound contractions were unaffected by either alpha,beta-methylene ATP (10(-5) M) or 2-methylthio ATP (10(-5) M). 6. S-Nitroso-L-cysteine, a substance which spontaneously releases NO at physiological pH, mimicked the relaxation and rebound contraction produced by nerve stimulation. 7. It is concluded that nerve-evoked relaxation of the bladder neck is mediated by NO, or a closely related substance such as S-nitroso-L-cysteine.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1990

Relaxation therapy and continuous ambulatory blood pressure in mild hypertension: a controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long term effects of relaxation therapy on 24 hour ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure in patients with mild untreated and uncomplicated hypertension. DESIGN: Four week screening period followed by randomisation to receive either relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling for one year. Ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure was measured before and after treatment. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in Amsterdam's university hospital. SUBJECTS: 35 Subjects aged 20-60 who were being treated by general practitioners for hypertension but were referred to take part in the study. At three consecutive screening visits all subjects had a diastolic blood pressure without treatment of 95-110 mm Hg. Subjects were excluded if they had damaged target organs, secondary hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a cholesterol concentration greater than 8 mmol/l, or a history of malignant hypertension. INTERVENTIONS: The group allocated to relaxation therapy was trained for eight weeks (one hour a week) in muscle relaxation, yoga exercises, and stress management and continued exercising twice daily for one year with monthly visits to the clinic. The control group had the same attendance schedule but had no training and were requested just to sit and relax twice a day. All subjects were asked not to change their diet or physical activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Changes in ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure after one year of relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling. RESULTS: Mean urinary sodium excretion, serum concentration of cholesterol, and body weight did not change in either group. Diastolic pressures measured by sphygmomanometry were 2 and 3 mm Hg lower in subjects in the relaxation group and control group respectively at the one year follow up compared with initial readings. The mean diastolic ambulatory intra-arterial pressure during the daytime had not changed after one year in either group, but small treatment effects could not be excluded: the mean change for the relaxation group was -1 mm Hg (95% confidence interval -6 to 3.9 mm Hg) and for the control group -0.4 mm Hg (-5.3 to 4.6 mm Hg). Mean ambulatory pressure in the evening also had not changed over the year, and in both groups nighttime pressure was 5 mm Hg higher. The variability in blood pressure was the same at both measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Relaxation therapy was an ineffective method of lowering 24 hour blood pressure, being no more beneficial than non-specific advice, support, and reassurance--themselves ineffective as a treatment for hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sodium nitrite, a potent relaxant of rat stomach fundus: in vitro evidence.

The effects of sodium nitrite (0.1, 1, 10 mM) on mechanical activity of isolated rat stomach fundus muscle and the influence of guanylate cyclase activity inhibitor (methylene blue) and channel inhibitors (tetrodotoxin, charybdotoxin, apamin) were studied. Nitrite evoked dose-dependent relaxation in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers. The lowest effective concentration of sodium nitrite was 0.1 mM, which is comparable with the NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level). Tetrodotoxin (1 microM) markedly inhibited electrically induced contraction and rebound relaxation, but did not influence the nitrite-induced relaxation. Charybdotoxin (100 nM) decreased the relaxation evoked by 10 mM nitrite to 52.3 and 65.7% of control reaction in the circular and longitudinal muscle layer, respectively. Apamin (100 nM) did not influence the nitrite-induced relaxation. Methylene blue (10 microM) decreased relaxation induced by nitrite in the longitudinal and circular muscle layer, respectively, to 66.7 and 54.3% of the response to 1 mM nitrite alone. Relaxation induced by nitrite was decreased in the presence of L-cysteine (5 mM), and in the circular and longitudinal muscle layer reached 29.6 and 23.1%, respectively, of the response to 1 mM nitrite alone. We conclude that the relaxing effect of nitrite on gastric fundus results from its direct action on smooth muscle cells and probably the enteric nervous system is not involved in this action. The nitrite-elicited relaxation depends on activation of guanylate cyclase and high conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels; however, activation of potassium channels might be a part of or might act in parallel with the mechanism involving the cyclic GMP system. Effects of nitrite observed in the presence of L-cysteine suggest that nitrosothiols are not responsible for nitrite-evoked activation of guanylate cyclase.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2005

Isotonic relaxation of control and sensitized airway smooth muscle.

Smooth muscle relaxation has most often been studied in isometric mode. However, this only tells us about the stiffness properties of the bronchial wall and thus only about wall capacitative properties. It tells us little about airflow. To study the latter, which of course is the meaningful parameter in regulation of ventilation and in asthma, we studied isotonic shortening of bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) strips. Failure of BSM to relax could be another important factor in maintaining high airway resistance. To analyze relaxation curves, we developed an index of isotonic relaxation, t1/2(P, lCE), which is the half-time for relaxation that is independent of muscle load (P) and of initial contractile element length (lCE). This index was measured in curves of relaxation initiated at 2 s (normally cycling crossbridges) and at 10 s (latch-bridges). At 10 s no difference was seen for adjusted t1/2(P, lCE) between curves obtained from control and sensitized BSM, (8.38 +/- 0.92 s vs. 7.78 +/- 0.93 s, respectively). At 2 s the half-time was almost doubled in the sensitized BSM (6.98 +/- 0.01 s (control) vs. 12.74 +/- 2.5 s (sensitized)). Thus, changes in isotonic relaxation are only seen during early contraction. Using zero load clamps, we monitored the time course of velocity during relaxation and noted that it varied according to 3 phases. The first phase (phase i) immediately followed cessation of electrical field stimulation (EFS) at 10 s and showed almost the same velocity as during the latter 1/3 of shortening; the second phase (phase ii) was linear in shape and is associated with zero load velocity, we speculate it could stem from elastic recoil of the cells' internal resistor; and the third phase (phase iii) was convex downwards. The zero load velocities in phase iii showed a surprising spontaneous increase suggesting reactivation of the muscle. Measurements of intracellular calcium (Fura-2 study) and of phosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chain showed simultaneous increments, indicating phase iii represented an active process. Studies are under way to determine what changes occur in these 3 phases in a sensitized muscle. And of course, in the context of this conference, just what role the plastic properties of the muscle play in relaxation requires serious consideration.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Relaxation of smooth muscle.

We have demonstrated that in dogs antigen sensitization results in alterations of contractile properties. These changes could account for the hyperresponsiveness reported in asthma. The failure of the muscle to relax could be another important factor responsible for maintaining high airway resistance. We therefore developed an index of isotonic relaxation, t1/2, CE (half time for relaxation that is independent of muscle load and initial contractile element length), for evaluation of the relaxation process. Because the maximum shortening velocity at 2 s but not at 10 s was greater in sensitized bronchial smooth muscle than that in controls, studies of relaxation were also undertaken at these two times. The mean half-relaxation time indicated by t1/2,CE showed no difference between sensitized and control muscles after 10 s of stimulation (8.38 +/- 0.92 vs. 7.78 +/- 0.93 s, means +/- SE); however, it was prolonged significantly in the sensitized muscle only stimulated for 1 s (12.74 +/- 2.5 s, mean +/- SE) compared with the control (6.98 +/- 1.01 s). During the late phase of isotonic relaxation, both groups showed an unexpected spontaneous increase in zero-load shortening velocity, which is an index of cross-bridge cycling rate. We conclude that (i) both contraction and relaxation properties of early normally cycling cross bridges are altered after sensitization and these changes may account for the hyperresponsiveness observed in asthmatics and (ii) the cross-bridge cycling rate increases spontaneously during isotonic relaxation, probably as a result of reactivation of the contractile mechanism.

Allergens↗
PubMed1986

Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation is associated with increased cyclic nucleotide content.

Experiments were conducted to determine whether relaxation of the opossum isolated lower esophageal sphincter (LES), induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) or various pharmacological agents, is associated with changes in cyclic nucleotide content. EFS relaxed the LES in a frequency-dependent manner with 0.7 Hz producing half-maximal relaxation. Control tissues and tissues stimulated at various frequencies were clamp-frozen and assayed for cyclic nucleotide content. EFS had no effect on adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content but increased guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) content in a frequency-dependent manner. Tetrodotoxin eliminated both the relaxation and cGMP accumulation in response to EFS. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) relaxed the LES with an EC50 of 0.1 microM. In contrast to the results with EFS, VIP enhanced cAMP content but had no effect on cGMP content. Relaxation of the LES produced by sodium nitroprusside or atriopeptin II was accompanied by an increase in cGMP accumulation, whereas isoproterenol- and dopamine-induced relaxation was accompanied by an increase in cAMP content. The data indicate that, depending on the stimulus, increases in either cAMP or cGMP content can accompany LES relaxation. These results are consistent with the proposed role of cyclic nucleotides as second messengers mediating LES relaxation.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Flow-induced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

To analyze the potential mediator(s) involved in flow-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation, we measured the wall tension of intraluminally perfused canine femoral artery segments and compared the content of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (determined by radioimmunoassay) and the relaxing activity of the effluent (determined by bioassay on canine coronary artery rings). During perfusion at a steady flow of 2 ml/min the effluent contained 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and relaxed the bioassay rings. Sudden increase in steady flow rate to 4 ml/min, or the introduction of pulsatile flow, increased the release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and induced further relaxations of the bioassay ring. No relaxations were observed with the effluent passing through a femoral artery segment without endothelium. Indomethacin significantly depressed the release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha during increases in flow but had no significant effect on the relaxing activity of the effluent. In the presence of indomethacin, increases in flow produced significant relaxation in the perfused femoral artery segments with endothelium. Superoxide dismutase restored the relaxing activity of the effluent during increases in flow at a transit time of 30 seconds. These data demonstrate that in addition to prostacyclin, flow triggers the release of another relaxing substance (or substances) from vascular endothelial cells that has characteristics similar to the endothelium-derived relaxing factor released by acetylcholine.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1994

Enhanced role of potassium channels in relaxations to acetylcholine in hypercholesterolemic rabbit carotid artery.

The effect of hypercholesterolemia for 10 wk on endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine was studied in isolated rings of rabbit carotid artery and abdominal aorta contracted with phenylephrine or elevated potassium. In these arteries obtained from hypercholesterolemic rabbits, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were not significantly different from those of normal rabbits. In normal and hypercholesterolemic arteries, partial relaxation persisted in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), which blocked acetylcholine-induced increases in arterial guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Combined treatment with L-NAME and the calcium-dependent potassium-channel inhibitor, charybdotoxin, blocked relaxations in both groups, suggesting that L-NAME-resistant relaxations are mediated by an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. Charybdotoxin alone or depolarizing potassium had no significant effect on normal carotid artery or normal and hypercholesterolemic abdominal aorta but significantly inhibited relaxations of the carotid artery from cholesterol-fed rabbits. The enhanced role of calcium-dependent potassium channels and the hyperpolarizing factor in relaxation of the hypercholesterolemic carotid artery suggested by these results was likely related to the fact that acetylcholine failed to stimulate cGMP only in that artery. These data suggest that endothelium-dependent relaxation in these rabbit arteries is mediated by nitric oxide-cGMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms. In hypercholesterolemia, the contribution of nitric oxide-cGMP in the carotid artery is reduced, but a hyperpolarizing factor and calcium-dependent potassium channels maintain normal acetylcholine-induced relaxation.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Effect of pH, phosphate, and ADP on relaxation of myocardium after photolysis of diazo 2.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the metabolites H+, ADP, and Pi on the rate of cardiac relaxation. We used guinea pig right ventricular trabeculae that had been chemically skinned, allowing the myofilaments to be studied in isolation. Laser-flash photolysis of the caged Ca2+ chelator diazo 2, causing a rapid fall in intracellular Ca2+, enabled investigation of relaxation independently of the rate of Ca2+ diffusion. On the photolysis of diazo 2, the trabeculae relaxed biphasically with exponential rate constants (k1 and k2) of 10.07 and 4.23 s-1, respectively, at 12 degrees C and 18.35 and 2.52 s-1, respectively, at a nominal 20 degrees C. Increasing the concentration of both protons (pH 7.2-6.8) and MgADP (0.5-3.4 mM) slowed the two phases of the relaxation transients. Raising the concentration of Pi from the control level of 1.36 mM to 15.2 mM increased the rate of both phases, with relaxation becoming monoexponential at 19.4 mM Pi (with a k of 20.31 s-1 at 12 degrees C). Cardiac muscle was compared with skeletal muscle under identical conditions; in cardiac muscle 19.4 mM Pi increased the rate of relaxation, whereas in skeletal muscle this concentration of Pi slowed relaxation. We conclude that the mechanism of relaxation differs between cardiac and skeletal muscle. This study is a direct demonstration of the effects of ATP metabolites on cardiac myofilament processes during relaxation.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1997

Mechanism of capsaicin-induced relaxation in equine tracheal smooth muscle.

The effects of capsaicin and neuropeptides were examined in equine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM). Neither capsaicin nor substance P (SP) contracted TSM. Capsaicin (100 microM) elicited relaxation in TSM contracted with methacholine. This relaxation was not mimicked by SP or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Relaxation was not attenuated by removal of the epithelium or by pretreatment of tissue with meclofenamate or the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine. Previous exposure of TSM to capsaicin did not eliminate the relaxation responses to subsequent capsaicin. Although vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) elicited marked relaxation that was attenuated by alpha-chymotrypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin did not affect the capsaicin-induced relaxation. Capsaicin-induced relaxation was abolished by charybdotoxin, a blocker of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. These results indicate that capsaicin-induced equine TSM relaxation is not mediated either by neuropeptides such as SP or CGRP released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves or by prostanoids, NO, or VIP. Relaxation is due to the effect of capsaicin on large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. The peptidergic nerves play no important role in the regulation of TSM tone in horse airways.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Chloride channel function is linked to epithelium-dependent airway relaxation.

We previously reported that substance P (SP) and ATP evoke transient, epithelium-dependent relaxation of mouse tracheal smooth muscle. Since both SP and ATP are known to evoke transepithelial Cl- secretion across epithelial monolayers, we tested the hypothesis that epithelium-dependent relaxation of mouse trachea depends on Cl- channel function. In perfused mouse tracheas, the responses to SP and ATP were both inhibited by the Cl- channel inhibitors diphenylamine-2-carboxylate and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate. Relaxation to ATP or SP was unaffected by 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DNDS), and relaxation to SP was unaffected by either DIDS or DNDS. Replacing Cl- in the buffer solutions with the impermeable anion gluconate on both sides of the trachea inhibited relaxation to SP or ATP. In contrast, increasing the gradient for Cl- secretion using Cl- free medium only in the tracheal lumen enhanced the relaxation to SP or ATP. We conclude that Cl- channel function is linked to receptor-mediated, epithelium-dependent relaxation. The finding that relaxation to SP was not blocked by DIDS suggested the involvement of a DIDS-insensitive Cl- channel, potentially the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated tracheas from CFTR-deficient mice and found that the peak relaxation to SP or ATP was not significantly different from those responses in wild-type littermates. This suggests that a DIDS-insensitive Cl- channel other than CFTR is active in the SP response. This work introduces a possible role for Cl- pathways in the modulation of airway smooth muscle function and may have implications for fundamental studies of airway function as well as therapeutic approaches to pulmonary disease.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗
PubMed2001

EP2 receptors mediate airway relaxation to substance P, ATP, and PGE2.

Substance P (SP) and ATP evoke transient, epithelium-dependent relaxation of constricted mouse tracheal smooth muscle. Relaxation to either SP or ATP is blocked by indomethacin, but the specific eicosanoid(s) involved have not been definitively identified. SP and ATP are reported to release PGE2 from airway epithelium in other species, suggesting PGE2 as a likely mediator in epithelium-dependent airway relaxation. Using mice homozygous for a gene-targeted deletion of the EP2 receptor [EP2(-/-)], one of the PGE2 receptors, we tested the hypothesis that PGE2 is the primary mediator of relaxation to SP or ATP. Relaxation in response to SP or ATP was significantly reduced in tracheas from EP2(-/-) mice. There were no differences between EP2(-/-) and wild-type tracheas in their physical dimensions, contraction to ACh, or relaxation to isoproterenol, thus ruling out any general alterations of smooth muscle function. There were also no differences between EP2(-/-) and wild-type tracheas in basal or stimulated PGE2 production. Exogenous PGE2 produced significantly less relaxation in EP2(-/-) tracheas compared with the wild type. Taken together, this experimental evidence supports the following two conclusions: EP2 receptors are of primary importance in airway relaxation to PGE2 and relaxation to SP or ATP is mediated through PGE2 acting on EP2 receptors.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2005

Central neuropeptide Y induces proximal stomach relaxation via Y1 receptors in the dorsal vagal complex of the rat.

Effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on motility of the proximal stomach was examined in anesthetized rats. Intragastric pressure was measured using a balloon situated in the proximal part of the stomach. Administration of NPY into the fourth ventricle induced relaxation of the proximal stomach in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of an Y1 receptor (Y1R) agonist [Leu31, Pro34]NPY induced a larger relaxation than NPY. The administration of an Y2 receptor agonist (NPY 13-36) did not induce significant changes in motility. Microinjections of [Leu31, Pro34]NPY into the caudal part of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) induced relaxation of the proximal stomach. In contrast, similar injections into the intermediate part of the DVC increased IGP of the proximal stomach. Administration of NPY into the fourth ventricle did not induce relaxation after bilateral injections of the Y1R antagonist (1229U91) into the caudal DVC. These results indicate that NPY induces relaxation in the proximal stomach via Y1Rs situated in the DVC. Because bilateral vagotomy below the diaphragm abolished the relaxation induced by the administration of NPY into the fourth ventricle, relaxation induced by NPY is probably mediated by vagal preganglionic neurons. Intravenous injection of atropine methyl nitrate reduced relaxation induced by administration of NPY. Therefore, relaxation induced by NPY is likely mediated by peripheral cholinergic neurons.

Animals↗