三种钠尿肽抑制大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖效应的比较

本文比较了心房钠尿肽（ＡＮＰ）、Ｃ－型钠尿肽（ＣＮＰ）、血管钠肽（ＶＮＰ）抑制肺动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭＣｓ）增殖的效应。用蛋白激酶Ｃ激动剂佛波酯（ＰＭＡ）刺激体外培养大鼠ＰＡＳＭＣｓ的增殖,以总蛋白含量和ＭＴＴ比色ＯＤ值为指标,观察三种钠尿肽对ＰＭＡ刺激大鼠ＰＡＳＭＣｓ增殖的影响。结果表明,ＰＭＡ（１０＾－９－１０＾－７ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）ＰＡＳＭＣｓ的总蛋白含量和ＭＴＴＯＤ值,     

缺氧对肺动脉内皮细胞环氧合酶,血栓素合成酶基因表达的影响

应用分子杂交技术和放射免疫检测方法研究了缺氧对猪肺动脉内皮细胞的环氧合酶（ＣＯＸ）和血栓素合成酶（ＴＸＳ）基因表达及其条件培养基中６ｋｅｔｏＰＧＦ１α和ＴＸＢ２含量的动态变化。发现：６,１２,２４和４８ｈ缺氧组分别与常氧组比,ＣＯＸ１和ＣＯＸ２基因表达增加,并且ＣＯＸ２ｍＲＮＡ在缺氧６和１２ｈ就明显表达增加。在前述的不同缺氧时间组内皮细胞条件培养基中６ｋｅｔｏＰＧＦ１α含量也均显著高于相应常氧对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）;但ＴＸＳ的ｍＲＮＡ水平及ＴＸＢ２含量在缺氧４８ｈ才有明显增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结果表明：（１）缺氧可诱导肺动脉内皮ＣＯＸ基因表达和ＰＧＩ２生成增加,在早期以ＣＯＸ２基因表达增加更为明显,提示可能在肺血管缺氧反应中起调节作用。（２）４８ｈ的缺氧可使内皮细胞ＴＸＳ基因表达及ＴＸＡ２生成增加,它可能在慢性缺氧肺血管反应中起介导作用。     

妇女生殖道单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型和人乳头瘤病毒的感染及其相关关系的研究

为探讨妇女生殖道单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型（ＨｅｒｐｅｓＳｉｍｐｌｅｓＶｉｒｕｓ２,ＨＳＶ２）和人乳头瘤病毒（ＨｕｍａｎＰａｐｉｌａｍａｖｉｒｕｓ,ＨＰＶ）的感染及其相关关系,我们应用聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）对４８例患有性病、生殖道感染的妇女和３９例正常妇女进行了下生道ＨＳＶ２、ＨＰＶ的检测。ＨＳＶ２在实验组和对照组妇女中的感染率分别是７２９％和２５６％,两组有极显著性差异（Ｐ＜００１）;ＨＰＶ在实验组和对照组妇女中的感染率分别是５３３％和３３３％,两组无显著性差异（Ｐ＞００５）;两组中ＨＳＶ２、ＨＰＶ双阳性率分别是４５８％（２２／４８）和２３１％（９／３９）,有显著性差异（Ｐ＜００５）;在两组共８７份标本中,ＨＳＶ２和ＨＰＶ双阳性者占３１例,阳性率是３５６％。统计学分析表明：ＨＳＶ２和ＨＰＶ感染之间有极显著的相关性（Ｘ２＝２４０８,Ｐ＜００１）。研究表明：患有生殖系感染和性病妇女其ＨＳＶ２或ＨＰＶ和ＨＳＶ２混和感染的机率显著高于正常妇女,ＨＳＶ２和ＨＰＶ的感染具有协同作用。由于这两种病毒均与宫颈癌的发生有关,它们在生殖道中感染的相互作用机理有待于进一步研究。     

一氧化氮对急、慢性缺氧大鼠血流动力学及缺氧性肺血管收缩反应的影响

观察了吸入０．００４％的一氧化氮（ＮＯ）对急、慢性缺氧大鼠血流动力学、缺氧性肺血管收缩反应（ＨＰＶ）、血气及高铁血红蛋白（ＭｅｔＨｂ）的影响。结果表明：（１）常氧吸入ＮＯ时能明显降低慢性缺氧大鼠肺动脉平均压（Ｐｐａ）和肺血管阻力（ＰＶＲ）,但对正常大鼠的Ｐｐａ和ＰＶＲ无明显影响;（２）慢性缺氧大鼠急性缺氧时ＨＰＶ较正常大鼠弱,吸入ＮＯ不但降低两者的急性缺氧肺动脉高压,且完全逆转两者的ＨＰＶ;（３）吸入ＮＯ对急、慢性缺氧大鼠体循环血流动力学、血气及ＭｅｔＨｂ含量无明显影响。提示吸入ＮＯ能选择性降低急、慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压,且逆转ＨＰＶ。     

慢性缺氧大鼠肺动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应与内皮结构的动态变化

本实验对慢性减压缺氧（５０００ｍ）过程中肺动脉ＡＣｈ内皮依赖性舒张反应作了动态观察,并结合分析了其与内皮超微结构和肺动脉压演变的关系。结果表明,缺氧３─２１ｄ,平均肺动脉压（ｍＰＡＰ）显著递增（Ｐ＜０．０５─０．００１）,而缺氧４０ｄ组基本与缺氧２１ｄ组持平,未再进一步升高。缺氧１ｄ组,各ＡＣｈ浓度（１０－１０、１０－９、１０－７、１０－６、１０－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应明显受抑（Ｐ＜０．０５─０．００１）。缺氧７ｄ组,舒张反应的受抑程度与缺氧１ｄ组基本相同;但ＡＣｈ１０－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ引发的反应则较缺氧１ｄ时更弱。缺氧２１ｄ和４０ｄ组,ＡＣｈ１０－６和１０－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ引起的舒张反应,尽管仍显著低于对照,但却基本上高于缺氧１ｄ和７ｄ组。其余各浓度ＡＣｈ引发的反应则已趋于恢复至对照水平。电镜观察,缺氧１─１４ｄ肺动脉内皮呈逐渐加重的水肿变性;缺氧２１─４０ｄ内皮水肿消失,代之出现渐趋活跃的内皮增生。结果提示,随缺氧时间延长,因内皮从损伤逐渐加重到出现代偿适应,可能存在相应的内皮舒张因子由释放减少到有所恢复的动态变化过程,并对整体肺动脉压有一定程度的影响。     

慢性缺氧大鼠肺动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应与内皮结构的动态…

本实验对慢性减压缺氧（５０００ｍ）过程中肺动脉ＡＣｈ内皮依赖性舒张反应作了动态观察,并结合分析了其与内皮超微结构和肺动脉压演变的关系。结果表明,缺氧３－２１ｄ,平均肺动脉压（ｍＰＡＰ）显著递增（Ｐ＜０．０５－０．００１）,而缺氧４０ｄ组基本与缺氧２１ｄ组持平,未再进一步升高。缺氧１ｄ组,各ＡＣｈ浓度（１０＾－１０,１０＾－９,１０＾－７,１０＾－６,１０＾－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应明     

大鼠脑室内注射氨甲酰胆碱对肾钠,钾,水排出的影响

在麻醉大鼠侧脑室注射胆碱能激动剂氨甲酰胆碱（ＣＢＣ）引起显著的促钠排泄、促钾排泄和利尿反应（Ｐ＜０．０５）,其中促钠排泄反应与剂量之间呈量效关系（ｒ＝０．９９９７,Ｐ＜０．０５）。由脑室注射ＣＢＣ（２．７４×１０－３μｍｏｌ）引起的上述反应可以被胆碱能Ｍ受体阻断剂阿托品或Ｎ受体阻断剂六甲双胺预处理完全阻断（Ｐ＜０．０５）。同样,ＣＢＣ的肾脏效应也可被肾上腺素能α受体阻断剂酚妥拉明预处理所部分阻断（Ｐ＜０．０５）。上述结果表明脑室注射ＣＢＣ引起的促钠排泄、促钾排泄和利尿反应是刺激了脑胆碱能Ｍ或Ｎ受体,有部分效应可能继发刺激去甲肾上腺素能α受体。     

缺氧对培养的肺动脉内皮细胞血管紧张素Ⅱ分泌的影响

缺氧是否通过影响血管内皮细胞的分泌功能而参与缺氧性肺动脉高压的发生尚不清楚。本实验动态观察了缺氧对培养的新生小牛内皮细胞（ＰＡＥＣ）的血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡＴⅡ）分泌的影响。结果发现：２．５％Ｏ２缺氧早期（１．５ｈ）,ＰＡＥＣ的ＡＴⅡ分泌增加（Ｐ＜０．０１ｖｓ常氧组）,缺氧后期与常氧组无明显差别;０％Ｏ２缺氧早期（１．５－６ｈ）,ＡＴⅡ分泌明显降低（Ｐ＜０．０１ｖｓ常氧组及２．５％Ｏ２组）,后期ＡＴⅡ分泌明显增高（Ｐ＜０．０１ｖｓ常氧组及２．５％Ｏ２组）;无论缺氧还是常氧条件下,ＮＯ供体ＳＩＮ１显著抑制ＡＴⅡ的分泌（Ｐ＜０．０１）,而内源性ＮＯ抑制剂硝基精氨酸则明显促进ＡＴⅡ分泌（Ｐ＜０．０１）;０％Ｏ２缺氧２４ｈ后,ＰＡＥＣ细胞内ｃＧＭＰ含量明显降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）。上述结果表明缺氧可通过抑制ＰＡＥＣ的内源性ＮＯ产生而促进ＡＴⅡ的分泌,ＰＡＥＣ自分泌的改变可能参与缺氧性肺动脉高压的发生过程。     

P物质在谷氨酸兴奋外侧下丘脑-穹窿周围区引起的升压反应中之作用

Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）能神经元及其轴突末梢和受体广泛分布于很多心血管中枢。外侧下丘脑含ＳＰ能神经元,外侧下丘脑投射的升压区内又存在ＳＰ能纤维及ＳＰ受体;因此本工作检验ＳＰ在外侧下丘脑升压反应中的作用。实验显示：（１）Ｌ－谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）兴奋外侧下丘脑的穹窿周围区（ＬＨ／ＰＦ）或将ＳＰ分别注入各ＬＨ投射区：蓝斑（ＬＣ）、臂旁核（ＮＰＢ）或中脑导水管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）均引起升压反应;（２）［Ｄ－Ｐｒｏ２,Ｄ－Ｐｈｅ７,Ｄ－Ｔｒｐ９］－ＳＰ（ＳＰ拮抗剂）预先注入ＬＣ或ＰＡＧ可使Ｇｌｕ兴奋ＬＨ／ＰＦ引起的升压反应减小,而注入ＮＰＢ对该反应无明显影响;（３）双侧延髓头端腹外侧区（ＲＶＬ）分别用酚妥拉明、心得安或阿托品预处理也可明显削弱该反应。结合我们以往的实验结果：ＲＶＬ内的α－、β－、Ｍ－受体介导ＬＣ升压反应,α－和β－受体介导ＰＡＧ－升压反应;本工作显示ＬＨ／ＰＦ可通过其ＳＰ能投射纤维作用于ＬＣ－ＲＶＬ和ＰＡＧ－ＲＶＬ升压系统而实现其升压反应。     

心房钠尿肽对大鼠主动脉弓压力感受器活动的影响

在隔离灌流的大鼠主动脉弓－主动脉神经标本上,观察了心房肽Ⅲ（ａｔｒｉｏｐｅｐｔｉｎⅢ,ＡＰⅢ）对主动脉弓压力感受器活动的影响。主动脉弓内压保持１３．３ｋＰａ条件下向灌流液中加入ＡＰⅢ（２．０μｇ／ｍｌ）后,主动脉神经传入放电较对照值增加６４±２７％（Ｐ＜０．００１）;升降灌流压时,主动脉神经传入放电随之增减,饱和压（ＳＰ）由２２．５±０．５降至２１．３±０．５ｋＰａ（Ｐ＜０．０５）,工作范围（ＯＲ）由１２．１±０．４降至１０．６±０．４ｋＰａ（Ｐ＜０．０５）,阈压（ＴＰ）无明显变化;压力感受器机能曲线向左上方移位,曲线的最大积分值（ＰＩＶ）由５０８±６６％增至７３０±５２％（Ｐ＜０．０５）,曲线最大斜率（ＰＳ）由５５．６±７．５增至９３．２±６．８％·ｋＰａ－１（Ｐ＜０．０５）;冲洗掉ＡＰⅢ后,主动脉神经传入放电基本恢复至对照水平．主动脉弓内压保持在１３．３ｋＰａ条件下,向灌流液中加入硝普钠（ＮＰ,１．０μｇ／ｍｌ）,主动脉神经传入放电虽有所减少,但无统计学意义（Ｐ＞０．０５）;升降灌流压时,ＴＰ,ＳＰ,ＯＲ均无明显变化,对压力感受器机能曲线及ＰＳ也无显著影响,而ＰＩＶ由６６７±７８降至５０２±７４％（Ｐ＜     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide and the lung: neuronal coexistence with substance P, release by capsaicin and vasodilatory effect

The occurrence and distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the lower airways was studied by means of immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay (RIA) in combination with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). CGRP-like immunoreactivity (-LI) was observed in nerves from the epiglottis down to peripheral bronchi in rat, cat and guinea pig and also in human bronchi. Double staining revealed colocalization of CGRP-LI and substance P (SP)-LI in cell bodies of nodose and jugular ganglia as well as in axons and nerve terminals of the airways. Systemic capsaicin pretreatment induced a marked loss of the CGRP- and SP-immunoreactive (-IR) nerves in the lower airways. CGRP-IR was also present in epithelial endocrine cells and neuroepithelial bodies. The content of CGRP-LI as measured with RIA in guinea pig bronchi was significantly lower after capsaicin pretreatment. Analysis of human bronchial extracts revealed that CGRP-LI coeluted with synthetic human CGRP on HPLC. In the isolated perfused guinea pig lung capsaicin exposure caused overflow of CGRP-LI suggesting release from peripheral branches of sensory nerves. Both in vivo experiments in the guinea pig measuring insufflation pressure as well as in vitro studies on isolated guinea pig and human bronchi showed that whereas tachykinins contracted bronchial smooth muscle no contractile or relaxing effect was elicited by human or rat CGRP. However, CGRP caused relaxation of serotonin precontracted guinea pig and human pulmonary arteries. In conclusion, the presence and release of CGRP-LI from capsaicin sensitive nerves in the lower airways adds another possible mediator, in addition to tachykinins, of vascular reactions upon sensory nerve irritation.     

Cyclooxygenase-2 and an early stage of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn pigs.

Our objective was to determine whether cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-dependent metabolites contribute to the altered pulmonary vascular responses that manifest in piglets with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Piglets were raised in either room air (control) or hypoxia for 3 days. The effect of the COX-2 selective inhibitor NS-398 on responses to arachidonic acid or acetylcholine (ACh) was measured in endothelium-intact and denuded pulmonary arteries (100- to 400-microm diameter). Pulmonary arterial production of the stable metabolites of thromboxane and prostacyclin was assessed in the presence and absence of NS-398. Dilation to arachidonic acid was greater for intact control than for intact hypoxic arteries, was unchanged by NS-398 in intact arteries of either group, and was augmented by NS-398 in denuded hypoxic arteries. ACh responses, which were dilation in intact control arteries but constriction in intact and denuded hypoxic arteries, were diminished by NS-398 treatment of all arteries. NS-398 reduced prostacyclin production by control pulmonary arteries and reduced thromboxane production by hypoxic pulmonary arteries. COX-2-dependent contracting factors, such as thromboxane, contribute to aberrant pulmonary arterial responses in piglets exposed to 3 days of hypoxia.     

Nonadrenergic noncholinergic vasodilation of guinea pig pulmonary arteries is mediated by nitric oxide.

Nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) mediated vasodilation may contribute to the maintenance of low pulmonary vascular tone. The NANC neurotransmitters, nitric oxide (NO) and the sensory neuropeptides, substance P and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), were investigated as possible mediators of NANC vasodilation in guinea pig pulmonary arteries. Fresh guinea pig pulmonary artery rings, with and without an intact endothelium, were mounted in organ baths containing Krebs solution and precontracted with the prostaglandin F2alpha analogue U44069. In both endothelium-intact and denuded vessels, electrical field stimulation (1-12 Hz) in the presence of guanethidine and atropine resulted in a frequency-dependent vasodilation. The peptide fragment hCGRP8-37, a competitive antagonist of the CGRP receptors, the peptide fragment NK1 antagonist SP4-11, and the nonpeptide NK1 antagonist RP67580 had no effect on NANC vasodilation. In both endothelium-intact and denuded vessels, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthesis, inhibited NANC vasodilation, an effect that was reversible with L-arginine. We conclude that NANC vasodilation in guinea pig pulmonary arteries is mediated predominantly through NO activity.     

Acute and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in guinea pigs

To determine whether the strength of acute hypoxic vasoconstriction predicts the magnitude of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, we performed serial studies on guinea pigs. Unanesthetized, chronically catheterized guinea pigs increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) from 11 +/- 0.5 to 13 +/- 0.7 Torr in acute hypoxia (10% O2 for 65 min). The response was maximal at 5 min, remained stable for 1 h, and was reversible on return to room air. Cardiac index did not change with acute hypoxia or recovery. Guinea pigs exposed to chronic hypoxia increased PAP, measured in room air 1 h after removal from the hypoxic chamber, to 18 +/- 1 Torr by 5 days with little further increase in PAP to 20 +/- 1 Torr after 21 days. Cardiac index fell from 273 +/- 12 to 206 +/- 7 ml.kg-1.min-1 (P less than 0.05) after 21 days of hypoxia. Medial thickness of pulmonary arteries adjacent to terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts increased significantly by 10 days. The magnitude of the pulmonary vasoconstriction to acute hypoxia persisted and was unabated during the development and apparent stabilization of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, suggesting that if vasoconstriction is the stimulus for remodeling, then the importance of the stimulus lessens with duration of hypoxia. In individual animals followed serially, we found no correlation between the magnitude of the acute vasoconstrictor response before chronic hypoxia and the severity of chronic pulmonary hypertension that subsequently developed either because the initial response was small and variable or because vasoconstriction may not be the sole stimulus for vascular remodeling in the guinea pig.     

Hypoxic constriction of porcine distal pulmonary arteries: endothelium and endothelin dependence

To determine the role of endothelium in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), we measured vasomotor responses to hypoxia in isolated seventh-generation porcine pulmonary arteries < 300 microm in diameter with (E+) and without endothelium. In E+ pulmonary arteries, hypoxia decreased the vascular intraluminal diameter measured at a constant transmural pressure. These constrictions were complete in 30-40 min; maximum at PO(2) of 2 mm Hg; half-maximal at PO(2) of 40 mm Hg; blocked by exposure to Ca(2+)-free conditions, nifedipine, or ryanodine; and absent in E+ bronchial arteries of similar size. Hypoxic constrictions were unaltered by indomethacin, enhanced by indomethacin plus N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, abolished by BQ-123 or endothelial denudation, and restored in endothelium-denuded pulmonary arteries pretreated with 10(-10) M endothelin-1 (ET-1). Given previous demonstrations that hypoxia caused contractions in isolated pulmonary arterial myocytes and that ET-1 receptor antagonists inhibited HPV in intact animals, our results suggest that full in vivo expression of HPV requires basal release of ET-1 from the endothelium to facilitate mechanisms of hypoxic reactivity in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle.     

Responses of isolated guinea pig pulmonary venules to hypoxia and anoxia

Because small pulmonary arteries are believed to be the major site of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), pulmonary venular responses to hypoxia have received little attention. Therefore the responses of isolated guinea pig pulmonary venules to hypoxia (bath PO2, 25 Torr) and anoxia (bath PO2, 0 Torr) were characterized. Pulmonary venules [effective lumen radius (ELR), 116 +/- 2 microns] with an adherent layer of parenchyma responded to hypoxia and anoxia with a graded sustained contraction (hypoxia, 0.03 +/- 0.01; anoxia, 0.26 +/- 0.03 mN/mm), whereas paired femoral venules (ELR, 184 +/- 7 microns) contracted to anoxia only (0.05 +/- 0.02 mN/mm). Repeated challenges with hypoxia and anoxia continued to elicit sustained pulmonary venular contractions; femoral venule contractions to anoxia were not repeatable. Hypoxia- and anoxia-induced pulmonary venular contractions were calcium and pH dependent. Dissection of the parenchyma from pulmonary venules did not alter contractions to decreased PO2. Anoxic contractions of pulmonary venules were variably reduced by replacement of the bath fluid; however, the release of a contractile mediator(s) from pulmonary venules during hypoxia or anoxia was not demonstrated. Pulmonary venular responses to hypoxia and anoxia are similar to those induced by hypoxia in vivo, and results obtained from this model may be useful in predicting mechanisms of HPV.     

Absence of neural modulation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in conscious dogs

Our objectives were 1) to quantify the magnitude of the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor (HPV) response in conscious dogs by utilizing pulmonary vascular pressure-cardiac index (P/Q) plots and 2) to assess the extent to which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulates the HPV response. Multipoint P/Q plots were constructed in conscious dogs during normoxia and during bilateral alveolar hypoxia by stepwise constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava to reduce Q. With the ANS intact, the pulmonary vascular pressure gradient (pulmonary arterial pressure-pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) increased (P less than 0.01) approximately twofold during hypoxia over a broad range of Q. The absolute magnitude of the HPV response was related (P less than 0.01) to the level of Q. We hypothesized that if ANS activation reduces the magnitude of HPV in intact dogs, then we would expect the magnitude of HPV to be increased both after combined sympathetic alpha-(phentolamine) and beta-(propranolol) adrenergic block and after total autonomic ganglionic block (hexamethonium). A marked HPV response (P less than 0.01) was observed after both combined sympathetic block and ganglionic block over a broad range of Q during alveolar hypoxia. The magnitude of the HPV response with the ANS intact, however, was not significantly different from the magnitude of HPV after combined sympathetic block (P = 0.45) or after ganglionic block (P = 0.64) at any level of Q. Thus, during bilateral alveolar hypoxia, the ANS does not appear to attenuate the HPV response of intact conscious dogs.     

Precursors and inhibitors of hydrogen sulfide synthesis affect acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the intact lung

The effects of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and acute hypoxia are similar in isolated pulmonary arteries from various species. However, the involvement of H(2)S in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) has not been studied in the intact lung. The present study used an intact, isolated, perfused rat lung preparation to examine whether adding compounds essential to H(2)S synthesis or to its inhibition would result in a corresponding increase or decrease in the magnitude of HPV. Western blots performed in lung tissue identified the presence of the H(2)S-synthesizing enzymes, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase (3-MST), but not cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). Adding three H(2)S synthesis precursors, cysteine and oxidized or reduced glutathione, to the perfusate significantly increased peak arterial pressure during hypoxia compared with control (P < 0.05). Adding α-ketoglutarate to enhance the 3-MST enzyme pathway also resulted in an increase (P < 0.05). Both aspartate, which inhibits the 3-MST synthesis pathway, and propargylglycine (PPG), which inhibits the CSE pathway, significantly reduced the increases in arterial pressure during hypoxia. Diethylmaleate (DEM), which conjugates sulfhydryls, also reduced the peak hypoxic arterial pressure at concentrations >2 mM. Finally, H(2)S concentrations as measured with a specially designed polarographic electrode decreased markedly in lung tissue homogenate and in small pulmonary arteries when air was added to the hypoxic environment of the measurement chamber. The results of this study provide evidence that the rate of H(2)S synthesis plays a role in the magnitude of acute HPV in the isolated perfused rat lung.     

Chronic hypercapnia inhibits hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling

Chronic hypercapnia is commonly found in patients with severe hypoxic lung disease and is associated with a greater elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure than that due to hypoxia alone. We hypothesized that hypercapnia worsens hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by augmenting pulmonary vascular remodeling and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). Rats were exposed to chronic hypoxia [inspiratory O(2) fraction (FI(O(2))) = 0.10], chronic hypercapnia (inspiratory CO(2) fraction = 0.10), hypoxia-hypercapnia (FI(O(2)) = 0.10, inspiratory CO(2) fraction = 0.10), or room air. After 1 and 3 wk of exposure, muscularization of resistance blood vessels and hypoxia-induced hematocrit elevation were significantly inhibited in hypoxia-hypercapnia compared with hypoxia alone (P < 0.001, ANOVA). Right ventricular hypertrophy was reduced in hypoxia-hypercapnia compared with hypoxia at 3 wk (P < 0.001, ANOVA). In isolated, ventilated, blood-perfused lungs, basal pulmonary arterial pressure after 1 wk of exposure to hypoxia (20.1 +/- 1.8 mmHg) was significantly (P < 0.01, ANOVA) elevated compared with control conditions (12.1 +/- 0.1 mmHg) but was not altered in hypoxia-hypercapnia (13.5 +/- 0.9 mmHg) or hypercapnia (11.8 +/- 1.3 mmHg). HPV (FI(O(2)) = 0.03) was attenuated in hypoxia, hypoxia-hypercapnia, and hypercapnia compared with control (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Addition of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10(-4) M), which augmented HPV in control, hypoxia, and hypercapnia, significantly reduced HPV in hypoxia-hypercapnia. Chronic hypoxia caused impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in isolated pulmonary arteries, but coexistent hypercapnia partially protected against this effect. These findings suggest that coexistent hypercapnia inhibits hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy, reduces HPV, and protects against hypoxia-induced impairment of endothelial function.     

Effects of alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide in human bronchial smooth muscle and pulmonary artery

Although airway and pulmonary vessel tone are regulated predominantly by cholinergic and adrenergic impulses, biologically active peptides such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) may significantly influence human smooth muscle tone in normal and pathophysiological states. In the present study, the expression of CGRP and its receptor CGRPR-1 and the biological effect of the peptide were investigated in human airways and pulmonary arteries. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of CGRP in human airway nerves and neuro-epithelial cells, whereas the receptor was found in epithelial cells and smooth muscle myocytes of the bronchi and in pulmonary artery endothelium. On precontracted bronchi (3-4 mm in diameter) alpha-CGRP (0.01-10 nM) caused a concentration-dependent contraction on epithelium-denuded bronchi, whereas no significant effect was recorded in bronchi with intact epithelium. In pulmonary arteries (2-6 mm in diameter), alpha-CGRP caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of endothelium intact and denuded vessels. Pre-treatment with indomethacin, but not with l-NAME, prevented the relaxation induced by alpha-CGRP in pulmonary arteries suggesting that prostaglandins but not nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the intracellular signal transduction pathway. The effects induced by alpha-CGRP in bronchi and vessels were prevented by application of the antagonist CGRP((8-37)). In summary, the present studies examined the biological function of CGRP in human airways and demonstrated a constrictory effect of CGRP only in epithelium-denuded airway smooth muscle indicating an alteration of CGRP airway effects in respiratory tract pathological states with damaged epithelium such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma.