Involvement of calmodulin in realization of vasoconstrictive effects of serotonin and norepinephrine

The involvement of calmodulin in adrenergic and serotoninergic regulation of vascular contractility has been studied. Calmodulin inhibitors trifluoperazine and W-13 suppress vasoconstriction of the rat aorta in response to norepinephrine, serotonin, and serotonin 5HT1A and 5HT2A receptor agonists (8-OH-DPAT and DOI, respectively) and do not affect the vasodilatory effect of 5HT1B, 5HT2B, and 5HT4 receptors. The force of aorta contraction in response to 8-OH-DPAT increases after the activation of calcium entry through voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels. This effect is not related to nonspecific activation of ??1-adrenoceptors, since it is realized in the presence of prazosin. The inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase KN93 decreases the vasoconstrictive response to norepinephrine and serotonin by only 20%. Calmodulin inhibitors slightly decrease aortic constriction in response to endothelin-1, vasopressin, angiotensin II, and KCl. Trifluoperazine does not suppress vasoconstriction induced by the G protein activator AlF ₄ ^? . It is assumed that the target of trifluoperazine and W-13 is calmodulin interacting directly with ??₁-adrenoceptors and serotonin (5HT1A and 5HT2A) receptors.     

Plasma membrane depolarization and activation of receptors for endogenous vasoconstrictors as possible mechanisms of potentiation of vasoconstrictive response to serotonin in traumatic shock in rats

The goal of this work was to study possible mechanisms underlying the potentiation of vasopressor response to serotonin observed in traumatic shock. Experiments with isolated aorta and mesenteric artery of the rat showed that vasoconstriction is caused by the activation of 5HT2A receptors. Agonists of 5HT1B, 5HT1D, 5HT2B, and 5HT4 receptors induced vasodilation. Agonists of 5HT1A receptors had a dual effect determined by interaction with α₁-adrenergic receptors and 5HT1A receptors. Plasma membrane depolarization with 15 mM KCl increased the vasoconstrictive force in response to serotonin. This effect was determined by the ability of KCl to activate voltage-gated calcium channels, as a result of which the intracellular calcium stores are replenished. Inhibition of the response to serotonin by ketanserin, a 5HT2A receptor blocker, did not depend on the presence of 15 mM KCl. Constriction in response to serotonin was potentiated after its addition to vessels preconstricted with noradrenaline or endothelin-1. The constriction response partially retained in the presence of 2 × 10^?7 M ketanserin, which completely suppressed the serotonin-induced constriction of dilated vessels both at normal membrane potential and after plasma membrane depolarization. It can be assumed that noradrenalin and endothelin-1 alter the characteristics of 5HT2A receptors and possibly 5HT1A receptors as a result of their heterodimerization with the receptors for these vasoconstrictive hormones or receptor-receptor interaction at the level of signaling systems. Along with the potentiating effect of KCl, this mechanism may underlie the enhancement of vasopressor response to serotonin in shock.     

The inhibitors of the 5HT-transporter fluoxetine and clomipramine attenuate serotonin-induced constriction of the aorta and the calcium signal in smooth muscle cells of the rat

We found that the inhibitors of the serotonin (5HT) transporter fluoxetine and clomipramine significantly inhibit 5HT-induced constriction of isolated rings of the aorta. The most prominent inhibitory effect was observed for clomipramine, which at a concentration of 2 μM, prevented aorta constriction in response to low and moderate doses of 5HT and multiply attenuated it in response to high doses (10 μM). The inhibitors of the 5HT-transporter attenuated the strength of norepinephrine-induced aorta constriction by 40–60% and eliminated long-term tonic constriction. Application of clomipramine or fluoxetine on the vessels preliminarily constricted by norepinephrine resulted in 100% relaxation, which was maintained in the presence of the NO-synthase inhibitor L-NAME. The inhibitors of the 5HT-transporter decreased but did not prevent 5HT-induced [Ca²⁺]_cyt increase in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the aorta even at high concentrations. Clomipramine and fluoxetine did not affect the vasopressin-induced [Ca²⁺]_cyt increase in SMCs and the strength of constriction of isolated aorta rings. We found that the sensitivity of the rat aorta to the vasoconstrictor effect of 5HT and the role of the 5HT-transporter in regulation of the vascular tone increased with aging.     

Traumatic shock causes elevation of the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor mRNA level in rat aorta

Previously we have shown that at traumatic shock in rats the force of contraction of isolated aorta in response to angiotensin II, vasopressin, endothelin 1, or norepinephrine is decreased. On the contrary, vasoconstriction caused by serotonin is increased. A possible reason of the alterations of neuroendocrine regulation of vascular tone in shock may be a change in the expression of the receptors of these agonists in blood vessels. In the present study, using real-time PCR, we demonstrated that a day after injury the contents of mRNA encoding receptors V1A for vasopressin, ETA for endothelin 1, and AT1 for angiotensin II are not changed in aorta. There was a slight increase of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor mRNA (36 ± 16%; p = 0.41). The level of the 5-HT2B receptor mRNA in aorta, initially low (2% of the content of the mRNA of receptors 5-HT2A), after the injury increased 15.8 ± 0.3 times (p < 0.01). However, at traumatic shock there was no contraction of aorta in response to 5-HT2B receptor agonist BW723C86, while vasodilation of the isolated aorta preconstricted with norepinephrine in response to BW723C86 was similar to that of the vessel isolated from control rats. The data obtained suggest that the observed 5-HT2B receptor overexpression is not related to the increased serotonin-induced vasoconstriction and might cause other vascular pathological changes at traumatic shock.     

Agonist of serotonin 5HT1A-receptors 8-OH-DPAT increases the force of contraction of rat aorta and mesenteric artery in the presence of endothelin-1 or vasopressin and causes relaxation of the vessels preconstricted with noradrenaline

Agonist 5HT1A serotonin receptors 8-OH-DPAT at 70–80% in rats relax the isolated aorta and mesenteric artery, precollapsed with noradrenaline. An inhibitor of NO-synthase L-NAME two or more times suppresses vasodilatatornyh reaction in response to the effect of 8-OH-DPAT. The addition of 8-OH-DPAT to the aorta in a state of rest or precollapsed with endothelin-1 or vasopressin causes an increase in apower reduction. A blocker of α₁-adrenoceptors prazosin almost completely suppresses the aorta collapse reaction to the effect of 8-OH-DPAT in the absence of vasoconstrictives, but does not affect the contraction force in response to 8-OH-DPAT of the aorta in the presence of endothelin-1 or vasopressin and does not shift the curve of the dependence of force collapse on the concentration of 8-OH-DPAT. Our data show the existence in the rat aorta of vasodilator and vasoconstrictive 5HT1A-receptors.     

The apparent absence of serotonin-mediated vascular thermogenesis in perfused rat hindlimb may result from vascular shunting

Vasoconstriction by norepinephrine, angiotensin II and vasopressin in the constant-flow perfused rat hindlimb is associated with increased oxygen uptake and has given rise to the concept of vascular thermogenesis. In the present study serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) was found to inhibit oxygen uptake by up to 40% in a dose dependent manner whilst inducing vasoconstriction in this model, whereas norepinephrine increased oxygen consumption by up to 100% during vasoconstriction. This contrasted with the perfused isolated rat mesenteric artery arcade in which serotonin stimulated oxygen uptake by up to 130% in association with vasoconstriction in a dose dependent manner similar to the previously described norepinephrine induced vascular thermogenesis in this arterial preparation. In both perfusion systems, changes in pressure and oxygen uptake mediated by serotonin were completely blocked by ketanserin. These results and evidence from dye washout studies suggest that serotonin-mediated vascular thermogenesis, if it occurs in the constant-flow hindlimb, is masked by vascular shunting.     

Role of Rho-kinase signaling and endothelial dysfunction in modulating blood flow distribution in pulmonary hypertension

Rho-kinase-mediated vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction are considered two primary instigators of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, their contribution to the adverse changes in pulmonary blood flow distribution associated with PAH has not been addressed. This study utilizes synchrotron radiation microangiography to assess the specific role, and contribution of, Rho-kinase-mediated vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction in PAH. Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with saline (Cont-rats) or monocrotaline (MCT-rats) 3 wk before microangiography was performed on the left lung. We assessed dynamic changes in vessel internal diameter (ID) in response to 1) the Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil (10 mg/kg iv); or 2) ACh (3 μg · kg?1 · min?1), sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 5 μg · kg?1 · min?1), and N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 50 mg/kg iv). We observed that MCT-rats had fewer vessels of the microcirculation compared with Cont-rats. The fundamental result of this study is that fasudil improved pulmonary blood flow distribution and reduced pulmonary pressure in PAH rats, not only by dilating already-perfused vessels (ID > 100 μm), but also by restoring blood flow to vessels that had previously been constricted closed (ID < 100 μm). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was impaired in MCT-rats primarily in vessels with an ID < 200 μm. Moreover the vasoconstrictor response to l-NAME was accentuated in MCT-rats, but only in the 200- to 300-μm vessels. These results highlight the importance of Rho-kinase-mediated control and endothelial control of pulmonary vascular tone in PAH. Indeed, an effective therapeutic strategy for treating PAH should target both the smooth muscle Rho-kinase and endothelial pathways.     

Thyroidectomy blocks stress-induced prolactin rise in rats: role of the central serotonergic system.

Thyroidectomized (TX) adult Wistar male rats and their sham-operated controls were submitted to immobilization stress during forty minutes. Thyroidectomy partially blocks stress-induced prolactin (PRL) secretion. Previous administration of MK 212, a serotonin agonist, reverts this picture. The effect of MK 212 is specifically due to its interaction with 5HT2 receptors, since the injection of LY 53857, a selective blocker of these receptors, 30 min before MK 212, prevents the effect of this serotonin agonist. LY 53857, injected alone, yields a partial blockade of PRL secretion during stress in sham-operated rats. TX rats receiving LY 53857 or saline have comparable low values of plasma PRL during stress. It is suggested that thyroidectomy disrupts the functional integrity of the central serotonergic pathways involved in the stress-induced PRL rise.     

D-2 dopamine antagonist-like effects of SCH 23390 on A9 and A10 dopamine neurons

The effects of SCH 23390 on d-amphetamine-induced suppression of A9 and A10 DA neuronal firing were determined. SCH 23390 potently reversed d-amphetamine on both A9 and A10 DA neurons. Compared to haloperidol, SCH 23390 was 5 times more potent on A9 DA neurons and 20 times more potent on A10 DA neurons. However, the magnitude of the reversal effect was greater with haloperidol than SCH 23390. In addition, haloperidol produced a further increase in firing of both A9 and A10 DA neurons after SCH 23390 maximally increased firing. It was concluded that SCH 23390 has D-2 DA antagonist-like properties, possibly mediated via an interaction at D-1 DA receptors, which may be functionally linked with D-2 DA receptors. The marked potency of SCH 23390 in reversing d-amphetamine could be due to its combined antagonist effects at 5HT2 and D-1 DA receptor sites.     

Role of iPLA2 and store-operated channels in agonist-induced Ca2+ influx and constriction in cerebral, mesenteric, and carotid arteries

Store-operated channels (SOC) and store-operated Ca2+ entry are known to play a major role in agonist-induced constriction of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in conduit vessels. In microvessels the role of SOC remains uncertain, in as much as voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ (Ca2+L) channels are thought to be fully responsible for agonist-induced Ca2+ influx and vasoconstriction. We present evidence that SOC and their activation via a Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2)-mediated pathway play a crucial role in agonist-induced constriction of cerebral, mesenteric, and carotid arteries. Intracellular Ca2+ in SMC and intraluminal diameter were measured simultaneously in intact pressurized vessels in vitro. We demonstrated that 1) Ca2+ and contractile responses to phenylephrine (PE) in cerebral and carotid arteries were equally abolished by nimodipine (a Ca2+L) inhibitor) and 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (an inhibitor of SOC), suggesting that SOC and Ca2+L channels may be involved in agonist-induced constriction of cerebral arteries, and 2) functional inhibition of iPLA2beta totally inhibited PE-induced Ca2+ influx and constriction in cerebral, mesenteric, and carotid arteries, whereas K+-induced Ca2+ influx and vasoconstriction mediated by Ca2+L channels were not affected. Thus iPLA2-dependent activation of SOC is crucial for agonist-induced Ca2+ influx and vasoconstriction in cerebral, mesenteric, and carotid arteries. We propose that, on PE-induced depletion of Ca2+ stores, nonselective SOC are activated via an iPLA2-dependent pathway and may produce a depolarization of SMC, which could trigger a secondary activation of Ca2+L channels and lead to Ca2+ entry and vasoconstriction.     

Effect of changes in pH on wall tension in isolated rat pulmonary artery: role of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway

Pulmonary arteries (PA) are resistant to the vasodilator effects of extracellular acidosis in systemic vessels; the mechanism underlying this difference between systemic and pulmonary circulations has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that RhoA/Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization pathway played a greater role in tension development in pulmonary than in systemic vascular smooth muscle and that this pathway was insensitive to acidosis. In arterial rings contracted with the alpha1-agonist phenylephrine (PE), the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 (< or =3 microM) induced greater relaxation in precontracted PA rings than in aortic rings. In PA rings stimulated by PE, the activation of RhoA was greater than in aorta. Normocapnic acidosis (NA) induced a smaller relaxation in precontracted PA than in aorta. However, in the presence of nifedipine and thapsigargin, when PE-induced contraction was predominantly mediated by Rho-kinase, the relaxant effect of NA was reduced and similar in both vessel types. Furthermore, in the presence of Y-27632, NA induced a greater relaxation in both PA and aorta, which was similar in both vessels. Finally, in alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle, PE-induced contraction at constant Ca2+ activity was inhibited by Y-27632 and unaffected by acidosis. These results indicate that Ca2+ sensitization induced by the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway played a greater role in agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction in PA than in aorta and that tension mediated by this pathway was insensitive to acidosis. The predominant role of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway in the pulmonary vasculature may account for the resistance of this circulation to the vasodilator effect of acidosis observed in the systemic circulation.     

Influence of serotonergic transmission anD postsynaptic 5-HT2C action on the feeding behavior of Coturnix japonica (Galliformes: Aves).

We investigated the role of 5-HT2C receptors and serotonergic transmission in the feeding behavior control of quails. Administration of serotonin releaser, fenfluramine (FEN) and 5-HT2C agonists, mCPP and MK212, 1.0 and 3.3 mg/Kg induced significant inhibition of food intake in previously fasted fowls (0.71 +/- 0.18 g and 0.47 +/- 0.2 g; 0.49 +/- 0.22 g and 0.48 +/- 0.29 g; 0.82 +/- 0.13 g and 0.71 +/- 0.16 g, respectively). Control groups ranged from 2.89 +/- 0.21 g to 2.97 +/- 0.22 g, 60 min after reintroduction of food, P < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained with normally fed quails. Both serotonin releaser and 5-HT2C agonists, in a 3.3 mg/Kg dose, induced hypophagy (FEN, 0.78 +/- 0.08 g; mCPP, 0.89 +/- 0.07 g; MK212, 1.25 +/- 0.17 g vs. controls, 2.05 +/- 0.12 g, 120 min after food was presented, P < 0.0001 to P < 0.01). Previous administration of 5-HT2C antagonist, LY53857 (5.0 mg/Kg) blocked the hypophagic response induced by 5-HT2C agonists 60 min after food was reintroduced. Current data show a modulatory role of serotonin release and postsynaptic 5-HT2C receptors in the feeding behavior of quails.     

Analysis of pulmonary vasodilator responses to the Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil in the anesthetized rat

The small GTP-binding protein Rho and its downstream effector, Rho-kinase, are important regulators of vasoconstrictor tone. Rho-kinase is upregulated in experimental models of pulmonary hypertension, and Rho-kinase inhibitors decrease pulmonary arterial pressure in rodents with monocrotaline and chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. However, less is known about responses to fasudil when pulmonary vascular resistance is elevated on an acute basis by vasoconstrictor agents and ventilatory hypoxia. In the present study, intravenous injections of fasudil reversed pulmonary hypertensive responses to intravenous infusion of the thromboxane receptor agonist, U-46619 and ventilation with a 10% O(2) gas mixture and inhibited pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to intravenous injections of angiotensin II, BAY K 8644, and U-46619 without prior exposure to agonists, which can upregulate Rho-kinase activity. The calcium channel blocker isradipine and fasudil had similar effects and in small doses had additive effects in blunting vasoconstrictor responses, suggesting parallel and series mechanisms in the lung. When pulmonary vascular resistance was increased with U-46619, fasudil produced similar decreases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure, whereas isradipine produced greater decreases in systemic arterial pressure. The hypoxic pressor response was enhanced by 5-10 mg/kg iv nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and fasudil or isradipine reversed the pulmonary hypertensive response to hypoxia in control and in L-NAME-treated animals, suggesting that the response is mediated by Rho-kinase and L-type Ca(2+) channels. These results suggest that Rho-kinase is constitutively active in regulating baseline tone and vasoconstrictor responses in the lung under physiological conditions and that Rho-kinase inhibition attenuates pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to agents that act by different mechanisms without prior exposure to the agonist.     

Interaction of the D1 Receptor Antagonist Sch 23390 with the Central 5-HT System: Radioligang Binding Studies,Measurements of Biochemical Parameters and Effects on L-5-HTP Syndrome

Abstract

The interaction of SCH 23390 with dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) systems has been examined in vivo and in vitro. Like selective 5-HT₂ blockers, SCH 23390 inhibited in vivo [³H]spiperone binding in the rat frontal cortex (ID₅₀: 1.5 mg/kg) without interacting at D₂ sites. SCH 23390 was equipotent to cinanserin and methysergide. In vitro, SCH 23390 inhibited [³H]ketanserin binding to 5-HT₂ sites (IC₅₀ = 30 nM). Biochemical parameters linked to DA and 5-HT were not changed excepted in striatum where SCH 23390 increased HVA and DOPAC. In the L-5-HTP syndrome model, SCH 23390 clearly showed antagonism of 5-HT₂ receptors. SCH 23390 had weak affinity for 5-HT_1B (IC₅₀ = 0.5 μM), 5-HT_1A (IC₅₀ = 2.6 μM) and α;₁-adenergic receptors (IC₅₀ = 4.4 μM).     

Inositol phosphate production in response to [Arg8]vasopressin, endothelin 1, and prostaglandin F2 alpha in rat aorta and mesenteric arteries.

Vascular tissues such as rat aorta and mesenteric arteries are extensively used experimentally for the study of cardiovascular diseases. To further our understanding of the signal transduction mechanisms involved in responses to several potent vasoconstrictors, such as [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP), endothelin 1 (ET-1), and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), we have investigated the time course for production of inositol monophosphate (InsP1), bisphosphate (InsP2), and trisphosphate (InsP3) in response to these agonists as well as their relative potency for phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. Time-course studies of production of the different inositol phosphates in response to AVP and PGF2 alpha showed an early increase after 15-30 s of stimulation. Thereafter InsP3 declined towards baseline, with a secondary increase towards steady state after 5-10 min. Rapid turnover of InsP3 was reflected by accumulation of InsP1 and InsP2 in the presence of LiCl (20 mM) to inhibit monophosphatases. After 15-30 min of stimulation, there was accumulation of the Ins(1,3,4)P3 isomer. All three agonists induced greater accumulation of InsP2 in mesenteric arteries than in thoracic aorta, suggesting that turnover of Ins(1,4,5)P3 may be faster in the former than in the latter. The accumulation of total inositol phosphates induced by maximum concentrations of ET-1 was greater than in response to AVP or PGF2 alpha. Dose-response curves showed that the rank order of potency for stimulation of production of inositol phosphates was AVP > ET-1 > PGF2 alpha, similar to the sensitivity of blood vessels to these agents. Comparison of responses to ET-1 and ET-3 showed that the receptors stimulated by endothelins were of the isopeptide selective ETA subtype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Serotonin hypersensitivity in aorta of two kidney-two clip hypertensive rats: calcium contribution and prostanoids-nitric oxide interactions

Previous studies from our own laboratory have shown that abdominal aorta rings from two kidney - two clip hypertensive rats (HT) develop hypersensitivity to serotonin (SER) which is related to a decreased nitric oxide (NO) availability and enhanced thromboxane A2 production. In the present study we investigated whether calcium and prostanoid-NO interactions are involved in these findings. To this purpose, the aortic responses to SER were analyzed in calcium-free medium and in calcium-depleted aorta placed in normal medium. Moreover, effects of ridogrel (RID, an antagonist of TxA 2/PGH2 receptors and inhibitor of thromboxane synthetase) were analysed by cumulative dose-response curves to SER in the presence and in the absence of the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA). Vascular responses to SER in vessels from HT rats were associated with increased intracellular calcium mobilization. In addition, hypersensitivity to SER in HT group respect to sham group (SH) disappeared in the presence of RID, NOLA and RID plus NOLA. RID decreases the maximum tension to SER and this effect was prevented by NOLA. This inhibition was of a greater magnitude in rings from sham rats (SH): 34 +/- 6% than in HT rats: 15 +/- 6% (p < 0.05). Besides, RID decreased the sensibility to SER in the presence of NOLA only in the HT group. In conclusion, the present study suggests that SER hypersensitivity observed in HT rats is related to a facilitated intracellular calcium mobilization and enhanced TxA2-endoperoxide response. Changes in membrane SER-gated calcium channels opening are observed only during the early hypertensive period. Besides, the lower depressor effect of RID on the maximal tension to SER in aorta rings from HT rats are related with a decreased NO availability in this model of renovascular hypertension.     

Vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1 on hypertensive pulmonary arterial smooth muscle involves Rho-kinase and protein kinase C

Although one of the common characteristics of pulmonary hypertension is abnormal sustained vasoconstriction, the signaling pathways that mediate this heightened pulmonary vascular response are still not well defined. Protein kinase C (PKC) and Rho-kinase are regulators of smooth muscle contraction induced by G protein-coupled receptor agonists including endothelin-1 (ET-1), which has been implicated as a signaling pathway in pulmonary hypertension. Toward this end, it was hypothesized that both Rho-kinase and PKC mediate the pulmonary vascular response to ET-1 in hypertensive pulmonary arterial smooth muscle, and therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of PKC and Rho-kinase signaling in ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in both normotensive (Sprague-Dawley) and hypertensive (Fawn-Hooded) rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle. Results indicate that ET-1 caused greater vasoconstriction in hypertensive pulmonary arteries compared with the normal vessels, and treatment with the PKC antagonists chelerythrine, rottlerin, and G? 6983 inhibited the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 in the hypertensive vessels. In addition, the specific Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 significantly attenuated the effect of ET-1 in both normotensive and hypertensive phenotypes, with greater inhibition occurring in the hypertensive arteries. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed that ET-1 increased RhoA expression in both normotensive and hypertensive pulmonary arteries, with expression being greater in the hypertensive state. These results suggest that both PKC and Rho/Rho-kinase mediate the heightened pulmonary vascular response to ET-1 in hypertensive pulmonary arterial smooth muscle.     

Eucapnic intermittent hypoxia augments endothelin-1 vasoconstriction in rats: role of PKCdelta

We reported previously that simulating sleep apnea by exposing rats to eucapnic intermittent hypoxia (E-IH) causes endothelin-dependent hypertension and increases constrictor sensitivity to endothelin-1 (ET-1). In addition, augmented ET-1-induced constriction in small mesenteric arteries (sMA) is mediated by increased Ca(2+) sensitization independent of Rho-associated kinase. We hypothesized that exposing rats to E-IH augments ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction by increasing protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent Ca(2+) sensitization. In sMA, the nonselective PKC inhibitor GF-109203x (3 microM) significantly inhibited ET-1-stimulated constriction in E-IH arteries but did not affect ET-1-stimulated constriction in sham arteries. Phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 (1 microM) also inhibited constriction by ET-1 in E-IH but not sham sMA. In contrast, the classical PKC (cPKC) inhibitor G?-6976 (1 microM) had no effect on ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction in either group, but a PKCdelta-selective inhibitor (rottlerin, 3 microM) significantly decreased ET-1-mediated constriction in E-IH but not in sham sMA. ET-1 increased PKCdelta phosphorylation in E-IH but not sham sMA. In contrast, ET-1 constriction in thoracic aorta from both sham and E-IH rats was inhibited by G?-6976 but not by rottlerin. These observations support our hypothesis that E-IH exposure significantly increases ET-1-mediated constriction of sMA through PKCdelta activation and modestly augments ET-1 contraction in thoracic aorta through activation of one or more cPKC isoforms. Therefore, upregulation of a PKC pathway may contribute to elevated ET-1-dependent vascular resistance in this model of hypertension.     

Methamphetamine Reduces LTP and Increases Baseline Synaptic Transmission in the CA1 Region of Mouse Hippocampus

Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive psychostimulant whose societal impact is on the rise. Emerging evidence suggests that psychostimulants alter synaptic plasticity in the brain—which may partly account for their adverse effects. While it is known that METH increases the extracellular concentration of monoamines dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, it is not clear how METH alters glutamatergic transmission. Within this context, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acute and systemic METH on basal synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP; an activity-induced increase in synaptic efficacy) in CA1 sub-field in the hippocampus. Both the acute ex vivo application of METH to hippocampal slices and systemic administration of METH decreased LTP. Interestingly, the acute ex vivo application of METH at a concentration of 30 or 60 µM increased baseline synaptic transmission as well as decreased LTP. Pretreatment with eticlopride (D2-like receptor antagonist) did not alter the effects of METH on synaptic transmission or LTP. In contrast, pretreatment with D1/D5 dopamine receptor antagonist {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH23390","term_id":"1052733334","term_text":"SCH23390"}}SCH23390 or 5-HT1A receptor antagonist NAN-190 abrogated the effect of METH on synaptic transmission. Furthermore, METH did not increase baseline synaptic transmission in D1 dopamine receptor haploinsufficient mice. Our findings suggest that METH affects excitatory synaptic transmission via activation of dopamine and serotonin receptor systems in the hippocampus. This modulation may contribute to synaptic maladaption induced by METH addiction and/or METH-mediated cognitive dysfunction.     

Effect of fenoldopam on preconstricted isolated salt-perfused rat lungs

Using an in situ isolated salt-perfused rat lung preparation, we investigated the pulmonary vascular response to fenoldopam (a highly selective dopamine (DA1) agonist) infused at six different doses ranging from 0.1 to 10,000 micrograms/kg, during prostaglandin F2 alpha- (PGF2 alpha) induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. These experiments were repeated after selective DA1-blockade with SCH 23390. Twelve experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of fenoldopam on base-line hemodynamics. Sixty experiments were performed after PGF2 alpha vasoconstriction. Thirty lung preparations were pretreated with SCH 23390. PGF2 alpha was infused into the pulmonary inflow catheter at 2.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 to give a sustained rise in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (5.0 +/- 1.0 mmHg). Fenoldopam, at doses of 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1,000, or 10,000 micrograms/kg, was injected into the pulmonary artery (n = 5 blocked and n = 5 unblocked at each dose). Fenoldopam had no effect on hemodynamics in the absence of PGF2 alpha. In the unblocked group, after PGF2 alpha vasoconstriction, fenoldopam infusion resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the mean pulmonary arterial pressure with a dose-response curve characteristic for a drug-receptor interaction [Response = -1.0 (log Dose) -1.6]. In the DA1-blocked group after PGE2 alpha vasoconstriction, the dose-response curve was shifted to the right but parallel to the unblocked group, indicating competitive receptor blockade [Response -0.8 (log Dose) -0.05]. We conclude that vasodilatory DA1-receptors are responsible for the observed results.