慢性缺氧对大鼠肺动胍内皮依赖性舒张反应及CGMP含量的影响

This experiment was designed to investigate whether chronic hypoxia affect rat pulmonary artery (PA) endothelium-dependent relaxation and the content of cGMP in PA. Both ACh and ATP could induce endothelium-dependent relaxation of PA, not prevented by indomethacin, but completely abolished by methylene blue. These results indicated that vasodilatation of PA induced by both ACh and ATP is mediated by EDRF (endothelium-derived relaxing factor). Chronic hypoxia significantly depressed PA endothelium-dependent relaxation. The percent relaxation of IPPA and EPPA by 10(-6) mol/L ACh was 61.3% and 59.2% of those in control, and the percent relaxation of IPPA and EPPA by 1.8 x 10(-5) mol/L ATP was 64.9% and 55.3% respectively of the control. Chronic hypoxia also depressed SNP-induced endothelium-independent relaxation. Chronic hypoxia significantly decreased the content of cGMP in PA. The basic level of cGMP was 51.9 +/- 5.7 (n = 14) in hypoxia group and 84.9 +/- 9.7 (n = 14) pmol/g wet wt. in control group (P less than 0.01). After treatment of PA with ACh (10(-7) mol/L), the content of cGMP was 91.4 +/- 7.3 (n = 5) pmol/g wet wt. in hypoxic group and 240.8 +/- 30.6 (n = 5) pmol/g wet wt. in control group (P less than 0.01). Our data suggest that chronic hypoxia might depress rat pulmonary artery endothelium-dependent relaxation through the inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

The effect of C-type natriuretic peptide on delayed rectifier potassium currents in gastric antral circular myocytes of the guinea-pig

C-type natriuretic peptides (CNP) play an inhibitory role in smooth muscle motility of the gastrointestinal tract, but the effect of CNP on delayed rectifier potassium currents is still unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of CNP on delayed rectifier potassium currents and its mechanism by using conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique in guinea-pig gastric myocytes isolated by collagenase. CNP significantly inhibited delayed rectifier potassium currents [I(K (V))] in dose-dependent manner, and CNP inhibited the peak current elicited by depolarized step pulse to 86.1+/-1.6 % (n=7, P<0.05), 78.4+/-2.6 % (n=10, P<0.01) and 67.7+/-2.3 % (n=14, P<0.01), at concentrations of 0.01 micromol/l, 0.1 micromol/l and 1 micromol/l, respectively, at +60 mV. When the cells were preincubated with 0.1 micromol/l LY83583, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, the 1 ?micromol/l CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was significantly impaired but when the cells were preincubated with 0.1 micromol/l zaprinast, a cGMP-sensitive phosphodiesterase inhibitor, the 0.01 micromol/l CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was significantly potentiated. 8-Br-cGMP, a membrane permeable cGMP analogue mimicked inhibitory effect of CNP on I(K (V)). CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was completely blocked by KT5823, an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). The results suggest that CNP inhibits the delayed rectifier potassium currents via cGMP-PKG signal pathway in the gastric antral circular myocytes of the guinea-pig.     

Regional heterogeneity in acetylcholine-induced relaxation in rat vascular bed: role of calcium-activated K+ channels

Ca+ -activated K+ -channels (KCa) regulate vasomotor tone via smooth muscle hyperpolarization and relaxation. The relative contribution of the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated relaxation differs depending on vessel type and size. It is unknown whether these KCa channels are differentially distributed along the same vascular bed and hence have different roles in mediating the EDHF response. We therefore assessed the role of small- (SKCa), intermediate- (IKCa), and large-conductance (BKCa) channels in mediating acetylcholine-induced relaxations in both first- and fourth-order side branches of the rat superior mesenteric artery (MA1 and MA4, respectively). Two-millimeter segments of each MA were mounted in the wire myograph, incubated with Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 micromol/l) and indomethacin (10 micromol/l), and precontracted with phenylephrine (10 micromol/l). Cumulative concentration-response curves to ACh (0.001-10 micromol/l) were performed in the absence or presence of selective KCa channel antagonists. Apamin almost completely abolished these relaxations in MA4 but only partially blocked relaxations in MA1. The selective IKCa channel blocker 1-[(2-chlorophenyl) diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (TRAM-34) caused a significantly greater inhibition of the ACh-induced relaxation in MA4 compared with MA1. Iberiotoxin had no inhibitory effect in MA4 but blunted relaxation in MA1. Relative mRNA expression levels of SKCa (rSK1, rSK3, and rSK4 = rIK1) were significantly higher in MA4 compared with MA1. BKCa (rBKalpha1 and rBKbeta1) genes were similar in both MA1 and MA4. Our data demonstrate regional heterogeneity in SKCa and IKCa function and gene expression and stress the importance of these channels in smaller resistance-sized arteries, where the role of EDHF is more pronounced.     

Nitric oxide inhibition unmasks ischemic myocardium-derived vasoconstrictor signals activating endothelin type A receptor of coronary microvessels

NO plays an important role in the compensatory increase in coronary flow conductance against myocardial ischemia, and NO bioavailability is impaired in various diseases. We tested the hypothesis that, when NO production is inhibited, vasoconstrictor signals from the ischemic myocardium are unmasked. We investigated the involvement of endothelin type A (ETA) receptors in the transduction of the constrictor signal. To detect coronary vasoactive signals derived from ischemic myocardium, we used a bioassay system in which an isolated rabbit coronary microvessel (detector vessel, DV) was placed on beating myocardium perfused by the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of an anesthetized open-chest dog (n = 38). The DV was pressurized to 60 cmH2O throughout the experiment and observed with an intravital microscope equipped with a floating objective. After the intrinsic tone of the DV was established, vehicle (n = 7), Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 100 micromol/l; n = 13), L-NNA + BQ-123 (a selective ETA receptor blocker, 1 micromol/l; n = 7), or BQ-123 alone (1 micromol/l; n = 7) was superfused onto the DV. Thereafter, the LAD of the beating heart was occluded. Coronary occlusion produced significant dilation of the DV by 10 +/- 4%. When L-NNA was applied, the DV significantly constricted by 12 +/- 5% in response to LAD occlusion, and BQ-123 abolished the vasoconstriction. Pretreatment with BQ-123 alone produced an enhancement of the ischemia-induced dilation. We conclude that ischemic myocardium releases transferable vasomotor signals that produce coronary microvascular constriction during the blockade of NO production and the constrictor signal is mediated by ETA receptors.     

一氧化碳对大鼠离体肺动脉的舒张作用

本研究观察了一氧化碳 (CO)对离体大鼠肺动脉的舒张作用。制备Wistar大鼠肺动脉环 ,作出ACh浓度效应曲线之后 ,肺动脉环用一氧化氮合成酶抑制剂L NAME 3 0 μmol/L (n =10 )或血红素氧化酶抑制剂ZnPPIX 10μmol/L +L NAME 3 0 μmol/L (n =10 )孵育 3 0min ,再制备一个ACh的浓度效应曲线 ,观察ZnPPIX对ACh的浓度效应曲线的影响。另取一组肺动脉环 ,分为内皮完整组和去内皮组 ,观察外源性CO对肺动脉环张力的影响。结果表明 ,用L NAME孵育后 ,ACh的血管舒张反应受抑 ,最大抑制率为 5 0 4± 9 2 % ;用ZnPPIX +L NAME孵育后 ,ACh的血管舒张反应进一步受抑 ,最大抑制率为 84 4± 11 2 %。外源性CO无论对内皮完整组还是去内皮组肺动脉都有舒张作用。本研究提示 ,ZnPPIX可抑制ACh的内皮依赖性肺动脉舒张反应 ,CO是一个内皮源性的血管舒张因子 ,外源性CO可舒张肺动脉     

Apamin-sensitive nitric oxide- and ATP-mediated motor effects on the guinea pig small intestine

The involvement of nitric oxide and ATP in both spontaneous and electrically-induced nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) motor activity with special interest in the apamin-sensitive mechanisms was studied in a guinea pig ileum model. Depending on the concentration (0.1 or 1 micromol/l), apamin, a blocker of the calcium-activated potassium channels and antagonist of ATP action, induced either TTX (0.1 micromol/l)-resistant increase in tone or contractions. SNP, a nitric oxide donor, applied cumulatively (0.1-100 micromol/l) evoked a concentration-dependent relaxation, the EC50 value being 0.39 +/- 0.12 micromol/l. At concentrations of 0.1 or 1 micromol/l, apamin decreased the SNP effects and shifted the concentration-response curves for SNP to the right. The EC50 value for SNP in the presence of apamin at a concentration of 0.1 micromol/l increased to 59.34 +/- 36.53 micromol/l. ATP (1 or 50 micromol/l) induced TTX-resistant contractions. The effects of ATP were reduced by apamin (1 micromol/l). The contractile effect of ATP occurred in the presence of SNP. SNP provoked relaxation on the background of ATP. The NANC responses to electrical stimulation (0.8 ms, 40 V, 2 or 20 Hz, 20 s) consisted of an initial relaxation phase followed by a phase of contractions, twitch-like and tonic. L-NNA (0.5 mmol/l), an inhibitor of nitric oxide syntheses, abolished the relaxation phase. L-arginine (0.5 mmol/l) restored it. Apamin (0.1 or 1 micromol/l) completely eliminated the relaxation phase and concentration-dependently inhibited the tonic contraction of the phase of contractions. The present findings indicate that the apamin-sensitive nitric oxide-evoked relaxation could be realized by calcium-activated potassium channels and that the apamin-sensitive ATP-induced contraction is mediated via contraction-producing P2 purinoceptors.     

Effects of glutamine supplementation, GH, and IGF-I on glutamine metabolism in critically ill patients

During critical illness glutamine deficiency may develop. Glutamine supplementation can restore plasma concentration to normal, but the effect on glutamine metabolism is unknown. The use of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to prevent protein catabolism in these patients may exacerbate the glutamine deficiency. We have investigated, in critically ill patients, the effects of 72 h of treatment with standard parenteral nutrition (TPN; n = 6), TPN supplemented with glutamine (TPNGLN; 0.4 g x kg(-1) x day(-1), n = 6), or TPNGLN with combined GH (0.2 IU. kg(-1). day(-1)) and IGF-I (160 microg x kg (-1) x day(-1)) (TPNGLN+GH/IGF-I; n = 5) on glutamine metabolism using [2-(15)N]glutamine. In patients receiving TPNGLN and TPNGLN+GH/IGF-I, plasma glutamine concentration was increased (338 +/- 22 vs. 461 +/- 24 micromol/l, P < 0.001, and 307 +/- 65 vs. 524 +/- 71 micromol/l, P < 0.05, respectively) and glutamine uptake was increased (5.2 +/- 0.5 vs. 7.4 +/- 0.7 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.05 and 5.2 +/- 1.1 vs. 7.6 +/- 0.8 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.05). Glutamine production and metabolic clearance rates were not altered by the three treatments. These results suggest that there is an increased requirement for glutamine in critically ill patients. Combined GH/IGF-I treatment with TPNGLN did not have adverse effects on glutamine metabolism.     

Interaction between endogenously produced carbon monoxide and nitric oxide in regulation of renal afferent arterioles

Heme oxygenases (HO-1 and HO-2) catalyze the conversion of heme to carbon monoxide (CO), iron, and biliverdin. CO causes vasorelaxation via stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and/or activation of calcium-activated potassium channels. Because nitric oxide (NO) exerts effects via the same pathways, we tested the interaction between CO and NO on rat afferent arterioles (AAs) using the blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation. AAs were superfused with either tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer, known as CO releasing molecule (CORM-2), 10 micromol/l CO solution, or 15 micromol/l chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP, HO inhibitor). AAs were also superfused with 1 mmol/l N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) to inhibit NO synthase (NOS) or 10 micromol/l 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one to inhibit sGC, and then CrMP was superfused during NOS inhibition or sGC inhibition. Treatment with 150 and 300 micromol/l CORM-2 or with CO (10 micromol/l) significantly dilated AAs (22.0 +/- 0.9 and 22.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 18.3 +/- 0.9 microm, n = 5, P < 0.05; and 26.0 +/- 1.4 vs. 18.8 +/- 0.7 microm, n = 5, P < 0.05). In untreated vessels, HO inhibition did not alter AA diameter (17.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 17.2 +/- 0.6 microm, n = 7, P > 0.05); however, during inhibition of NO production, which constricted arterioles to 14.6 +/- 1.2 microm, n = 6, P < 0.05, concurrent HO inhibition led to further vasoconstriction (11.7 +/- 1.6 microm, n = 6, P < 0.05). CORM-2 attenuated the L-NNA-induced vasoconstriction. Inhibition of sGC caused significant constriction (15.7 +/- 0.4 vs. 18.8 +/- 0.4 microm, n = 6, P < 0.05). HO inhibition during sGC inhibition did not cause further change in AAs (15.5 +/- 0.7 microm, n = 6). We conclude that endogenously produced CO does not exert a perceptible influence on AA diameter in the presence of intact NO system; however, when NO production is inhibited, CO serves as an important renoprotective reserve mechanism to prevent excess afferent arteriolar constriction.     

Role of cGMP as a mediator of nerve-induced motor functions of the opossum esophagus

Stimulation of esophageal nerves produces biphasic relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and an off response of circular esophageal muscle. Previously, we proposed that cGMP mediates nerve-induced hyperpolarization of circular LES muscle but not LES relaxation. These experiments explore whether cGMP mediates LES relaxation or the off response. Strips of muscle from the opossum esophagus and LES were connected to force-displacement transducers, placed in tissue baths containing oxygenated Krebs solution at 37 degrees C, and stimulated by an electrical field. 1H-[1,2, 4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a selective inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, antagonized the off response, shortened its latency, and blocked the first phase of LES relaxation. ODQ also antagonized LES relaxation by exogenous nitric oxide (NO) but not relaxations by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Part of the nerve-induced LES relaxation and the off response appear to be mediated by the second messenger cGMP. These studies indicate that VIP-induced LES relaxation is not mediated by cGMP and therefore do not support the hypothesis that VIP produces LES relaxation by causing the generation of NO.     

Nitric oxide sensitivity in pulmonary artery and airway smooth muscle: a possible role for cGMP responsiveness

We aimed to assess intrinsic smooth muscle mechanisms contributing to greater nitric oxide (NO) responsiveness in pulmonary vascular vs. airway smooth muscle. Porcine pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASM) and tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips were used in concentration-response studies to the NO donor (Z)-1-[N-2-aminoethyl-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA-NO). PASM consistently exhibited greater relaxation at a given DETA-NO concentration (NO responsiveness) than TSM NO responsiveness, with DETA-NO log EC(50) being -6.55 +/- 0.11 and -5.37 +/- 0.13 for PASM and TSM, respectively (P < 0.01). We determined relationships between tissue cGMP concentration ([cGMP](i)) and relaxation using the particulate guanylyl cyclase agonist atrial natriuretic peptide. Atrial natriuretic peptide resulted in nearly complete relaxation, with no detectable increase in [cGMP](i) in PASM and only 20% relaxation (10-fold increase in [cGMP](i)) in TSM, indicating that TSM is less cGMP responsive than PASM. Total cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI) mRNA expression was greater in PASM than in TSM (2.23 +/- 0.36 vs. 0.93 +/- 0.31 amol mRNA/mug total RNA, respectively; P < 0.01), but total cGKI protein expression was not significantly different (0.56 +/- 0.07 and 0.49 +/- 0.04 ng cGKI/mug protein, respectively). The phosphotransferase assay for the soluble fraction of tissue homogenates demonstrated no difference in the cGMP EC(50) between PASM and TSM. The maximal phosphotransferase activity indexed to the amount of total cGKI in the homogenate differed significantly between PASM and TSM (1.61 +/- 0.15 and 1.04 +/- pmol.min(-1).ng cGKI(-1), respectively; P < 0.05), suggesting that cGKI may be regulated differently in the two tissues. A novel intrinsic smooth muscle mechanism accounting for greater NO responsiveness in PASM vs. TSM is thus greater cGMP responsiveness from increased cGKI-specific activity in PASM.     

Preconditioning blocks cardiocyte apoptosis: role of K(ATP) channels and PKC-epsilon

The aims of this study were to determine whether preconditioning blocks cardiocyte apoptosis and to determine the role of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels and the protein kinase C epsilon-isoform (PKC-epsilon) in this effect. Ventricular myocytes from 10-day-old chick embryos were used. In the control series, 10 h of simulated ischemia followed by 12 h of reoxygenation resulted in 42 +/- 3% apoptosis (n = 8). These results were consistent with DNA laddering and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Preconditioning, elicited with three cycles of 1 min of ischemia separated by 5 min of reoxygenation before subjection to prolonged simulated ischemia, markedly attenuated the apoptotic process (28 +/- 4%, n = 8). The selective mitochondrial K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (400 micromol/l), given before ischemia, mimicked preconditioning effects to prevent apoptosis (22 +/- 4%, n = 6). Pretreatment with 5-hydroxydecanoate (100 micromol/l), a selective mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker, abolished preconditioning (42 +/- 2%, n = 6). In addition, the effects of preconditioning and diazoxide were blocked with the specific PKC inhibitors G?-6976 (0.1 micromol/l) or chelerythrine (4 micromol/l), given at simulated ischemia and reoxygenation. Furthermore, preconditioning and diazoxide selectively activated PKC-epsilon in the particulate fraction before simulated ischemia without effect on the total fraction, cytosolic fraction, and PKC delta-isoform. The specific PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (0.2 micromol/l), added during simulated ischemia and reoxygenation, mimicked preconditioning to block apoptosis. Opening mitochondrial K(ATP) channels blocks cardiocyte apoptosis via activating PKC-epsilon in cultured ventricular myocytes. Through this signal transduction, preconditioning blocks apoptosis and preserves cardiac function in ischemia-reperfusion.     

Behavioral,metabolic, and molecular correlates of lower insulin sensitivity in Mexican-Americans

We determined whether lower insulin sensitivity persists in young, nonobese, nondiabetic Mexican-American [MA; n = 13, 27.0 +/- 2.0 yr, body mass index (BMI) 23.0 +/- 0.7] compared with non-Hispanic white (NHW; n = 13, 24.8 +/- 1.5 yr, BMI 22.8 +/- 0.6) males and females after accounting for cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal O(2) uptake), abdominal fat distribution (computed tomography scans), dietary intake (4-day records), and skeletal muscle insulin-signaling protein abundance from muscle biopsies (Western blot analysis). MA were significantly less insulin sensitive compared with their NHW counterparts when estimated by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (MA: 1.53 +/- 0.22 vs. NHW: 0.87 +/- 0.16, P < 0.05) and the revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (MA: 0.45 +/- 0.08 vs. NHW: 0.58 +/- 0.19, P = 0.05). However, skeletal muscle protein abundance of insulin receptor-beta (IRbeta), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85 subunit, Akt1, Akt2, and GLUT4 were not significantly different. Differences in indexes of insulin sensitivity lost significance after percent dietary intake of palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, and skeletal muscle protein abundance of IRbeta were accounted for. We conclude that differences in insulin sensitivity between nonobese, nondiabetic MA and NHW persist after effects of chronic and acute exercise and total and abdominal fat distribution are accounted for. These differences may be mediated, in part, by dietary fat intake.     

去甲肾上腺素引起蟾蜍背根神经节神经细胞膜电位变化的离子机制

本文应用细胞内记录方法,对去甲肾上腺素(NA)引起蟾蜍背根神经节(DRG)神经细胞膜电位去极化或超极化反应时的膜电导及翻转电位值进行了测量,并观察了钾和钙离子通道阻断剂灌流DRG对NA引起膜电位反应的影响。当NA引起去极化反应时,15个细胞的膜电导减小32.6％。少数细胞膜电导开始增加,继而减小(n=4)。NA超极化反应时膜电导增加13.2％(n=8)。NA去极化反应的翻转电位值为-88.5±0.9mV((?)±SE,n=4),NA超极化反应在膜电位处于-89至-92mV时消失。 钾通道阻断剂四乙铵可使NA去极化幅值增加73.7±11.9％((?)±SE,n=7),并使NA超极化幅值减小40.5％(n=4)。细胞内注入氯化铯使苯肾上腺素去极化幅值增加34.5％(n=4)。钙通道阻断剂氯化锰使NA去极化及超极化反应分别减小50.5±9.9％((?)±SE,n=10)和89.5±4.9％((?)±SE,n=7)。结果提示,NA引起DRG神经细胞膜电位的去极化或超极化反应,可能与膜的钾及钙通道活动的改变有关。     

Hydrogen sulfide as an endogenous regulator of vascular smooth muscle tone in trout

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is an endogenous vasodilator in mammals, but its presence and function in other vertebrates is unknown. We generated H(2)S from NaHS and examined the effects on isolated efferent branchial arteries from steelhead (stEBA) or rainbow (rtEBA) trout. H(2)S concentration was measured colorimetrically (CM) and with ion-selective electrodes (ISE) in rainbow trout plasma. NaHS produced a triphasic response consisting of a relaxation (phase 1), constriction (phase 2), and relaxation (phase 3) in both unstimulated vessels and in stEBA precontracted with carbachol (Carb). Phase 1 and phase 3 in stEBA were decreased and phase 2 increased in unstimulated vessels by K(+)(ATP) channel inhibition (glibenclamide), or a cocktail of inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P-450 (indomethacin, esculetin, and clotrimazole). Inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase with ODQ o NS-2028 inhibited phase 3 in stEBA, although NaHS decreased cGMP production by tEBA. stEBA phase 2 contractions were partially inhibited by the myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, ML-9, but unaffected by L-type calcium channel inhibition (methoxyverapamil), whereas contraction in tEBA was partially inhibited by nifedipine or removal of extracellular calcium. Phase 3 relaxations were more pronounced in stEBA precontracted with Carb and no epinephrine (NE) than those cont acted by KCl or K(2)SO(4). stEBA phase 2 and phase 3 responses were dose dependent (EC(50) = 1.1 +/- 1.2 x 10(-3) M and 6.7 +/- 0.9 x 10(-5) M, respectively; n = 7). NaHS was also vasoactive in steelhead bulbus arteriosus, celiac mesenteric arteries, and anterior cardinal veins. Rainbow trout plasma sulfide concentration was 4.0 +/- 0.3 x 10(-5) M, n = 4 (CM) and 3.8 +/- 0.4 x 10(-5) M, n = 9 (ISE); similar to phase 3 EC(50). Because NaHS has substantial vasoactive effects at physiological plasma concentrations, we propose that its soluble derivative, H(2)S, is a tonically active endogenous vasoregulator in trout.     

Suppression of cortical functional hyperemia to vibrissal stimulation in the rat by epoxygenase inhibitors

Application of glutamate to glial cell cultures stimulates the formation and release of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) from arachidonic acid by cytochome P-450 epoxygenases. Epoxygenase inhibitors reduce the cerebral vasodilator response to glutamate and N-methyl-D-aspartate. We tested the hypothesis that epoxygenase inhibitors reduce the somatosensory cortical blood flow response to whisker activation. In chloralose-anesthetized rats, percent changes in cortical perfusion over whisker barrel cortex were measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry during whisker stimulation. Two pharmacologically distinct inhibitors were superfused subdurally: 1) N-methylsulfonyl-6-(2-propargyloxyphenyl)hexanamide (MS-PPOH), an epoxygenase substrate inhibitor; and 2) miconazole, a reversible cytochrome P-450 inhibitor acting on the heme moiety. Superfusion with 5 micromol/l MS-PPOH decreased the hyperemic response to whisker stimulation by 28% (from 25 +/- 9 to 18 +/- 7%, means +/- SD, n = 8). With 20 micromol/l MS-PPOH superfusion, the response was decreased by 69% (from 28 +/- 9% to 9 +/- 4%, n = 8). Superfusion with 20 micromol/l miconazole decreased the flow response by 67% (from 31 +/- 6% to 10 +/- 3%, n = 8). Subsequent superfusion with vehicle restored the response to 26 +/- 11%. Indomethacin did not prevent MS-PPOH inhibition of the flow response, suggesting that EET-related vasodilation was not dependent solely on cyclooxygenase metabolism of 5,6-EET. Neither MS-PPOH nor miconazole changed baseline flow, reduced the blood flow response to an adenosine A(2) agonist, or decreased somatosensory evoked potentials. The marked reduction of the cortical flow response to whisker stimulation with two different types of epoxygenase inhibitors indicates that EETs play an important role in the physiological coupling of blood flow to neural activation.     

Betaine analogues alter homocysteine metabolism in rats

Glycine betaine supplementation lowers homocysteine levels in homocystinuria and in chronic renal failure patients through methylation catalysed by betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of glycine betaine analogues on homocysteine metabolism in Lewis rats. Glycine betaine, proline betaine, trigonelline, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) or dimethylthetin (1.5 mmoles) was subcutaneously administered to rats fed a low betaine diet. The effect of each betaine on total plasma homocysteine and urinary and plasma betaine concentrations was monitored for 24h following administration. Baseline plasma homocysteine was 8.5 +/- micromol/l (S.E.M., n=44) and compared to controls concentrations decreased following glycine betaine (0.8+/-0.4 micromol/l, P = 0.064), DMSP (1.0+/-0.5 micromol/l, P = 0.041) and dimethylthetin (1.5 +/- 0.7micromol/l, P = 0.033) treatment, while concentrations increased following proline betaine (2.24 +/-0.7micromol/l, P = 0.002) and trigonelline (1.6 +/-0.3 micromol/l, P < 0.001) treatment. The effect of glycine betaine, DMSP and dimethylthetin on circulating homocysteine concentrations was thought to be mediated by BHMT in vivo. This hypothesis was supported by the finding that circulating glycine betaine concentrations increased following DMSP and dimethylthetin treatment. Proline betaine and trigonelline appeared to be poor BHMT substrates, being largely excreted in the urine unchanged, yet increased circulating homocysteine levels. This suggests they are inhibitors of BHMT. Urinary excretion of glycine betaine increased following treatment with all betaines, suggesting that the resorption of glycine betaine in the kidney was inhibited. The study shows that glycine betaine analogues have multiple effects on homocysteine metabolism (250).     

Hyperlipoproteinemia impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation

Atherogenic lipoproteins can cause endothelial dysfunction in the initial stage of atherogenesis. In our study we examined 134 patients with defined hyperlipoproteinemia (non-HDL cholesterol>4.1 mmol/l or triglycerides>2.5 mmol/l or taking any of lipid lowering drugs)--94 men and 40 women. The subgroup of controls of comparable age contained 54 normolipidemic individuals--30 men and 24 women. Patients with hyperlipoproteinemia revealed significantly lower ability of endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (EDV) measured on brachial artery (4.13+/-3.07 vs. 5.41+/-3.82 %; p=0.032) and higher carotid intima media thickness than normolipidemic controls (0.68+/-0.22 vs. 0.58+/-0.15 mm; p=0.005). In regression analysis, EDV correlated significantly with plasma concentrations of oxLDL (p<0.05) HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05), Apo A1 (p<0.05), ATI (p<0.01) and non-HDL cholesterol (p<0.05). Patients with hyperlipoproteinemia showed higher plasma levels of oxLDL (65.77+/-9.54 vs. 56.49+/-7.80 U/l; p=0.015), malondialdehyde (0.89+/-0.09 vs. 0.73+/-0.08 micromol/l; p=0.010) and nitrites/nitrates (20.42+/-4.88 vs. 16.37+/-4.44 micromol/l; p=0.018) indicating possible higher long-term oxidative stress in these patients.     

乙酰胆碱对蟾蜍背根神经节神经元膜电位的影响及离子机制

在离体灌流的蟾蜍背根神经节(DRG)标本上,用微电极进行胞内记录。在73个神经元中,依神经纤维的传导速度将神经元分为 A 型及 C 型,其中 A 型细胞67个,C 型6个,静息膜电位为-67.5±1.3mV((?)±SE)。当加4×10~(-4)—6×10~(-4)mol/L 乙酰胆碱(ACh),可观察到如下四种膜电位变化:1.超极化:幅值9.1±3.0mV((?)±SE,n=23);(2)去极化:幅值12.9±2.2mV((?)+SE,n=20);(3)双相反应(n=24):先超极化,后去极化,超极化幅值8.0±2.4mV((?)+SE),去极化幅值10.9±3.1mV((?)±SE);(4)无反应(n=6)。用阿托品(1.3×10~(-5)mol/L,n=23),或同时应用筒箭毒与六甲双铵(浓度均为1.4×10~(-5)mol/L,n=8)灌流,能分别阻断 ACh 引起的膜的超极化或去极化。ACh 引起超极化反应时膜电导平均增加13.8%,翻转电位值大约-96mV。四乙铵(TEA,20mmol/L)能使 ACh 的去极化幅值增加48.2±3.2%((?)±SE,n=6),超极化幅值减小79.4±4.3%((?)±SE,n=8)。MnCl_2(4mmol/L)使 ACh 的去极化及超极化幅值分别减小54.2±7.2%((?)±SE,n=5)及69.2±6.4%((?)±SE,n=14)。以上结果提示:ACh 引起的 DRG 神经细胞膜去极化反应由 N 型乙酰胆碱受体介导,而超极化反应由 Μ 型乙酰胆碱受体介导,前者可能包含了多种离子电导的改变,后者则可能与钾电导增加有关。     

Evidence for the involvement of myoendothelial gap junctions in EDHF-mediated relaxation in the rat middle cerebral artery

The mechanisms underlying endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) remain largely unresolved. In particular, very little is known regarding the way in which the signal is transmitted from endothelium to smooth muscle. The present study tested the hypothesis that direct communication via myoendothelial gap junctions contributes to the EDHF response in the male rat MCA. EDHF-mediated dilations were elicited in rat MCAs by luminal application of ATP or UTP in the presence of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin. Maximum dilation to luminal ATP (10(-4) M) was reduced significantly after incubation with a gap peptide cocktail (9 +/- 4%, n = 6) compared with a scrambled gap peptide cocktail (99 +/- 1%, n = 6, P < 0.05). A gap peptide cocktail had no effect on amplitude of endothelial cell hyperpolarization in response to 3 x 10(-5) M UTP (22 +/- 3 vs. 22 +/- 1 mV, n = 4), whereas smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization was significantly attenuated (17 +/- 1 vs. 6 +/- 1 mV, n = 4, P = 0.004). Connexin (Cx) 37 was localized to smooth muscle and Cx43 to endothelium, whereas Cx40 was found in endothelium and smooth muscle. Electron microscopy revealed the existence of frequent myoendothelial junctions. The total number of myoendothelial junctions per 5 microm of MCA sectioned was 2.5 +/- 0.5. Our results suggest that myoendothelial communication contributes to smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization and EDHF dilation in male rat MCA.     

Peroxynitrite hyperpolarizes smooth muscle and relaxes internal carotid artery in rabbit via ATP-sensitive K+ channels

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) on smooth muscle membrane potential and vasomotor function in rabbit carotid arteries. ONOO- is known to affect vascular tone by several mechanisms, including effects on K+ channels. Xanthine (X, 0.1 mM), xanthine oxidase (XO, 0.01 U/ml), and a low concentration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10 nM) were used to generate ONOO-. In the common carotid artery, X and XO (X/XO) in the presence of SNP tended to increase tension. In contrast, in the internal carotid artery, X/XO in the presence of SNP transiently hyperpolarized the membrane (-8.5 +/- 1.8 mV, mean +/- SE) and decreased tension (by 85 +/- 5.6%). In internal carotid arteries, in the absence of SNP, X/XO did not hyperpolarize the membrane and produced much less relaxation (by 23 +/- 5.6%) than X/XO and SNP. Ebselen (50 microM) inhibited both hyperpolarization and relaxation to X/XO and SNP, and uric acid (100 microM) inhibited relaxation. Glibenclamide (1 microM) abolished hyperpolarization and inhibited relaxation during X/XO and SNP. Charybdotoxin (100 nM) or tetraethylammonium (1 mM) did not affect hyperpolarization or relaxation, respectively. These results suggest that ONOO- hyperpolarizes and relaxes smooth muscle in rabbit internal carotid artery but not in common carotid artery through activation of K(ATP) channels.