Role of elastic fibers in cooling-induced relaxation

The objective of this work was to confirm the main role of elastic fibers in differing responses of certain vessels during cooling from 37 to 8 degrees C. Previous results have shown that the nature of the vessel (conduit vessel vs muscular vessel) determines the different behavior (dilatation vs contraction) of isolated vessel segments when temperature decreases from 37 to 8 degrees C. In this work, it has been demonstrated that vessels with a great amount of elastic fibers show a dilatation when cooling. On the other hand, muscular vessels with fewer elastic fibers, such as the renal artery, undergo a contraction. The output of calcium from intracellular stores causes contraction of the renal artery during cooling. In this vessel, vasodilatation occurs only when mechanisms of smooth muscle contraction are inactive, as is the case with vessels that have undergone a cold storage period of 48 h. The results presented in this work confirm that there are two main effects, which directly depend on the vessel origin. In conduit arteries, the decrease of temperature induces a vascular relaxation, dependent on the elastic component of the vessel wall. In muscular vessels, the predominant effect is cooling-induced contraction due to an increase of intracellular calcium. This cooling-induced contraction needs the vessel to be in optimal conditions with an active metabolism of the muscular cells. These results are a crucial issue in the sense of explaining several biomedical mechanisms where hypothermia is implicated. The type of vessel implicated in procedures, such as isolated organ perfusion, extracorporeal circulation, and bypass surgery, must be taken into account.     

Disruption of endothelial caveolae is associated with impairment of both NO- as well as EDHF in acetylcholine-induced relaxation depending on their relative contribution in different vascular beds

Caveolae represent an important structural element involved in endothelial signal-transduction. The present study was designed to investigate the role of caveolae in endothelium-dependent relaxation of different vascular beds. Caveolae were disrupted by cholesterol depletion with filipin (4x10(-6) g L(-1)) or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MCD; 1x10(-3) mol L(-1)) and the effect on endothelium-dependent relaxation was studied in rat aorta, small renal arteries and mesenteric arteries in the absence and presence of L-NMMA. The contribution of NO and EDHF, respectively, to total relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) gradually changed from aorta (71.2+/-6.1% and 28.8+/-6.1%), to renal arteries (48.6+/-6.4% and 51.4+/-6.4%) and to mesenteric arteries (9.1+/-4.0% and 90.9+/-4.1%). Electron microscopy confirmed filipin to decrease the number of endothelial caveolae in all vessels studied. Incubation with filipin inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by cumulative doses of ACh (3x10(-9)-10(-4) mol L(-1)) in all three vascular beds. In aorta, treatment with either filipin or MCD only inhibited the NO component, whereas in renal artery both NO and EDHF formation were affected. In contrast, in mesenteric arteries, filipin treatment only reduced EDHF formation. Disruption of endothelial caveolae is associated with the impairment of both NO and EDHF in acetylcholine-induced relaxation.     

Effects of hypoxia on vertebrate blood vessels

Hypoxia contracts mammalian respiratory vessels and increases vascular resistance in respiratory tissues of many vertebrates. In systemic vessels these responses vary, hypoxia relaxes mammalian vessels and contracts systemic arteries from cyclostomes. It has been proposed that hypoxic vasoconstriction in cyclostome systemic arteries is the antecedent to mammalian hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, however, phylogenetic characterization of hypoxic responses is lacking. In this study, we characterized the hypoxic response of isolated systemic and respiratory vessels from a variety of vertebrates using standard myography. Pre-gill/respiratory (ventral aorta, afferent branchial artery, pulmonary artery) and post-gill/systemic (dorsal and thoracic aortas, efferent branchial artery) from lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus), chicken (Gallus domesticus) and rat (Rattus norvegicus) were exposed to hypoxia at rest or during pre-stimulation (elevated extracellular potassium, epinephrine or norepinephrine). Hypoxia produced a relaxation or transient contraction followed by relaxation in all pre-gill vessels, except for contraction in lamprey, and vasoconstriction or tri-phasic constriction-dilation-constriction in all pulmonary vessels. Hypoxia contracted systemic vessels from all animals except shark and rat and in pre-contracted rat aortas it produced a transient contraction followed by relaxation. These results show that while the classic "systemic hypoxic vasodilation and pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction" may occur in the microcirculation, the hypoxic response of the vertebrate macrocirculation is quite variable. These findings also suggest that hypoxic vasoconstriction is a phylogenetically ancient response.     

Endothelial potentiation of relaxation response to ascorbic acid in rat and guinea pog thoracic aorta

The role of the endothelium was evaluated in the relaxation of rat and guinea pig aortic rings induced by ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid relaxed rat and guinea pig aortic rings that were previously contracted with submaximal dose of phenylephrine (PE), in a concentration dependent manner. Removal of the endothelium significantly reduced the sensitivity but not the magnitude of the response to ascorbic acid. Methylene blue, but not propranolol, blocked the endothelial augmentation of vascular relaxation to ascorbic acid. Vessels precontracted with potassium chloride (high K⁺ were also relaxed by ascorbic acid. Methylene blue also inhibited the response to ascorbic acid in the intact vessels precontracted with high K⁺. A23187 and acetylcholine, but not ADP, variably caused endothelium dependent component relaxation in guinea pigs, whereas all of these three probes constantly caused it. In Ca²⁺-free medium, Ca²⁺-induced contraction of high K⁺-depolarized rat aorta was inhibited by the presence of ascorbate, which was more pronounced in endothelium intact rings than in endothelium denuded ones. PE-induced contraction in the presenced of different concentrations of ascorabte reduced both the sensitivity and the maximal contractile force in rat aorta. Ascorbic acid (0.125-32 mM) did not change the pH in the medium. From these findings, it is speculated that 1) receptor- and potential-operated Ca²⁺ channeld may be modulated by ascorbate, 2) endothelium has a significant role in promoting relaxation induced by ascorbic acid.     

Cooling is a potent vasodilator of deep vessels in the rat.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of cooling on smooth muscle tone of the pulmonary artery and aorta and to clarify the basic mechanism of these responses. We recorded isometric tension in smooth muscle strips of rat pulmonary artery and aorta in organ baths during stepwise cooling. Cooling responses were tested before and after the addition of various standard agents that interfere with known neurogenic (autonomic blockers, tetrodotoxin) and myogenic mechanisms (calcium channel blockers) of relaxation. We also examined the hypothesis of the presence of a cooling-released substance. Stepwise cooling (37degrees C to 4 degrees C) of aortic smooth muscle induced reproducible graded relaxations that were inversely proportional to temperature. Cooling-induced relaxation was not dependent on a neural mechanism nor the release of neurotransmitters or a cooling-released substance such as NO or CO. Cooling of pulmonary arterial and aortic smooth muscle preparations induced a graded myogenic relaxation inversely proportional to the cooling temperature. The mechanism is not dependent on local nervous or known mediators but related to a direct physico-chemical effect of cooling.     

Mechanism of vascular relaxation by thaligrisine: functional and binding assays

In the present study we examine the mechanism by which thaligrisine, a bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, inhibits the contractile response of vascular smooth muscle. The work includes functional studies on rat isolated aorta and tail artery precontracted with noradrenaline or KCl. In other experiments rat aorta was precontracted by caffeine in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. In order to assess whether thaligrisine interacts directly with calcium channel binding sites or with alpha-adrenoceptors we examined the effect of the alkaloid on [3H]-(+)-cis diltiazem, [3H]-nitrendipine and [3H]-prazosin binding to cerebral cortical membranes. The functional studies showed that the alkaloid inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the contractile response induced by depolarization in rat aorta (IC50 = 8.9+/-2.9 microM, n=5) and in tail artery (IC50 = 3.04+/-0.3 microM, n=6) or noradrenaline induced contraction in rat aorta (IC50 = 23.0+/-0.39 microM, n=9) and in tail artery (IC50 = 3.8+/-0.9 microM, n=7). In rat aorta, thaligrisine concentration-dependently inhibited noradrenaline-induced contraction in Ca2+-free solution (IC50 = 13.3 microM, n=18). The alkaloid also relaxed the spontaneous contractile response elicited by extracellular calcium after depletion of noradrenaline-sensitive intracellular stores (IC50 = 7.7 microM, n=4). The radioligand receptor-binding study showed that thaligrisine has higher affinity for [3H]-prazosin than for [3H]-(+)-cis-diltiazem binding sites, with Ki values of 0.048+/-0.007 microM and 1.5+/-1.1 microM respectively. [3H]-nitrendipine binding was not affected by thaligrisine. The present work provides evidence that thaligrisine shows higher affinity for [3H]-prazosin binding site than [3H]-(+)-cis-diltiazem binding sites, in contrast with tetrandrine and isotetrandrine that present similar affinity for both receptors. In functional studies thaligrisine, acted as an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist and as a Ca2+ channel blocker, relaxing noradrenaline or KCl-induced contractions in vascular smooth muscle. This compound specifically inhibits the refilling of internal Ca2+-stores sensitive to noradrenaline, by blocking Ca2+-entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+-channels.     

Day-night variation in the in vitro contractility of aorta and mesenteric and renal arteries in transgenic hypertensive rats

TGR(mREN2)27 (TGR) rats develop severe hypertension and an inverted circadian blood pressure profile with peak blood pressure in the daytime rest phase. The present study investigated the in vitro responsiveness of different arteries of TGR rats during day and night. Twelve-week-old TGR rats and normotensive Sprague-Dawley (SPRD) controls, synchronized to 12h light, 12h dark (LD 12:12) (light 07:00 19:00), were killed at 09:00 (during rest) and 21:00 (during activity), and endothelium-dependent relaxation by acetylcholine and vascular contraction by angiotensin II were studied by measuring isometric force in ring segments of abdominal aorta and mesenteric and renal arteries. In SPRD rats, consistent day-night variation was found, with greater responses to angiotensin II during the daytime rest span. In TGR rats, biological time-dependent differences were found in the renal vasculature, but not in the aorta and mesenteric artery. Relaxation of SPRD rat aorta and mesenteric artery by acetylcholine was greater at 09:00, whereas in TGR rats, day-night variation was absent (mesenteric artery) or inverted (aorta). In conclusion, based on the study of two time points, daynight variation in vascular contractility of aorta and mesenteric artery is blunted in TGR rats, whereas renal artery segments showed an unchanged daynight pattern compared to SPRD controls. (Chronobiology International, 18(4), 665 681, 2001)     

慢性缺氧对自发性高血压大鼠血液动力学和血管反应性的影响

本研究观察了鼠龄10周的自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)在慢性缺氧条件下(模拟海拔5000m,15d)体动脉压(SBP)、平均肺动脉压(MPAP)、左、右心室收缩指数(LVIC、RVIC)和舒张指数(LVIR、RVIR)以及血管反应性的变化。结果表明,慢性缺氧明显阻抑SHR大鼠SBP升高(P<0.05),但使SHR大鼠MPAP升高(P<0.001)。慢性缺氧还可增大SHR大鼠LVIC和LVIR,增强SHR大鼠胸主动脉对乙酰胆碱(ACh)的舒张反应,减弱其对5-羟色胺(5-HT)的收缩反应。SHR大鼠肺动脉对ACh和5-HT的反应则与主动脉相反。实验结果提示,慢性缺氧阻抑SHR大鼠血压升高与血管反应性的改变有关。     

DAY-NIGHT VARIATION IN THE IN VITRO CONTRACTILITY OF AORTA AND MESENTERIC AND RENAL ARTERIES IN TRANSGENIC HYPERTENSIVE RATS*

TGR(mREN2)27 (TGR) rats develop severe hypertension and an inverted circadian blood pressure profile with peak blood pressure in the daytime rest phase. The present study investigated the in vitro responsiveness of different arteries of TGR rats during day and night. Twelve-week-old TGR rats and normotensive Sprague-Dawley (SPRD) controls, synchronized to 12h light, 12h dark (LD 12:12) (light 07:00 19:00), were killed at 09:00 (during rest) and 21:00 (during activity), and endothelium-dependent relaxation by acetylcholine and vascular contraction by angiotensin II were studied by measuring isometric force in ring segments of abdominal aorta and mesenteric and renal arteries. In SPRD rats, consistent day-night variation was found, with greater responses to angiotensin II during the daytime rest span. In TGR rats, biological time-dependent differences were found in the renal vasculature, but not in the aorta and mesenteric artery. Relaxation of SPRD rat aorta and mesenteric artery by acetylcholine was greater at 09:00, whereas in TGR rats, day-night variation was absent (mesenteric artery) or inverted (aorta). In conclusion, based on the study of two time points, daynight variation in vascular contractility of aorta and mesenteric artery is blunted in TGR rats, whereas renal artery segments showed an unchanged daynight pattern compared to SPRD controls. (Chronobiology International, 18(4), 665 681, 2001)     

白细胞介素-2引起离体大鼠主动脉环舒张及其作用机制

本文旨在研究白细胞介素－2（interleukin-2,IL-2）以离体大鼠胸主动脉环收缩张力的作用及其可能机制。采用累积加药法,检测IL－2对去氧肾上腺素（PE）和KCl预收缩的胸主动脉环收缩张力的影响。结果表明,IL－2（1、10、100、1000U／ml）对PE（10μmol/L）预收缩的内皮完整血管环产生浓度依赖性的舒张作用,而对KCl (120mmol/L）预收缩的血管无作用,去除内皮后,IL－2的舒张作用被取消。用一氧化氮合酶抑制剂L－NAME（0.1mmol/L）和鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂亚甲蓝（10μmol/L）预处理,均可阻断IL－2的舒张血管作用。用环氧合酶抑制剂吲哚美辛（Indo,10μmol/L）预处理可阻断IL－2的血管舒张作用。从上述观察结果推论,IL－2通过NO－鸟苷酸环化酶和环氧合酶途径产生内皮依赖的血管舒张作用。     

Levobupivacaine-induced contraction of isolated rat aorta is calcium dependent

Levobupivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic that intrinsically produces vasoconstriction in isolated vessels. The goals of this study were to investigate the calcium-dependent mechanism underlying levobupivacaine-induced contraction of isolated rat aorta in vitro and to elucidate the pathway responsible for the endothelium-dependent attenuation of levobupivacaine-induced contraction. Isolated rat aortic rings were suspended to record isometric tension. Cumulative levobupivacaine concentration-response curves were generated in either the presence or absence of the antagonists verapamil, nifedipine, SKF-96365, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate, Gd(3+), N(W)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and methylene blue, either alone or in combination. Verapamil, nifedipine, SKF-96365, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate, low calcium concentrations, and calcium-free Krebs solution attenuated levobupivacaine-induced contraction. Gd(3+) had no effect on levobupivacaine-induced contraction. Levobupivacaine increased intracellular calcium levels in vascular smooth muscle cells. L-NAME, ODQ, and methylene blue increased levobupivacaine-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aorta. SKF-96365 attenuated calcium-induced contraction in a previously calcium-free isotonic depolarizing solution containing 100?mmol/L KCl. Levobupivacaine-induced contraction of rat aortic smooth muscle is mediated primarily by calcium influx from the extracellular space mainly via voltage-operated calcium channels and, in part, by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-mediated release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The nitric oxide - cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway is involved in the endothelium-dependent attenuation of levobupivacaine-induced contraction.     

Mechanics of caudal artery relaxation in control and hypertensive rats

Alterations of smooth muscle function can just as easily stem from mechanical alterations in its ability to relax as from alteration in contraction. Since a failure of arterial smooth muscle to relax may contribute to the development of hypertension, we felt it necessary to study the relaxation process in greater depth. The effect of load on the time course of relaxation of rat caudal artery smooth muscle was analyzed either by comparing afterloaded contractions against various loads or by imposing abrupt alterations in load. Unlike mammalian striated muscles in which relaxation was reported sensitive to loading conditions, relaxation in the smooth muscle of the rat caudal artery (n = 17) was found to be largely independent of loading conditions. This type of relaxation has been termed "inactivation-dependent" relaxation; it is typical of muscle tissue in which the calcium sequestering apparatus is poorly developed. Our results suggest that calcium resequestration, or some biochemical process downstream to it, is the rate-limiting step during relaxation in arterial smooth muscle and that this is not qualitatively different for hypertensive arterial smooth muscle. These analytic techniques were used in the study of relaxation of hypertensive vessels. Quantitative analysis of the relaxation curves showed that both isometric and isotonic relaxation time was prolonged in hypertensive arterial smooth muscle. Prolonged isotonic relaxation indicates that hypertensive arteries remain narrowed for prolonged periods compared with normotensive vessels. Such narrowed vessels may be a factor in the increased total peripheral resistance seen in genetic hypertension.     

Vasorelaxant activity of cyclic peptide, cyclosquamosin B, from Annona squamosa

A cyclic octapeptide, cyclosquamosin B (2), isolated from the seeds of Annona squamosa showed a vasorelaxant effect on rat aorta. It showed a slow relaxation activity against norepinephrine (NE)-induced contractions of rat aorta with/without endothelium. It showed inhibition effect on vasocontraction of depolarized aorta with high concentration potassium, but moderately inhibition effect on NE-induced contraction in the presence of nicardipine. These results showed that the vasorelaxant effect by 2 might be attributed mainly to inhibition of calcium influx from extracellular space through voltage-dependent calcium channels.     

Field stimulation-induced tetrodotoxin-resistant vasorelaxation is mediated by sodium hypochlorite

This study was done to determine the mechanism of field stimulation-induced tetrodotoxin (TTX)- and NG- nitro-l-arginine (LNA)-resistant vasorelaxation. Field stimulation with platinum and carbon, but not with silver, electrodes (30 V, 30 HZ, 2-5 ms pulse width) as well as electrically stimulated salt (0.9% NaCl) solution (ESSS) or Krebs solution caused 100% relaxation of phenylephrine-contracted rat aortic strips, which was TTX and LNA resistant and endothelium independent. ESSS also relaxed other vascular preparations (rabbit aorta and renal artery, dog coronary artery, pig ductus arteriosus, and rat portal vein). The electric current generated hypochlorite (OCl-) and H2O2 from the salt solution; however, vasorelaxation was caused by NaOCl and not by H2O2. ESSS and NaOCl caused contraction failure of spontaneously beating right atria of rats and did not affect uterine contractions, vascular cAMP, cGMP, or the pH of the tissue bath. Field stimulation, ESSS, and NaOCl did not relax aortic preparations contracted by 32 mmol/L potassium and their vasorelaxant effects on phenylephrine-contracted rat aortic strips and rings were completely reversed by tetraethylammonium and partially by glibenclamide and iberiotoxin. We conclude that electric pulses generate the oxidant OCl- from the salt solution, which causes vasorelaxation by increasing K+ conductance.     

EDRF-release and Ca+(+)-channel blockade by magnolol, an antiplatelet agent isolated from Chinese herb Magnolia officinalis, in rat thoracic aorta

Magnolol is an antiplatelet agent isolated from Chinese herb Magnolia officinalis. It inhibited norepinephrine (NE, 3 microM)-induced phasic and tonic contractions in rat thoracic aorta. At the plateau of the NE-induced tonic contraction, addition of magnolol caused two phases (fast and slow) of relaxation. These two relaxations were concentration-dependent (10-100 micrograms/ml), and were not inhibited by indomethacin (20 microM). The fast relaxation was completely antagonized by hemoglobin (10 microM) and methylene blue (50 microM), and disappeared in de-endothelialized aorta while the slow relaxation was not affected by the above treatments. Magnolol also inhibited high potassium (60 mM)-induced, calcium-dependent (0.03 to 3 mM) contraction of rat aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. 45Ca(+)+ influx induced by high potassium or NE was markedly inhibited by magnolol. Cyclic GMP, but not PGI2, was increased by magnolol in intact, but not in de-endothelialized aorta. It is concluded that magnolol relaxed vascular smooth muscle by releasing endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and by inhibiting calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels.     

Energy-dependent calcium uptake activity of microsomes from the aorta of normal and hypertensive rats

Energy-dependent calcium uptake activity of microsomes isolated from the rat aorta has been characterized. The microsomes consist of smooth membrane vesicles which in the presence of Mg · ATP as an energy source continuously sequester calcium over a 60-min period. This calcium uptake is greatly stimulated by oxalate anion which serves as a calcium trapping agent. Unlike the calcium uptake of miltochondria this uptake is not inhibited by sodium azide. Sucrose density gradient analysis of the microsomal calcium uptake suggests that the system is associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In presence of 5 mM Mg · ATP and 20μM calcium approximately 38 nmol of calcium per mg of microsormal protein are taken up in 20 min. In the absence of ATP, less than 2 nmol of calcium per mg of protein are taken up in the first 2 min. with no further uptake of calcium in subsequent time periods. When calcium uptake activity is plotted against calcium or ATP concentration of the medium, half maximal activity is calculated for 24.3 μM calcium and for 1.6 mM ATP. The calcium uptake characteristics of the rat aorta microsomes are compatible with a postulated role in the relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle and the provision of an intracellular calcium store for muscle contraction.Aorta microsomes from SHR rats (a genetic strain that is spontaneously hypertensive) have a significantly reduced calcium uptake when compared with the corresponding nonhypertensive control strain. The level of calcium and ATP for half maximal activity of the rat aorta microsomal calcium uptake system is approximately the same in the SHR and the control strain. The rate of release of calcium from rat aorta microsomes is apparently identical in SHR strain and control. The calcium uptake activity of kidney and liver microsomes isolated from the SHR rat appears to be identical to that found in the control strain.Rats were treated with the steroid deoxycorticosterone acetate for ten and thirty days to induce hypertension. After ten days of deoxycorticosterone acetate although hypertension is present, there is no change in calcium uptake activity of aorta microsomes, renal microsomes or renal plasma membranes. After 30 days of deoxycorticosterone acetate treatment calcium uptake activity of renal microsomes is reduced. A variable decrease in calcium uptake activity is observed with aorta microsomes. Renal plasma membrane calcium uptake remains unchanged.     

The alpha adrenoceptors on endothelial cells

Endothelial cells release a powerful factor (endothelium-derived relaxing factor [EDRF]) that relaxes smooth muscle cells in response to some vasodilating agents such as acetylcholine. Contraction curves to norepinephrine (NE) in greyhound, mongrel dog, and pig coronary artery rings were studied in vitro in the presence of propranolol. Removal of endothelium increased the sensitivity and maximum contraction in response to NE. In other experiments pig coronary rings were precontracted with a thromboxane mimetic U 46619 in the presence of propranolol. NE relaxed these arteries only if endothelium was present. Methoxamine was without effect but the relaxation response to NE was antagonized by phentolamine, idazoxan, and yohimbine, which suggests that there are alpha 2 adrenoceptors on endothelial cells that mediate the release of EDRF. Greyhound and mongrel dog large coronary arteries relaxed to NE only if prazosin was present, which suggests that alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation on the vascular smooth muscle can override the relaxation response to EDRF. Comparison of NE responses in carotid, mesenteric, renal, and femoral large arteries of the pig, greyhound, and mongrel dog indicate the nonuniformity of distribution of alpha 2 adrenoceptors on endothelium and alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle. The integrity of the endothelium must now be considered in interpreting the vascular responses to alpha-adrenoceptor agonists.     

In vitro relaxation of rabbit and human internal anal sphincter by rutaecarpine, an alkaloid isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa

Rutaecarpine, a compound extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb Evodia rutaecarpa, has been shown to possess relaxing action on vascular smooth muscle from rat thoracic aorta. The internal anal sphincter is a specialized smooth muscle regulating important anorectal physiology. To investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of rutaecarpine on internal anal sphincter, muscle strips from rabbit internal anal sphincter were used. The results showed that rutaecarpine (1 x 10(-10) M to 1 x 10(-4) M) produced a concentration-dependent muscular relaxation effect in our preparations, which were precontracted with acetylcholine. This muscular relaxation effect was not affected by treatment with L-N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), methylene blue (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor), N-ethylmaleimide (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor), or by removal of the mucosa and submucosa tissue. Pretreatment with nifedipine (a calcium channel blocker) or extracellular Ca+2 removal by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) greatly attenuated the relaxation effect, suggesting that calcium ion might be involved. In experiments using strips from human internal anal sphincter, an even more prominent relaxation effect was shown. It is thus concluded that rutaecarpine caused relaxation on internal anal sphincter from rabbits and human subjects. The relaxation action was not related to NO-cGMP pathway, instead calcium ion might play an important role and shed insight into clinical implications for those anorectal disorders with hyperactive anal tone.     

Dextromethorphan Mediated Bitter Taste Receptor Activation in the Pulmonary Circuit Causes Vasoconstriction

Activation of bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) in human airway smooth muscle cells leads to muscle relaxation and bronchodilation. This finding led to our hypothesis that T2Rs are expressed in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and might be involved in regulating the vascular tone. RT-PCR was performed to reveal the expression of T2Rs in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Of the 25 T2Rs, 21 were expressed in these cells. Functional characterization was done by calcium imaging after stimulating the cells with different bitter agonists. Increased calcium responses were observed with most of the agonists, the largest increase seen for dextromethorphan. Previously in site-directed mutational studies, we have characterized the response of T2R1 to dextromethorphan, therefore, T2R1 was selected for further analysis in this study. Knockdown with T2R1 specific shRNA decreased mRNA levels, protein levels and dextromethorphan-induced calcium responses in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells by up to 50%. To analyze if T2Rs are involved in regulating the pulmonary vascular tone, ex vivo studies using pulmonary arterial and airway rings were pursued. Myographic studies using porcine pulmonary arterial and airway rings showed that stimulation with dextromethorphan led to contraction of the pulmonary arterial and relaxation of the airway rings. This study shows that dextromethorphan, acting through T2R1, causes vasoconstrictor responses in the pulmonary circuit and relaxation in the airways.     

Peptidoleukotrienes induce an endothelium-dependent relaxation of guinea pig main pulmonary artery and thoracic aorta

The purpose of our investigation was to assess the role of the endothelium in the vasomotor effects of leukotrienes. Norepinephrine-preconstricted rings isolated from guinea pig main pulmonary artery and thoracic aorta responded to LTC4 and LTD4 with a concentration-dependent relaxation. In endothelium-denuded rings, both LTC4 and LTD4 caused a concentration-dependent contraction. The LTD4 receptor antagonist ICI 198,615 inhibited both LTC4- and LTD4-induced relaxation and contraction. Inhibition of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase with AT-125 prevented the effects of LTC4, but not those of LTD4. The relaxant effect of LTD4 was not modified by indomethacin, but was abolished by methylene blue. We conclude that: 1) LTD4 induces a receptor-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation of cavian pulmonary artery and aorta; 2) the vasorelaxant effect of LTC4 requires its conversion to LTD4; 3) the vasorelaxant effect of LTD4 is unrelated to PGI2 release, and is probably due to the release of an "EDRF"; 4) the removal of the endothelium reveals a direct receptor-mediated vasoconstricting effect of leukotrienes.