Cardiac and coronary consequences of intracoronary platelet activating factor infusion in the domestic pig

In previous studies we have shown that platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent vasoactive substance with deleterious effects on coronary blood flow (CBF) and myocardial performance. The present study further investigates the effects of PAF during its sustained intracoronary infusion in the blood-perfused domestic pig (n = 16). PAF infusion (1-9 nmol/min) produced triphasic changes in CBF (n = 7): an initial brief phase of coronary dilation (14 +/- 2% above baseline), followed by severe reduction in CBF due to increase in coronary vascular resistance and a third phase of escape that was characterized by return of CBF towards baseline in spite of continuing PAF infusion. In 9 remaining pigs PAF infusion had a biphasic response: the first phase of coronary dilation rapidly turned into severe coronary constriction accompanied by severe systemic hypotension and death within a few min. PAF infusion caused a profound rise in systemic arterial and coronary venous thromboxane B2 levels, while 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and leukotriene C4-immunoreactivity levels were not changed. Indomethacin completely blocked the rise in thromboxane level during PAF infusion and abolished the constrictor effect of PAF on the coronary vessels. These data suggest that PAF might play a detrimental role on the coronary circulation and cardiac function, primarily through thromboxane A2 mediated mechanism.     

Biphasic effects of platelet-activating factor on coronary blood flow in anesthetized dog

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), modulates vascular tone by influencing prostaglandin release and vascular permeability. To determine its coronary effects we administered RAF (0.3 to 10 ug) into the left main coronary artery of anesthetized dogs with patent left circumflex (LCx) and narrowed left anterior descending (LAD) coronary arteries. RAF produced an initial increase followed by a decrease in coronary blood flow (CBF). The CBF increase was greater in the patent LCx than in the narrowed LAD, but the decrease was similar in both. These effects of RAF on CBF were dose-dependent, and associated with an increase in prostacyclin and thromboxane A₂ metabolites. To examine the contribution of prostaglandin release in coronary effects of PAF, dogs were pretreated with indomethacin (5 mg/kg) followed by administration of PAF. In indomethacin-pretreated animals, the coronary effects of RAF were significantly attenuated. This study shows that RAF has biphasic effects on CBF in the normal coronary artery, but the major effect in the narrowed coronary is decrease in CBF. These effects of RAF can be attenuated by prior treatment of dogs with indomethacin.     

Beagle puppy model of intraventricular hemorrhage: Ethamsylate studies

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) remains a major problem of preterm neonates, and ethamsylate, an inhibitor of specific prostaglandin-synthetic enzymes has been demonstrated to prevent IVH in these patients. We have examined the effects of ethamsylate on newborn beagle pups who were, by randomized computerized design, assigned to four cells consisting of (a) either ethamsylate or saline pretreatment and (b) either insulted or not insulted with hemorrhagic hypovolemia/volume re-expansion. Prostaglandin levels were obtained prior to and thirty minutes following administration of the solutions and ¹⁴C iodoantipyrine autoradiography was performed for cerebral blood flow (CBF) determinations.Ethymsylate produced a significant decrease in the incidence of IVH in this model (p < 0.05). Following drug administration, ethamsylate-pretreated pups had significant declines in thromboxane B₂ and 6-keto PGF_1α levels, the major breakdown products of thromboxane A₂ and prostacyclin. Although ethamsylate significantly lowered baseline CBF in all brain regions examined in insulted and non-insulted pups (p < 0.05), in the drug-treated group it did not prevent the changes seen in CBF to the germinal matrix region which were detected in the saline-pretreated pups. Nor did it significantly blunt the blood pressure changes in response to the hemorrhagic hypovolemia/volume re-expansion insult found in the latter group of animals. In addition, only ethamsylate pretreated pups had marked hypotensive responses to the reperfusion phase of the insult. Although the diminution of baseline CBF may contribute to the prevention of neonatal IVH which this drug has been demonstrated to exhibit, ethamsylate may also act as a capillary stabilizing agent.     

Role of thromboxane A2 and platelet activating factor in early haemodynamic response to lipopolysaccharide in rats.

The mechanism of early pulmonary and systemic haemodynamic response to intravenous infusion of LPS from Escherichia coli was investigated in anesthetised Wistar rats. 10 mg of LPS given at a rate of 4 mg/kg/min but not at a rate of 1 mg/kg/min induced an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and a fall in systemic arterial pressure (SAP). Pretreatment with a PAF receptor antagonist; WEB 2170 (5 and 25 mg/kg) inhibited both PAP and SAP responses to LPS (4 mg/kg/min) while an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis; Camonagrel (10 and 20 mg/kg) abolished PAP response without a major effect on SAP response to LPS. In conclusion, both PAF and TXA2 mediate LPS induced rise in pulmonary arterial pressure while LPS-induced fall in systemic arterial pressure is mediated by PAF.     

The effects of platelet-activating factor on flow rate and eicosanoid release in the isolated perfused rat gastric vascular bed

In the isolated rat stomach perfused via the vasculature in situ under constant pressure bolus injections of platelet-activating factor (PAF, 3, 16, or 50 ng) induced dose-dependent, long-lasting reductions of flow rates and simultaneously significant increases in the release of cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LT), thromboxane (TX) B₂ and 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F_1α. Reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography demonstrated the release of a mixture of comparable amounts of LTC₄, LTD₄ and LTE₄ by PAF. Inhibition of cys-LT sythesis by the lipoxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and L-651, 896 did not significantly affect PAF-induced flow reduction indicating that endogenous cys-LT are of minor importance for the PAF effect on gastric vascular flow. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the cys-LT receptor antagonist FPL 55712 in a concentration (1 × 10⁻⁶ M) that completely antagonized gastric flow reduction by exogenous LTC₄ (1 × 10⁻⁷ M) had no effect on the PAF-induced reduction of flow. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin aggravated the PAF-induced flow reduction suggesting that the endogenous vasodilator PGI₂ might act as a functional PAF antagonist in the rat gastric vascular bed. In contrast to FPL 55712 the PAF antagonist BN 52021 significantly and concentration-dependently antagonized the PAF effect on gastric vascular flow. The results demonstrate that PAF and LTC₄ induce flow reductions in the rat gastric vascular bed by activating different receptors and that endogenous eicosanoids released by PAF do not contribute significantly to the PAF effect on gastric vascular flow.     

Prostacyclin inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine release but stimulates thromboxane synthesis during cardiopulmonary bypass

The antiaggregating agent prostacyclin (PGI₂) was infused into ten dogs during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to minimize thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction. The animals were anesthetized, placed on mechanical ventilation and underwent thoracotomy. After heparinization with 300 u/kg, animals were assigned to control (n=5) or PGI₂ treated groups (n=5). Thoracotomy and then CPB decreased platelet numbers to below 30, 000/mm³ (p < 0.05) and fibrinogen to less than 150 mg/dl (p < 0.05). PGI₂ at 100 ng/kg·min was infused for the 2 h period of CPB. PGI₂ infusion did not prevent these changes, but did prevent platelet serotonin release. In the control group after CPB, platelet serotonin fell from the baseline value of 1.11 μg/10⁹ to 0.35 μg/10⁹ platelets (p < 0.05). In contrast, PGI₂ treatment resulted in a serotonin increase to 2.27 μg/10⁹ platelets (p < 0.05). Thromboxane B₂ concentrations of platelets and plasma rose during CPB (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, PGI₂ infusion accentuated this rise in platelet and plasma thromboxane B₂ (p < 0.05). These data indicate that during CPB, an infusion of PGI₂: 1) does not prevent thrombocytopenia; 2) increases platelet serotonin uptake despite, 3) an associated rise in platelet and plasma thromboxane B₂.     

Pulmonary vascular response to thrombin: Effects of thromboxane synthetase inhibition with OKY-046 and OKY-1581

We examined the effects of thromboxane synthetase inhibition with OKY-1581 and OKY-046 on pulmonary hemodynamics and lung fluid balance after thrombin-induced intravascular coagulation. Studies were made in anesthetized sheep prepared with lyng lymph fistulas. Pulmonary intravascular coagulation was induced by i.v. infusion of α-thrombin over a 15 min period. Thrombin infusion in control sheep resulted in immediate increases in pulmonary artery pressure (P ) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which associated with rapid 3-fold increase in pulmonary lymph flow (Q̇lym) and a delayed increase in lymph-to-plasma protein concentration (L/P) ratio, indicating an increase in the pulmonary microvascular permeability to proteins. Thrombin-induced intravascular coagulation alos increased arterial thromboxane B₂ (a metabolite of thromboxane A₂) and 6-keto-PGF_1α concentrations (a metabolite of prostacyclin). Both OKY-1581 and OKY-046 prevented thromboxane B₂ and 6-keto-PGF_1α generation. The initial increments in P and PVR were attenuated in both treated groups. The increases in Q̇lym were gradual in the treated groups but attained the same levels as in control group. However, the increases in Q̇lym were associated with decreases in L/P ratio. In both treated groups, the leukocyte count decreased after thrombin infusion but then increased steadily above the baseline value, whereas the leukocyte count remained depressed in the control group after thrombin. These studies indicate that a part of the initial pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to thrombin-induced intravascular coagulation is mediated by thromboxane generation. In addition, thromboxane may also contribute to the increase in lung vascular permeability to proteins that occurs after intravascular coagulation and this effect may be mediated by a thromboxane-neutrophil interaction.     

Mechanisms of hypotension produced by platelet-activating factor

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid mediator that induces cardiovascular collapse and release of the secondary mediator thromboxane A2 (TxA2). To clarify mechanisms involved in this collapse and, specifically, the relative contribution of left ventricular and right ventricular dysfunction, we studied 12 open-chest pigs. PAF infusion (0.04-0.28 nmol.kg-1.min-1) induced a 5- to 120-fold increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, a 75-98% fall in cardiac output, and systemic arterial hypotension. Right ventricular failure was indicated by chamber enlargement, decreased shortening, and increased right atrial pressures. In contrast, left ventricular dysfunction was accompanied by decreases in chamber dimensions and filling pressures that were unresponsive to volume expansion. U 46619 (a stable TxA2 analogue) and mechanical pulmonary artery constriction induced changes similar to PAF. In 11 additional closed-chest pigs, TxA2 blockade with indomethacin attenuated the PAF-induced rise in pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular dysfunction, and systemic hypotension. A specific TxA2 synthase inhibitor, OKY-046, also diminished hemodynamic effects of PAF in six other pigs. Tachyphylaxis was not observed in five pigs repeatedly given PAF. We conclude that acute right ventricular failure as the result of severe increase in pulmonary vascular resistance is the primary mechanism early in the course of PAF-induced shock in the pig. PAF-induced release of TxA2 may contribute significantly to these events.     

Dose-dependent effects of a pyridoquinazoline thromboxane synthetase inhibitor on arachidonic acid metabolites and hemodynamics during E. Coli endotoxemia in anesthetized sheep

We investigated the effects of a new pyridoquinazoline thromboxane synthetase inhibitor infused before administering endotoxin into 18 anesthetized sheep with lung lymph fistulas. In normal sheep increasing plasma Ro 23-3423 concentrations were associated with increased plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α, a reduced systemic vascular resistance (SVR, r = −0.80) and systemic arterial pressure (SAP, r = −0.92), the mean SAP falling from 80 to 50 mm Hg at the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses. Endotoxin infused into normal sheep caused transient pulmonary vasoconstriction associated with increased TxB₂ and 6-keto-PGF_1α levels while vasoconstriction and TxB₂ increase were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with Ro 23-3423 in a dose-dependent manner. When compared to controls, plasma and lymph levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α, PGF_2α and PGE₂ after endotoxin infusion were increased several-fold by administering Ro 23-3423 up to plasma levels of 10 μg/ml. Doses over 30 mg/kg with blood levels above 10 μg/ml reduced plasma and lymph levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α, PGF_2α and PGE₂, suggesting cyclooxygenase blockade at this dose. The peak 6-keto-PGF_1α levels at 60 min after endotoxin infusion in sheep with Ro-23-3423 levels below 10 μg/ml were associated with the greatest systemic hypotension due to a reduced SVR (r = −0.86). After endotoxin infusion the leukotrienes B₄, C₄, D₄ and E₄ in lung lymph were assayed by radioimmunoassay and high pressure liquid chromatography and remained at baseline values.     

Mechanism of the inhibition of platelet aggregation produced by prostaglandin F2α

The inhibition of human platelet aggregation produced by PGF_2α is not specific for thromboxane A₂ mimetics. Aggregation waves induced by PAF and thrombin are also inhibited by PGF_2α (8 μM); ADP is unaffected. These effects are still seen in platelets from aspirin-treated donors and platelets desensitized to thromboxane-like agonists (e.g. 11,9-epoxymethano PGH₂). In contrast the thromboxane receptor antagonist EP 045 (up to 20 μM) had no effect on primary aggregation induced by PAF, thrombin and ADP. We have previously shown that EP 045 (IC₅₀ = 0.5 μM), displaces the specific binding of [³H] 9,11-epoxymethano PGH₂ to washed human platelets.PGF_2α produces small increases in cAMP levels, and both this effect and the anti-aggregation are diminished by the adenyl cyclase inhibitor SQ 22536. The rise in cAMP induced by PGF_2α is inhibited to a greater extent by the presence of ADP than by thrombin, PAF or a thromboxane mimetic. The ability of aggregating agents to inhibit this increase correlates inversely with their sensitivity to inhibition by PGF_2α.We suggest that the very weak effect of PGF_2α on cyclic AMP_ production is sufficient to account for its inhibitory activity, and it is unlikely to be a competitive antagonist at the platelet thromboxane receptor as suggested by others.     

Effect of magnesium sulfate administration on subendocardial and subepicardial perfusion

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of systemic MgSO₄ infusion on subendocardial and subepicardial perfusion. Seventeen spontaneously breathing piglets were examined. Myocardial perfusion was measured using radiolabeled microspheres at baseline, 30 and 60 min after either MgSO₄ (80 mg/kg) or saline infusion. Blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output were also measured at these time intervals. Comparison of the magnesiuminduced changes in systemic blood pressure and on subendocardial and subepicardial perfusion at 30 and 60 min with values obtained with saline solution at 30 and 60 min, yielded no statistically significant difference (Tables 1–3). The ratio of subendocardial/subepicardial blood flow and subendocardial and subepicardial coronary vascular resistance at 30 and 60 min revealed no statistically significant differences between the magnesium and the control group (Table 3). There were no statistically significant difference in cardiac output and heart rate during any of the measured periods (Table 2). Our results suggest that the administration of MgSO₄ does not alter the ratio of subendocardial/subepicardial blood flow and the ratio of subendocardial/subepicardial coronary vascular resistance.     

Simultaneous Imaging of CBF Change and BOLD with Saturation-Recovery-T1 Method

A neuroimaging technique based on the saturation-recovery (SR)-T₁ MRI method was applied for simultaneously imaging blood oxygenation level dependence (BOLD) contrast and cerebral blood flow change (ΔCBF), which is determined by CBF-sensitive T₁ relaxation rate change (ΔR₁ ^CBF). This technique was validated by quantitatively examining the relationships among ΔR₁ ^CBF, ΔCBF, BOLD and relative CBF change (rCBF), which was simultaneously measured by laser Doppler flowmetry under global ischemia and hypercapnia conditions, respectively, in the rat brain. It was found that during ischemia, BOLD decreased 23.1±2.8% in the cortical area; ΔR₁ ^CBF decreased 0.020±0.004s^-1 corresponding to a ΔCBF decrease of 1.07±0.24 ml/g/min and 89.5±1.8% CBF reduction (n=5), resulting in a baseline CBF value (=1.18 ml/g/min) consistent with the literature reports. The CBF change quantification based on temperature corrected ΔR₁ ^CBF had a better accuracy than apparent R₁ change (ΔR₁ ^app); nevertheless, ΔR₁ ^app without temperature correction still provides a good approximation for quantifying CBF change since perfusion dominates the evolution of the longitudinal relaxation rate (R₁ ^app). In contrast to the excellent consistency between ΔCBF and rCBF measured during and after ischemia, the BOLD change during the post-ischemia period was temporally disassociated with ΔCBF, indicating distinct CBF and BOLD responses. Similar results were also observed for the hypercapnia study. The overall results demonstrate that the SR-T₁ MRI method is effective for noninvasive and quantitative imaging of both ΔCBF and BOLD associated with physiological and/or pathological changes.     

Effects of Dexamethasone and Cox Inhibitors on Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral Perfusion in the Lipopolysaccharide Treated Rats with Hyperammonemia

IntroductionSystemic inflammation may affect the brain by aggravating the stage of encephalopathy and increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) especially if liver insufficiency with hyperammonemia is present. The aim of this study was to determine if the influence of concomitant hyperammonemia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the brain can be prevented by dexamethasone and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors.MethodFifty-four male Wistar rats, 6 in each group, were divided into the following groups: Saline+saline; LPS (2mg/kg)+saline; LPS+indomethacin (10mg/kg); LPS+diclofenac (10mg/kg); LPS+dexamethasone (2mg/kg) in experiment A. Experiment-B included the following groups: LPS+NH3 (140μmol/kg/min)+saline; LPS+NH3+indomethacin; LPS+NH3+diclofenac and LPS+NH3+dexamethasone. ICP was monitored via a catheter placed in cisterna magna and changes in CBF were recorded by laser Doppler flowmetry.ResultsLPS with and without NH3 induced a similar increase in plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin-F_1α (6-keto-PGF_1α) concentration together with a concomitant rise in CBF and ICP. Indomethacin and diclofenac prevented the increase in ICP by LPS alone, and with the addition of NH3 the increase in both CBF and ICP, which was associated with a decrease in 6-keto-PGF_1α. Dexamethasone only reduced the LPS induced increase in ICP but not CBF, and partly the 6-keto-PGF_1α plasma concentration in the combined setup.ConclusionThese data indicate that activation of cycloooxygenases is of central importance for development of cerebral hyperemia and high ICP during concomitant systemic inflammation and hyperammonemia.     

Carbocyclic thromboxane A2: Aggrevation of myocardial ischemia by a new synthetic thromboxane A2 analog

$\text{In vitro}$ experiments indicate that thromboxane A₂ (TA₂) is a potent platelet aggregator and vascular constrictor. However, it is unclear what roles these specific actions may contribute in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia. Carbocyclic thromboxane A₂ (CTA₂), a TA₂ analog, constricts isolated perfused cat coronary arteries, but does not aggregate platelets, and thus appeared useful to clarify these separate actions of TA₂. In anesthetized cats, radioactive labeled microspheres were injected into the left atrium for measurement of cardiac output and tissue blood flows. Compared to control measurements, CTA₂ infusion (4.8 μg·kg^?1·min^?1 to 10 min) significantly decreased cardiac output from 347 ± 16 ml·min^?1 to 248 ± 16 ml·min^?1 (p<0.025). Furthermore, V7 CTA₂ also significantly reduced blood flow to the left ventricle by 33 ± 7%, but did not alter heart rate or MABP in the intact cat. In cats subjected to left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, infusion of CTA₂ (1 μg·min^?1 for 120 minutes) 30 min after ligation resulted in a significantly reduced myocardial cellular integrity as measured by myocardial creatine kinase activity (p<0.01) or percent bound myocardial cathepsin D (p<0.01). Thus, these data suggest that activation of vascular thromboxane receptors as well as direct cellular damage may play a role in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia.     

Coronary microcirculatory vasoconstriction is heterogeneously distributed in acutely ischemic myocardium

The classical model of coronary physiology implies the presence of maximal microcirculatory vasodilation during myocardial ischemia. However, Doppler monitoring of coronary blood flow (CBF) documented severe microcirculatory vasoconstriction during pacing-induced ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. This study investigates the mechanisms that underlie this paradoxical behavior in nine patients with stable angina and single-vessel coronary disease who were candidates for stenting. While transstenotic pressures were continuously monitored, input CBF (in ml/min) to the poststenotic myocardium was measured by Doppler catheter and angiographic cross-sectional area. Simultaneously, specific myocardial blood flow (MBF, in ml.min(-1).g(-1)) was measured by 133Xe washout. Perfused tissue mass was calculated as CBF/MBF. Measurements were obtained at baseline, during pacing-induced ischemia, and after stenting. CBF and distal coronary pressure values were also measured during pacing with intracoronary adenosine administration. During pacing, CBF decreased to 64 +/- 24% of baseline and increased to 265 +/- 100% of ischemic flow after adenosine administration. In contrast, pacing increased MBF to 184 +/- 66% of baseline, measured as a function of the increased rate-pressure product (r = 0.69; P < 0.05). Thus, during pacing, perfused myocardial mass drastically decreased from 30 +/- 23 to 12 +/- 11 g (P < 0.01). Distal coronary pressure remained stable during pacing but decreased after adenosine administration. Stenting increased perfused myocardial mass to 39 +/- 23 g (P < 0.05 vs. baseline) as a function of the increase in distal coronary pressure (r = 0.71; P < 0.02). In conclusion, the vasoconstrictor response to pacing-induced ischemia is heterogeneously distributed and excludes a tissue fraction from perfusion. Within perfused tissue, the metabolic demand still controls the vasomotor tone.     

Platelet-activating factor and cardiac diseases: therapeutic potential for PAF inhibitors

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent phospholipid mediator released from inflammatory cells in response to diverse immunologic and non-immunologic stimuli. Animal studies have implicated PAF as a major mediator involved in coronary artery constriction, modulation of myocardial contractility and the generation of arrhythmias which may bear on cardiac disorders such as ischemia, infarction and sudden cardiac death. PAF effects are induced by direct actions of PAF on cardiac tissue to modify chronotropic and inotropic activity, or indirectly via the release of eicosanoids such as thromboxane A₂ (TXA,), leukotrienes (LT) or cytokines (TNFx). The development of selective, high affinity PAF receptor antagonists has permitted investigations on the role of PAF in experimental animal models of cardiac injury. In vivo and in vitro studies strongly suggest that PAF receptor antagonists might convey therapeutic benefits in ischemic conditions and certain arrhythmias. In addition, PAF antagonists might have a cardiac allograft-preservation effect. Although clinical studies with PAF receptor antagonists in patients with cardiac diseases have not yet been reported, the experimental results to date suggest that PAF receptor antagonist might be useful in some specific cardiac disorders in humans.     

Enhancement of leukotriene D4-induced contraction of guinea-pig isolated trachea by platelet activating factor

The effect of platelet activating factor (PAF), a potent lipid mediator of inflammation, was examined in the induction of airway hyperreactivity to known mediators of anaphylaxis. Concentration-dependent contractions of the isolated guinea-pig trachea to PAF (10⁻⁷ − 10⁻⁵M) were produced and an EC₅₀ value was found to be 7.5 × 10⁻⁷M. Pretreatment for 30 min with a known PAF inhibitor, CV-3988 (10⁻⁵ or 10⁻⁴M), produced significant inhibition of PAF contractions; however, at 10⁻⁶M, CV-3988 had no effect. In the presence of meclofenamic acid (10⁻⁶M), the concentration-response curve to PAF was shifted significantly upward and to the left. This potentiation could be reversed by pretreating the tissues with the peptidoleukotriene antagonists, FPL 55712 or SK&F 102922 (10⁻⁵M). Pretreatment with PAF concentrations having essentially no intrinsic activity (10⁻⁸, 10⁻⁷) significantly enhanced the contraction of guinea-pig trachea to various concentrations of LTD₄ and to certain concentrations of a thromboxane mimic (U-46619). Pretreatment with lyso-PAF failed to potentiate the LTD₄ response, while pretreatment with CV-3988 reverse the potentiation by PAF of the lower concentrations of LTD₄. However, PAF failed to enhance contractions (with or without the presence of meclofenamic acid) to acetylcholine, histamine, PGD₂ or LTC₄ (in the presence of serine borate). These results indicate a possible role for PAF as a mediator of airway hyperreactivity.     

Antagonism of PAF-induced death in mice

The ability of three platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists, BN52021, L652, 731 and 48740RP, and the leukotriene antagonist FPL55712 to block iv PAF-induced death was tested in mice. PAF-induced sudden death was been previously characterized as a model of systemic anaphylaxis and circulatory shock related its hypotensive actions. Of the drugs, BN52021 and L652, 731 provided dose-dependent protection against PAF toxicity, whereas the others had no effect. 48740RP was, however active against PAF-induced rabbit platelet aggregation. BN52021 was inactive in three other mouse sudden death models in which arachidonic acid, U46619 or collagen combined with epinephrine is injected iv to provoke a thrombotic/ischemic sudden death. In contrast, the TXA₂ antagonist SQ29548 inhibited the acute toxicity of two of these latter challenges (arachidonic acid and thromboxane agonist U46619), but was inactive against PAF lethality.These results suggest that PAF toxicity in mice is a specific model for PAF agonism, and is not mediated by TXA₂ or peptido-leukotrienes. Further, PAF-induced mortality should be a simple and useful technique for testing potential PAF antagonists for activity by various routes of administration.     

Cerebral cortical blood flow in rabbits during parabolic flights (hypergravity and microgravity)

We studied the effect of gravity on cerebral cortical blood flow (CBF), mean arterial blood pressure () and heart rate in six rabbits exposed to parabolic flights. The CBF was obtained using a laser-Doppler probe fixed on to a cranial window. Before weightlessness, the animals were exposed to chest-to-back directed acceleration (1.8–2.0 g). The CBF values were expressed as a percentage of CBF_o (mean CBF during 60 s before the 1st parabola). Propranolol (1 mg · kg⁻¹ IV) was given after the 11th parabola and pentobarbital (12–15 mg · kg⁻¹ IV) after the 16th parabola. Before the administration of the drugs, CBF increased (P < 0.01) during hypergravity [i.e. maximal CBF 151 (SD 64)% CBF_o. Simultaneously increased [maximal , 119 (SD 11) mmHg (P < 0.01)]. At the onset of weightlessness, CBF and reached maximal values [194 (SD 96)% CBF_o (P < 0.01) and 127 (SD 19) mmHg, (P < 0.01) respectively]. The microgravity-induced increase in CBF was transient since CBF returned to its baseline value after 8 (SD 2) s of microgravity. After propranolol administration, CBF was not statistically different during hypergravity but an elevation of CBF was still observed in weightlessness. The increases in CBF and also persisted during weightlessness after pentobarbital administration. These data would indicate that CBF of nonanesthetized rabbits increases during the first seconds of weightlessness and demonstrate the involvement of rapid active regulatory mechanisms since CBF returned to control values within 8 (SD 2) s. We concluded that this elevation in blood flow was not related to stress because it persisted after the administration of propranolol and pentobarbital. Accepted: 6 November 1997     

Hypersensitivity to thromboxane receptor mediated cerebral vasomotion and CBF oscillations during acute NO-deficiency in rats

Background

Low frequency (4–12 cpm) spontaneous fluctuations of the cerebrovascular tone (vasomotion) and oscillations of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) have been reported in diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction. Since endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) suppresses constitutively the release and vascular effects of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂), NO-deficiency is often associated with activation of thromboxane receptors (TP). In the present study we hypothesized that in the absence of NO, overactivation of the TP-receptor mediated cerebrovascular signaling pathway contributes to the development of vasomotion and CBF oscillations.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Effects of pharmacological modulation of TP-receptor activation and its downstream signaling pathway have been investigated on CBF oscillations (measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry in anesthetized rats) and vasomotion (measured by isometric tension recording in isolated rat middle cerebral arteries, MCAs) both under physiological conditions and after acute inhibition of NO synthesis. Administration of the TP-receptor agonist U-46619 (1 µg/kg iv.) to control animals failed to induce any changes of the systemic or cerebral circulatory parameters. Inhibition of the NO synthesis by nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME, 100 mg/kg iv.) resulted in increased mean arterial blood pressure and a decreased CBF accompanied by appearance of CBF-oscillations with a dominant frequency of 148±2 mHz. U-46619 significantly augmented the CBF-oscillations induced by L-NAME while inhibition of endogenous TXA₂ synthesis by ozagrel (10 mg/kg iv.) attenuated it. In isolated MCAs U-46619 in a concentration of 100 nM, which induced weak and stable contraction under physiological conditions, evoked sustained vasomotion in the absence of NO, which effect could be completely reversed by inhibition of Rho-kinase by 10 µM Y-27632.

Conclusion/Significance

These results suggest that hypersensitivity of the TP-receptor – Rho-kinase signaling pathway contributes to the development of low frequency cerebral vasomotion which may propagate to vasospasm in pathophysiological states associated with NO-deficiency.