Antagonism of relaxation to isoproterenol caused by agonist interactions

The interaction of contractile agonists on the relaxation elicited with isoproterenol (ISO) was studied in 112 tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips from 20 dogs in vitro. Strips were contracted to the same active target tension (TT) with acetylcholine (ACh), histamine (HIS), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), potassium chloride (KCl), or the combinations of ACh + HIS, ACh + 5-HT, HIS + KCl, HIS + 5-HT (50% TT from each agonist). Although a less potent agonist, adding HIS to cause 50% of the TT reduced the concentration of ACh to elicit the remaining 50% TT and substantially altered relaxation by ISO compared with HIS alone [concentration required to achieve 50% relaxation (RC50) = 9.2 +/- 2.4 X 10(-8) vs. 9.0 +/- 4.4 X 10(-9) M to HIS alone; P less than 0.003]. Relaxation for TSM strips contracted with ACh + HIS was comparable to that elicited from the same TT with ACh alone, although concentrations required in combination were lower than for either agonist alone. Trachealis strips contracted equivalently with KCl + HIS also had augmented contraction and attenuated relaxation (RC50 = 3.7 +/- 0.8 X 10(-8) M; P less than 0.015 vs. HIS alone). However, combinations of 5-HT + ACh and 5-HT + HIS did not alter relaxation to ISO from that elicited by the weaker agonist alone. We demonstrate that TSM relaxation depends on the combination of agonists eliciting contraction and may be inhibited substantially by interactions among contractile agonists.     

The source of calcium for CCK-induced contraction of the guinea-pig gall bladder.

The sources of calcium for cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP)-induced gallbladder smooth muscle contraction are considered both extracellular and intracellular, but the relative need for intracellular calcium especially at low, physiological concentrations is not clear. To better define the calcium sources responsible for guinea-pig gallbladder contractions in vitro, we inhibited calcium influx using the calcium channel blocker, methoxyverapamil, and a calcium-free Krebs' solution. Availability and release of intracellular calcium stores were depleted by strontium substitution and ryanodine. CCK-OP was compared to bethanechol and potassium chloride (KCl). Preventing calcium influx with 10(-5) M methoxyverapamil depressed the responses to CCK-OP, bethanechol and KCl. Methoxyverapamil, however, had little effect on the time-dependent generation of tension to CCK-OP, but significantly reduced the response to bethanechol and KCl, each at ED50. The duration of the contractile response in the calcium-free Krebs' solution to CCK-OP was longer than that for bethanechol. Strontium (2.5 mM) significantly attenuated the response to CCK-OP and bethanechol, but not to KCl. Ryanodine significantly reduced contractions induced by CCK-OP but not for bethanechol, both at low dose ED25. These results indicate that contraction of the guinea-pig gallbladder induced by CCK-OP, bethanechol and KCl requires extracellular calcium influx. Further, the initiation and maintenance of contraction by CCK-OP and bethanechol necessitates calcium mobilisation from intracellular stores. CCK-OP may have a greater penchant for these calcium stores, particularly at physiological doses.     

Beta-adrenergic relaxation of dog trachealis: contractile agonist-specific interaction

The phenomenon of contractile agonist-dependent relaxation by isoproterenol (ISO) of active tension elicited by acetylcholine (ACh), histamine (HIS), serotonin (5-HT), and potassium chloride-substituted Krebs-Henseleit solution (KCl) was studied in 210 tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips from 28 mongrel dogs in vitro. All TSM strips were contracted to similar active tensions [target tension (TT) = 50% of the maximal active tension elicited by 127 mM KCl] with ACh, HIS, 5-HT, or KCl and relaxed with either ISO, forskolin (FSK), N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP), or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IMX). The concentrations of ISO causing 50% relaxation from TT (RC50) were ACh (2.9 +/- 1.1 x 10(-6) M) greater than 5-HT (8.4 +/- 1.5 x 10(-8) M) approximately KCl (8.1 +/- 2.1 x 10(-8) M) greater than HIS (1.6 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) M). FSK and IMX relaxed TSM in the same rank order of potency as ISO. In contrast to the contractile agonist-dependent relaxation elicited by ISO, FSK, and IMX, db-cAMP was nearly equipotent in relaxing similarly contracted strips. These results are consistent with contractile agonist-specific interaction with cAMP production by ISO and FSK. These data demonstrate that the phenomenon of contractile agonist-dependent relaxation by ISO is not related specifically to the beta-adrenoceptor.     

The influence of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the acetylcholine-initiated contractions of isolated gastric muscularis muscle of Bufo marinus

Acetylcholine (ACh) (1.5 X 10(-5) M) elicited three different types of tonic and phasic contraction of muscularis muscle from different parts (cardiac, middle and pyloric) of the stomach of Bufo marinus. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (10(-9)-10(-6) M) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of tonic contractions elicited by ACh (1.5 x 10(-5) M) of strips from the cardiac part while potentiating the phasic contractions from the middle part of the stomach. PGE2 (10(-7) M) relaxed tonic contraction and potentiated phasic contraction concomitantly in preparations in which tonic and phasic contractions were elicited by ACh (1.5 x 10(-5) M). The effects of PGE2 on the preparation are related to the part of the stomach from where the strips are prepared and the muscle tone of the preparation.     

Action of calcitonin gene-related peptide at the calcitonin receptor of the T47D cell line

Some effects of calcitonin (CT) can also be produced by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), an alternative product of the calcitonin gene. This might be mediated by interaction of CGRP at the CT-receptor site. The human breast cancer cell line T47D possesses well characterized CT-receptors (KD = 2.3 x 10(-10) M for 125I salmon CT). 50% inhibition of 125I-sCT binding was achieved with 10(-9) M sCT, 5 x 10(-6) M rat CGRP and 10(-5) M human CGRP. Half maximal cAMP production in T47D cells was seen with 6 x 10(-10) M sCT, 5 x 10(-6) M rCGRP and 10(-5) M hCGRP. Binding and displacement capacity as well as the biological activity of CT and CGRP seems to correlate well. These findings suggest that CGRP in pharmacological doses acts via the CT-receptor. This could be explained by the homology and conformational similarities between CT and CGRP.     

Calcium dependence of the contractile response of the aorta in the rat, rabbit and guinea pig and in the human uterine artery

The influence of extracellular Ca2+ on the contraction produced by noradrenaline (NA) (3 x 10(-6) M), KCl (60 mM) and BaCl2 (30 mM) on human uterine arteries (AUH) and aortic strips from rats, rabbits and guinea-pigs have been studied. The vessels were cut spirally and incubated in Krebs solution containing 2.5 mM Ca2+ (KN), 0 mM Ca2+ (K-0Ca) or 0 mM Ca2+ + 3 mM EDTA (K-EDTA). Both phases (fast and slow) of the response of aortic strips to NA and of the AUH to NA, KCl and BaCl2 were significantly smaller in solutions without Ca2+. Only in rabbit aortic strips the slow phase was significantly more reduced than the fast phase. Overall, the contractions of the rat aortic strips were most resistant to the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These results confirm the variability of the responses of blood vessels from different vascular beds and species to the removal of extracellular Ca2+.     

Cholecystokinin stimulates neuronal receptors to produce contraction of the canine colon

The motor effects of cholecystokinin 26-33-amide (CCK octapeptide; CCK-OP) and several purported CCK receptor antagonists on canine colonic circular muscle were determined in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. Intravenous injections of CCK-OP had no effect on colonic motility at doses that contracted the gallbladder, stomach and duodenum. CCK-OP delivered by intraarterial injection to a small segment of the proximal colon produced a dose related increase in colonic motility with one-half maximum response at 12 ng/Kg and maximum response at 50 ng/Kg. The effects of intraarterial injections of several established CCK-receptor antagonists on proximal colonic responses to intraarterial injections of CCK-OP were determined. Proglumide, 10 mg/Kg, did not produce colonic contractions itself, but antagonized CCK-OP-induced responses. Carbobenzyloxy (CBZ)-CCK27-32-amide antagonized CCK-OP-induced colonic responses and also had no effect on basal colonic motility (0.1-1 and 5 micrograms/Kg). Neither compound antagonized acetylcholine- induced colonic responses. Butoxycarbonyl (BOC)-CCK31-33-amide increased basal colonic motility, but did not alter CCK-OP-induced responses at doses of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/Kg. Dibutyryl-cGMP at a dose of 0.1 mg/Kg did not affect basal motility or CCK-OP-induced contractions. At a dose of 1.0 mg/kg it increased basal colonic motility but did not affect CCK-OP-induced contractions. Pentagastrin increased colonic motor activity only at a dose of 5 micrograms/Kg, i.a., a much higher dose than effective doses of CCK-OP. The mechanism of CCK-OP-induced colonic motor effects also was determined. Atropine sulfate, 100 micrograms/Kg, i.v. significantly reduced both intraarterial acetylcholine-and CCK-OP-induced maximum colonic contractions. Tetrodotoxin, at intravenous doses that completely block neuronal activity, did not affect maximum acetylcholine-induced contractions but practically eliminated maximum CCK-OP-induced maximum colonic responses. In conclusion, intraarterial CCK-OP produces circular muscle contraction of the canine proximal colon that is mediated by stimulation of specific CCK receptors which produce the release of acetylcholine from cholinergic enteric neurons. Proglumide and CBZ-CCK27-32-amide are effective CCK receptor antagonists at these colonic neuronal receptors.     

The release of gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, and acetylcholine from striatal slices: a mass fragmentographic study

The release processes of endogenous Acetylcholine (ACh), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (GLN) were studied in superfused guinea-pig caudatal slices. Basal ACh release remained constant for up to 2 h, while the basal release of GABA, Glu and GLN declined to half or less of its initial values after 1 h of superfusion. Electrical stimulation increased the ACh release by 700-800% and that of GABA by 80% whereas it decreased the output of Glu by 50% and failed to modify the GLN efflux. KCl (25 nM) increased the output of ACh by 400%, that of GABA by approximately 500% and decreased that of Glu by 40%. Substituting of CaCl(2) by MgCl(2) in the superfusion medium reduced the basal efflux of GABA, Glu and GLN. Under these conditions, no evoked release of ACh or of GABA was detected, following electrical or KCl stimulation. Tetrodotoxin 5 x 10(-7) decreased the basal ACh release by 60% and increased the GABA efflux by 40%. The toxin abolished the stimulus-evoked ACh efflux but scarcely affected that of GABA. These results are consistent with a possible neurotransmitter role of ACh and GABA in the striatum and show some differences in the ionic mechanisms underlying GABA and ACh release.     

Involvement of Rho/Rho-kinase signalling in the contractile activity and acetylcholine release in the mouse gastric fundus

In this study effects of Rho kinase inhibitors have been examined on the mouse gastric fundal smooth muscle reactivity and neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) release. Two Rho-kinase inhibitors, Y-27632 and fasudil (HA-1077), conspicuously suppressed the contractile responses to carbachol (CCh) and KCl as well as electrical field stimulation (EFS, 40 V, 0.5 ms, and 20 s). pEC(50) value for CCh and EC(50) value for KCl were 6.68+/-0.15 M and 10.4+/-2.8 mM, respectively. EFS induced reproducible contraction (38.3+/-4.75 mN/g tissue) which was almost abolished and potentiated in the presence of atropine (10(-6)M) and eserine (10(-6)M), respectively. The Rho-kinase inhibitors relaxed the fundic strips preconstricted by submaximal concentration of CCh or KCl in a concentration dependent manner. With CCh-elicited contraction, the pEC(50) values of Y-27632 and fasudil were 5.45+/-0.14 and 5.11+/-0.14 M, respectively (p>0.05). However, the pEC(50) values for Y-27632 and fasudil on KCl-induced tone were 6.09+/-0.1 and 5.35+/-0.06 M (p<0.001), respectively. Moreover, [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) release upon EFS from the gastric fundus was measured and it was found that Y-27632 (10(-4)M) significantly impaired the release. At 3 Hz the radioactivity ratio obtained after and before EFS (S(2)/S(1) ratio) was 0.88+/-0.03 in control but 0.63+/-0.08 in the presence of 10(-4)M Y-27632 (p<0.05). These results suggest that Rho kinase inhibitors can not only relax the gastric fundus but also modulate CCh, cholinergic nerve stimulation, and KCl-induced contraction. Furthermore, Rho/Rho kinase signalling may play a role in the neurotransmitter (ACh) release in the mouse gastric fundus.     

Tensiometric study of muscular strips of guinea pig gallbladder

The tensiometric properties of smooth muscle strips from 10 male guinea pig gallbladders were evaluated following acetylcholine (ACH), cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP), cerulein (CRL) and histamine (HIS) administration. All agonists induced dose-dependent tonic contractions with the maximum effect caused by the octapeptide. CRL showed a 9-folds higher relative potency when compared to CCK-OP. ED50s of agonists were: ACH 1.36 +/- 0.28 SEM microM (n = 14; range 0.20-3.60); HIST, 5.7 +/- 1.9 microM (n = 12; range 1-23); CRL 0.72 +/- 0.15 nM (n = 8; range 0.35-1.07); CCK-OP, 6.77 +/- 1.80 nM (n = 12; range 0.44-20.32); For the same strips, max tension (g), was: 1.97 (SEM 0.12) for ACH; 1.5 (0.18) for HIST; 1.81 (0.18) for CRL; 2.44 (0.14) for CCK-OP. Pretreatment of the strips with atropine (1 microM) completely abolished ACh-induced contractions, without affecting either CCK-OP or CRL responses. The model represents a valid "in vitro" study of different molecules whose action might stimulate, enhance or inhibit the physiological hormonal and non-hormonal effect of the agonists at the level of animal and human gallbladder smooth muscle.     

Physiological mechanisms mediating enhanced force generation during development and immune sensitization.

We examined the development of acetylcholinesterase (AChase) activity and tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) contraction elicited by acetylcholine (ACh) in a swine model of maturation and a dog model of allergic bronchospasm. Strips of TSM were tethered isometrically at optimal length and responses were expressed as a percentage of the maximum to KCl-substituted perfusate (% KCl). Maximal contraction (ATmax) to ACh in 2-week-old swine (168 +/- 8% KCl) was greater than in 10-week-old swine (142 +/- 2% KCl; p less than 0.02). The AChase inhibitor, physostigmine, augmented ACh-elicited ATmax in 10-week-old (27% increase; p less than 0.01) but not in 2-week-old swine (2% increase; p is NS) and caused a greater increase in sensitivity to muscarinic activation in 2 versus 10 week-old swine (p less than 0.02), thus demonstrating increased contraction of TSM in 2 versus 10-week-old swine, which results at least in part from reduced AChase activity in immature animals. In another study, TSM from ragweed-sensitized dogs demonstrated augmented efficacy to ACh-elicited contraction (180 +/- 6% KCl) compared with TSM from sham-sensitized, littermate controls (163 +/- 4% KCl; p less than 0.05). In the presence of physostigmine, ATmax was not different between ragweed-sensitized and control TSM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Insulin NO-dependent action on airways smooth muscles.

In order to find out how insulin acts on airway smooth muscle and which mechanisms could be involved, we studied the effect of insulin on contraction induced, first, by KCl and, second, by Acetylcholine (Ach), before and after epithelium removal, and finally in the presence of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Tracheal smooth muscle strips from 24 rabbits, 6 being used for each experiment. Each muscle strip was pretreated with a solution containing either 80 mM KCl or 10(-5) Ach and increasing doses of insulin (range 10(-10)--10(-5) M) in the presence or absence of 10(-4) M L-NAME. A reference curve for contraction evoked by 80 mM KCl or 10(-5) M Ach in the presence or absence of 10(-4) M L-NAME was recorded each time before the pretreatment mentioned above. Insulin evoked a concentration-dependent inhibition of tracheal smooth muscle contraction, induced by 80 mM KCl or 10(-5) M Ach. After epithelium removal, insulin (10(-8), 10(-7) M) evoked statistically significant increases to the contractions induced by 10(-5) M Ach compared to the contractions induced by 10(-5) M Ach and insulin in the presence of epithelium (P < 0.05). These increases were higher when 10(-4) M l-NAME was added to the bath (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that insulin inhibits tracheal smooth muscle contraction by acting on epithelium and releasing NO.     

Tyrosine phosphorylation increases Ca2+ sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle contraction

In order to elucidate the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in vasoconstriction, we investigated the effects of inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (genistein, 30 microM) and phosphatase (sodium o-vanadate, 5 microM) on the contraction of aorta isolated from guinea pig. Genistein significantly inhibited norepinephrine-induced contraction, but it did not affect that induced by KCI. Thus, tyrosine phosphorylation may not be involved in the contractile response to KCI alone. The aortic contraction elicited by KCl was significantly augmented by sodium o-vanadate, which increased both the maximum force and pD2 values of KCl contraction. In the presence of verapamil, KCl-induced contraction was abolished even after pretreatment with sodium o-vanadate. Sodium o-vanadate also augmented Ca2+-induced contraction in the aortic strips depolarized with KCl, increasing both its maximum force and pD2 values. Neither basal 45Ca2+ uptake nor verapamil-sensitive 45Ca2+ uptake induced by KCl were affected by pretreatment with sodium o-vanadate. These results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in the contraction of guinea-pig aorta not through transplasmalemmal Ca2+ entry but through increased Ca2+ sensitivity of the intracellular contractile pathway.     

The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the canine gallbladder motility.

1. VIP at doses of 10(-9) to 10(-8) M was ineffective and at doses of 5 x 10(-8) to 10(-7) M exerted a slight inhibitory effect on the tone of the canine gallbladder muscle strip. However, VIP (0.1-1 micrograms/kg) injected intravenously (i.v.) in conscious dogs dose-dependently decreased the gallbladder pressure. 2. VIP did not influence significantly the acetylcholine (ACh)- or carbachol- induced contractions of canine gallbladder under in vitro or in vivo conditions, but it decreased the electrically-induced, atropine-sensitive contractions of gallbladder muscle strips. 3. VIP (5 x 10(-9) to 5 x 10(-8) M) did not influence significantly the dose-response curve for cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK OP) of canine and guinea-pig gallbladder muscle strips. VIP injected i.v. (0.1-0.5 micrograms/kg) in conscious dogs greatly decreased the CCK OP-induced gallbladder pressure.     

Ca2+-dependent facilitated shortening in isotonic contraction of trachealis muscle

We compared isotonic shortening with isometric force generation as a function of external Ca2+ in 166 tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips from 27 mongrel dogs in vitro. Concentration-response curves were generated with muscarinic stimulation (acetylcholine, ACh), alpha-adrenergic receptor activation (norepinephrine after beta-adrenoceptor blockade, NE), serotonin (5-HT), and KCl-substituted Krebs-Henseleit solution. The concentrations of 5-HT causing half-maximal shortening (ECS50, 1.54 +/- 0.14 X 10(-7) M) and half-maximal active isometric tension (ECT50, 1.72 +/- 0.30 X 10(-7) M) were similar (P = NS). Likewise, ECS50 (21.9 +/- 0.7 mM) and ECT50, (22.0 +/- 0.9 mM) were similar for KCl. In contrast, facilitated isotonic shortening (i.e., greater isotonic shortening for comparable degrees of force generation) was elicited with ACh and NE for all levels of force generation between 15 and 85% of maximum and for all concentrations of ACh from 3 X 10(-8) to 3 X 10(-5) M (P less than 0.05 for all points). Facilitated isotonic shortening also was elicited for all concentrations of NE from 10(-8) to 10(-6) M (P less than 0.05 for all points). Removal of Ca2+ from the perfusate substantially reduced the potency of ACh (P less than 0.001) and abolished differences between ECS50 (2.23 +/- 0.28 X 10(-5) M) and ECT50 (2.50 +/- 0.46 X 10(-5) M, P = NS). We demonstrate that for comparable degrees of force generation, muscarinic and alpha-adrenergic receptor activation cause greater isotonic shortening than KCl or 5-HT and that this facilitated shortening is associated with the concentration of external Ca2+.     

Mechanism of acetylcholine-induced inhibition of Ca current in bullfrog atrial myocytes

The mechanism of the anti-beta-adrenergic action of acetylcholine (ACh) on Ca current, ICa, was examined using the tight-seal, whole-cell voltage clamp technique in single atrial myocytes from the bullfrog. Both isoproterenol (ISO) and forskolin increased ICa dose dependently. After ICa had been enhanced maximally by ISO (10(-6) M), subsequent application of forskolin (50 microM) did not further increase ICa, suggesting that ISO and forskolin increase ICa via a common biochemical pathway, possibly by stimulation of adenylate cyclase. ACh (10(-5) M) completely inhibited the effect of low doses of forskolin (2 x 10(-6) M), as well as ISO, but it failed to block the effects of high doses of forskolin (greater than 5 x 10(-5) M). Intracellular application of cyclic AMP (cAMP) also increased ICa. ACh (10(-5) M) failed to inhibit this cAMP effect, indicating that the inhibitory action of ACh occurs at a site proximal to the production of cAMP. ACh (10(-5) M) also activated an inwardly rectifying K+ current IK(ACh). Intracellular application of a nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue, GTP gamma S (5 X 10(-4) M), activated IK(ACh) within several minutes; subsequent application of ACh (10(-5) M) did not increase IK(ACh) further. These results demonstrate that a GTP-binding protein coupled to these K+ channels can be activated maximally by GTP gamma S even in the absence of ACh. Intracellular application of GTP gamma S also strongly inhibited the effect of ISO on ICa in the absence of ACh. Pertussis toxin (IAP) completely prevented both the inhibitory effect of ACh on ICa and the ACh-induced activation of IK(ACh). GTP gamma S (50 microM-1 mM) alone did not increase ICa significantly; however, when ISO was applied first, GTP gamma S (5 x 10(-4) M) gradually inhibited the ISO effect on ICa. These results indicate that ACh antagonizes the effect of ISO on ICa via a GTP-binding protein (Gi and/or Go). This effect may be mediated through a direct inhibition by the alpha-subunit of Gi which is coupled to the adenylate cyclase.     

Regulation of pulmonary venous tone in response to muscarinic receptor activation

We investigated cellular mechanisms that mediate or modulate the vascular response to muscarinic receptor activation (ACh) in pulmonary veins (PV). Isometric tension was measured in isolated canine PV rings with endothelium (E+) and without endothelium (E-). Tension and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were measured simultaneously in fura-2-loaded E- PV strips. In the absence of preconstriction, ACh (0.01-10 microM) caused dose-dependent contraction in E+ and E- rings. ACh contraction was potentiated by removing the endothelium or by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition (N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, P = 0.001). Cyclooxygenase inhibition (indomethacin) reduced ACh contraction in both E+ and E- PV rings (P = 0.013 and P = 0.037, respectively). ACh contraction was attenuated by inhibitors of voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (nifedipine, P < 0.001), inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-mediated Ca(2+) release (2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, P = 0.001), PKC (bisindolylmaleimide I, P = 0.001), Rho-kinase (Y-27632, P = 0.002), and tyrosine kinase (TK; tyrphostin 47, P = 0.015) in E- PV rings. ACh (1 microM) caused a leftward shift in the [Ca(2+)](i)-tension relationship (P = 0.015), i.e., ACh increased myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. Inhibition of PKC, Rho-kinase, and TK attenuated the ACh-induced increase in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.024, respectively). These findings indicate that in canine PV, ACh contraction is modulated by NO and partially mediated by metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway and involves Ca(2+) influx through voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels and IP(3)-mediated Ca(2+) release. In addition, ACh induces increased myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity, which requires the PKC, Rho-kinase, and TK pathways.     

A comparison of preterm and adult airway smooth muscle mechanics

To determine whether airway smooth muscle undergoes a maturational change regarding force generation, length-tension relationships were determined in isolated trachealis strips from adult and preterm sheep. At the length of maximum force generation, passive active and total tensions of the adult muscle were 2.5 times greater than preterm values (P less than 0.001). KCl stimulation yielded a greater peak tension in the adult strips than in the preterm strips (P less than 0.01). Preterm strips required higher concentrations of KCl to initiate contractions and higher concentrations to reach peak tension. Acetylcholine- (ACh) induced contraction resulted in greater force development at each dose in the adult strips compared with preterm strips (P less than 0.001). The dose of ACh required to reach a half-maximal response was significantly less for the adult strips than for the preterm strips (P less than 0.005). These data demonstrate that both force generation and receptor sensitivity increase with age. This inability of immature smooth muscle to generate as much force as adult smooth muscle may help explain why very preterm neonates requiring intermittent positive-pressure ventilation are at risk for developing structural airway problems.     

Role of oxidative stress in age-related reduction of NO-cGMP-mediated vascular relaxation in SHR

The incidence of hypertension increases during the late stages of aging; however, the vascular mechanisms involved are unclear. We investigated whether the late stages of aging are associated with impaired nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vascular relaxation and enhanced vascular contraction and whether oxidative stress plays a role in the age-related vascular changes. Aging (16 mo) male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) nontreated or treated for 8 mo with the antioxidant tempol (1 mM in drinking water) or vitamin E (E; 5,000 IU/kg chow) and vitamin C (C; 100 mg. kg-1. day-1 in drinking water) and adult (12 wk) male SHR were used. After the arterial pressure was measured, aortic strips were isolated from the rats for measurement of isometric contraction. The arterial pressure and phenylephrine (Phe)-induced vascular contraction were enhanced, and the ACh-induced vascular relaxation and nitrite/nitrate production were reduced in aging compared with adult rats. In aging rats, the arterial pressure was nontreated (188 +/- 4), tempol-treated (161 +/- 6), and E + C-treated (187 +/- 1 mmHg). Phe (10-5 M) caused an increase in active stress in nontreated aging rats (14.3 +/- 1.0) that was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in tempol-treated (9.0 +/- 0.7) and E + C-treated rats (9.8 +/- 0.6 x 104 N/m2). ACh produced a small relaxation of Phe contraction in nontreated aging rats that was enhanced (P < 0.05) in tempol- and E + C-treated rats. l-NAME (10-4 M), inhibitor of NO synthase, or ODQ (10-5 M), inhibitor of cGMP production in smooth muscle, inhibited ACh relaxation and enhanced Phe contraction in tempol- and E + C-treated but not the nontreated aging rats. ACh-induced vascular nitrite/nitrate production was not different in nontreated, tempol- and E + C-treated aging rats. Relaxation of Phe contraction with sodium nitroprusside, an exogenous NO donor, was smaller in aging than adult rats but was not different between nontreated, tempol- and E + C-treated aging rats. Thus, during the late stages of aging in SHR rats, an age-related inhibition of a vascular relaxation pathway involving not only NO production by endothelial cells but also the bioavailability of NO and the smooth muscle response to NO is partially reversed during chronic treatment with the antioxidants tempol and vitamins E and C. The data suggest a role for oxidative stress in the reduction of vascular relaxation and thereby the promotion of vascular contraction and hypertension during the late stages of aging.     

Reactive oxygen species are messengers in maintenance of human and guinea pig gallbladder tonic contraction

The tonic contraction of human and guinea pig gallbladder (GB) is dependent on basal levels of PGE(2) and thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2)). The pathway involved in the genesis of these prostaglandins has not been elucidated. We aimed to examine the source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and whether they contribute to the genesis of GB tonic contraction by generating basal prostaglandin levels. Tonic contraction was studied in human and guinea pig GB muscle strips treated with ROS scavengers (Tiron and catalase), apocynin (an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase), and NOX-1 small interference RNA (siRNA). The subunits of NADPH oxidase and their functional roles were determined with specific antibodies in GB muscle cells. ROS scavengers reduced the GB tonic contraction and H(2)O(2) and PGE(2) levels. Apocynin also inhibited the tonic contraction. Antibodies against subunits of NADPH oxidase present in GB muscle cells lowered H(2)O(2) and PGE(2) levels. NOX-1 siRNA transfection reduced the tonic contraction, NOX-1 expression, and levels of H(2)O(2) and PGE(2). Tiron and apocynin inhibited the expected increase in tension and H(2)O(2) levels induced by stretching of muscle strips. H(2)O(2) increased the levels of PGE(2) and TxA(2) by increasing platelet-activating factor-like lipids that phosphorylate p38 and cPLA(2) sequentially. H(2)O(2) generated by NADPH oxidase participates in a signal transduction pathway that maintains the GB tonic contraction by activating PAF, p38, and cPLA(2) to generate prostaglandins.