Prostaglandin E2 regulates renal function in C57/BL6 mouse with 5/6 nephrectomy.

AIMS: To investigate the roles of cyclooxygenases (COX) and their metabolites in C57/BL6 mice with 5/6 nephrectomy, an animal model of chronic renal failure. MAIN METHODS: C57/BL6 mice were grouped into sham-operated (2K), one kidney removal (1K) and 5/6 nephrectomy groups (5/6Nx). Renal resistive index was measured by ultrasonography. Blood, aortae, renal arteries and renal cortex were collected for measurement of kidney function, assessment of vascular responsiveness, Western blotting, immuohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. KEY FINDINGS: After four weeks, acetylcholine-induced relaxations were blunted in renal arteries of 1K and 5/6Nx mice; indomethacin, a non-selective COX inhibitor, improved the response in 5/6Nx, but not in 1K renal arteries. In 5/6Nx renal arteries, but not in 1K preparations, the protein presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was decreased, while that of COX-2 and its products [prostacyclin and thromboxane A2] were increased. The renal resistive index was lower in 5/6Nx mice, suggesting a lower resistance in the renal microvasculature. In the renal cortex of 5/6Nx mice, eNOS protein presence was increased; while the presence of COX-2 was not detectable. The prostaglandin E2 level was lower in the 5/6Nx cortex than in the other two groups. SIGNIFICANCE: The early stage of renal mass removal is associated with increased renal arterial constriction and reduced microvascular resistance. The former is due to downregulation of eNOS and upregulation of COX-2, leading to an increased production of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2. A reduced production of PGE2 in the renal cortex is important for maintaining normal renal function.

Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization: age, gender and blood pressure, do they matter?

Under physiological conditions, the endothelium generates vasodilator signals [prostacyclin, nitric oxide NO and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH)], for the regulation of vascular tone. The relative importance of these two signals depends on the diameter of the blood vessels: as the diameter of the arteries decreases, the contribution of EDH to the regulation of vascular tone increases. The mechanism involved in EDH varies with species and blood vessel types; nevertheless, activation of endothelial intermediate- and small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (IKCa and SKCa , respectively) is characteristic of the EDH pathway. IKCa - and SKCa -mediated EDH are reduced with endothelial dysfunction, which develops with ageing and hypertension, and is less pronounced in female than in age-matched male until after menopause. Impaired EDH-mediated relaxation is related to a reduced involvement of SKCa , so that the response becomes more dependent on IKCa . The latter depends on the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1), proteins associated with the process of cellular senescence and vascular signalling in response to the female hormone. An understanding of the role of AMPK and/or SIRT1 in EDH-like responses may help identifying effective pharmacological strategies to prevent the development of vascular complications of different aetiologies.

Endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease - a 30th anniversary update.

The endothelium can evoke relaxations of the underlying vascular smooth muscle, by releasing vasodilator substances. The best-characterized endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is nitric oxide (NO) which activates soluble guanylyl cyclase in the vascular smooth muscle cells, with the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) initiating relaxation. The endothelial cells also evoke hyperpolarization of the cell membrane of vascular smooth muscle (endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations, EDH-mediated responses). As regards the latter, hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) now appears to play a dominant role. Endothelium-dependent relaxations involve both pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi (e.g. responses to α2 -adrenergic agonists, serotonin, and thrombin) and pertussis toxin-insensitive Gq (e.g. adenosine diphosphate and bradykinin) coupling proteins. New stimulators (e.g. insulin, adiponectin) of the release of EDRFs have emerged. In recent years, evidence has also accumulated, confirming that the release of NO by the endothelial cell can chronically be upregulated (e.g. by oestrogens, exercise and dietary factors) and downregulated (e.g. oxidative stress, smoking, pollution and oxidized low-density lipoproteins) and that it is reduced with ageing and in the course of vascular disease (e.g. diabetes and hypertension). Arteries covered with regenerated endothelium (e.g. following angioplasty) selectively lose the pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway for NO release which favours vasospasm, thrombosis, penetration of macrophages, cellular growth and the inflammatory reaction leading to atherosclerosis. In addition to the release of NO (and EDH, in particular those due to H2 O2 ), endothelial cells also can evoke contraction of the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells by releasing endothelium-derived contracting factors. Recent evidence confirms that most endothelium-dependent acute increases in contractile force are due to the formation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids (endoperoxides and prostacyclin) which activate TP receptors of the vascular smooth muscle cells and that prostacyclin plays a key role in such responses. Endothelium-dependent contractions are exacerbated when the production of nitric oxide is impaired (e.g. by oxidative stress, ageing, spontaneous hypertension and diabetes). They contribute to the blunting of endothelium-dependent vasodilatations in aged subjects and essential hypertensive and diabetic patients. In addition, recent data confirm that the release of endothelin-1 can contribute to endothelial dysfunction and that the peptide appears to be an important contributor to vascular dysfunction. Finally, it has become clear that nitric oxide itself, under certain conditions (e.g. hypoxia), can cause biased activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase leading to the production of cyclic inosine monophosphate (cIMP) rather than cGMP and hence causes contraction rather than relaxation of the underlying vascular smooth muscle.

Endothelium-Dependent Contractions: Prostacyclin and Endothelin-1, Partners in Crime?

Both the lipid prostacyclin and the peptide endothelin-1 are endothelium-derived substances. Endothelin-1 is one of the most powerful endogenous vasoconstrictors, while prostacyclin is a potent antiaggregatory and vasodilator mediator upon activation of prostaglandin I2 (IP) receptors. During endothelium-dependent, prostanoid-mediated contractions/constrictions, however, prostacyclin appears to be a major endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF). Such cyclooxygenase-dependent responses, whether measured ex vivo or in vivo, are exacerbated by aging, obesity, diabetes, or hypertension. On the background of such cardiovascular risk factors, endothelin-1 may potentiate these contractions by promoting prostacyclin production. The latter is reduced by endothelin-A (ETA) receptor antagonists. This receptor subtype is recognized for mediating contractions of smooth muscle cells to endothelin-1. However, it is present also on endothelial cells, where its activation increases intracellular calcium concentration with subsequent initiation of phospholipase A2 that provides arachidonic acid for metabolism by cyclooxygenases. Thus, endothelin-1 favors cyclooxygenase-dependent vasoconstrictor prostanoid formation, including prostacyclin. Activation of endothelial endothelin-B (ETB) receptors promotes the release of nitric oxide, which opposes both EDCF and endothelin-1. This is less pronounced in disease promoting ETA- and smooth muscle ETB receptor-dependent as well as prostanoid-mediated contractions. In addition, the thromboxane prostanoid (TP) receptors on vascular smooth muscle cells become hyperresponsive to EDCF under pathophysiological conditions, while IP receptor responsiveness diminishes. A better understanding of the interaction between prostacyclin and endothelin-1 and the determination of the roles of the TP and IP receptors involved in prostanoid-mediated contractions in health and during disease will help to define advanced pharmacological strategies for the therapy of cardiovascular disorders.

Transient Receptor Potential Channel Opening Releases Endogenous Acetylcholine, which Contributes to Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation Induced by Mild Hypothermia in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat but Not Wistar-Kyoto Rat Arteries.

Mild hypothermia causes endothelium-dependent relaxations, which are reduced by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. The present study investigated whether endothelial endogenous acetylcholine contributes to these relaxations. Aortic rings of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were contracted with prostaglandin F2 α and exposed to progressive mild hypothermia (from 37 to 31°C). Hypothermia induced endothelium-dependent, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester-sensitive relaxations, which were reduced by atropine, but not by mecamylamine, in SHR but not in WKY rat aortae. The responses in SHR aortae were also reduced by acetylcholinesterase (the enzyme responsible for acetylcholine degradation), bromoacetylcholine (inhibitor of acetylcholine synthesis), hemicholinium-3 (inhibitor of choline uptake), and vesamicol (inhibitor of acetylcholine release). The mild hypothermia-induced relaxations in both SHR and WKY rat aortae were inhibited by AMTB [N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-[(3-methylphenyl)methoxy]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-benzamide; the transient receptor potential (TRP) M8 inhibitor]; only those in SHR aortae were inhibited by HC-067047 [2-methyl-1-[3-(4-morpholinyl)propyl]-5-phenyl-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide; TRPV4 antagonist] while those in WKY rat aortae were reduced by HC-030031 [2-(1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-7H-purin-7-yl)-N-(4-isopropylphenyl)acetamide; TRPA1 antagonist]. The endothelial uptake of extracellular choline and release of cyclic guanosine monophosphate was enhanced by mild hypothermia and inhibited by HC-067047 in SHR but not in WKY rat aortae. Compared with WKY rats, the SHR preparations expressed similar levels of acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase, but a lesser amount of vesicular acetylcholine transporter, located mainly in the endothelium. Thus, mild hypothermia causes nitric oxide-dependent relaxations by opening TRPA1 channels in WKY rat aortae. By contrast, in SHR aortae, TRPV4 channels are opened, resulting in endothelial production of acetylcholine, which, in an autocrine manner, activates muscarinic receptors on neighboring cells to elicit endothelium-dependent relaxations in response to mild hypothermia.

[Endothelial dysfunction in obesity]. / Obésité et fonction endothéliale.

The last decades have witnessed an explosive increase in the number of obese people in the Western world as well as in emerging countries. In obese subjects, the enlarged adipose tissues release more pro-inflammatory adipokines (in particular A-FABP and lipocalin-2) while the production of adiponectin, which exerts beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, inflammation and cardiovascular function, is markedly reduced. As a consequence, as discussed in this article, obesity negatively affects the function of the endothelial cells and results in their progressive endothelial dysfunction with reduced release of relaxing signals (nitric oxide [NO]) and augmented production of vasoconstrictor prostaglandins (EDCF) which activate TP receptors on vascular smooth-muscle cells to cause their contraction.

Cross-talk between adipose tissue and vasculature: role of adiponectin.

Adipose tissue is a highly dynamic endocrine organ, secreting a number of bioactive substances (adipokines) regulating insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism and vascular homeostasis. Dysfunctional adipose tissue is a key mediator that links obesity with insulin resistance, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Obese adipose tissue is characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy and infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and lymphocytes, leading to the augmented production of pro-inflammatory adipokines and vasoconstrictors that induce endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation through their paracrine and endocrine actions. By contrast, the secretion of adiponectin, an adipokine with insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory activities, is decreased in obesity and its related pathologies. Emerging evidence suggests that adiponectin is protective against vascular dysfunction induced by obesity and diabetes, through its multiple favourable effects on glucose and lipid metabolism as well as on vascular function. Adiponectin improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic profiles, thus reducing the classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, adiponectin protects the vasculature through its pleiotropic actions on endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Data from both animal and human investigations demonstrate that adiponectin is an important component of the adipo-vascular axis that mediates the cross-talk between adipose tissue and vasculature. This review highlights recent work on the vascular protective activities of adiponectin and discusses the molecular pathways underlying the vascular actions of this adipokine.

COX-1 and vascular disease.

Since the discovery of the pivotal role of cyclooxygenase (COX) in the metabolism of arachidonic acid, vascular biologists have been confronted with the duality of this system. Indeed, one substrate (arachidonic acid) transformed by one enzyme (COX) yields end products (endoperoxides) that exist only very briefly before being metabolized to more stable prostanoids by a set of specific downstream synthases that were initially believed to be tissue specific. For instance, platelets contain mainly the synthase that produces thromboxane A(2) (a potent proaggregatory and vasoconstrictor substance), whereas endothelial cells contain mainly the enzyme that generates prostacyclin (an equally potent antiaggregatory and vasodilator substance). The overproduction of thromboxane A(2) by platelets leads to thrombosis; endothelial cells resist vascular occlusion by producing prostacyclin. This duality of the metabolism of arachidonic acid has dominated our thinking about atherothrombosis for decades, and rightfully still does. As scientific understanding progressed, it became evident that two isoforms of COX exist: COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 was initially considered to be the "good," constitutive isoform, whereas COX-2 appeared to be mainly a "bad" inducible enzyme involved in inflammatory responses. However, more recently, the unexpected events resulting from the widespread use of selective COX-2 inhibitors has suggested that, from a cardiovascular point of view, the products of COX-2 exert a protective role and that this isoform cannot necessarily be regarded as "bad." Likewise, evidence has emerged that initiation of the metabolism of arachidonic acid by COX-1 is not necessarily a "good" thing in terms of vascular protection. This brief review focuses on the potential contribution of endothelial COX-1 to vascular dysfunction. It is based on a number of review articles, to which the reader will be referred in order to identify the original references to the statements made; these references are not cited here because of space limitations.

Endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease.

The endothelium can evoke relaxations (dilatations) of the underlying vascular smooth muscle, by releasing vasodilator substances. The best characterized endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is nitric oxide (NO). The endothelial cells also evoke hyperpolarization of the cell membrane of vascular smooth muscle (endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations, EDHF-mediated responses). Endothelium-dependent relaxations involve both pertussis toxin-sensitive G(i) (e.g. responses to serotonin and thrombin) and pertussis toxin-insensitive G(q) (e.g. adenosine diphosphate and bradykinin) coupling proteins. The release of NO by the endothelial cell can be up-regulated (e.g. by oestrogens, exercise and dietary factors) and down-regulated (e.g. oxidative stress, smoking and oxidized low-density lipoproteins). It is reduced in the course of vascular disease (e.g. diabetes and hypertension). Arteries covered with regenerated endothelium (e.g. following angioplasty) selectively loose the pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway for NO release which favours vasospasm, thrombosis, penetration of macrophages, cellular growth and the inflammatory reaction leading to atherosclerosis. In addition to the release of NO (and causing endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations), endothelial cells also can evoke contraction (constriction) of the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells by releasing endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF). Most endothelium-dependent acute increases in contractile force are due to the formation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids (endoperoxides and prostacyclin) which activate TP receptors of the vascular smooth muscle cells. EDCF-mediated responses are exacerbated when the production of NO is impaired (e.g. by oxidative stress, ageing, spontaneous hypertension and diabetes). They contribute to the blunting of endothelium-dependent vasodilatations in aged subjects and essential hypertensive patients.

Hypertension and the absence of EDHF-mediated responses favour endothelium-dependent contractions in renal arteries of the rat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Experiments were designed to determine the modulation by nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations (EDHF-mediated responses) of endothelium-dependent contractions in renal arteries of normotensive and hypertensive rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rings, with or without endothelium, of renal arteries of 8-month-old Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were suspended in myographs for isometric force recording. KEY RESULTS: ACh evoked relaxations in preparations contracted with phenylephrine. L-NAME (inhibitor of NOS) attenuated (WKY) or abolished (SHR) these relaxations. TRAM-34 plus UCL 1684 (inhibitors of EDHF-mediated responses) did not decrease the relaxation, except in rings of WKY when L-NAME was also present. High concentrations of ACh caused a secondary increase in tension, augmented in rings of WKY by L-NAME or TRAM-34 plus UCL 1684. The increase in tension was prevented by indomethacin. Under baseline tension, ACh induced endothelium-dependent contractions, prevented by indomethacin (COX inhibitor) or terutroban (TP receptor antagonist). The calculated endothelium-dependent contractions were larger in rings of SHR compared with those of WKY. In preparations of SHR, the contractions were augmented by L-NAME in the presence of SC19220 (EP-1 receptor antagonist). In arteries of WKY, the endothelium-dependent contractions were augmented by TRAM-34 plus UCL 1684. The responses were reduced by SC19220. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In the renal artery of the rat, EDCF-mediated contractions are augmented by hypertension. The endothelium-dependent contractions are facilitated by NOS inhibition (in the presence of an EP-1 receptor antagonist) and by the withdrawal of EDHF-mediated responses.

Kaempferol stimulates large conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ (BKCa) channels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via a cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Kaempferol has been shown to possess a vasodilator effect but its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, experiments were carried out to study the effect of kaempferol on K+ channels in endothelial cells. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: K+ channel activities in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were studied by conventional whole cell and cell-attached patch-clamp electrophysiology. KEY RESULTS: Kaempferol stimulated an outward-rectifying current in HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 value of 2.5+/-0.02 microM. This kaempferol-induced current was abolished by large conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ (BKCa) channel blockers, such as iberiotoxin (IbTX) and charybdotoxin (ChTX), whereas the small conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ (SKCa) channel blocker, apamin, and the voltage-dependent K+ (KV) channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine, had no effect. Cell-attached patches demonstrated that kaempferol increased the open probability of BkCa channels in HUVECs. Clamping intracellular Ca2+ did not prevent kaempferol-induced increases in outward current. In addition, the kaempferol-induced current was diminished by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536, the cAMP antagonist Rp-8-Br-cAMP and the PKA inhibitor KT5720, but was not affected by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ, the cGMP antagonist Rp-8-Br-cGMP and the PKG inhibitor KT5823. The activation of BKCa channels by kaempferol caused membrane hyperpolarization of HUVECs. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results demonstrate that kaempferol activates the opening of BKCa channels in HUVECs via a cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway, resulting in membrane hyperpolarization. This mechanism may partly account for the vasodilator effects of kaempferol.

Oxidative stress and COX cause hyper-responsiveness in vascular smooth muscle of the femoral artery from diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate the dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rings without endothelium of femoral arteries were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. The production of oxygen-derived free radicals was measured with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate using confocal microscopy. The protein expressions were measured by western blotting. KEY RESULTS: The concentration-response curves to U46619 and phenylephrine, but not that to KCl, were shifted to the left, suggesting a hypersensitivity of cell membrane receptors in diabetes. Exogenous oxygen-derived free radicals induced greater vasoconstrictions in the femoral artery from diabetic rats. Chronic treatment with apocynin (inhibitor of NADPH oxidase) and acute exposure to MnTMPyP (SOD/catalase mimetic) normalized the response. The catalase activity and the total glutathione level were reduced in arteries from streptozotocin-treated rats, confirming a redox abnormality. The basal oxidative state was higher in arteries from streptozotocin-treated rats and reduced in arteries from apocynin- and streptozotocin-treated rats, suggesting that the functional changes in diabetes are due to a chronic increase in oxidative stress. In the arteries of streptozotocin-treated rats, inhibitors of COX-1 and/or COX-2 prevented the hypersensitivity and reduced the increase in oxidative stress caused by phenylephrine and U46619, suggesting that both isoforms contribute to the smooth muscle dysfunction. The expression of proteins for COX-1 and COX-2 was increased in arteries of streptozotocin-treated rats and reduced in preparations of apocynin- and streptozotocin-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Chronic diabetes and the resulting increased oxidative stress activate the production of COX-derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids causing hypersensitivity of vascular smooth muscle.

Openers of calcium-activated potassium channels and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations in the guinea pig carotid artery.

This study was designed to determine whether putative openers of calcium-activated potassium channels of small and/or intermediate conductance (SK(Ca) and IK(Ca)) induce vascular smooth muscle hyperpolarizations and to identify the underlying mechanisms. The membrane potential of guinea pig carotid artery smooth muscle cells was recorded with intracellular microelectrodes in the presence of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine and indomethacin. Acetylcholine and NS-309 produced endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations. The effects of acetylcholine were partially and significantly inhibited by apamin. The combinations of charybdotoxin plus apamin and TRAM-34 plus apamin markedly and significantly reduced these hyperpolarizations. 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO) induced hyperpolarizations that were unaffected by TRAM-34 but partially inhibited by charybdotoxin, apamin, TRAM-34 plus apamin, and charybdotoxin plus apamin. Riluzole produced only marginal hyperpolarizations. Therefore, in the guinea pig carotid artery, endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization to acetylcholine involves the activation of both SK(Ca) and IK(Ca), with a predominant role for the former channel. 1-EBIO is a non-selective and weak opener of SK(Ca), while riluzole is virtually ineffective. By contrast, NS-309 is a reasonably potent and selective opener of both SK(Ca) and IK(Ca), and this compound mimics the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations to acetylcholine.

C-type natriuretic peptide and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in the guinea-pig carotid artery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been proposed to make a fundamental contribution in arterial endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization to acetylcholine. The present study was designed to address this hypothesis in the guinea-pig carotid artery. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The membrane potential of vascular smooth muscle cells was recorded in isolated arteries with intracellular microelectrodes. KEY RESULTS: Acetylcholine induced endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations in the presence or absence of N (G)-nitro-L-arginine, indomethacin and/or thiorphan, inhibitors of NO-synthases, cyclooxygenases or neutral endopeptidase, respectively. Acetycholine hyperpolarized smooth muscle cells in resting arteries and produced repolarizations in phenylephrine-stimulated arteries. CNP produced hyperpolarizations with variable amplitude. They were observed only in the presence of inhibitors of NO-synthases and cyclooxygenases and were endothelium-independent, maintained in phenylephrine-depolarized carotid arteries, and not affected by the additional presence of thiorphan. In arteries with endothelium, the hyperpolarizations produced by CNP were always significantly smaller than those induced by acetylcholine. Upon repeated administration, a significant tachyphylaxis of the hyperpolarizing effect of CNP was observed, while consecutive administration of acetycholine produced sustained responses. The hyperpolarizations evoked by acetylcholine were abolished by the combination of apamin plus charybdotoxin, but unaffected by glibenclamide or tertiapin. In contrast, CNP-induced hyperpolarizations were abolished by glibenclamide and unaffected by the combination of apamin plus charybdotoxin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In the isolated carotid artery of the guinea-pig, CNP activates K(ATP) and is a weak hyperpolarizing agent. In this artery, the contribution of CNP to EDHF-mediated responses is unlikely.

Oxygen-derived free radicals mediate endothelium-dependent contractions in femoral arteries of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present experiments were designed to study the contribution of oxygen-derived free radicals to endothelium-dependent contractions in femoral arteries of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rings with and without endothelium were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. The production of oxygen-derived free radicals in the endothelium was measured with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate using confocal microscopy. The presence of protein was measured by western blotting. KEY RESULTS: In the presence of L-NAME, the calcium ionophore A23187 induced larger endothelium-dependent contractions in femoral arteries from diabetic rats. Tiron, catalase, deferoxamine and MnTMPyP, but not superoxide dismutase reduced the response, suggesting that oxygen-derived free radicals are involved in the endothelium-dependent contraction. In the presence of L-NAME, A23187 increased the fluorescence signal in femoral arteries from streptozotocin-treated, but not in those from control rats, confirming that the production of oxygen-derived free radicals contributes to the enhanced endothelium-dependent contractions in diabetes. Exogenous H2O2 caused contractions in femoral arterial rings without endothelium which were reduced by deferoxamine, indicating that hydroxyl radicals contract vascular smooth muscle and thus could be an endothelium-derived contracting factor in diabetes. The reduced presence of Mn-SOD and the decreased activity of catalase in femoral arteries from streptozotocin-treated rats demonstrated the presence of a redox abnormality in arteries from rats with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that the redox abnormality resulting from diabetes increases oxidative stress which facilitates and/or causes endothelium-dependent contractions.

Therapeutic concentrations of raloxifene augment nitric oxide-dependent coronary artery dilatation in vitro.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Raloxifene improves cardiovascular function. This study examines the hypothesis that therapeutic concentrations of raloxifene augment endothelium-dependent relaxation via up-regulation of eNOS expression and activity in porcine coronary arteries. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Isometric tension was measured in rings from isolated arteries. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in arterial endothelial cells were detected by Ca(2+) fluorescence imaging. Phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser-1177 was assayed by Western blot analysis. KEY RESULTS: In arterial rings pre-contracted with 9,11-dideoxy-11alpha,9alpha-epoxy-methano-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (U46619), treatment with raloxifene (1-3 nM) augmented bradykinin- or substance P-induced relaxation and this effect was antagonized by ICI 182,780, an estrogen receptor antagonist. The enhanced relaxation was abolished in rings treated with inhibitors of nitric oxide/cyclic GMP-dependent dilation, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) plus 1H-[1,2,4]oxadizolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). In contrast, effects of raloxifene were unaffected after inhibition of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors by charybdotoxin plus apamin. Raloxifene (3 nM) did not influence endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside. 17beta-Estradiol (3-10 nM) also enhanced bradykinin-induced relaxation, which was inhibited by ICI 182,780. Treatment with raloxifene (3 nM) did not affect bradykinin-stimulated rise in endothelial cell [Ca(2+)](i). Raloxifene, 17beta-estradiol, and bradykinin increased eNOS phosphorylation at Ser-1177 and ICI 182,780 prevented effects of raloxifene or 17beta-estradiol but not that of bradykinin. Raloxifene had neither additive nor antagonistic effects on 17beta-estradiol-induced eNOS phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Raloxifene in therapeutically relevant concentrations augmented endothelial function in porcine coronary arteries in vitro through ICI 182,780-sensitive mechanisms that were associated with increased phosphorylation of eNOS but independent of changes in endothelial cell [Ca(2+)](i).