Serotonin receptor-mediated vasorelaxation occurs primarily through 5-HT4 activation in bovine lateral saphenous vein.

To better understand mechanisms of serotonin- (5-HT) mediated vasorelaxation, isolated lateral saphenous veins from cattle were assessed for vasoactivity using myography in response to increasing concentrations of 5-HT or selective 5-HT receptor agonists. Vessels were pre-contracted with 1 × 10-4 M phenylephrine and exposed to increasing concentrations of 5-HT or 5-HT receptor agonists that were selective for 5-HT1B, 5-HT2B, 5-HT4, and 5-HT7. Vasoactive response data were normalized as a percentage of the maximum contractile response induced by the phenylephrine pre-contraction. At 1 × 10-7 M 5-HT, a relaxation was observed with an 88.7% decrease (p < 0.01) from the phenylephrine maximum. At 1 × 10-4 M 5-HT, a contraction was observed with a 165% increase (p < 0.01) from the phenylephrine maximum. Increasing concentrations of agonists selective for 5-HT2B, 5-HT4, or 5-HT7 resulted in a 27%, 92%, or 44% (p < 0.01) decrease from the phenylephrine maximum, respectively. Of these 5-HT receptor agonists, the selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist resulted in the greatest potency (-log EC50) value (6.30) compared with 5-HT2B and 5-HT7 receptor agonists (4.21 and 4.66, respectively). To confirm the involvement of 5-HT4 in 5-HT-mediated vasorelaxation, blood vessels were exposed to either DMSO (solvent control) or a selective 5-HT4 antagonist (1 × 10-5 M) for 5-min prior to the phenylephrine pre-contraction and 5-HT additions. Antagonism of the 5-HT4 receptor attenuated the vasorelaxation caused by 5-HT. Approximately 94% of the vasorelaxation occurring in response to 5-HT could be accounted for through 5-HT4, providing strong evidence that 5-HT-mediated vasorelaxation occurs through 5-HT4 activation in bovine peripheral vasculature.

Changes of the serum properties and its effect on the endothelial cells restoration in patients with chronic venous disease treated with sulodexide.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are important venous changes in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). The use of the venoactive drugs remains an important treatment modality for patients with CVD, reducing the severity of the CVD-related symptoms and swelling but also reducing inflammation and protecting endothelial cells. In this research, the effects of the serum obtained from patients with CVD before and after sulodexide treatment were evaluated for in vivo and in vitro inflammatory markers and endothelial cell function. METHODS: Inflammatory markers (IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9], vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], and von Willebrand factor [vWF]) from the incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs) and from the systemic venous circulation were studied in 10 patients with CVD (C2s) before and after 2 months of sulodexide (2 × 500 lipasemic units/d) therapy. Serum obtained from the vein blood before and after sulodexide treatment was evaluated for in vitro cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell function. RESULTS: The serum collected from lower leg incompetent GSVs had significantly elevated levels of VCAM-1 (+29%, P < .001) compared with the serum from the systemic circulation. Endothelial cells exposed to the serum from the incompetent lower leg veins of the untreated CVD patients demonstrated higher stimulated synthesis of MMP-9 (+17%, P < .01), as well as increased markers of senescence (prolongation of population doubling time, ß-galactosidase activity, and expression of p21 and p53 genes). CVD serum-induced senescent endothelial cells had a higher expression of genes regulating IL-6, MMP-9, VCAM-1, and vWF synthesis. The overall proinflammatory effect on endothelial cells by the serum collected from the incompetent GSVs was stronger as compared with the serum from the systemic circulation. Serum collected from the veins after sulodexide treatment caused lower levels of endothelial cell inflammatory markers as well as respective gene expression than serum obtained at the beginning of the study (before sulodexide treatment). Sulodexide application also reduced the inflammatory secretory activity of the senescent endothelial cells. Sulodexide treatment resulted in the decrease of the majority of the studied inflammatory parameters in both lower limb incompetent vein and systemic blood. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CVD, there are significant differences between circulating inflammatory markers analyzed from the lower leg incompetent GSV segments compared with the systemic circulation, indicating a higher inflammatory condition in CVD. Treatment with sulodexide reduces the proinflammatory and endothelial cell activation properties of the serum from patients with CVD. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study documented the significant proinflammatory human vascular endothelial cell activation when exposed to the serum collected from the varicose veins as compared with the serum from the systemic circulation in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). The inflammatory marker expression, endothelial dysfunction, and endothelial cell senescence transformation can be successfully controlled and downregulated by patients' exposure to the glycosaminoglycan (sulodexide) treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm if glycosaminoglycan application can prevent further CVD clinical progression due to potential CVD-related pathological processes' modulation and their downregulation.

Effects of in vitro amitriptyline, fluoxetine, tranylcypromine and venlafaxine on saphenous vein grafts

Abstract Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of amitriptyline, fluoxetine, tranylcypromine and venlafaxine on saphenous vein grafts in coronary artery bypass graft surgeries. Methods: 59 patients (40 males and 19 females; mean age 65.1 years, distribution: 45-84 years) who had coronary artery bypass graft surgery between February 2014 and May 2016 were included in the study. After the saphenous vein grafts with intact and denuded endothelium were precontracted with 3×10-6M phenylephrine, amitriptyline, fluoxetine and tranylcypromine were cumulatively added to isolated organ baths in the range of 10-11-3x10-5M, while venlafaxine was added in the range of 10-9-3×10-5M. Then, the antidepressant-induced relaxation responses were recorded isometrically. Results: While the relaxation response of amitriptyline at -6.42 (Log M) was 74.6%, the response at -6.32 (Log M) was 75.5%. While the relaxation response at -6.46 (Log M) of fluoxetine was 68.02%, the response at -6.02 (Log M) was 72.12%. While the relaxation response of tranylcypromine at -7.53 (Log M) was 61.13%, the response at -7.23 (Log M) was 65.53%. While the relaxation response of venlafaxine at -6.21 (Log M) was 29.98%, the response at -5.90 (Log M) was 32.96%. Conclusion: The maximum relaxation at minimum and maximum therapeutic concentrations was obtained with amitriptyline, fluoxetine and tranylcypromine, and the minimum relaxation was obtained with venlafaxine. The relaxation responses were independent of the endothelium.

Reactividad vascular in vitro y estudio morfométrico de venas safenas utilizadas como bypass coronario: técnica "no-touch" versus convencional / In vitro vascular reactivity and morphometric study of saphenous veins graft used as coronary bypass: "no-touch" versus conventional technique

Resumen Introducción: Prolongar la permeabilidad de los injertos utilizados en bypass coronario es un desafío constante. Objetivo: Comparar anatomofuncionalmente venas safenas humanas (VSH) extraídas con técnica convencional (TC) vs técnica "no-touch" (NT). Material y Método: Estudio experimental. Se diseccionó VSH con TC y NT en el pabellón de cirugía cardiaca del Hospital Regional de Antofagasta. Las muestras de VSH fueron seccionadas en anillos de 3 mm y conservados en cámaras de órganos aislados con solución Ringer-Krebs. Para evaluar la vasomotilidad se administró norepinefrina (10-6M), papaverina (10-4M), acetilcolina (10-6M) y nitroprusiato de sodio (10-5M). Un segmento de las muestras fue fijado en formalina al 10%, procesado con técnica histológica y analizado bajo microscopía óptica. Las muestras fueron teñidas con hematoxilina-eosina, Verhoeff y orceína. El análisis estadístico fue realizado mediante el software Prism Graphad. Resultados: Reactividad vascular: La vasoconstricción inducida por noradrenalina fue significativamente superior en anillos del grupo NT vs TC (p < 0,0001). La vasodilatación producida por papaverina y acetilcolina fue superior en el grupo NT (p < 0,004) y (p < 0,0003), respectivamente. Estudio morfométrico: El grupo NT presentó túnica muscular (0,755 vs 0,680 mm), adventicia (0,5600 vs 0,4663 mm) y pared total (1,344 vs 0,962 mm) más gruesa que el grupo TC. No hubo diferencias significativas respecto el número de vasa vasorum. Conclusión: El grupo NT responde significativamente mejor a estímulos vasoconstrictores y vasodilatadores. Los resultados se asocian con las diferencias morfométricas.

Introduction: Prolonging of the grafts permeability used in coronary bypass is a constant challenge. Objective: To compare anatomical and functional human saphenous veins (VSH) extracted "No touch" (NT) technique vs conventional technique (TC). Materials and Methods: Experimental study. VSH dissected with CT and NT in the Regional Hospital of Antofagasta cardiac surgery ward. VSH samples were sectioned into 3 mm rings and preserved in isolated organs chambers with Krebs-Ringer solution. To evaluate the vasomotor activity, norepinephrine (10-6M), papaverine (10-4M), acetylcholine (10-6M) and sodium nitroprusside (10-5M) was administered. A segment of samples was fixed in 10% formalin, processed and histological analyzed under light microscopy technique with hematoxylin-eosin, Verhoeff and orceína. Statistical analysis was performed using the Prism software Graphad. Results: Vascular Reactivity: norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction was significantly higher in the group rings NT vs TC (p < 0.0001). Vasodilation was higher with papaverine and acetylcholine in the NT group (p < 0.004) and (p < 0.0003), respectively. Morphometric study: The NT group presented muscularis (0.755 vs 0.680 mm), adventitious (0.5600 vs 0.4663 mm), and total wall (1.344 vs 0.962 mm) thicker than the TC group. No significant differences in vasa vasorum number identified. Conclusion: The NT group vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responds significantly better. Results correlate with morphometric differences.

Influencia del sistema nitridérgico en la respuesta contráctil a fenilefrina de anillos de vasos usados en revascularización coronaria / Modification of phenylephrine induced contraction of human vessel rings by L-arginine and L-arginine methyl ester

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is associated to a lower production of nitric oxide and a reduction of endothelium mediated vasodilation. Aim: To study the effects of pharmacological agents that modify nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) activity on tension changes induced by phenylephrine in rings of internal mammary and radial arteries and saphenous vein. Material and methods: Vessel rings of 7 to 10 mm length were obtained from 32 patients subjected to coronary vascular surgery Fourteen samples of radial artery, 12 samples of internal mammary artery and 15 samples of saphenous vein were obtained. A maximal contraction was induced with KC1 and dose response curves for phenylephrine (FE) in the absence or presence of L-arginine and L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), were constructed. Results: The tension induced by FE in internal mammary artery and saphenous vein reached a maximum, near 90 percent of 80 mM KCl-induced contraction, but in the radial artery, it reached a maximum of 63 percent (p <0.05). In all vessels, the dose response curves were significantly shifted to the right by L-arginine and to the íeft by L-NAME. Conclusions: Pre-incubation of human rings with L-ARG or L-NAME, changed the response to FE induced contraction, which may be related to different degrees of endothelial nitric oxide production or NO sensitivity. The basal NO production in radial artery seems to be larger than the other vessels.

Aspectos estructurales y funcionales de la vena safena humana utilizada como puente aorto-coronario en la cirugia de revascularización miocárdica / Structural and functional aspects of the human saphenous vein used as aorto-coronary graft in myocardial revascularization

La vena safena humana (VSH) se utiliza como puente en la cirugía de revascularización coronaria y de otros lechos arteriales, especialmente de miembros inferiores. Dado que los puentes de VSH presentan un porcentaje considerable de obliteración, numerosos estudios han investigado los factores que promoverían la producción de la estenosis en los mismos. Este artículo describe resultados sobre las condiciones estructurales y funcionales que confluyen para producir la obstrucción de los puentes de VSH. Se analiza la reactividad de la VSH a agonistas fisiológicos, incluídos los factores contrayentes y relajantes derivados del endotelio, por su importancia en determinar el vasoespasmo y en modificar la expresión de factores de crecimiento tisular y/o promotores de procesos trombóticos y ateromatosos. Se describen mecanismos involucrados en la regulación del estado contráctil de los miocitos lisos, en particular la actividad de canales de K+ de la membrana

Vasorelaxant effects of the potassium channel opener SR 47063 on the isolated human saphenous vein and rat aorta

The vasorelaxant effects of SR 47063 (4-(2-cyanimino-1,2-dihydropyrid-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-6-nitrochromene), a new K+-channel opener structurally related to levcromakalim, were examined in isolated human saphenous vein (HSV) and rat aorta (RA). HSV or RA rings were precontracted with either KCl or noradrenaline and cumulative relaxant concentration-response curves were obtained for SR 47063 (0.1 nM to 1 µM) in the presence or absence of 3 µM glibenclamide. SR 47063 potently relaxed HSV and RA precontracted with 20 mM (but not 60 mM) KCl or 10 µM noradrenaline in a concentration-dependent manner, showing slightly greater activity in the aorta. The potency of the effect of SR 47063 on HSV and RA was 12- and 58-fold greater, respectively, than that reported for the structurally related K+-channel opener levcromakalim. The vasorelaxant action of SR 47063 in both blood vessels was strongly inhibited by 3 µM glibenclamide, consistent with a mechanism of action involving ATP-dependent K+-channels

Pharmacological screening of some quinoline derivatives in canine vascular smooth muscle

In order to develop drugs wich can discriminate vascular 5-HT1-like receptos, this study aalyzed the agonist/antagonist interactions of several quinoline derivatives in vascular tissues containing these receptors. 5/HT and several substituted quinolines were evaluated and compared in canine basilar artery rings and saphenous vein helical strips wich were mounted in organ baths for monitoring isometric tension changes. Based upon the molecular features of quipazine, the main assayed variations included some substitutions at the 4-position of piperazine and miscellaneous substitutions at the 2-position of the quinoline nucleus. The rsults, in terms of agonist-induced contraction and-or antagonism of 5-HT-induced contraction revealed that: a) 4-alylation of the piperazinyl mioety moderately increases the agonist efficacy; b) halogenation or methylation at 5-or 6-position of both 1-piperazinyl-and 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl quinolines completely abolishes agonist activity; c) introduction of larger substituents (i.e., alkyl, carbethoxy, acethoxyalkyl, aromatic and non/aromatic rings) at the 4-position of the piperazinyl moiety, notably decreases or even abolishes the agonist activity; d) replacement of the piperainyl group by an aminoethyl moiety impotantly increases potency (more than threefold) and efficacy (more than twofold). These findings represent leads which may aid the subsequent desing of vascular 5-HT1-like-selective agents

Alguns aspectos da funçäo endotelial em cirurgia cardíaca / Some aspects of the endothelial function in cardiac surgery

Este estudo mostra alguns aspectos da funçäo endotelial relacionados, diretamente, com a cirurgia cardíaca: 1) Após isquemia miocárdica global seguida de reperfusäo, o endotélio coronariano perde a habilidade de expressar vasodilataçäo endotélio-dependente mediada por receptores, ao passo que o relaxamento endotélio-dependente mediado pelo cálcio ionóforo A23187 e a fosfolipasec C, que näo dependem de estimulaçäo de receptores, encontra-se inalterada. O relaxamento produzido pelo fluoreto de sódio, o qual atua através de G-proteína(s), encontra-se comprometido. Estes experimentos indicam que o comprometimento da produçäo de EDRF/NO mediada por receptores após a lesäo de reperfusäo possa ser devido a uma disfunçäo de G-proteínas que liga os receptores da célula endotelial à via da sínese de EDRF/NO; 2) Quarenta e cinco minutos de parada cardioplégica de coraçöes de cäes, pela soluçäo St. Thomas näo comprometem a produçäo de EDRF/NO em artérias epicárdicas coronárias. Estudos farmacológicos in vitro semelhantes, testando-se os efeitos da soluçäo UW, suportaram o conceito de que ela näo lesa o endotélio coronariano, sendo segura para a preservaçäo cardíaca durantes transplantes cardíacos; 3) Em segmentos de artérias coronárias, renais, femorais, e em segmentos de artéria pulmonar, a protamina induziu vasodilataçäo endotélio-dependente, mediada pela estimulaçäo da liberaçäo de EDRF/NO. Nas circulaçöes coronariana e sistêmica, ao contrário do que se verificou nos experimentos envolvendo a circulaçäo pulmonar, este efeito foi independente da presença de heparina; 4) Em 83 por cento dos ensaios biológicos, o efluente da AMI esquerda induziu um relaxamento maior do anel coronariano bioensaiado do que o efluente da AMI direita, por liberaçäo basal de EDRF/NO. Este inibe a adesividade e a agregaçäo plaquetárias e a aterogêne, contribuindo para os resultados superiores obtidos quando se utiliza esta artéria para a revascularizaçäo do miocárdi. Quando expostos à hipoxia, as atividades vasodilatadoras da AMI e da veia safena foram maiores. Esta acentuaçäo da vasodilataçäo causada pela hipóxia foi inibida pelo tratamento com a indometacina, e, rapidamente, revertida, quando se restabeleceu a normóxia.