PGE(2) receptors and their intracellular mechanisms in rabbit small intestine.

The effects of PGE(2) on longitudinal smooth muscle, the intracellular mechanisms involved, and the localization of EP receptors were investigated in rabbit small intestine. PGE(2) evoked contractions in small intestine that were reduced by tetrodotoxin and hexamethonium. 17-Phenyl trinor PGE(2), sulprostone, misoprostol and 16,16-dimethyl PGE(2) evoked contractions. Butaprost did not modify spontaneous motility. AH 6809 reduced PGE(2) and 17-phenyl trinor PGE(2)-induced contractions. Verapamil, Ca(2+) free medium, staurosporine, forskolin, theophylline, and rolipram diminished, while IP-20 and H-89 increased PGE(2)-induced contractions. Western blot analysis showed protein bands of 41kDa for EP(1), 71kDa for EP(2) and 62kDa for EP(3) receptors. EP(1), EP(2) and EP(3) receptors were detected in neurons of the myenteric and submucosal ganglia, but only EP(3) receptors were found in smooth muscle layers. This study did not detect EP(4) receptor. PGE(2)-induced contractions would be mediated through EP(1) and EP(3) receptors, and voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, protein kinase C, and cAMP would be implicated in these responses.

Vascular Reactivity Profile of Novel KCa 3.1-Selective Positive-Gating Modulators in the Coronary Vascular Bed.

Opening of intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (KC a 3.1) produces membrane hyperpolarization in the vascular endothelium. Here, we studied the ability of two new KC a 3.1-selective positive-gating modulators, SKA-111 and SKA-121, to (1) evoke porcine endothelial cell KC a 3.1 membrane hyperpolarization, (2) induce endothelium-dependent and, particularly, endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH)-type relaxation in porcine coronary arteries (PCA) and (3) influence coronary artery tone in isolated rat hearts. In whole-cell patch-clamp experiments on endothelial cells of PCA (PCAEC), KC a currents evoked by bradykinin (BK) were potentiated ≈7-fold by either SKA-111 or SKA-121 (both at 1 µM) and were blocked by a KC a 3.1 blocker, TRAM-34. In membrane potential measurements, SKA-111 and SKA-121 augmented bradykinin-induced hyperpolarization. Isometric tension measurements in large- and small-calibre PCA showed that SKA-111 and SKA-121 potentiated endothelium-dependent relaxation with intact NO synthesis and EDH-type relaxation to BK by ≈2-fold. Potentiation of the BK response was prevented by KC a 3.1 inhibition. In Langendorff-perfused rat hearts, SKA-111 potentiated coronary vasodilation elicited by BK. In conclusion, our data show that positive-gating modulation of KC a 3.1 channels improves BK-induced membrane hyperpolarization and endothelium-dependent relaxation in small and large PCA as well as in the coronary circulation of rats. Positive-gating modulators of KC a 3.1 could be therapeutically useful to improve coronary blood flow and counteract impaired coronary endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease.

El Trolox reduce el efecto del etanol sobre las contracciones inducidas a la acetilcolina y el estrés oxidativo en duodeno aislado de conejo / Trolox reduces the effect of ethanol on acetylcholine-induced contractions and oxidative stress in the isolated rabbit duodenum

El Trolox es un análogo hidrofílico de la vitamina E y un agente que secuestra radicales libres. El etanol disminuye la amplitud de las contracciones espontáneas y las contracciones inducidas a la acetilcolina en el duodeno de conejo. El objetivo de este trabajo era estudiar el efecto del Trolox en las alteraciones inducidas por el etanol sobre la contractilidad y la peroxidación lipídica en el duodeno. Los estudios de contractilidad duodenal in vitro se realizaron en un baño de órganos y los niveles de MDA+4-HDA se midieron por espectofotometría. El Trolox aumentó la reducción inducida por el etanol sobre la amplitud de las contracciones espontáneas en el músculo longitudinal pero no en el músculo circular de duodeno. El Trolox 4 mM redujo los efectos del etanol sobre las contracciones inducidas a la acetilcolina y sobre las concentraciones de MDA+4-HDA. Se concluye que el Trolox podría prevenir el estrés oxidativo inducido por el etanol en el duodeno(AU)

Trolox is a hydrophilic analogue of vitamin E and a free radical scavenger. Ethanol diminishes the amplitude of spontaneous contractions and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions in rabbit duodenum. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Trolox on the alterations induced by ethanol on contractility and lipid peroxidation in the duodenum. The duodenal contractility studies in vitro were carried out in an organ bath and the levels of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA+4-HAD) were measured by spectrophotometry. Trolox increased the reduction induced by ethanol on the amplitude of spontaneous contractions in longitudinal muscle but not in circular muscle. Trolox 4 mM decreased the effects of ethanol on ACh-induced contractions and on MDA+4-HDA concentrations. We conclude that Trolox might prevent oxidative stress induced by ethanol in the duodenum(AU)