Telemetric animal model to evaluate visceral pain in the freely moving rat.

Several research groups have measured the visceromotor response to visceral distension by electromyography (EMG) in the conscious restraint, wrapped or lightly anaesthetized rat. Our aim was to develop a more physiological and stress-free technique that enables the simultaneous measurement of duodenal distension-induced visceromotor and cardiovascular responses in the conscious, freely moving rat. A telemetry transmitter, consisting of a bipolar electrode pair and arterial catheter, was chronically implanted into the rat to measure abdominal EMG, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Furthermore, a balloon catheter was chronically implanted in the duodenum to deliver volume-fixed staircase (0.1-0.6 ml) or phasic (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 ml) distensions. The area under the curve (AUC; mVs) and maximal amplitude (EMG(max); mV) during distension were analyzed. The model was validated by pre-treatment with morphine (0.3, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Staircase and phasic distension produced a volume-dependent increase in AUC and EMG(max), HR and MAP. Pre-treatment with morphine inhibited the distension-induced visceromotor response, i.e. abdominal contractions, increase in AUC and EMG(max). These findings indicate that telemetry is an adequate tool to measure visceromotor and cardiovascular responses to averse, noxious duodenal distension continuously and simultaneously in the rats home cage, without additional handling-related or restraint-induced stress. The presented animal visceral model is intended for studying acute and chronic analgesic properties of new pharmaceutical compounds.

Pharmacological characterization of the 5-HT receptors mediating contraction and relaxation of canine isolated proximal stomach smooth muscle.

1. We aimed to characterize 5-HT receptors mediating contraction and relaxation to 5-HT in dog proximal stomach longitudinal muscle (LM) strips. 2. Of the tryptamine analogues tested, 5-HT was the most potent contractile agent at basal length, while 5-CT was the most potent relaxant of PGF(2alpha)-induced contraction. Neither the contractions to 5-HT, nor the relaxations to 5-CT were influenced by tetrodotoxin, illustrating that action potential propagation is not involved. 3. The 5-HT-induced contraction was antagonized by mesulergine (0.03 to 0.3 microM) and ketanserin (2 - 20 nM), but the antagonism was not of a simple competitive nature, indicating multiple receptor involvement. Ketanserin (3 to 30 nM) and mesulergine (30 nM) competitively antagonized the alpha-Me-5-HT-induced contraction (pK(B): 8.83+/-0.09 and pA(2): 8.25+/-0.06 respectively). These affinity values are in line with literature affinities of ketanserin and mesulergine at 5-HT(2A) receptors in various bioassays. 4. The 5-CT-induced inhibition of PGF(2alpha)-induced contraction was competitively antagonized by mesulergine (pK(B) estimate: 8.52+/-0.12) and by the selective 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist SB-269970 (pK(B) estimate: 9.36+/-0.14). Both pK(B) estimates are in line with literature affinities of these compounds for 5-HT(7) receptors. Mesulergine (30 nM) and SB-269970 (10 nM) shifted the relaxant curve to 5-HT parallel to the right in the presence of ketanserin (0.3 microM) (pA(2) estimates of 8.08+/-0.10 and 8.75+/-0.14 respectively), indicative of 5-HT(7) receptor involvement. 5. It is concluded that 5-HT induces dog proximal stomach (LM) contraction via smooth muscle 5-HT(2A) receptors and relaxation via smooth muscle 5-HT(7) receptors.

Smooth muscle 5-HT2A receptors mediating contraction of porcine isolated proximal stomach strips.

1. The aim of this study was to characterize the 5-HT receptors involved in the 5-HT-induced contraction of longitudinal muscle (LM) strips of porcine proximal stomach. This was done in a classical organ bath set-up for isotonic measurement. 2. The concentration-contraction curve to 5-HT was not modified by 5-HT(3) and 5-HT(4) receptor antagonism. Methysergide, ketanserin and mesulergine antagonized the curve to 5-HT. Concomitantly, increasing concentrations of ketanserin and mesulergine progressively revealed a biphasic nature of the 5-HT curve. Ketanserin antagonized the low-affinity receptor while it did not modify the high-affinity receptor. 3. Tetrodotoxin did not influence the concentration-contraction curve to 5-HT neither in the absence nor presence of ketanserin, indicating that nerves are not involved. 4. Ketanserin competitively antagonized the monophasic concentration-response curve to alpha-Methyl-5-HT, yielding a Schild slope that was not significantly different from unity. After constraining the Schild slope to unity, a pK(B) estimate of 8.23+/-0.90 was obtained. This affinity estimate of ketanserin closely approximates previously reported affinities at 5-HT(2A) receptors. 5. In the presence of ketanserin (0.1 microM; exposing the high-affinity receptor), a wide range of 5-HT receptor antagonists covering all 5-HT receptors known, was tested. Only methysergide and ritanserin inhibited the response to 5-HT, thus expressing affinity for the high-affinity receptor. This did not reveal the identity of the receptor involved. 6 It can be concluded that 5-HT induces pig proximal stomach (LM) contraction via 5-HT(2A) receptors located on smooth muscle. A ketanserin-insensitive phase of contractions could not be characterized between the actually known classes of 5-HT receptors with the pharmacological tools that were used.

Effect of adrenoceptor agonists on striated muscle strips of the canine oesophagus.

1. Acute psychological stress, which could be related to the release of a large amount of catecholamines, may cause oesophageal motility disorders. Therefore, the aim of our study was to elucidate the influence of adrenoceptor agonists on the striated muscle portion of the oesophagus by use of isolated strips from dogs. 2. Contractions were evoked in isolated striated muscle strips by electrical field stimulation (1 pulse min-1, 1 ms/pulse, submaximal voltage). The effects induced by administration of adrenoceptor agonists alone or in the presence of antagonists were tested to determine the nature of the adrenoceptors on this muscle preparation. 3. The administration of both the natural adrenoceptor agonists, adrenaline and noradrenaline, and the synthetic beta-adrenoceptor agonists, isoprenaline (beta 1 + beta 2), dobutamine (beta 1) or ritodrine (beta 2), enhanced the amplitude of the contractions induced by electrical stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximum responses were 82.6 (adrenaline), 66.2 (noradrenaline), 86.2 (isoprenaline), 34.6 (dobutamine) and 80.8% (ritodrine). The EC20 values obtained were respectively 2 nM, 0.2 microM, 0.91 nM, 3 microM and 80 nM. The administration of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, also enhanced the contractile response in a concentration-dependent manner (EC20 value = 0.3 microM) and the maximum response was 64.6%, but the administration of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, did not influence the contractile response. These data suggest the involvement of beta 2- and possibly alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the responses of these adrenoceptor agonists. 4 The selective P2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118551 (3-100nM) shifted the concentration-effect curves for noradrenaline, phenylephrine and ritodrine to the right in a concentration-dependent manner.ICI 118551 (3 nM) also shifted the concentration-effect curves for adrenaline and isoprenaline to the right, but increasing the concentration of ICI 118551 did not cause any further antagonist activity until a concentration of 100 nM, when a further rightward shift was obtained.5. The selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (30-300 nM), did not affect the increased contractile responses induced by adrenaline, noradrenaline, phenylephrine, isoprenaline or ritodrine.6. In conclusion, it appears that beta2-adrenoceptors are present in the striated muscle portion of the canine oesophagus, where they mediate an enhancement of contractile responses evoked by electrical stimulation. The alpha l-agonist, phenylephrine, appears to interact with beta2-adrenoceptors on this preparation.beta 3-Adrenoceptors have already been demonstrated in smooth muscle from various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, and our study does not exclude the possibility that there is an additional population of beta 3-receptors in the canine striated muscle part of the oesophagus.

Nitric oxide is involved in 5-HT-induced relaxations of the guinea-pig colon ascendens in vitro.

1. In the guinea-pig colon ascendens, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) induces contractions, mediated by 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors, and relaxations, through a 5-HT1 receptor subtype, that triggers the release of an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the main candidates of NANC inhibitory neurotransmission in the gut. The aim of this study was to establish whether NO is involved in 5-HT-induced relaxations of the guinea-pig colon ascendens. 2. Antagonists to block the contractile responses to 5-HT via 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors were present throughout the experiments and methacholine was administered to precontract the strips. Under these conditions, 5-HT concentration-dependently induced relaxations from 10 nM onwards (EC50 = 258 (172-387) nM). The relaxations were inhibited by metergoline (10 nM) and methiothepine (100 nM) and abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 320 nM). Guanethidine (3.2 microM) did not affect them. 3. NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) inhibited the responses to 5-HT (IC50 = 18.7 (13.3-26.3) microM); at the highest 5-HT concentration a maximum inhibition of about 75% was observed with 320 microM L-NNA. This inhibition was reversed with L-arginine. Relaxations to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) were not inhibited by L-NNA. 4. Haemoglobin (32 microM) inhibited the relaxations to 5-HT and GTN, but not those to isoprenaline (Iso). Methylene blue (10 microM) inhibited the relaxations to 5-HT but did not affect those caused by GTN or Iso. 5. It is concluded that 5-HT induces relaxations that involve NO.We also confirmed that 5-HT induces these relaxations via (a) 5-HT, receptor subtype(s), located on neurones.

In vivo characterization of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated gastric relaxation in conscious dogs.

Accumulating data have been published emphasizing the important role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors in proximal stomach relaxation. However, a proper in vivo characterization of 5-HT receptors mediating gastric relaxation is still missing. In the current study, we focus on the in vivo characterization of 5-HT1A receptors mediating relaxation of the proximal stomach in conscious dogs. Beagle dogs were equipped with a gastric fistula. In the conscious state, volume changes within an intragastric bag were measured at constant pressure by means of a barostat. Results are presented as the maximum volume increase after treatment (mean+/-s.e.m.). All drugs were injected intravenously. The 5-HT1A receptor agonist flesinoxan (10, 50, 100 and 150 microg kg-1) induced a dose-dependent relaxation of the canine proximal stomach (50+/-10, 230+/-51, 290+/-38 and 275+/-33 ml, respectively; n=9-11). The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 dose-dependently inhibited the flesinoxan-induced relaxation. NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester did not affect this relaxation, suggesting that nitrergic nerves are not involved. After supradiaphragmatic vagotomy, the baseline of the intragastric volume was larger compared to that before vagotomy (317+/-50 vs 142+/-28 ml, respectively; n=5). Compensation for this by either reduction of the intraballoon pressure or infusion of a contractile dose of bethanechol did not establish a condition in which flesinoxan was able to relax the stomach. In contrast, nitroprusside induced a significant gastric relaxation when tone was increased by bethanechol. It is concluded that flesinoxan induces proximal gastric relaxation in conscious dogs via 5-HT1A receptors. The response is mediated through a vagal pathway without involvement of nitrergic nerves.

Gastric secretion but not nitric oxide is involved in pentagastrin-induced gastric relaxation in conscious dogs.

Gastrin delays gastric emptying of liquids probably by reducing gastric tone. The mechanism responsible for the relaxatory effect induced by pentagastrin was unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pentagastrin and the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects. Could nitric oxide (NO) be involved as a mediator. Gastric tone was monitored with a flaccid bag introduced into the stomach via a gastric cannula and connected to a barostat. A series of pressure-volume curves with a 30-min interval were constructed by increasing intragastric pressure to a maximum of 14 mmHg (2-mmHg steps). Pentagastrin (4 micrograms kg-1 s.c.) facilitated the volume increases induced by isobaric gastric distension. This effect could be completely blocked by pretreatment with cimetidine (10 mg kg-1 s.c.) or by omeprazole (10 mg kg-1 p.o.). The effect induced by pentagastrin could be mimicked by histamine (0.16 mg kg-1 s.c.) and to a lesser extent by insulin (0.2 IU kg-1 i.v.). Cimetidine and omeprazole had no intrinsic effect on gastric tone. With an opened cannula, allowing the gastric secretions to leave the stomach, no increased gastric relaxation could be observed either in the presence of pentagastrin or in the presence of histamine or insulin. Nitro-1-arginine (L-NNA, 5 mg kg-1 i.v.) reduced the volume increases induced by distension. Unexpectedly, even in the presence of L-NNA, pentagastrin remained effective. In conclusion, pentagastrin induces a gastric relaxation via a mechanism which involves gastric secretion but not nitric oxide.

Is the action of cisapride on the guinea-pig ileum mediated via 5-HT4 receptors?

It has been suggested that benzamides, like cisapride, exert their effects on the guinea-pig ileum via activation of a 5-HT receptor (5-HT4 receptor?) mechanism. The aim of this study was to determine whether an how the 5-HT4 receptor (previously described in mouse colliculi neurones) is involved in the cisapride-induced effect. The effects induced by cisapride were compared with those of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT) either alone or in the presence of a 5-HT4 antagonist (micromolar concentration of ICS 205-930) or a benzamide antagonist (R 50 595). As a model we used the electrically stimulated longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation from the guinea-pig ileum. Cisapride (3.10(-7) M), 5-HT and a 5-HT4 receptor agonist 5-MeOT (3.10(-10)-10(-6) M) induced similar effects, i.e. enhancement of the twitch responses. After rinsing the organ baths, a second addition of the agonists resulted in a similar response. The studied agonists showed mutual desensitization. Cisapride desensitized the response induced by 5-HT or 5-MeOT, and 5-MeOT or 5-HT desensitized the effect induced by cisapride. In preparations preincubated with a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, ICS 205-930- (3.10(-6) M) or R 50 595 (3.10(-7) M), a benzamide with a specific antagonistic action on the effect induced by 5-HT and benzamides on the guinea-pig ileum, the effects induced by cisapride, 5-HT and 5-MeOT were abolished. These results indicate that cisapride indeed exerts its effect via an agonistic action on a serotonin receptor, probably the previously described 5-HT4 receptor.

Role of the endocardium in the inotropic action of UD-CG-212 CL.

UD-CG-212 CL is a metabolite of pimobendan (UD-CG-115 BS), a non-glycosidic, non-adrenergic positive inotropic agent. In the present study we investigated the effect of UD-CG-212 CL on cat papillary muscles in the presence or absence of an intact endocardial endothelium. The endocardium was damaged by a very short detergent treatment. We demonstrated that, in muscles with an intact endocardial endothelium, UD-CG-212 CL induced a moderate, but significant inotropic effect resembling the changes induced by adrenoceptor agonists. Addition of an alpha- and or beta-blocker reduced this positive inotropic effect. The effect induced by UD-CG-212 CL, was completely abolished after the endocardial endothelium was damaged. We conclude that the endocardium played a modulatory role in the action of UD-CG-212 CL through the release of various factors with inotropic activity.

Substance P-induced contractions of the guinea-pig proximal colon through stimulation of post-junctional tachykinin NK1 receptors.

The effects of three tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists and a tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist against substance P-induced contractions of the guinea-pig proximal colon longitudinal muscle were investigated. Atropine, tetrodotoxin and phosphoramidon did not affect the concentration-response curve for substance P (pEC50 = 7.8). The tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, 2S,3S-cis-CP 96345, competitively inhibited the contractions due to substance P (pA2 = 8.5; constrained pA2 = 8.9), but at higher concentrations (> or = 3 x 10(-7) M), 2S,3S-cis-CP 96345 also depressed the concentration-response curve for methacholine. The species-selective tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists, WIN 51708 and WIN 62577 (both 1 x 10(-6) M), and the tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist, SR 48968 (3 x 10(-7) M), had no effect. It is concluded that substance P induces contractions through the stimulation of tachykinin NK1 receptors on the smooth muscle cells. In this preparation, tachykinin NK2 receptors do not seem to be involved in the contractile action of substance P.

Role of NO in vagally-mediated relaxations of guinea-pig stomach.

Vagal stimulation of the stomach induces a relaxation mediated via non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves. The neurotransmitter which is responsible for this relaxation is still unknown. To determine whether nitric oxide (NO) or a NO related substance mediates this relaxation, an intact guinea-pig stomach was mounted in an organ bath, with electrodes surrounding the vagal nerves. Electrical stimulation of the vagal nerves, in the presence of atropine, induced frequency dependent, tetrodotoxin-(TTX) sensitive relaxations of the stomach quantified as changes in volume. These relaxations were not affected by alpha- or beta-adrenoceptor antagonists or guanethidine. Thus they were evoked by non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves. The relaxant responses could be inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) a substance that inhibits the formation of nitric oxide (NO). Addition of L-arginine, the substrate for NO-synthase, reversed the L-NNA-induced-inhibition of the relaxation. Addition of nitroglycerin (a NO-donor) to a non-stimulated stomach mimicked the relaxations observed after vagal stimulation in a concentration dependent manner. These relaxations were insensitive to TTX. Relaxation of the stomach by vagal stimulation was prevented by an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, methylene blue, further supporting our conclusions. These data indicate that NO or a substance releasing NO plays an important role in NANC-neurotransmission after vagal stimulation of the guinea-pig stomach.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in 5-HT-induced relaxations of the guinea-pig stomach.

In a previous study we showed that the relaxations induced after vagal stimulation of the guinea-pig stomach are mediated via nitric oxide (NO) or a NO-related substance. Intra-arterial injection (i.a.) of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) also induced relaxations in the guinea-pig stomach. Since it has been shown that in the guinea-pig colon 5-HT-induced relaxations are mediated via NO the aim of this study was to establish whether NO is involved in the 5-HT-induced relaxations in the guinea-pig stomach. Intra-arterial injection of 5-HT induced dose-dependent relaxations of the stomach. Since atropine and alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents did not influence the relaxation and since tetrodotoxin (TTX) blocked the relaxations, this effect is mediated via NANC-neurons. Administration of a NO-synthase-inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) concentration-dependently reduced the 5-HT-induced relaxations. Haemoglobin (a NO-scavanger) did not affect the relaxations to 5-HT, while addition of methylene blue, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, reduced the relaxations by 50%. Addition of an opioid receptor agonist (loperamide), a 5-HT1 antagonist (methiothepin or metergoline) or a 5-HT4 receptor agonist (cisapride) or -antagonist (tropisetron in micromolar concentrations) inhibited the 5-HT-induced relaxations. Neither the 5-HT4 receptor agonist renzapride, nor the novel 5-HT4 receptor antagonist SDZ 205-557, affected the relaxations to 5-HT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5-HT-induced neurogenic relaxations of the guinea-pig proximal colon: investigation into the role of ATP and VIP in addition to nitric oxide.

In the guinea-pig proximal colon, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) relaxes the longitudinal muscle by stimulating neuronal 5-HT receptors, which induces the release of nitric oxide (NO). It was investigated whether the inhibitory neurotransmitters adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and/or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) could be involved as well. Antagonists to block the contractile response to 5-HT via 5-HT2, 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 receptors were present throughout the experiments and methacholine was administered to precontract the strips. ATP, VIP and 5-HT induced concentration-dependent relaxations, in the case of 5-HT yielding a non-monophasic concentration-response curve. Tetrodotoxin (TTX; 300 nM), NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 100 microM) and their combination did not inhibit the relaxations induced by VIP (up to 0.3 microM) or 0.3-3 microM ATP but reduced those by 10 microM ATP. Suramin (300 microM) strongly inhibited the relaxations to ATP and VIP. L-NNA and suramin also inhibited the relaxations to 5-HT. In the presence of L-NNA (100 microM), suramin did not significantly inhibit the relaxations to 5-HT. Suramin did not affect the relaxations to isoprenaline, nitroglycerin or exogenous NO (1 microM), demonstrating its specificity. Apamin (30 nM) inhibited both the relaxations to ATP (by 70-100%) and to 5-HT; relaxations to isoprenaline were partially inhibited, indicating a non-specific component in the inhibitory action of apamin. However, relaxations to exogenous VIP (up to 0.3 microM), NO (1 microM) and to nitroglycerin were not inhibited. In the presence of L-NNA (100 microM), apamin inhibited the relaxations to 5-HT only at 30 microM. alpha, beta-methylene-ATP (alpha, beta-Me-ATP; 100 microM) did not desensitize the responses to ATP. Reactive blue 2 affected the relaxations to isoprenaline at concentrations necessary to significantly inhibit the relaxations to ATP (i.e. from 10 microM onwards). Thus, it was not possible to test either alpha, beta-Me-ATP or reactive blue 2 against the relaxations to 5-HT. alpha-Chymotrypsin (0.015 mg.ml-1) and trypsin (0.005 mg.ml-1) almost abolished the relaxations to VIP, but did not affect those to isoprenaline and 5-HT. The VIP receptor antagonists [p-Cl-D-Phe6, Leu17]VIP (1 microM) and VIP10-28 (1 and 3 microM) did not affect the concentration-response curve to VIP and were hence not tested against 5-HT. Phosphoramidon (1 microM) had no effect on the relaxations to VIP or 5-HT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cisapride and a structural analogue, R 76,186, are 5-hydroxytryptamine4 (5-HT4) receptor agonists on the guinea-pig colon ascendens.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the effects of cisapride and its close structural analogue R 76,186 on the isolated guinea-pig colon ascendens, are mediated through 5-HT4 receptors. Both cisapride and R 76,186 induced contractions in a concentration-dependent fashion, giving monophasic concentration-response curves (cisapride: EC50 = 1.1 x 10(-7) M, maximum effect = 40.3% of methacholine-induced (3 x 10(-7) M) contractions; R 76,186: EC50 = 2.4 x 10(-8) M, maximum effect = 52.1%). Blockade of either 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptors did not affect the responses to cisapride. However, tropisetron (in 5-HT4 receptor-blocking concentrations), and DAU 6285 and SDZ 205-557, two novel selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonists, depressed the concentration-response curve to cisapride (to about 50%), and the curve to R 76,186 was shifted to the right. The apparent pA2 values were 6.6 (tropisetron), 6.3 (DAU 6285), and 7.5 (SDZ 205-557). However, none of these antagonisms was purely competitive as higher concentrations of these antagonists depressed the curve to R 76,186. Desensitization of the 5-HT4 receptor with 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT) inhibited the responses to cisapride, and abolished those to R 76,186. The contractions to cisapride and R 76,186 were sensitive to mutual antagonism, depressing their concentration-response curves. CONCLUSIONS: Both cisapride and R 76,186 mediate their contractile effects in the guinea-pig colon ascendens through agonism at the 5-HT4 receptor, though cisapride also uses a non-5-HT mechanism. R 76,186 is a selective and potent 5-HT4 receptor agonist.

Endocardial control of myocardial performance.

Impairment of the endocardial surface has a profound influence on the mechanical performance of the underlying undamaged myocardium. It immediately and irreversibly shortens the duration of twitch tension development, particularly at a physiological extracellular [Ca++] and temperature, thereby affecting the relationship of peak isometric twitch tension development to both [Ca++]0 and length. Accordingly, the endocardium as the most primitive structure of the heart, may help to control the performance of the underlying myocardium by modulating the onset of early tension decline. These effects will result in important variations of peak contractile performance and of relaxation of the underlying myocardium.

Nitric oxide and gastric relaxation.

Pentagastrin enhanced the volume increase caused by isobaric gastric distension in conscious dogs. This effect could be abolished by inhibitors of acid secretion and mimicked by histamine. The increased compliance after pentagastrin was not affected by L-nitroarginine (L-NNA), a blocker of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. L-NNA itself reduced the volume increases caused by isobaric gastric distension. Intralipid administration into the duodenum led to a gastric relaxation sensitive to inhibition by L-NNA. The inhibitory effect of L-NNA was partially reversed by L-arginine. Pentagastrin induces a gastric relaxation via a mechanism that involves gastric secretion but not nitric oxide, whereas intraduodenal intralipid induces a gastric relaxation via a NO-dependent mechanism.

Ultrasound as a novel method for selective damage of endocardial endothelium.

Damage of endocardial endothelium by mechanochemical methods in isolated cardiac muscle induces typical changes in the contractile performance of the myocardium. Functional and morphological features of isolated cat papillary muscles treated with ultrasound, a new technique for in vitro damage of endocardial endothelium, were compared with damage by Triton X-100. Treatment with either short bursts of continuous wave ultrasound (25 W; 1.05 MHz) or with 1-s immersion in 0.5% Triton X-100 resulted in an irreversible abbreviation of twitch contraction with concomitant decrease in total peak twitch tension but without significant changes in maximal unloaded velocity of shortening. Decrease of total peak isometric tension was significantly more pronounced after Triton X-100 administration. Scanning electron microscopy showed an extracted endothelium following immersion in Triton X-100 and a nearly complete desquamated surface after ultrasound. Fluorochromes in muscles treated with Triton X-100 or ultrasound did not enter myocytes, which maintained a normal ultrastructure. After Triton X-100, more endocardial fibroblasts were labeled and showed ultrastructural damage than after ultrasound. Ultrasound constitutes a powerful technique for selective in vitro damage of endocardial endothelium. The technique is also suitable for experimental in vivo intracardiac application.

NO mediates gastric relaxation after brief vagal stimulation in anesthetized dogs.

In vitro studies showed that relaxations induced after vagal stimulation of the guinea pig stomach are mediated via nitric oxide (NO). The role of NO in canine gastric relaxation in response to vagal stimulation has as yet not been studied. The present study examined the influence of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) on gastric relaxations after vagal nerve stimulation in the anesthetized dog. In beagle dogs (n = 7), the ventral and dorsal abdominal vagal nerves were connected to a pair of platinum electrodes. Gastric tone was measured by means of a barostat. Changes in gastric motility were measured with force transducers sutured on the fundus and the antrum. The cervical vagi were sectioned, and dogs were given atropine (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) and guanethidine (5 mg/kg i.v.). Electrical stimulation of the vagal trunks (19 V, 1-ms duration, for 15 s every 2 min, 1-30 Hz) induced frequency-dependent increases in volume. On the fundus, frequency-dependent relaxations could be observed (maximal effect at 5 mmHg and at 10 Hz). During electrical stimulation, the spontaneous antral contractions were completely blocked. After cessation of the stimulus, "rebound" contractions could be observed. L-NNA (5 mg/kg i.v.) completely blocked the increases in gastric volume and the relaxations on the fundus. On the antrum, however, contractions were observed during the electrical stimulation. L-Arginine (250 mg/kg i.v.) gradually restored the relaxations on electrical stimulation. This study demonstrates that NO mediates short-lasting vagally induced gastric relaxations in the anesthetized dog.

Myocardial inotropic responses to aggregating platelets and modulation by the endocardium.

Ventricular mural thrombi complicate many cardiac diseases. The endocardial endothelium can modulate the mechanical performance of subjacent myocardium and mediate responses to certain physiopharmacologic agents. We studied the effects of aggregating platelets on the contractile performance of isolated cardiac muscle. The role of the endocardium was investigated by selectively damaging it by very brief (1 second) exposure to 1% Triton X-100 in some muscle preparations before experiments. Cat papillary muscles (n = 54) were attached to an electromagnetic length-tension transducer in organ baths containing Krebs-Ringer solution (1.25 mM Ca2+, 35 degrees C), and stimulated electrically at 0.2 Hz. Homologous washed platelets (final concentration 3 x 10(11)/l) aggregated spontaneously on addition to baths. Mechanical performance increased significantly more in muscles with damaged endocardium than in intact muscles (p less than 0.05); total peak isometric twitch tension increased by 31.8 +/- 7.8% (with damaged endocardium) and 11.8 +/- 2.6% (with intact endocardium), and peak isotonic twitch shortening increased by 36.7 +/- 7.8% (with damaged endocardium) and 9.6 +/- 2.0% (with intact endocardium). Increases in maximum velocity of unloaded shortening were similar in both muscle groups. Time to half isometric twitch tension decline decreased in intact muscles (3.6 +/- 1.0%) but increased in Triton-treated muscles (2.5 +/- 1.3%, p = 0.003 for difference between groups). The inotropic response to platelets in muscles with intact endocardium was unaltered by pretreatment of muscles with indomethacin (10 microM) or by stimulation of platelet aggregation with thrombin (0.1 unit/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endocardial endothelium mediates positive inotropic response to alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist in mammalian heart.

Although the positive inotropic response to alpha 1-agonists has been well documented, the mechanism is incompletely understood. In isolated papillary muscle of cat and rabbit, low physiological concentrations of phenylephrine (PE) (10(-9)-10(-7) M; 35 degrees C) under beta-blockade (propranolol 10(-6) M) and in physiological [Ca2+]o (1.25 mM), significantly increased peak twitch tension (TT) with typical unchanged or slightly prolonged twitch contraction duration. This typical response necessitated the presence of an intact endocardial endothelium (EE) since no inotropic response was observed at or below 10(-7) M PE in muscles where the EE had been damaged by 1 s exposure to 1% Triton X-100 prior to the first PE addition. After Triton-induced EE damage prior to the first PE addition, a direct myocardial inotropic response could be demonstrated, but this response required higher concentrations of PE (10(-6)-10(-3) M) and was significantly less pronounced than in muscles with intact EE. At elevated (2.5 mM) or high (7.5 mM) Ca2+, a concentration dependent inotropic response to PE could be induced at the higher concentrations of PE (10(-6) M or higher), but the inotropic response to low concentrations of PE (10(-7) M or below) was absent even in the presence of an intact EE. In papillary muscles with intact EE at physiological [Ca2+]o of 1.25 mM, the higher concentrations of PE (10(-6) M or higher) destroyed the EE. Indeed, after washing with fresh bathing solution following prolonged exposure to these high concentrations of PE, the baseline twitches resembled twitches in muscles where the EE had been experimentally damaged. Selective destruction of the EE by PE in these conditions with no morphological damage to the subjacent myocardium was confirmed on electron microscopy. A second concentration-response curve to PE was significantly depressed, shifted to the right and with no response at or below 10(-7) M PE. Subsequent successive curves were not significantly different from the second one. At the higher Ca2+ (2.5 mM or 7.5 mM), neither functional nor morphological evidence of damage to the EE was observed regardless of the PE concentration and exposure time; in some muscles EE damage did occur at high Ca2+, however, but only after multiple exposures to high PE each followed by abundant wash. At all concentrations of PE, the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin (10(-5) M) blocked the inotropic response regardless of [Ca2+]o and prevented morphological endothelial damage at 1.25 mM Ca2+.