Temperature sensitivity of tone in the rabbit facial vein: myogenic mechanism for cranial thermoregulation.

Intrinsic myogenic tone in the buccal segment of the rabbit facial vein is exquisitely sensitive to small changes in temperature in the range 33 degrees to 44 degrees C. This particular venous segment also exhibits a preponderance of beta-adrenergic receptors and receives a dense, medial sympathetic innervation. This area of the vein is proposed to act as a temperature-sensitive sphincter that distributes cooled nasal venous blood between superficial and deep venous drainage systems in the head and neck. Deviation of cool blood to deeper venous sinuses has been shown to be an important thermoregulatory mechanism.

Mechanisms of atrial natriuretic factor-induced vasodilation.

ANF can potentially elicit vasorelaxation in vitro which is typically associated with an elevation in tissue levels of cGMP. Hypotension with vasodilation can be observed upon injection of ANF in vivo, however, infusion of the peptide often results in a decreased blood pressure due to a fall in cardiac output, This apparent discrepancy may reflect some of the distinguishing characteristics of ANF-induced vasorelaxation which include activation of particulate guanylate cyclase, a marked regional vascular selectivity, species differences in the relaxation profile and a variable sensitivity depending on the type and degree of contractile preload.

Avian (chicken) parathyroid hormone: synthesis and comparative biological evaluation of the 1-34 fragment.

The full-length amino acid sequence of the avian (chicken) form of parathyroid hormone (cPTH) has recently been elucidated. We have chemically synthesized, purified to a high degree, and analytically and biologically characterized the N-terminal 1-34 fragment of the avian hormone. The biological properties of cPTH-(1-34)NH2 were evaluated and compared to the bovine fragment bPTH-(1-34) in several assays. The potency of cPTH-(1-34)NH2 in binding to PTH receptors, in stimulating adenylate cyclase activity and in relaxing smooth muscle tissue was approximately one-tenth that of bPTH-(1-34). Comparison of the avian sequence to other native PTH related sequences suggests that changes in the binding domain of the 1-34 active fragment may account for the decline in potency.

Structural and functional changes in cerebral arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Segments of basilar arteries from both spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were studied in vitro utilizing a microvessel apparatus. At similar levels of passive force, basilar arteries from SHR developed less force in response to depolarizing solution (130 mM K+) compared to basilar arteries from WKY. Arterial segments from the hypertensive animals required less stretch to achieve each level of passive force. Basilar arteries from SHR but not WKY typically displayed both phasic and tonic spontaneous activity which was inhibited in a reversible manner by washing the tissues in physiological salt solution without added Ca++ (EGTA, 1 mM). There was a significant shift to the left in the EC50 of serotonin and a greater maximal response to this agonist in basilar arteries from SHR compared to those from WKY (p less than 0.01). The EC50 to Ca++ (added to a depolarizing solution) was shifted to the right in the arteries from SHR compared to the normotensive controls (p less than 0.05). There was no difference between the arteries from the two groups of animals in the relaxation response produced by isoproterenol. However, contracted basilar arteries from SHR were less sensitive to the relaxant effects of elevated Ca++ than contracted basilar arteries from WKY (p less than 0.05). These results demonstrate the existence of both structural and functional difference between cerebral vessels of SHR and WKY. Our findings also demonstrate the complex nature of the changes in calcium dynamics in blood vessels from hypertensive animals.

Enhanced release of atrial natriuretic factor by endothelin in atria from hypertensive rats.

Intravenous (bolus) administration of endothelin results in a transient fall in blood pressure that is accentuated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY). In attempting to discern possible mechanisms underlying this depressor response, we examined the ability of endothelin to release atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) from isolated, spontaneously contracting atria from SHR and WKY. Isolated right atria were suspended under 3.0 g of resting force in tissue baths with the amount of immunoreactive ANF (irANF) released after exposure to endothelin assessed by radioimmunoassay. Endothelin (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) caused a concentration-dependent increase (1.5-4.5-fold) in the release of irANF, which was significantly greater in atria of SHR compared with WKY. The greater release of irANF in atria of SHR versus WKY was not related to tissue weight or changes in contractile rate or force induced by endothelin. Therefore, endothelin appears to cause a direct release of irANF from rat right atria in vitro. As found for the depressor response in vivo, endothelin is more efficacious in the hypertensive compared with the normotensive atrial preparation. Release of ANF may be important in the hypotensive response to endothelin in vivo.

Effects of losartan (DuP753) and enalaprilat on the mean arterial pressure response to phenylephrine.

BACKGROUND: We have found that low-dose infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II) selectively potentiates the mean arterial pressure (MAP) response to phenylephrine in pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether endogenous Ang II levels in normotensive rabbits maintained on a normal-salt diet exert a potentiating effect on the MAP response to phenylephrine. METHODS: We compared the effects of enalaprilat (0.3 mg/kg per min for 5 min bolus, 1 mg/kg per h infusion), losartan (DuP753; 4 mg/kg bolus, 2 mg/kg per h infusion) and vehicle administration on the MAP response to infusions of phenylephrine that were increased incrementally (2.5, 5 and 10 micrograms/kg per min). RESULTS: Enalaprilat decreased MAP significantly, whereas no maintained change was observed with losartan or vehicle. Phenylephrine infusions elevated MAP significantly and dose-dependently in all of the rabbits studied, but this effect was attenuated significantly in the rabbits given losartan compared with in those given vehicle or enalaprilat. The heart rate responses were not significantly different among the three groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system at two distinct sites results in different MAP responses to phenylephrine infusion.

Decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation in New Zealand genetic hypertensive rats.

The relaxation response to endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine and the calcium ionophore A23187) and independent (sodium nitroprusside) vasodilators was examined in isolated aortic ring segments from age-matched genetically hypertensive (GH) and normotensive (N) rats (New Zealand strain). Tissues were initially contracted with methoxamine to achieve similar levels of contractile force. The IC20, IC40 and IC50 values for acetylcholine, A23187 and sodium nitroprusside were shifted significantly to the right (P less than 0.05) in aortic rings from GH rats compared to the corresponding values in N rats. The maximal relaxation achieved by acetylcholine and A23187 was significantly depressed in aortas from GH rats (P less than 0.05). Sodium nitroprusside elicited the maximal relaxation in both groups of tissues. These results demonstrate that there exists a generalized defect in the relaxant ability of vascular smooth muscle from GH rats. In addition, our findings suggest that this defect is coupled with a decreased responsiveness to endothelium-dependent vasodilators in this particular animal model of hypertension.

Acute hypotensive responses to peptide inhibitors of renin in conscious monkeys: an effect on blood pressure independent of plasma renin inhibition.

In order to investigate the hypotensive mechanisms of action of peptide renin inhibitors, blood pressure responses to five renin inhibitors were compared with those to the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalaprilat, in conscious African green and rhesus monkeys. (3S-4S)-4-amino-5-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxy pentanoic acid (ACHPA)-containing renin inhibitory peptide (ACRIP) and enalaprilat both decreased blood pressure in euvolemic and volume-depleted African green monkeys. However, while a maximum dose of enalaprilat reduced blood pressure to 80 +/- 4 and 56 +/- 4 mmHg in the euvolemic and volume-depleted monkeys, respectively, ACRIP lowered pressure to life-threatening levels (less than 40 mmHg) under both conditions. The relative potencies of ACRIP and four other renin inhibitors for inhibiting in vitro plasma renin activity (PRA; IC50) were compared with their potencies in reducing blood pressure by 15 mmHg (ED15 mmHg) and lowering blood pressure more than enalaprilat in volume-depleted rhesus monkeys. All renin inhibitors lowered blood pressure significantly beyond the maximal response to enalaprilat. Despite a significant correlation (r = 0.99, P less than 0.05) between the in vitro PRA inhibitory potency and the in vivo ED15 mmHg, doses which lowered blood pressure beyond the maximal responses to enalaprilat were not significantly correlated (r = 0.53, P greater than 0.05) with the in vitro PRA IC50 values. Furthermore, the profound depressor responses to renin inhibitors in rhesus monkeys were accompanied by increases in the heart rate and decreases in pulse pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diethyl 3,6-dihydro-2,4-dimethyl-2,6-methano-1,3-benzothiazocine-5,11- dicarboxylates as calcium entry antagonists: new conformationally restrained analogues of Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridines related to nitrendipine as probes for receptor-site conformation.

The pharmacological activity of rigid analogues of 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium entry antagonists 9-16 is demonstrated by dose-dependent inhibition of the calcium contraction in depolarized rat aortic strips and by a [3H]nitrendipine binding assay in using cardiac sarcolemmal membranes. From the results, a model is proposed as the receptor-bound conformation of the dihydropyridine calcium entry antagonists.

Pharmacologic effects of atrial natriuretic peptide.

ANP harbors truly remarkable properties in having demonstrable interactions at several key loci of the systems that control blood pressure and extracellular fluid volume. The discovery of ANP by deBold and colleagues succeeded in bringing together neighboring scientists (that is, nephrologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and vascularologists), whose research efforts do not often coalesce, in attempts to define the pharmacology and physiology of this peptide. Although we have witnessed a tremendous explosion of interest and work over the past 6 years, several areas of research need to be pursued to obtain these goals. ANP appears to lower blood pressure by reducing either afterload or preload, with the sympathetic state of the individual having an important modulating effect. ANP causes an increased renal secretion of electrolytes, although there is yet to be uniform agreement on the underlying mechanism(s). The depressor and natriuretic effects of ANP act in harmony with an inhibitory effect on the release of aldosterone, renin, and vasopressin. Although this intriguing pharmacologic foundation of ANP has been laid, the physiologic role or importance is still in question. Nonetheless, as we gain further insight into the pharmacology, we stand to advance our knowledge of, and hopefully develop more useful regimens for, cardiovascular and renal pathologic states. As would be expected of an agent that may interact at multiple regulatory sites for control of hemodynamics and fluid volume, differences will most likely exist among species in the pharmacology of ANP, not only as a function of structure-activity relationships but also as a consequence of phylogenic differences in the integration of cardiovascular control.

Vasodilator profile of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor.

The vasodilator profile of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was characterized using isolated vascular preparations. Nanomolar concentrations of ANF relaxed rabbit aortic rings contracted by serotonin, histamine, methoxamine or angiotensin II. The synthetic peptide was most effective (IC50 = 1.3 X 10(-10) M) in relaxing the tonic, intrinsic contractions of the rabbit facial vein. ANF was poorly active against K+-contracted aortic rings or the phasic contractions of the rat portal vein. A similar vasodilator profile was obtained for sodium nitroprusside but not papaverine, hydralazine, adenosine or nifedipine. This first demonstration of the vascular activity of synthetic ANF depicts this substance as a nonselective vasodilator of agonist-induced contractions. The observed similarities in the vasodilator activity of ANF and sodium nitroprusside suggest a common mechanism of action.

Prominent depressor response to endothelin in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Administration of endothelin (0.03-3.0 micrograms/kg i.v.) caused transient depressor responses followed by sustained pressor responses in anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The initial depressor response occurred at lower doses (0.1 versus 0.3 micrograms/kg i.v.) in SHR versus WKY. The secondary pressor response was attenuated in SHR compared to WKY in both the threshold dose (3.0 versus 0.1 microgram/kg i.v.) and maximum effect at high doses (52 versus 91% at 3.0 micrograms/kg i.v.). In conscious SHR and WKY, endothelin elicited comparable initial depressor responses with increases in heart rate; the secondary pressor responses were attenuated compared to those in anesthetized rats. Therefore endothelin elicits a prominent depressor response, which may be associated with afterload reduction, in SHR.

Effects of atrial natriuretic factor, sodium nitroprusside, and acetylcholine on cyclic GMP levels and relaxation in rat aorta.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms whereby an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine, a nitrovasodilator, sodium nitroprusside and atrial natriuretic factor (atriopeptin II), elevate cyclic GMP levels and induce relaxation in rat thoracic aorta. Methylene blue inhibited the elevated cyclic GMP levels and relaxation due to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine, but not those to atriopeptin II. Cyanide inhibited relaxations to all three vasodilators, but inhibited the elevated cyclic GMP levels in response to only nitroprusside and acetylcholine. The reducing agents sodium borohydride, dithiothreitol, sucrose and isoproterenol all inhibited the elevated cyclic GMP levels due to nitroprusside and acetylcholine, while the increased cyclic GMP levels with atriopeptin II were unaffected by sodium borohydride, sucrose and isoproterenol. The effects of the reducing agents on relaxation induced by the vasodilators were difficult to interpret due to their nonspecific contractile and relaxant properties. Agents and procedures known to inhibit the Na+, K+-pump and relaxation to endothelium-dependent vasodilators and nitroprusside, including ouabain, K+-free, Mg2+-free and low Na+ Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution, all partially inhibited relaxations to atriopeptin II. Relaxations to atriopeptin II were also inhibited in tissues contracted with KCl. The present results suggest that the mechanism of atrial natriuretic factor-induced increased cyclic GMP levels, in contrast to that of nitroprusside and acetylcholine, does not involve the formation of free radicals, a reducible species or interaction with heme. Furthermore, the cyclic GMP formed in response to nitroprusside, acetylcholine and atrial natriuretic factor mediates relaxation through a common mechanism that may be functionally antagonized by agents and procedures which result in membrane depolarization.

The role of leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 in animal models of inflammation.

Both preclinical and clinical data have identified leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) as an important component of inflammatory disease states. We evaluated small molecule inhibitors of this glycoprotein in several animal models in which the inflammatory process is dependent on human or non-human primate LFA-1. (R)-5(4-bromobenzyl)-3(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, BIRT 377, effectively suppressed the production of human immunoglobulin (IgG) following reconstitution of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The BIRT 377 analog, BIX 642, inhibited the cellular infiltrate and increase in skin thickness associated with the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in previously immunized squirrel monkeys challenged with antigen. BIX 642 also inhibited the trans-vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity response in the footpads of SCID mice injected with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and donor-sensitive antigen. These results demonstrate the efficacy of small molecule inhibitors of LFA-1 in preclinical models of inflammation dependent on human or non-human primate LFA-1.

Effects of atriopeptins on relaxation and cyclic GMP levels in rat and rabbit aortas.

The effects of atriopeptins I and II on relaxation and cyclic GMP levels were studied on rat and rabbit aortas. Atriopeptin I was 2- and 100-fold less potent than atriopeptin II in causing relaxation of rat and rabbit aortas, respectively. The atriopeptin-elevated cyclic GMP levels generally correlated with the amount of relaxation. These results demonstrate that the vasodilator profile and, presumably, the receptor for atrial natriuretic factor, varies among different blood vessels and species.

L-652,469--a dual receptor antagonist of platelet activating factor and dihydropyridines from Tussilago farfara L.

L-652,469, 14-acetoxy-7 beta-(3'-ethylcrotonoyloxy)-notonipetranone, isolated from the methylene chloride extracts of the buds of Tussilago farfara L, was found to inhibit both platelet activating factor (PAF) and Ca2+ entry blocker binding to membrane vesicles. It inhibits the [3H]PAF specific binding to rabbit platelet membranes with equilibrium inhibition constants (Ki) of 3.2 and 4.0 microM in the presence of 150 mM NaCl and 10 mM MgCl2 respectively. It is a competitive PAF receptor antagonist with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KB) of 5.16 microM. It also competitively inhibits the specific binding of Ca2+ channel blockers (e.g. [3H]nitrendipine; Ki = 1.2 microM) in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles. At 10(-5) M, L-652,469 causes a 60% relaxation of Ca2+-induced contraction of rat thoracic aorta strips. Due to its dual antagonistic activities, L-652,469 potently inhibits the gel-filtered rabbit platelet aggregation with a pA2 of 5.79. It was also found to be orally active with a beneficial effect to inhibit the PAF-induced rat foot edema and the first phase of carrageenan-induced rat hindpaw edema.

The relaxant effects of atrial natriuretic factor on vascular smooth muscle.

Extracts prepared from rat atria, which cause natriuresis and diuresis when injected into bioassay rats, relax aortic smooth muscle preparations. A family of atrial peptides has been isolated, purified and synthesized which elicit similar biological responses as the atrial extracts. The in vitro vasodilator profile of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (sANF) exhibits many similarities to sodium nitroprusside including inhibition of agonist-induced but not high-K+-induced contractions, relaxation independent of the vascular endothelium and elevation of cyclic GMP in aortic smooth muscle coincident with relaxation. Aortic rings remain relaxed in the presence of sANF but can be recontracted following a sufficient washout period. sANF causes a significant activation of the particulate (but not soluble) form of guanylate cyclase which is seemingly consistent with the presence of high affinity receptors for sANF in plasma membranes prepared from aortic tissue. Both species and regional vascular differences exist for the vasodilator activity of the synthetic atrial peptides.

Regional vasorelaxant selectivity of atrial natriuretic factor in isolated rabbit vessels.

Synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) exhibited a marked selectivity in its ability to relax isolated rabbit arteries and veins. The aorta, renal and mesenteric arteries and the facial vein were the most sensitive vessels with the more distal arteries and most veins being relatively unresponsive to ANF. All preparations were effectively relaxed by sodium nitroprusside. ANF (up to 10(-7) M) failed to elicit any effect on isolated rabbit right atria or papillary muscles. The profound regional vasorelaxant selectivity of ANF may help to explain the hemodynamic effects of this substance in vivo.

Characterization of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor: vasodilator profile and decreased vascular sensitivity in hypertensive rats.

Synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) relaxed agonist-induced tone in rabbit aortic rings as well as intrinsic, myogenic contractions in the isolated rabbit facial vein (IC50s = 0.1 to 5 nM). Tissues depolarized by high levels of K+ were refractory to ANF. A similar profile was obtained with extracts of rat atria and with sodium nitroprusside (NaNP) but not other vasodilators. Aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were significantly less sensitive to the relaxant effects of ANF (and NaNP) than were aortas from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. However, atrial extracts from SHR were more effective than WKY rat atrial extracts in relaxing normotensive aortic rings. Radioimmunoassay analysis confirmed a small increase in ANF immunoreactive material in SHR compared with WKY rat atria. The similar vascular profile for both ANF and NaNP suggests that these agents share a common mechanism of action. A reduced end organ responsiveness in SHR may lead to an increased atrial content of ANF in these animals.