ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relaxation in vitro of cavernous smooth muscle induced by a new NO donor of the complex nitrosil-ruthenium, named trans-[Ru(NH3)4(caffeine)(NO)]C13 (Rut-Caf) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tissues, immersed in isolated bath systems, were pre-contracted with phenilephrine (PE) (1 µM) and then concentration-response curves (10-12 - 10-4 M) were obtained. To clarify the mechanism of action involved, it was added to the baths ODQ (10 µM, 30 µM), oxyhemoglobin (10 µM), L-cysteine (100 µM), hydroxicobalamine (100 µM), glibenclamide, iberotoxin and apamine. Tissue samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen to measure the amount of cGMP and cAMP produced. RESULTS: The substances provoked significant relaxation of the cavernous smooth muscle. Both Rut-Caf and SNP determined dose-dependent relaxation with similar potency (pEC50) and maximum effect (Emax). The substances showed activity through activation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), because the relaxations were inhibited by ODQ. Oxyhemoglobin significantly diminished the relaxation effect of the substances. L-cysteine failed to modify the relaxations caused by the agents. Hydroxicobalamine significantly diminished the relaxation effect of Rut-Caf. Glibenclamide significantly increased the efficacy of Rut-Caf (pEC50 4.09 x 7.09). There were no alterations of potency or maximum effect of the substances with the addition of the other ion channel blockers. Rut-Caf induced production of significant amounts of cGMP and cAMP during the relaxation process. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Rut-Caf causes relaxation of smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum by means of activation of sGC with intracellular production of cGMP and cAMP; and also by release of NO in the intracellular environment. Rut-Caf releases the NO free radical and it does not act directly on the potassium ion channels.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rabbits , Muscle Relaxation/physiology , Muscle, Smooth/drug effects , Nitric Oxide Donors/pharmacology , Nitroprusside/pharmacology , Ruthenium Compounds/pharmacology , Cyclic GMP/biosynthesis , Cyclic GMP/chemistry , Cysteine/pharmacology , Guanosine Monophosphate/biosynthesis , Guanosine Monophosphate/chemistry , Muscle, Smooth/physiology , Nitric Oxide Donors/chemistry , Nitroprusside/chemistry , Potassium Channels/chemistry , Ruthenium Compounds/chemistry , Time FactorsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Endothelial dysfunction characterized by endogenous nitric oxide (NO) deficiency made 56 percent of patients affected with erectile dysfunction decline treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors. New forms of treatment are currently being developed for this group of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study compared the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and two substances of the nitrosyl-ruthenium complex, cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF-6-9 ("FONO1) and trans-[Ru(NH3)4(caffeine)(NO)]C13 ("LLNO1) on relaxation of rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and aortic vascular endothelium. The samples were immersed in isolated baths and precontracted with 0.1 µM phenylephrine (PE) and the corresponding relaxation concentration/response curves were plotted. In order to investigate the relaxation mechanisms involved, 100 µM ODQ (a soluble guanylate cyclase-specific inhibitor), 3 µM or 10 µM oxyhemoglobin (an extracellular NO scavenger) or 1 mM L-cysteine (a nitrosyl anion-specific scavenger) was added to the samples. RESULTS: All the NO donors tested produced a significant level of relaxation in the vascular endothelium. In corpus cavernosum samples, FONO1 produced no significant effect, but LLNO1 and SNP induced dose-dependent relaxation with comparable potency (pEC50 = 6.14 ± 0.08 and 6.4 ± 0.14, respectively) and maximum effect (Emax = 82 percent vs. 100 percent, respectively). All NO donors were found to activate soluble guanylate cyclase, since the addition of the corresponding inhibitor (100 µM ODQ) completely neutralized the relaxation effect observed. The addition of oxyhemoglobin reduced the relaxation effect, but did not inhibit it completely. In aortic vascular endothelium 3 µM oxyhemoglobin decreased the relaxation effect by 26 percent on the average, while 10 µM oxyhemoglobin reduced it by over 52 percent. The addition of 100 µM L-cysteine produced no significant inhibiting effect. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that LLNO1...
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rabbits , Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects , Muscle, Smooth/drug effects , Nitric Oxide Donors/pharmacology , Nitroprusside/pharmacology , Penis/drug effects , Ruthenium Compounds/pharmacology , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Muscle RelaxationABSTRACT
Trans-imidazolium (bis imidazole) tetrachloro ruthenate (RuIm) and trans-indazolium (bis indazole) tetrachloro ruthenate (RuInd) are ruthenium coordination complexes, which were first synthesized and exploited for their anticancer activity. These molecules constitute two of the few most effective anticancer ruthenium compounds. The clinical use of these compounds however was hindered due to toxic side effects on the human body. Our present study on topoisomerase II poisoning by these compounds shows that they effectively poison the activity of topoisomerase II by forming a ternary cleavage complex of DNA, drug and topoisomerase II. The thymidine incorporation assays show that the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation correlates with topoisomerase II poisoning. The present study on topoisomerase II poisoning by these two compounds opens a new avenue for renewing further research on these compounds. This is because they could be effective lead candidates for the development of more potent and less toxic ruthenium containing topoisomerase II poisons. Specificity of action on this molecular target may reduce the toxic effects of these ruthenium-containing molecules and thus improve their therapeutic index.