Hypersensitivity reactions in mouse airways after a single and a repeated hapten challenge.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: In this study, we examined the effect of a single and a repeated hapten-challenge on inflammatory processes in the airways of mice undergoing a hapten-induced non-IgE mediated hypersensitivity reaction. METHODS: BALB/c mice were skin-sensitized with the hapten dinitroflourobenzene (DNFB) and intra-airway challenged with dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (DNS). Mucosal exudation, tracheal vascular permeability, cellular accumulation, and serum murine mast cell protease (MMCP) were investigated at different time points after the first DNS-challenge and 30 min after a repeated DNS-challenge. RESULTS: MMCP levels in serum were increased at all time points after single challenge and repeated challenge. Increased vascular permeability as determined by Monastral blue staining, was found in the trachea of DNFB-sensitized mice after single DNS-challenge. A second exposure to DNS profoundly enhanced the Monastral blue labeling of the tracheal blood vessels of DNFB-sensitized mice. Furthermore, increased mucosal exudation and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) accumulation were present in DNFB-sensitized mice compared to vehicle-sensitized animals after the first DNS challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Increased mucosal exudation, vascular permeability, and PMN accumulation are prominent inflammatory features of the DNFB-induced hypersensitivity reaction in the airways. Furthermore, mast cell activation is associated with this hapten-induced hypersensitivity reaction.

Bradykinin causes inhibition of methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in vivo in mice.

In this study the influence of bradykinin on airway responses was investigated in anaesthetised and ventilated mice. Airway resistance in mice was monitored using whole body plethysmography. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of bradykinin (4-40 microg/kg) did not cause a direct effect on airway resistance. Also pretreatment with propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.), atropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or indomethacin (5 mg/kg, i.v.) did not result in any effect of intravenous bradykinin on baseline airway resistance. However, i.v. bradykinin (4-40 microg/kg) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, with an ED50 value of 3.4 +/- 0.4 microg/kg. The maximal inhibition of the bronchoconstrictor response to methacholine was 65.5 +/- 2.0%. The inhibition of the methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction by bradykinin could be prevented by treatment with the B2 receptor antagonist icatibant (Hoe 140, 0.13 mg/kg, i.v.). Also pretreatment with either propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.), L-NAME (30 mg/kg, i.v.) or indomethacin (5 mg/kg, i.v.) completely blocked the inhibition of the methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction by bradykinin. The inhibition of the methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction after bradykinin was not affected by the NK1 receptor antagonist RP 67580 (17.5 microg/kg, i.v.). In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that bradykinin causes a dose-dependent inhibition of the methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in vivo in mice. This response is B2 receptor-mediated and at least involves the activation of beta-adrenoceptors and the synthesis of nitric oxide and cyclo-oxygenase products.

Virus- and bradykinin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs.

The involvement of bradykinin in virus-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in guinea pig airways in vivo was determined with the B(2)-receptor antagonist Hoe 140. The efficacy of Hoe 140 treatment was assessed through its effect on the bradykinin-induced (up to 2.5 microgram/100 g B.W. administered intravenously) decrease in blood pressure (BP). Hoe 140 (0.1 micromol/kg), administered subcutaneously twice a day for 5 d almost completely blocked bradykinin-induced changes in BP. Four days after parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) virus infection, guinea pigs showed AHR; excessive airway contraction was found with histamine-receptor stimulation. This hyperresponsiveness was completely inhibited by pretreatment with Hoe 140 (0.1 micromol/kg) administered subcutaneously twice a day for five consecutive days, starting 1 d before virus inoculation. Interestingly, nebulized delivery of bradykinin itself to captopril-treated animals induced an AHR comparable to that observed in virus-treated guinea pigs. Viral infection also caused influx of bronchoalveolar cells into the lungs. Both histologic examinations and lung lavage experiments showed that this cell influx could not be inhibited by pretreatment with Hoe 140. In summary, the results of the study show that bradykinin is involved in a cascade of events leading to AHR after a viral infection in guinea pigs, without affecting bronchoalveolar cell influx.

Opposite role of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 on the regulation of blood pressure in mice.

There is growing evidence that T-lymphocyte dysfunction contributes to the development of hypertension. IL-4 and IFN-gamma are important regulators of T-lymphocyte function. Therefore, we investigated the effect of neutralizing antibodies against IL-4 (alpha-IL-4) and IFN-gamma (alpha-IFN-gamma) on the development of hypertension in NZBNZWF1 hybrid compared to normotensive NZW control mice. Antibody-producing cells were encapsulated and injected intraperitoneally in mice at 6,8 and 10 weeks of age. This treatment resulted in significant levels of antibody in the serum. At 12 weeks of age blood pressure was recorded under anesthesia. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) increased in NZBNZWF1 hybrids between the age of 6 and 12 weeks. This increase was inhibited by treatment with alpha-IL-4, but was not affected by alpha-IFN-gamma. Treatment with alpha-IL-4 did not influence MAP in normotensive NZW or C57B1/6J mice. However, in these mice, treatment with alpha-IFN-gamma increases MAP. This increase in MAP by alpha-IFN-gamma was prevented by simultaneous treatment with alpha-IL-4. The present study demonstrates the influence of endogenous IL-4 and IFN-gamma on blood pressure.

The tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, RP67580, inhibits the bradykinin-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

The bradykinin-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the bradykinin receptor involved in this response were characterized in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. It was found that bradykinin induces an intracellular biphasic Ca2+ response, consisting of a transient peak followed by an elevated plateau phase. Both bradykinin and the bradykinin B1 receptor agonist, des-Arg9-bradykinin, induced a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i, but the bradykinin-induced rise was much greater. Moreover, the bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i rise could be inhibited by the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists, D-Arg0[Hyp3, Thi(5,8), D-Phe7]bradykinin and Hoe 140 (D-Arg[Hyp3, Thi5, D-Tic7, Oic8]bradykinin), but not by the bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist, des-Arg9-[Leu8]bradykinin. From these results it can be concluded that a bradykinin B2 receptor is involved in this response. Furthermore, we found that the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, RP67580 ([imino 1 (methoxy-2-phenyl)-2 ethyl]-2 diphenyl 7,7 perhydroisoindolone-4 (3aR, 7aR)), and its negative enantiomer, RP68651 (2-[1-imino 2-(2 methoxy phenyl) ethyl] 7,7 diphenyl 4-perhydroisoindolone (3aS-7aS)), could inhibit the bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i response, although no functional tachykinin NK1 receptors were found. Binding studies evidenced no binding of RP67580 or RP68651 to the bradykinin receptor. We conclude that RP67580 inhibits the bradykinin-induced rise in [Ca2+]i via a bradykinin B2 receptor-independent mechanism.

Pharmacology and mode of action of bradykinin on mouse-isolated trachea.

In the present study, the effect of bradykinin on basal and precontracted mouse-isolated trachea was investigated. In basal conditions mouse-isolated tracheal rings do not respond to bradykinin. However, when the tracheal rings were precontracted with carbachol (10(-7) M) a relaxation with bradykinin (3 x 10(-9)-3 x 10(-7)) was found. The maximal response amounted 69.7+/-4.1% (n=15) with a pD2 value of 7.2+/-0.21. The selective bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE 140 (10(-10)-10(-8) M) antagonized the bradykinin-induced relaxation, while the bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist des-Arg9-Leu8-bradykinin (10(-6) M) had no influence. The selective bradykinin B1 receptor agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin (10(-6) M) caused a small relaxation (8.4+/-2.5%, n=6), which could be antagonized completely by the selective bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist des-Arg9-Leu8-bradykinin (10(-6) M) while addition of the selective bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE 140 (10(-8) M) was without effect. In the presence of indomethacin (10(-6) M) the relaxation of bradykinin was completely abolished. Pretreatment of the tracheal rings with capsaicin, or the presence of the selective NK1 receptor antagonist RP 67851 (10(-6) M) or the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (3 x 10(-4) M) had no effect on the bradykinin-induced relaxation. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the mouse-isolated tracheal is a preparation in which bradykinin exerts a relaxant response via stimulation of bradykinin B2 receptors. This response is probably mediated by prostaglandins.

Hypotensive effect of 13-hydroxylinoleic acid in the rat: mediation via the release of a CGRP-like mediator from capsaicin-sensitive nerves.

1. The effect of 13-hydroxylinoleic acid (13-HODE) on changes in blood pressure in the rat was measured. 2. 13-HODE (0.1 - 100 micrograms kg-1) had no direct effect on blood pressure in the rat and had no effect on histamine (0.1 - 1000 micrograms kg-1)-induced changes in blood pressure. In contrast, it was found that 13-HODE itself induced a decrease in diastolic arterial blood pressure when it was injected intravenously after either a single dose of histamine (10, 100 or 1000 micrograms kg-1) or after a dose-response curve of histamine (0.1 - 1000 micrograms kg-1). 3. This hypotensive effect of 13-HODE was not observed after administration of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine (0.1 - 10 micrograms kg-1), the endothelium-independent vasodilator, sodium nitroprusside (0.1 - 100 micrograms kg-1) or the inflammatory mediator, leukotriene B4 (0.1 - 300 micrograms kg-1). However, prior injection of bradykinin (0.1 - 100 micrograms kg-1) allowed a dose-dependent hypotensive effect of 13-HODE to be revealed. 4. The hypotensive effect of 13-HODE after histamine and bradykinin could be inhibited by neonatal capsaicin treatment of the rats (50 mg kg-1, s.c. on day 1 and 2 after birth). 5. Ruthenium red (120 micrograms kg-1 min-1), an inhibitor of excitatory effects on sensory nerves, and the CGRP antagonist, CGRP8-37 (1-3 micrograms kg-1 min-1) also inhibited the hypotensive effect of 13-HODE. 6. It is concluded that the hypotensive effect of 13-HODE in the rat after histamine and bradykinin is due to the release of a CGRP-like substance from sensory nerves. These results highlight the possibility that endogenous 13-HODE could be involved in the neurogenic regulation of blood pressure.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity-induced increase in vascular permeability in the mouse small intestine: inhibition by depletion of sensory neuropeptides and NK1 receptor blockade.

1. This study investigates the effects of capsaicin-induced depletion of sensory neuropeptides and of neurokinin1 (NK1) receptor blockade on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH)-induced changes of vascular permeability in the small intestine of the mouse. 2. The DTH reaction in the small intestine was elicited by dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-contact sensitization followed by oral dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (DNBS) challenge. To assess vascular leakage the accumulation of the plasma marker, Evans blue (EB), was measured 2, 24 and 48 h after the challenge. 3. The small intestinal DTH reaction was characterized by a significant increase in vascular permeability 24 h after the challenge of previously sensitized mice when compared to vehicle-sensitized mice (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Capsaicin-induced depletion of sensory neuropeptides, two weeks before the sensitization, completely inhibited the DTH-induced increase in small intestinal vascular permeability at 24 h (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Vehicle/control: 108.2 +/- 8.6 ng EB mg-1 dry weight; vehicle/DTH 207.8 +/- 25.1 ng EB mg-1 dry weight; capsaicin/control: 65.8 +/- 11.9 ng EB mg-1 dry weight; capsaicin/DTH: 84.3 +/- 7.6 ng EB mg-1 dry weight. 4. The tachykinins, substance P and neurokinin A (1.5 to 50 x 10(-11) mol per mouse, i.v.), induced an increase in vascular leakage in the small intestine of naive mice. The specific NK1 receptor antagonist, RP67580 (10(-9) mol per mouse, i.v.) was the most effective in reducing the substance P-induced plasma extravasation when compared with other NK receptor antagonists, FK224 and FK888. 5. Treatment of DNFB-sensitized mice with RP67580 (10-9 mol per mouse, i.v.) immediately before and 1 h after the DNBS challenge resulted in a significant reduction of the DTH-induced increase in vascular permeability at 24 h (vehicle/control: 107.5 +/- 8.8 ng EB mg-1 dry weight; RP67580/control:95.4 +/- 5.4 ng EB mg-1 dry weight; vehicle/DTH: 206.6 +/- 22.6 ng EB mg-1 dry weight; RP67580/DTH:132.6 +/- 13.6 ng EB mg-1 dry weight, P<0.05, ANOVA).6. These results suggest that sensory nerves are involved in the development of small intestinal DTH reactions in the mouse. NK1 receptors could play an important role in the initiation of the DTH-induced changes in vascular leakage.

Reversal of bradykinin-induced relaxation to contraction after interferon-gamma in bovine isolated mesenteric arteries.

Bovine isolated mesenteric arterial rings were preincubated for 20 h with interferon-gamma (100 U ml-1) and relaxation in response to bradykinin (10(-12) to 3 x 10(-8) M) was then measured isometrically in an organ bath. Interferon-gamma pretreatment for 20 h markedly attenuated the endothelium-dependent bradykinin relaxation in arteries precontracted with 9,11-dideoxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-epoxymethano prostaglandin F2 alpha (U46619), and the relaxation was reversed to contraction at the highest bradykinin concentrations (-72 +/- 5% for control vs. + 6 +/- 10% for interferon-gamma). Cycloheximide (20 micrograms ml-1) present during the 20-h preincubation completely prevented the interferon-gamma effect. Methyl-L-arginine (1 mM) treatment during the 20-h preincubation also inhibited the interferon-gamma effect on bradykinin relaxation (-47 +/- 18% for interferon-gamma and methyl-L-arginine), which suggests involvement of nitric oxide during the 20-h preincubation with interferon-gamma. In control arteries, des-Arg9-bradykinin, a bradykinin B1 receptor agonist, evoked contractions, which were augmented in rings preincubated for 20 h with interferon-gamma. The bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist, des-Arg9-Leu8-bradykinin (2 microM), present in the organ bath in combination with methyl-L-arginine (1 mM) only present during the 20-h preincubation with interferon-gamma completely restored the bradykinin relaxation (-79 +/- 12%). We suggest two mechanisms. Firstly, prolonged nitric oxide release induced by interferon-gamma during the 20-h preincubation may inhibit bradykinin stimulated endothelium-derived nitric oxide release and action. Secondly, interferon-gamma caused upregulation of the bradykinin B1 receptor-mediated contraction, which may contribute to the decrease in bradykinin-induced vasodilation and cause a reversal to contraction.

Low-dose aspirin inhibits platelet-induced contraction of the human isolated coronary artery. A role for additional 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonism against coronary vasospasm?

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effect of low-dose aspirin in the prevention of coronary vasospasm is well documented. In this study, we investigated the contractile effect of human washed platelets on the human isolated coronary artery. We concentrated on the effect of low-dose aspirin (40 mg/d) taken by the platelet donor and on the efficacy of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor antagonists. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human coronary artery segments were suspended in an organ bath set-up for isometric tension measurement. Platelets (10(9) to 3 x 10(10)/L) elicited concentration-dependent contractile responses of the coronary artery segments, reaching 28.4 +/- 7.1% of contractions induced by 100 mmol/L K+. The contractile response tended to be decreased in vessel segments with histological signs of early atherosclerosis. Contraction was significantly attenuated after pretreatment of the vessel segments with ketanserin (5-HT2 receptor antagonist, 1 mumol/L) or SQ30741 (TXA2 receptor antagonist, 0.01 mumol/L), reaching 8.8 +/- 2.3% and 3.2 +/- 2.2% of contraction to 100 mmol/L K+, respectively. Platelets obtained from the same platelet donors after they had taken aspirin (40 mg/d for 7 to 13 days) caused significantly lower contractile responses (7.6 +/- 2.7% of 100 mmol/L K+) associated with an almost selective inhibition of the synthesis of thromboxane measured in the organ bath solution (untreated platelets, 2.19 +/- 0.43 nmol/L; aspirin-treated platelets, 0.66 +/- 0.05 nmol/L). The amount of 5-HT secreted in the organ bath remained unaltered (65.17 +/- 9.94 and 64.03 +/- 8.98 nmol/L, respectively). This explains why ketanserin significantly attenuated the residual contractile responses caused by platelets obtained from aspirin-treated subjects, whereas SQ30741 caused minor, nonsignificant additional attenuation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study therefore suggest that additional antagonism of the contractile 5-HT receptors in the coronary artery may increase the efficacy of low-dose aspirin in vivo.

Induction of nitric oxide release by interferon-gamma inhibits vasodilation and cyclic GMP increase in bovine isolated mesenteric arteries.

The influence of interferon (IFN)-gamma on vasodilation was examined in bovine isolated mesenteric arteries. Arterial rings were incubated with IFN-gamma (100 U ml-1) for 20 hr and subsequently the response to vasodilators was determined isometrically in an organ bath. Treatment with IFN-gamma markedly inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin and impaired vasodilation to nitroprusside, which was endothelium-independent. The decrease in relaxation was correlated with a decrease in bradykinin- and nitroprusside-induced cGMP production. Relaxation to the phosphodiesterase inhibitors 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or zaprinast was not altered after IFN-gamma, which suggests that the IFN-gamma effect is specific for guanylate cyclase-activating agonists. Nitrite concentration in the incubation medium was increased after IFN-gamma, which indicates the induction of nitric oxide release during the incubation period. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine during the 20-hr incubation with IFN-gamma completely prevented the decrease in relaxation and cGMP elevation to nitroprusside. We conclude that IFN-gamma induces a marked increase in release of arterial-derived nitric oxide resulting in a desensitization of guanylate cyclase, which contributes to a decrease in relaxation to bradykinin and nitroprusside. These results may implicate the existence of an important adaptive process in the regulation of vascular tone during pathological situations associated with the induction of nitric oxide synthesis.

5-HT receptors mediating contractions of the isolated human coronary artery.

We investigated contractile responses of the isolated human coronary artery to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), washed human platelets, sumatriptan and ergotamine. 5-HT (pD2: 6.8 +/- 0.1, Emax: 47.7 +/- 6.8 mN) and platelets (effect 14.4 +/- 2.8 mN with 3.10(10) platelets/l) caused contractile responses which were attenuated by ketanserin (1 microM). In the presence of ketanserin (1 microM), both rauwolscine (1 and 10 microM) and cyanopindolol (1 and 10 microM) caused concentration-dependent additional antagonism against contractions induced by low (< or = 1 microM) concentrations of 5-HT. Sumatriptan-induced contractions (pD2: 6.2 +/- 0.1; Emax: 10.7 +/- 2.4 mN) were antagonized to a similar extent by both rauwolscine (1 microM) and cyanopindolol (1 microM) (pKB: 6.5 +/- 0.1 and 6.4 +/- 0.1, respectively) and also by metergoline (0.1 microM; pKB: 7.2 +/- 0.1). The order of potency of antagonists against sumatriptan resembles the order reported for the human saphenous vein 5-HT1D-like receptor. No significant additional antagonism by cyanopindolol (1 microM) or rauwolscine (1 microM) against platelet-induced contractile responses was observed. Ergotamine caused potent contractile responses (pD2: 8.4 +/- 0.3, Emax: 19.4 +/- 2.4 mN). It is concluded that although 5-HT2 receptors predominantly mediate 5-HT-induced contractions, the 5-HT1-like receptor seems to play a role in coronary vasospasm caused by low concentrations of 5-HT.

Acetylcholine-induced relaxation in bovine isolated mesenteric arteries is suppressed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

1. The endothelium plays a critical role in maintaining vascular tone via generation of potent vasoconstrictor and dilator substances. We examined the effect of bovine purified polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) on the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in isolated mesenteric arteries. 2. In the presence of PMN (2.5 x 10(6) cells ml-1) the maximal relaxation to acetylcholine was decreased from 76.1 +/- 2.4% to 44.9 +/- 7.4% of the precontraction (P < 0.001). This effect was inhibited by superoxide dismutase and NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine, but not by catalase or indomethacin. 3. PMN were not able to influence significantly the endothelium-independent relaxation to nitroprusside. 4. Removal of PMN after preincubation and prior to precontraction and relaxation did not influence the acetylcholine-induced relaxation, indicating that no irreversible vascular damage had occurred. 5. Superoxide anion production by unstimulated PMN was less than 10% compared to phorbol myristate acetate-activated PMN, measured by chemiluminescence and reduction of ferricytochrome c. 6. We conclude that small amounts of superoxide anions produced by unstimulated PMN contribute to a decrease in relaxation to acetylcholine by interfering with endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

5-Hydroxytryptamine-induced contractions of the human isolated saphenous vein: involvement of 5-HT2 and 5-HT1D-like receptors, and a comparison with grafted veins.

The receptors mediating the contractile effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the human isolated saphenous vein, obtained from 42 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery, have been further characterized using a number of 5-HT-related drugs. The rank order of agonist potency was 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) approximately 5-HT greater than methysergide approximately sumatriptan approximately alpha-methyl-5-HT approximately 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1H-indolesuccinate (RU 24969) approximately 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane hydrochloride (DOI) greater than 2-methyl-5-HT greater than 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). Flesinoxan was inactive as an agonist. Ketanserin (1 mumol/l) hardly affected sumatriptan-induced contractions but it caused a rightward shift of the upper part of the concentration-response curve of 5-HT and 5-CT. The same concentration of ketanserin caused a parallel rightward shift of the concentration-response curves of alpha-methyl-5-HT and DOI with pKB values of 7.1 and 7.1, respectively. The responses to sumatriptan were antagonized by methiothepin (0.1 mumol/l), metergoline (0.1 and 1 mumol/l), rauwolscine (1 mumol/l) and cyanopindolol (1 mumol/l); the calculated pKB values were 7.3, 6.9, 7.3, 6.7 and 6.5, respectively. Contractions to 5-HT were antagonized by methysergide (1 mumol/l), methiothepin (0.1 mumol/l; pKB = 7.1), ICS 205-930 (1 mumol/l; pKB = 5.9) and flesinoxan (30 mumol/l; pKB = 5.3). Remarkably, the contractions elicited by 2-methyl-5-HT were not attenuated by ICS 205-930, but were antagonized by methiothepin (0.1 mumol/l) and, more markedly, by ketanserin (1 mumol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes increase sensitivity to noradrenaline in isolated mesenteric arteries.

1. The effects of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) on vascular function to (-)-noradrenaline were examined in vitro. Purified bovine PMN were incubated in siliconized organ baths containing rings of bovine mesenteric arteries, after which a concentration-effect curve in response to (-)-noradrenaline was obtained. 2. PMN-derived products induced a long lasting concentration-dependent contraction of the blood vessels generating 24.4 +/- 6.8% of the maximal tension to (-)-noradrenaline at a cell concentration of 2.5 x 10(6) ml-1. The contractile response was also found in endothelium-denuded vascular rings. 3. PMN present in the organ bath caused an increase in the sensitivity of vascular rings to (-)-noradrenaline. At a cell number of 2.5 x 10(6) PMN ml-1 the pD2-value for (-)-noradrenaline was augmented 0.40 +/- 0.05 (P less than 0.001), while total contraction at the highest concentration (-)-noradrenaline was not affected. This increase in sensitivity was dependent on an intact endothelium. 4. The increase in sensitivity to (-)-noradrenaline by PMN was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, but not by catalase, dimethylthiourea, indomethacin or nordihydroguaiaretic acid. The non-stimulated bovine PMN produced oxygen radicals as measured by chemiluminescence. 5. Simultaneous incubation of PMN and (-)-noradrenaline with arterial rings induced an increase in the release of prostacyclin, measured by an elevated concentration of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha in the supernatant. 6. It is concluded that PMN can increase vascular tone directly or indirectly probably via the interaction of PMN-derived superoxide anions with endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

Analysis of the 5-HT receptors mediating contractions in the rabbit isolated renal artery.

1. Using a number of agonist and antagonist compounds, we have attempted to characterize the responses and receptors involved in the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the rabbit isolated renal artery. 2. In vessel segments precontracted with the thromboxane-mimetic agent, U46619 (100 nM), neither 5-HT (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) nor 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT; 10(-8) to 3 x 10(-4) M) caused relaxations like those observed with methacholine. Both 5-HT and 5-CT further increased the tone of the vessels, with pD2 values of 7.1 and 7.9, respectively. 3. In the absence of U46619, both 5-HT (10(-7) to 3 x 10(-3) M) and 5-CT (10(-7) to 10(-3) M) contracted the rabbit renal artery, but with reduced potencies. The contractions to 5-HT were reproducible and the rank order of potency (pD2) of the agonists was: alpha-methyl-5-HT (5.7), sumatriptan (5.3), 5-HT (5.1), 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (5.0), 5-CT (4.7) and 5-methoxytryptamine (4.3). 1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane, flesinoxan and RU 24969 elicited either only small contractions or none at all. 4. The contractile effect of 5-HT was unaffected by MDL 72222 (10(-6) M) and metergoline (10(-8) and 10(-7) M), was weakly antagonized by ketanserin and phentolamine (pKB: 6.6 and 6.8, respectively), but was effectively antagonized by methiothepin (pKB: 8.6). Responses to 5-CT and sumatriptan were affected by ketanserin, phentolamine and methiothepin similarly to 5-HT-induced responses. 5. Ketanserin was ineffective against noradrenaline-induced contractions, which were antagonized by phentolamine with a pKB of 7.3. The pKB values of phentolamine against 5-HT, 5-CT or sumatriptan were about half a log unit lower than against noradrenaline.6. In vascular preparations treated with cocaine (3 x 10- I M), the potency (pKB) of phentolamine as an antagonist of the responses to noradrenaline (7.6) and 5-HT (6.7) did not differ significantly from the values in untreated preparations. However, the difference between the pKB values of phentolamine against the two agonists was now about one log unit.7. Pretreatment of the vascular strips with 6-hydroxydopamine (1.5 x 10- 3M) did not significantly affect responses to 5-HT or 5-CT, but almost eliminated those to tyramine. Cocaine (3 x 10- 5M) slightly potentiated noradrenaline-induced contractions, but did not significantly affect those induced by 5-HT.8. These data suggest that: (i) 5-HT receptors mediating vasodilatation are not present in the rabbit renal artery smooth muscle or endothelium; (ii) the contractile effect of 5-HT does not involve the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve stores; (iii) the 5-HT receptor in the rabbit renal artery is not of the 5-HT2, 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 type. The pharmacological properties of this receptor most closely resemble those described for the heterogeneous 5-HT1-like category.

5-HT1-like receptors mediate contractions of the rabbit saphenous vein.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) elicited concentration-dependent contractions of the rabbit isolated saphenous vein. The effects of 5-HT were mimicked by 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole succinate (RU 24969) and sumatriptan; the rank order of potency (pD2 values) was 5-CT (7.6) greater than 5-HT (6.9) greater than 8-OH-DPAT (6.2) greater than RU 24969 (6.1) greater than sumatriptan (5.7). The maximal response to RU 24969 was less than that to the other compounds, implying that RU 24969 may behave as a partial agonist. Methiothepin (10(-8), 3 x 10(-8) and 3 x 10(-7) M), ketanserin (10(-7), 3 x 10(-7) and 10(-6) M) and spiperone (10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M), but not 1 alpha H,3 alpha,5 alpha H- tropan-3-yl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate (MDL 72222; 10(-7), 10(-6) or 10(-6) M), cyanopindolol (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) or propranolol (10(-7) and 10(-6) M), shifted the concentration-effect curve of 5-HT to the right in a concentration-dependent manner with pA2 values of 8.25, 7.51 and 6.12, respectively. The high activity of 5-CT and methiothepin compared to, respectively, 5-HT and ketanserin (and spiperone) suggests that the contraction of the rabbit saphenous vein is not mediated by 5-HT2 receptors. The receptor involved seems to be mainly 5-HT1-like, similar to the one mediating contraction of the dog saphenous vein, human basilar artery and porcine cranial arteriovenous anastomoses.

Interaction between neutrophils and pig coronary artery increases histamine contractions.

In the present study we investigated the possible role of neutrophils and the endothelium in the induction of hyperreactivity of pig coronary arteries to histamine. Histamine caused a dose-dependent contraction of isolated pig coronary arteries. The maximal contraction to histamine was reduced in preparations from which the endothelium had been removed. Pre-incubation of intact coronary arteries with isolated neutrophils had no influence on the contractile response to histamine. However, when the same experiments were performed with coronary arteries without endothelium, the maximal contraction to histamine was increased. Incubation with scavengers and inhibitors of the enzymes, lipoxygenase or cyclo-oxygenase, provided evidence for a role of lipoxygenase products in the induction of hyperreactivity to histamine by neutrophils in the pig coronary artery.

Neutrophils increase histamine contractions in pig coronary artery: a role for lipoxygenase products.

The possible role of neutrophils and the endothelium in the induction of hyperreactivity of the pig coronary artery to histamine was studied. In pig isolated coronary arteries histamine caused a concentration-dependent contraction; maximal contraction to histamine, however, was reduced in endothelium-denuded arteries. Pre-incubation of intact coronary arteries with isolated neutrophils did not affect the contractile response to histamine, while pre-incubation of endothelium-denuded arteries induced a hyperreactivity to histamine. This induction of hyperreactivity to histamine by neutrophils in pig coronary arteries seems to be mediated by lipoxygenase products, since it could be prevented by pre-incubation of the preparations with lipoxygenase inhibitors, but not with inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase or with scavengers.