Possible role of transient receptor potential melastatin 4 channels in adrenergic contractions in mouse prostate smooth muscles.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) cation channels are expressed in prostate glands. However, the precise role of these channels in prostate contractility remains unclear. In this study, we examined whether TRPM4 channels were involved in adrenergic contractions in the mouse prostate gland. Adrenergic contractile responses elicited by noradrenaline or electrical field stimulation of the sympathetic nerve were isometrically recorded, and the effects of 9-phenanthrol, a specific TRPM4 channel inhibitor, on those contractile responses were investigated in mouse ventral prostate preparations. 9-phenanthrol (10 or 30 µM) inhibited noradrenaline- and sympathetic nerve-evoked contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. A similar inhibitory effect was observed with another TRPM4 channel inhibitor, 4-chloro-2-(2-(naphthalene-1-yloxy) acetamido) benzoic acid (NBA; 10 µM). Inhibition by 9-phenanthrol and NBA were much greater at lower noradrenaline concentrations and lower stimulus frequencies than those of higher concentrations or frequencies. However, 9-phenanthrol did not inhibit the noradrenaline-induced contractile response when the membrane potential was decreased to approximately 0 mV in the 140 mM K+ medium. Moreover, 9-phenanthrol does not affect noradrenaline-induced increases in spontaneous contractions of cardiac atrial preparation. This agent inhibited noradrenaline-induced contractions in the posterior aorta preparation. However, the inhibitory effect was significantly weaker than that observed in the prostate gland. These results suggest that TRPM4 channels are involved in adrenergic contractions in the mouse prostate gland, possibly through membrane depolarization by their opening; therefore, they might be potential candidates for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Altered contractile responses of arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rat: The role of endogenous mediators and membrane depolarization.

AIMS: The goal of our study was to reveal the important mechanism(s) responsible for the enhanced contractility of isolated arteries from animals suffering genetic hypertension. MAIN METHODS: Contractile force of endothelium-denuded arteries, modulated by various interventions, was measured by wire myography. KEY FINDINGS: Spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) arteries were stimulated by norepinephrine, increased extracellular K+ or tyramine. Strain difference was not observed in the contraction elicited by exogenous norepinephrine but SHR arteries responded more to tyramine (causing endogenous norepinephrine release from neuronal varicosities). K+-induced contraction was enhanced in SHR arteries, with no involvement of endogenous catecholamines. The α-adrenoceptor blockade lowered tyramine-induced contraction more in SHR arteries; similar effect was achieved by guanethidine-induced sympathectomy. Partial depolarization of WKY arteries by 20mM K+ enhanced its contraction to SHR level. The blockade of ß-adrenoceptors by propranolol or selective ß2-antagonist ICI-118,551 induced contraction of SHR endothelium-denuded arteries but was without significant effects on WKY arteries unless they were stimulated with K+. Both tyramine-induced and propranolol-induced contractions were attenuated by flupirtine and abolished by nifedipine. SIGNIFICANCE: The differences of SHR and WKY arteries were not related to vascular expression of α- and ß-adrenoceptors or G-proteins. Enhanced contractility of SHR arteries is related to both increased presence of endogenous norepinephrine in vascular wall and also to altered vascular smooth muscle membrane potential.