Modification of high saturated fat diet with n-3 polyunsaturated fat improves glucose intolerance and vascular dysfunction.

AIMS: The ability of dietary enrichment with monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to reverse glucose intolerance and vascular dysfunction resulting from excessive dietary saturated fatty acids is not resolved. We hypothesized that partial replacement of dietary saturated fats with n-3 PUFA-enriched menhaden oil (MO) would provide greater improvement in glucose tolerance and vascular function compared to n-6 enriched safflower oil (SO) or MUFA-enriched olive oil (OO). METHODS: We fed mice a high saturated fat diet (HF) (60% kcal from lard) for 12 weeks before substituting half the lard with MO, SO or OO for an additional 4 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, we assessed glucose tolerance, insulin signalling and reactivity of isolated pressurized gracilis arteries. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of saturated fat diet, body weights were elevated and glucose tolerance was abnormal compared to mice on control diet (13% kcal lard). Diet substituted with MO restored basal glucose levels, glucose tolerance and indices of insulin signalling (phosphorylated Akt) to normal, whereas restoration was limited for SO and OO substitutions. Although dilation to acetylcholine was reduced in arteries from mice on HF, OO and SO diets compared to normal diet, dilation to acetylcholine was fully restored and constriction to phenylephrine was reduced in MO-fed mice compared to normal. CONCLUSION: We conclude that short-term enrichment of an ongoing high fat diet with n-3 PUFA rich MO, but not MUFA rich OO or n-6 PUFA rich SO, reverses glucose tolerance, insulin signalling and vascular dysfunction.

Vasodilator mechanisms in the coronary circulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase-deficient mice.

Previous studies have demonstrated that responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators are absent in the aortas from mice deficient in expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS -/- mice), whereas responses in the cerebral microcirculation are preserved. We tested the hypothesis that in the absence of eNOS, other vasodilator pathways compensate to preserve endothelium-dependent relaxation in the coronary circulation. Diameters of isolated, pressurized coronary arteries from eNOS -/-, eNOS heterozygous (+/-), and wild-type mice (eNOS +/+ and C57BL/6J) were measured by video microscopy. ACh (an endothelium-dependent agonist) produced vasodilation in wild-type mice. This response was normal in eNOS +/- mice and was largely preserved in eNOS -/- mice. Responses to nitroprusside were also similar in arteries from eNOS +/+, eNOS +/-, and eNOS -/- mice. Dilation to ACh was inhibited by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine, an inhibitor of NOS in control and eNOS -/- mice. In contrast, trifluoromethylphenylimidazole, an inhibitor of neuronal NOS (nNOS), decreased ACh-induced dilation in arteries from eNOS-deficient mice but had no effect on responses in wild-type mice. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, decreased vasodilation to ACh in eNOS-deficient, but not wild-type, mice. Thus, in the absence of eNOS, dilation of coronary arteries to ACh is preserved by other vasodilator mechanisms.

Agonist-specific impairment of coronary vascular function in genetically altered, hyperlipidemic mice.

The objectives of the present study were to 1) examine mechanisms involved in endothelium-dependent responses of coronary arteries from normal mice and 2) determine whether vascular responses of coronary arteries are altered in two genetic models of hypercholesterolemia [apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice (apoE -/-) and combined apoE and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient mice (apoE + LDLR -/-)]. Plasma cholesterol levels were higher in both apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- compared with normal mice on normal and high-cholesterol diets (normal chow: normal 110 +/- 5 mg/dl, apoE -/- 680 +/- 40 mg/dl, apoE + LDLR -/- 810 +/- 40 mg/dl; high-cholesterol chow: normal 280 +/- 60 mg/dl, apoE -/- 2,490 +/- 310 mg/dl, apoE + LDLR -/- 3,660 +/- 290 mg/dl). Coronary arteries from normal (C57BL/6J), apoE -/-, and apoE + LDLR -/- mice were isolated and cannulated, and diameters were measured using videomicroscopy. In normal mice, vasodilation in response to ACh and serotonin was markedly reduced by 10 microM Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) or 20 microM 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase). Vasodilation to nitroprusside, but not papaverine, was also inhibited by ODQ. Dilation of arteries from apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- mice on normal diet in response to ACh was similar to that observed in normal mice. In contrast, dilation of arteries in response to serotonin from apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- mice was impaired compared with normal. In arteries from both apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- mice on high-cholesterol diet, dilation to ACh was decreased. In apoE + LDLR -/- mice on high-cholesterol diet, dilation of coronary arteries to nitroprusside was increased. These findings suggest that dilation of coronary arteries from normal mice in response to ACh and serotonin is dependent on production of nitric oxide and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. Hypercholesterolemia selectively impairs dilator responses of mouse coronary arteries to serotonin. In the absence of both apoE and the LDL receptor, high levels of cholesterol result in a greater impairment in coronary endothelial function.

Response of coronary microvascular collaterals to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have suggested that collateral vessels of the coronary and hind-limb circulations are more sensitive to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels than are non-collateral vessels. The objective of the present study was to compare responses of microvascular non-collaterals, native collaterals and stimulated collaterals in the heart to three vasodilators which act through different mechanisms: activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels with aprikalim, release of nitric oxide with acetylcholine, and endothelium-independent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase with nitroglycerin. METHODS: Collateral growth was stimulated by placing an Ameroid occluder on the proximal left circumflex artery in dogs. Non-collaterals, native collaterals and stimulated collaterals (100-220 microns in diameter) were isolated, cannulated on micropipettes and pressurized in vitro. Vessel diameters were measured using videomicroscopy. RESULTS: Dilation to aprikalim (10(-8)-10(-5) M), acetylcholine (10(-9)-10(-6) M) and nitroglycerin (10(-8)-3 x 10(-4) M) were similar in non-collateral, native collateral and stimulated collaterals. Dilation of native collaterals to aprikalim and acetylcholine was attenuated by glibenclamide (10 microM), an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, but not by tetraethylammonium (1 mM), a non-selective inhibitor of K+ channels. Dilation of native collaterals to acetylcholine but not aprikalim was also inhibited by nitro-L-arginine (10 microM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that microvascular native and stimulated collaterals respond to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and acetylcholine similar to non-collaterals of similar size. Thus, changes in reactivity of collaterals to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels are not related to changes in the ability of the vessels to respond to vasodilators but may primarily be determined by a change in the distribution of collateral vessel size.

Effects of 17 beta-estradiol on coronary microvascular responses to endothelin-1.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of 17 beta-estradiol on responses of coronary microvessels to endothelin-1 (ET-1). With the use of isolated pressurized coronary microvessels from the left ventricle of male or female dogs, constrictions to ET-1 were similar in vessels from male and female dogs. 17 beta-Estradiol (1 microM) attenuated constriction to ET-1 of small arteries from both male (percent constriction at 10 microM control: 39 +/- 9%, estradiol: 3 +/- 2%; P < 0.05) and female (percent constriction at 10 microM control: 39 +/- 8%, estradiol: 6 +/- 3%; P < 0.05) dogs similarly. In contrast, testosterone (1 microM) had no effect on constriction to ET-1. Constrictions to ET-1 were completely abolished by BQ-123 (1 microM), a selective ETA-receptor antagonist, and enhanced by BQ-788 (1 microM), a selective ETB-receptor antagonist. Constrictions to ET-1 alone were not altered by indomethacin (Indo, 10 microM) or NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 100 microM). 17 beta-Estradiol produced dose-dependent relaxation of coronary microvessels preconstricted with ET-1 that was similar to the response to testosterone and progesterone. Indo or L-NNA alone had no effect on relaxation to 17 beta-estradiol. However, the combination of Indo and L-NNA attenuated Taxation to 17 beta-estradiol (percent dilation at 1 microM control: 64 +/- 13%; Indo plus L-NNA: 21 +/- 6%; P < 0.05) but did not affect relaxation to testosterone. Thus 17 beta-estradiol attenuated constrictions of coronary microvessels to ET-1 more than did similar concentrations of testosterone. The ability of 17 beta-estradiol to modulate responses to endothelin may involve release of vasodilator prostaglandins and/or nitric oxide by 17 beta-estradiol.

Effect of acute hypertension in the coronary circulation: role of mechanical factors and oxygen radicals.

OBJECTIVE: In previous studies severe, acute hypertension damaged the endothelium in proximal coronary arteries and selectively potentiated constriction of the artery to serotonin. In the present study we investigated the role of several mechanical factors and of oxygen radicals in this response. DESIGN: To test the role of mechanical factors in the response to acute hypertension, the effect of different magnitudes of elevation of perfusion pressure and the rate of the rise in perfusion pressure were studied. Pharmacologically induced increases in blood pressure were produced by infusion of angiotensin II or phenylephrine. The role of oxygen radicals was tested by measuring responses to serotonin before and after increases in perfusion pressure in dogs treated with a combination of superoxide dismutase and catalase or with deferoxamine. METHODS: In open-chest anesthetized dogs the diameter of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) was measured using sonomicrometer crystals, and the LADCA was perfused at a constant pressure of 80 mmHg from a reservoir. Responses to serotonin were measured at this perfusion pressure before and after an abrupt increase in perfusion pressure. RESULTS: Intracoronary serotonin (5 or 50 micrograms/min) produced a dose-dependent constriction of the LADCA while increasing coronary flow. Abruptly increasing the coronary perfusion pressure from 80 to 120, 150 or 200 mmHg augmented the constriction to serotonin twofold, whereas increases in perfusion pressure to 100 mmHg had no effect. Increasing coronary pressure slowly (over a 4-min period) from 80 to 200 mmHg augmented constriction to serotonin. Inducing acute hypertension (coronary pressure 200 mmHg) pharmacologically with angiotensin II also augmented constriction to serotonin, whereas phenylephrine-induced hypertension did not. Superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide anions and catalase, a scavenger of hydrogen peroxide, prevented the augmented constriction to serotonin following a pressure increase. Deferoxamine, which prevents generation of hydroxyl radicals from superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, also prevented the enhanced constriction to serotonin following an acute pressure increase. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate physiological increases in pressure, induced either mechanically or pharmacologically, can augment the responses to serotonin. Oxygen-derived free radicals, particularly hydroxyl radicals, might be involved in the abnormal response to serotonin following an abrupt increase in coronary pressure.

Effect of hypertension and hypertrophy on coronary microvascular pressure.

We tested the hypothesis that transmural differences in coronary microvascular pressures may be greater in the setting of hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Epicardial and endocardial microvascular pressures were measured in isolated lidocaine-arrested hearts during adenosine vasodilation. In both normotensive (n = 19) and hypertensive (one clip, one kidney, n = 10) dogs, microvascular pressures in endocardial arterioles at 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 mm Hg of left main coronary perfusion pressures were lower than in epicardial arterioles (p less than 0.05 at all perfusion pressures). The pressures in epicardial arterioles as a percentage of the left main coronary perfusion pressure were similar in normotensive versus hypertensive hearts at all perfusion pressures. In contrast, the pressures in endocardium at 90 and 100 mm Hg of perfusion pressure were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in dogs with hypertension and hypertrophy than in the controls (41 +/- 4 versus 50 +/- 2 and 40 +/- 4 versus 50 +/- 3 mm Hg at 90 and 100 mm Hg of perfusion pressure, respectively). Thus, there is a greater transmural resistance to microvascular perfusion in hearts with myocardial hypertrophy secondary to hypertension. This is likely due to differences in the vascular anatomy, secondary to hypertension and hypertrophy, and may contribute to vulnerabilities in subendocardial ischemia encountered in this condition.

Evidence of a role for compounds derived from arginine in coronary response to serotonin in vivo.

Recent studies have demonstrated that a nitroso compound derived from L-arginine (Arg) may be the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released from vascular endothelium. Synthesis of EDRF from L-Arg is inhibited by analogues of Arg such as NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). We tested the role of compounds derived from Arg in the constriction of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) to serotonin in vivo by measuring responses before and during infusion of L-NMMA or L-NNA. In open-chest anesthetized dogs the LAD was perfused at constant pressure (80 mmHg) from a reservoir. Large-artery diameter was measured with piezoelectric crystals, and coronary flow was measured with an in-line electromagnetic flow probe. Intracoronary serotonin (5 and 50 micrograms/min) caused a dose-dependent constriction of the proximal LAD and increase in coronary flow. Intracoronary L-NMMA (2 mg/min) or L-NNA (2 mg/min) augmented the constriction to serotonin, whereas the increase in coronary flow was blunted only by L-NNA. L-Arg (10 mg/min, intracoronary) alone did not alter either the large-artery constriction or the increase in flow to serotonin; however, it prevented the enhanced constriction to serotonin following L-NMMA. Constriction to the endothelium-independent agent prostaglandin F2 alpha was not affected by L-NMMA. We conclude that a metabolite of L-Arg modulates the large coronary artery response to serotonin in vivo.

Leukocyte and platelet-derived factors augment canine coronary constriction to serotonin.

In open-chest anesthetized dogs acute hypertension causes neutrophil and platelet adhesion to vascular endothelium and selectively potentiates constriction to serotonin in proximal coronary arteries. To examine underlying mechanisms, canine left anterior descending coronary arteries subjected to 15 min hypertension (LAD-HYP) and control left circumflex coronary arteries (CX) perfused at normal pressure were studied in organ chambers. In endothelium-intact LAD-HYP rings, constriction to serotonin was potentiated fourfold compared with control CX rings but was similar in denuded LAD-HYP and CX vessels. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was not affected by acute hypertension. In LAD-HYP rings 10 microM LY 83583 (which depletes guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and inhibits effects of endothelium-derived relaxing factor) augmented constriction to serotonin twofold. LY 83583 did not affect the serotonin response in hypertensive rings whose endothelium was mechanically removed. Blockade of either leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptors (either with LY 171883 or SKF 102992) or thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptors (with SQ 29548) partially blunted constriction to serotonin. Combined LTD4- and TxA2-receptor blockade completely normalized serotonin-induced constriction in LAD-HYP rings. In preconstricted LAD-HYP rings, relaxations to serotonin were markedly impaired but were restored by addition of ketanserin. Normalization of relaxation to serotonin in hypertensive vessels by ketanserin is likely due to inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptors on platelet membranes. In conclusion, augmented constriction to serotonin in canine epicardial vessels exposed to acute hypertension is not due to an impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation to the amine but to concomitant release of leukotrienes and TxA2 from leukocytes and platelets adhering to damaged endothelium. Activation of 5-HT2 serotonergic receptors on platelet membranes could be a possible trigger mechanism.

Myocardial oxygen tension determines the degree and pressure range of coronary autoregulation.

Experiments were designed to separate effects of myocardial oxygen tension and oxygen consumption on coronary autoregulation. The approach was to measure coronary hemodynamic and metabolic responses to decreases in perfusion pressure during interventions that altered the balance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Studies were conducted in anesthetized heart-blocked dogs with the left coronary artery perfused from a pressure-controlled blood reservoir. Decreasing oxygen consumption by lowering heart rate from 120 to 40 bpm increased coronary venous oxygen tension and reduced the degree of flow autoregulation between 120 and 80 mm Hg by threefold. In contrast to effects of bradycardia, coronary constriction with vasopressin or indomethacin (heart rate 120 bpm), which produced comparable increases in baseline vascular resistance, decreased coronary venous oxygen tension, and augmented flow autoregulation by nearly twofold. Initial coronary venous oxygen tension but not oxygen consumption was strongly correlated with a quantitative index of autoregulation (-0.052 PO2 + 2.01, R2 = 0.86) over the pressure range of 120 to 80 mm Hg. When heart rate was lowered to 40 bpm and coronary venous oxygen tension subsequently reduced with vasopressin to control values (120 bpm), autoregulation was completely restored. Parallel studies examined the effects of metabolic and pharmacologic interventions on coronary pressure-flow relations over a wide range of pressures. For each 20 mm Hg decrement in pressure between 160 and 80 mm Hg, lowering heart rate attenuated autoregulation whereas pharmacologic coronary constriction augmented autoregulation. The observed variations in the autoregulation index were largely explained by differences in the prevailing venous oxygen tension. Furthermore, the upper pressure limit for autoregulation was dependent on venous oxygen tension with a threshold oxygen tension for autoregulation of 32 mm Hg. These results indicate that coronary autoregulation is closely coupled to the prevailing venous oxygen tension but not oxygen consumption and is facilitated at low venous oxygen tension.