The 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative, clioquinol, is an alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist.

Clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) is an antimicrobial agent whose actions as a zinc or copper ionophore and an iron chelator revived the interest in similar compounds for the treatment of fungal and bacterial infections, neurodegeneration and cancer. Recently, we reported zinc ionophores, including clioquinol, cause vasorelaxation in isolated arteries through mechanisms that involve sensory nerves, endothelium and vascular smooth muscle. Here, we report that clioquinol also uniquely acts as a competitive alpha-1 (α1) adrenoceptor antagonist. We employed ex vivo functional vascular contraction and pharmacological techniques in rat isolated mesenteric arteries, receptor binding assays using stabilized solubilized α1 receptor variants, or wild-type human α1-adrenoceptors transfected in COS-7 cells (African green monkey kidney fibroblast-like cells), and molecular dynamics homology modelling based on the recently published α1A adrenoceptor cryo-EM and α1B crystal structures. At higher concentrations, all ionophores including clioquinol cause a non-competitive antagonism of agonist-mediated contraction due to intracellular zinc delivery, as reported previously. However, at lower concentration ranges, clioquinol has an additional mechanism of competitively inhibiting α1-adrenoceptors that contributes to decreasing vascular contractility. Molecular dynamic simulation showed that clioquinol binds stably to the orthosteric binding site (Asp106) of the receptor, confirming the structural basis for competitive α1-adrenoceptor antagonism by clioquinol.

Pharmacological characterisation of the CB1 receptor antagonist activity of cannabidiol in the rat vas deferens bioassay.

Cannabidiol is increasingly considered for treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. Binding studies suggest that cannabidiol binds to CB1 receptors. In the rat isolated vas deferens bioassay, a single electrical pulse causes a biphasic contraction from nerve-released ATP and noradrenaline. WIN 55,212-2 acts on prejunctional CB1 receptors to inhibit release of these transmitters. In this bioassay, we tested whether cannabidiol and SR141716 were acting as competitive antagonists of this receptor. Monophasic contractions mediated by ATP or noradrenaline in the presence of prazosin or NF449 (P2X1 inhibitor), respectively, were measured to a single electrical pulse delivered every 30 min. Following treatment with cannabidiol (10-100 µM) or SR141716 (0.003-10 µM), cumulative concentrations of WIN 55,212-2 (0.001-30 µM) were applied followed by a single electrical pulse. The WIN 55,212-2 concentration-contraction curve EC50 values were applied to global regression analysis to determine the pKB. The antagonist potency of cannabidiol at the CB1 receptor in the rat vas deferens bioassay matched the reported receptor binding affinity. Cannabidiol was a competitive antagonist of WIN 55,212-2 with pKB values of 5.90 when ATP was the effector transmitter and 5.29 when it was noradrenaline. Similarly, SR141716 was a competitive antagonist with pKB values of 8.39 for ATP and 7.67 for noradrenaline as the active transmitter. Cannabidiol's low micromolar CB1 antagonist pKB values suggest that at clinical blood levels (1-3 µM) it may act as a CB1 antagonist at prejunctional neuronal sites with more potency when ATP is the effector than for noradrenaline.

Zinc drives vasorelaxation by acting in sensory nerves, endothelium and smooth muscle.

Zinc, an abundant transition metal, serves as a signalling molecule in several biological systems. Zinc transporters are genetically associated with cardiovascular diseases but the function of zinc in vascular tone regulation is unknown. We found that elevating cytoplasmic zinc using ionophores relaxed rat and human isolated blood vessels and caused hyperpolarization of smooth muscle membrane. Furthermore, zinc ionophores lowered blood pressure in anaesthetized rats and increased blood flow without affecting heart rate. Conversely, intracellular zinc chelation induced contraction of selected vessels from rats and humans and depolarized vascular smooth muscle membrane potential. We demonstrate three mechanisms for zinc-induced vasorelaxation: (1) activation of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 to increase calcitonin gene-related peptide signalling from perivascular sensory nerves; (2) enhancement of cyclooxygenase-sensitive vasodilatory prostanoid signalling in the endothelium; and (3) inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels in the smooth muscle. These data introduce zinc as a new target for vascular therapeutics.

Cannabidiol selectively inhibits the contraction of rat small resistance arteries: Possible role for CGRP and voltage-gated calcium channels.

The pharmacology of cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive major component of Cannabis sativa, is of growing interest as it becomes more widely prescribed. This study aimed to examine the effects of cannabidiol on a wide range of contractile agents in rat small resistance arteries, in comparison with large arteries, and to explore its mechanism of action. The vascular actions of cannabidiol were also contrasted with effects on the contractions of bronchial, urogenital, cardiac and skeletal muscles. Isolated small or large arteries were incubated with cannabidiol (0.3-3 µM) or vehicle and concentration-contraction response curves were completed to various agents, including endothelin-1, arginine vasopressin, methoxamine, 5-HT, α-methyl 5-HT and U46619. In small arteries, the effects of cannabidiol were tested in the presence of antagonists of CB1 or CB2 receptors, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase, PPARγ or a combination. The role of L-type voltage-operated calcium channels was also assessed. Cannabidiol 1-3 µM significantly inhibited the contraction of small resistance arteries to all tested agents through a combination of mechanisms that include CGRP and L-type calcium channels. However, large arteries were insensitive to cannabidiol. Cannabidiol (10-100 µM) was largely without effect in bronchi, atria and hemidiaphragm, but 100 µM attenuated maximum contractions in vasa deferentia. Cannabidiol's effects in the clinical range (1-3 µM) appear to be specific to small resistance arteries. This high sensitivity of the resistance arterial circulation to cannabidiol may offer a therapeutic opportunity in peripheral vascular disease that excludes off-target sites such as the heart and non-vascular smooth muscle.

The ß2-adrenoceptor agonist bronchodilators terbutaline and orciprenaline are also weak α1-adrenoceptor antagonists.

Recently, the ß2-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline was shown to have α1-adrenolytic activity in mouse isolated pulmonary arteries in vitro and to lower pulmonary artery pressure in anaesthetised mice. The aim of our study was to determine the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist activity of terbutaline and its structurally close resorcinol, orciprenaline, in rat isolated small mesenteric arteries set up for myography. Their α1-adrenoceptor antagonist potency was then compared with their potency as ß2-adrenoceptor agonists. Concentration-response curves to methoxamine were competitively antagonised by terbutaline (30-300 µM) or orciprenaline (30-300 µM) with a pKB of 4.70 ± 0.09 or 4.79 ± 0.17, respectively. Both terbutaline and orciprenaline fulfilled the criteria for simple, silent competitive antagonism. Terbutaline (30-300 µM) had no effect on endothelin-1 concentration-contraction curves. Our findings suggest that after oral dosing of terbutaline, the maximum plasma levels would NOT reach levels to show α1-adrenoceptor antagonist activity. In conclusion, our work has provided additional quantitative evidence that terbutaline and orciprenaline are weak competitive α1-adrenoceptor antagonists, but this additional property is probably not therapeutically important in the clinical treatment of asthma or pulmonary artery hypertension with these more potent ß2-adrenoceptor agonists.

Estimation of the vascular resistance amplifier in the renal vascular bed in conscious hypertensive rabbits: comparison with the total peripheral vasculature.

OBJECTIVES: The vascular amplifier in hypertension is a result of structural changes in resistance arteries. We estimated the vascular amplifier hypertensive:normotensive (H:N) ratio in the renal bed compared with the total peripheral bed in conscious rabbits during infusion of vasoconstrictor and vasodilator stimuli. METHODS: Rabbits were subjected to bilateral renal cellophane wrap or sham operation. A perivascular ultrasonic flow probe was implanted on the left renal artery to measure renal blood flow. A catheter was inserted into the thoracic aorta for agonist administration. Blood pressure, heart rate and renal blood flow were measured on three separate days in conscious rabbits with intact effectors, ganglionic block or neurohumoral block. Dose-response curves were constructed to intra-arterial infusion of noradrenaline, angiotensin II, adenosine and acetylcholine. RESULTS: Resting renal vascular resistance in hypertensive rabbits was markedly decreased by ganglionic block and further by neurohumoral block. With effectors intact, ganglionic block or neurohumoral block, the H:N ratio for renal vascular resistance was 2.32, 1.72 or 1.72, respectively. The ratio was generally maintained during the infusion of constrictor and dilator drugs although distortions occurred at higher concentrations of constrictor or dilator drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Estimation of the renal resistance amplifier in renal wrap hypertension with neurohumoral block accords with our earlier estimates of the total peripheral resistance amplifier (1.79). This vascular resistance amplifier is consistent with a decrease in internal radius through structural remodelling in the renal vascular bed as is reflected in the total arterial circulation in hypertension.

The effects of varying Mg2+ ion concentrations on contractions to the cotransmitters ATP and noradrenaline in the rat vas deferens.

The vas deferens responds to a single electrical pulse with a biphasic contraction caused by cotransmitters ATP and noradrenaline. Removing Mg2+ (normally 1.2 mM) from the physiological salt solution (PSS) enhances the contraction. This study aimed to determine the effect of Mg2+ concentration on nerve cotransmitter-mediated contractions. Rat vasa deferentia were sequentially bathed in increasing (0, 1.2, 3 mM) or decreasing (3, 1.2, 0 mM) Mg2+ concentrations. At each concentration a single field pulse was applied, and the biphasic contraction recorded. Contractions to exogenous noradrenaline 10 µM and ATP 100 µM were also determined. The biphasic nerve-mediated contraction was elicited by ATP and noradrenaline as NF449 (10 µM) and prazosin (100 nM) completely prevented the respective peaks. Taking the contractions in normal PSS (Mg2+ 1.2 mM) as 100%, lowering Mg2+ to 0 mM enhanced the ATP peak to 170 ±â€¯7% and raising Mg2+ to 3 mM decreased it to 39 ±â€¯3%; the noradrenaline peak was not affected by lowering Mg2+ to 0 mM (97 ±â€¯3%) but was decreased to 63 ±â€¯4% in high Mg2+ (3 mM). Contractions to exogenous ATP, but not noradrenaline, were increased in Mg2+ 0 mM and both were inhibited with Mg2+ 3 mM. Changing Mg2+ concentration affects the contractions elicited by the cotransmitters ATP and noradrenaline. The greatest effects were to potentiate the contraction to ATP in Mg2+ 0 mM and to inhibit the contraction to both ATP and noradrenaline in high Mg2+. Future publications should clearly justify any decision to vary the magnesium concentration from normal (1.2 mM) values.

Role of endothelin-1 clearance in the haemodynamic responses to endothelin-1 in the pulmonary and hindquarter vasculature of anaesthetised rats.

In the pulmonary vasculature there is clearance of endothelin-1 from the circulation mediated by endothelin ETB receptors. This study explored the haemodynamic effects of endothelin-1 and its clearance in the pulmonary and hindquarter vasculature in anaesthetised rats. Carotid and pulmonary artery pressures and pulmonary and hindquarter blood flows were measured. In each rat, a single endothelin-1 or sarafotoxin S6C cumulative dose-response curve was generated with or without antagonist pretreatment (i.v.). Endothelin-1 caused an acute fall in MAP and rise in hindquarter vascular conductance (HVC) followed by a marked increase in MAP at 5 min with falls in HVC and pulmonary vascular conductance (PVC). Bosentan (10, 20 & 30 mg/kg) pretreatment caused dose-dependent inhibition of the MAP increase as well as PVC and HVC decreases to endothelin-1. Similarly, macitentan (30 mg/kg) or ambrisentan (10 mg/kg) caused significant block of responses to endothelin-1. Sarafotoxin S6C caused acute falls in MAP and increases in HVC and then small falls in PVC and HVC, all prevented by pretreatment with ETB antagonist BQ788 (1 mg/kg). Pretreatment with BQ788 enhanced endothelin-1 potency by 2.5-fold in PVC and 2.4-fold in HVC. With BQ788 and bosentan, the fall in HVC response was completely blocked, but there were residual MAP rises and PVC falls at the highest endothelin-1 dose. Our work confirms the role of ETB receptors in the pulmonary vasculature that decrease the circulating levels of endothelin-1. This has important consequences in selecting an appropriate ETA and ETB dual receptor antagonist to effectively block endothelin-1-mediated pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Distortion of KB estimates of endothelin-1 ETA and ETB receptor antagonists in pulmonary arteries: Possible role of an endothelin-1 clearance mechanism.

Dual endothelin ETA and ETB receptor antagonists are approved therapy for pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). We hypothesized that ETB receptor-mediated clearance of endothelin-1 at specific vascular sites may compromise this targeted therapy. Concentration-response curves (CRC) to endothelin-1 or the ETB agonist sarafotoxin S6c were constructed, with endothelin receptor antagonists, in various rat and mouse isolated arteries using wire myography or in rat isolated trachea. In rat small mesenteric arteries, bosentan displaced endothelin-1 CRC competitively indicative of ETA receptor antagonism. In rat small pulmonary arteries, bosentan 10 µmol L-1 left-shifted the endothelin-1 CRC, demonstrating potentiation consistent with antagonism of an ETB receptor-mediated endothelin-1 clearance mechanism. Removal of endothelium or L-NAME did not alter the EC50 or Emax of endothelin-1 nor increase the antagonism by BQ788. In the presence of BQ788 and L-NAME, bosentan displayed ETA receptor antagonism. In rat trachea (ETB ), bosentan was a competitive ETB antagonist against endothelin-1 or sarafotoxin S6c. Modeling showed the importance of dual receptor antagonism where the potency ratio of ETA to ETB antagonism is close to unity. In conclusion, the rat pulmonary artery is an example of a special vascular bed where the resistance to antagonism of endothelin-1 constriction by ET dual antagonists, such as bosentan or the ETB antagonist BQ788, is possibly due to the competition of potentiation of endothelin-1 by blockade of ETB -mediated endothelin-1 clearance located on smooth muscle and antagonism of ETA - and ETB -mediated contraction. This conclusion may have direct application for the efficacy of endothelin-1 antagonists for treating PAH.

Functional estimation of endothelin-1 receptor antagonism by bosentan, macitentan and ambrisentan in human pulmonary and radial arteries in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Endothelin receptor antagonists are approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Development of selective ETA-receptor antagonists over mixed or dual receptor antagonists has depended on a range of receptor binding assays, second messenger assays and functional blood vessel assays. This study compared the 3 clinically-approved endothelin receptor antagonists in assays of human isolated pulmonary and radial arteries in vitro. METHODS: Human isolated pulmonary (i.d. 5.5mm) and human radial (i.d. 3.23mm) artery ring segments were mounted in organ baths for isometric force measurement. Single concentration-contraction curves to endothelin-1 were constructed in the absence or presence of bosentan (1-10µM), macitentan (0.03-0.3µM) or ambrisentan (0.1-1µM). RESULTS: All 3 endothelin antagonists caused competitive rightward shifts in the endothelin-1 concentration-response curves in both arteries. The Clark plot and analysis gave the following pKB values: bosentan, pulmonary artery 6.28±0.13 and radial artery 6.04±0.10; macitentan, pulmonary artery 8.02±0.13 and radial artery 7.49±0.08; and ambrisentan, pulmonary artery 7.38±0.13 and radial artery 6.96±0.10. CONCLUSIONS: Noting the maximum plasma levels attained from recommended oral doses of each antagonist in volunteers, the pKB findings here show that there would be significant antagonism of endothelin-1 contraction in the pulmonary and radial arteries at therapeutic plasma levels. This functional assay confirms in human tissue that much higher plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 receptor antagonists are required to be effective than those predicted from binding or other biochemical assays.

Novel technique to determine the pKA of clonidine at prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors in cardiac and vascular sympathetic transmission.

Analytical pharmacology draws heavily on the concept of equilibrium of agonist and silent antagonist concentrations competing at a specific receptor site. This condition breaks down in nerve transmission when transmitter release is inhibited by prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors activated by an agonist such as clonidine. We have developed a method that allows the agonist dissociation constant KA of clonidine to be determined in a robust isolated right atrial assay of mouse, rat and guinea pig. By applying low numbers of field pulses 1-4 to prevent autoinhibitory feedback, clonidine shifted the nerve pulse stimulation-tachycardia curves to the right. These peak responses to field pulses were equated to responses to exogenous noradrenaline and the pKA determined by global fitting and display in the Clark plot. The pKA for clonidine ranged from 8.95 in the mouse, 7.8 in rat and 8.3 in guinea pig. The propranolol pKB was 8.87 in mouse and 8.91 in rat atria, reading very similarly to those values from ß-adrenoceptor agonist assays under equilibrium conditions. In mesenteric resistance arteries mounted in a myograph for electrical field stimulation, clonidine again inhibited contractions to field pulses in mouse arteries with a pKA of 7.12, but was inactive in rat arteries due to competing autoinhibitory feedback from nerve-released noradrenaline. In both species, prazosin inhibited the field pulses with a pKB of 9.08 in rat and 9.03 in mouse arteries. We conclude that pKB for antagonists and pKA for the prejunctional inhibitors of nerve transmission can be determined with this novel analytical approach.

Evidence of a Cardiovascular Function for Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau.

Aggregation of tau protein into intracellular deposits is a pathognomonic feature of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and lowering tau is a prominent therapeutic strategy under development. However, the physiological function of tau protein is not well known, particularly in the periphery. Lowering tau protein risks disrupting its physiological role leading to unwanted effects. In this study, the presence of tau protein in cardiac tissue is confirmed and the functional role in the cardiovascular system and the consequences of its loss were explored. Isolated right and left atria and small mesenteric arteries from wild type and tau deficient (KO) mice of two age groups (13 and 23 months old) were used to assess cardiovascular phenotypes. Tau KO mice showed an increased systolic blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy at 13 months, which was accompanied by a significantly lower right atrial rate and a subtle decrease in the maximum contractility to calcium, isoprenaline, and electrical sympathetic nerve stimulation. Aging tau KO mice to 23 months resulted in cardiac hypertrophy with significantly attenuated left atrial contractility, increased blood pressure, and sensitivity of isolated mesenteric arteries to angiotensin II contraction and isoprenaline relaxation compared to their younger counterparts. This study supports a functional role of tau in the heart and loss of this protein leads to a deterioration in cardiovascular performance which worsens with age. Taken together, these results provide insight into the peripheral function of tau protein, and give caution to the therapeutic strategy of lowering tau protein.

Novel α1-adrenoceptor antagonism by the fluroquinolone antibiotic trovafloxacin.

Trovafloxacin, a fluroquinolone antibiotic, was recently found to be an inhibitor of pannexin-1 channels through which ATP is released as "find-me" signals in apoptotic Jurkat cells. Our interest in the role of pannexin-1 channels in α1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction led us to the novel finding reported here. Concentration-response curves to methoxamine and phenylephrine were competitively antagonised by trovafloxacin (1-30µM) with a pKB of 5.54 and 5.32, respectively, in rat mesenteric small arteries isolated for myography. In comparison, prazosin (1-10nM) antagonised methoxamine concentration-response curves with a pKB of 9.76. Trovafloxacin (1-30µM) had no effect on either the thromboxane mimetic (U46619) or endothelin-1 concentration-contraction curves. Interestingly, the concentration range is similar for trovafloxacin antagonising the 3 distinct pharmacological targets: (i) fourth generation fluroquinolone antibiotic, (ii) pannexin-1 channel inhibitor in apoptotic cells, and now (iii) as an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist. When trovafloxacin was in use clinically, CNS side effects of dizziness, flushing and headache consistent with α1-adrenoceptor antagonism were common. We conclude that trovafloxacin with its quinolone moiety is a weak α1-adrenoceptor competitive antagonist in comparison with prazosin.

Vascular reactivity of rabbit isolated renal and femoral resistance arteries in renal wrap hypertension.

In rabbits with cellophane renal wrap hypertension, hindquarter and total vascular resistance changes to pressor and depressor agents are amplified compared to those of normotensive rabbits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro pharmacodynamics of hypertensive and normotensive rabbit small artery segments isolated from the renal and hindquarter vascular beds. Using wire myography, the full range (Emax) and sensitivity (EC50) to a range of agonists of segments of renal interlobar (≈ 600 µm i.d.), renal arcuate (≈ 250 µm i.d.) and deep femoral branch (≈ 250 µm i.d.) arteries were assessed under normalised conditions of passive tension. Interlobar arteries from hypertensive rabbits were more sensitive (EC50) than those from normotensive rabbits to noradrenaline (6-fold), methoxamine (3-fold) and angiotensin II (3-fold). Arcuate artery reactivity was largely unaffected by hypertension. Deep femoral arteries from hypertensive rabbits had enhanced sensitivity only to noradrenaline (2-fold) and methoxamine (4-fold). Sensitivity to relaxation by acetylcholine was unaffected by hypertension in all arteries. Deep femoral arteries from hypertensive rabbits were more sensitive to sodium nitroprusside than normotensive counterparts. Adenosine caused little relaxation in renal arteries, but full relaxation in deep femoral arteries, unaltered by hypertension. This study found substantial heterogeneity in the pharmacodynamic profile of vessels isolated from different vascular beds and between arterial segments within the kidney. These profiles were differentially affected by hypertension suggesting that hypertension per se is not a resultant of general vascular dysfunction.

ATP is not involved in α1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction in resistance arteries.

Recent publications suggest that α1-adrenoceptor stimulation by exogenous agonists such as phenylephrine in resistance arteries cause contraction through the release of ATP from within the vascular smooth muscle cells. This ATP exits the cell through pannexin-1 channels to act back "autocrine-like" on P2 receptors on the smooth muscle that cause the contraction. In this work we directly test this hypothesis by using a selective P2X1 purinoceptor antagonist NF449 (1-10µM) against phenylephrine and ATP concentration-response curves in small mesenteric arteries of the rat and thoracodorsal arteries of the mouse. We show that NF449 is a simple competitive antagonist of ATP with a pKB of 6.43 and 6.41 in rat and mouse arteries, respectively, but did not antagonise phenylephrine concentration-response curves. This work cautions against the growing overstated role of the reputed pannexin-1/ATP release axis following α1-adrenoceptor activation in small resistance arteries.

Contrasting cardiovascular properties of the µ-opioid agonists morphine and methadone in the rat.

Morphine and methadone share the property of µ-opioid receptor agonism yet have markedly different cardiovascular actions suggesting additional properties are at play. We investigated the i.v. dose-response relationships of the opioids on cardiovascular metameters in anaesthetised rats in the absence or presence of H1- and H2-receptor antagonism and the µ-opioid antagonist naloxone. In vitro tissue assays were employed to define more clearly cardiac and vascular mechanisms of action. Morphine (9, 30, 90mg/kg i.v.) decreased heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) - responses that were blocked by naloxone pretreatment (10mg/kg i.v.). In contrast, methadone (3, 10, 30mg/kg i.v.) caused dramatic short-lived (1-3min) bradycardia, hypotension and lengthening of the QT interval before stabilising 5min after i.v. dosing. Only the steady-state responses of HR and MAP were blocked by naloxone. Mepyramine (10mg/kg i.v.) and cimetidine (100mg/kg i.v.) also blocked the naloxone-sensitive components. In isolated small mesenteric arteries precontracted by K(+) 62mM or endothelin-1, methadone (1-30µM) relaxed vessels while morphine (1-100µM) had no effect. Pretreatment with naloxone (10µM), indomethacin (30µM) or nitro-l-arginine (100µM) did not affect the relaxation to methadone. In rat isolated left atria, morphine and methadone inhibited inotropic responses at high concentrations (100µM). In rat papillary muscle and right atria, methadone was more than 30 times more potent at lengthening the refractory period and slowing the atrial rate than morphine. We conclude that methadone is a potent vasodilator agent, possibly through blocking L-type calcium channels.

Pannexin-1 channels do not regulate α1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction in resistance arteries.

Recent reports have provided evidence for a new concept that in small resistance arteries α1D-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction is intimately linked to pannexin-1 (Px1) hemichannels that open to allow the release of ATP, from the smooth muscle effector cell, that acts back on P2Y purinoceptors to cause contraction. This concept mainly relied on using mefloquine 10-20µM as a putative selective Px1 channel-blocking agent to completely inhibit the contraction to phenylephrine, but not K(+) 40mM. Lower concentrations of mefloquine had no effect. The purpose of the present study was to explore the specificity of mefloquine for Px1 channels and the role of these channels in small artery contraction. In mouse and rat isolated small resistance arteries, either pressurised or set up for wire myography, the effects of mefloquine on contractions to K(+), phenylephrine and a range of vasoconstrictor agents were assessed and compared with the Px1 channel inhibitor carbenoxolone. Mefloquine had a wide range of inhibitory actions at 10-20µM, some 200-fold above the concentrations previously shown to inhibit expressed Px1 channel activity. Mefloquine 3-10µM inhibited phenylephrine, U46619, vasopressin, endothelin-1, sympathetic nerve stimulation and K(+) 40mM-mediated contractions in rat and mouse small mesenteric, and mouse thoracodorsal, arteries. Carbenoxolone 1-100µM did not inhibit the contractile responses to these agents in small resistance arteries. The present study demonstrates that in small resistance arteries there is no evidence that Px1 channels releasing ATP have any role in the constrictor actions of α1-adrenoceptor activation.

The role of voltage-operated and non-voltage-operated calcium channels in endothelin-induced vasoconstriction of rat cerebral arteries.

Endothelin-1 has been identified as a potential mediator in the pathogenesis of ischaemic stroke and cerebral vasospasm. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCC) and non-VOCC in endothelin-1 induced vasoconstriction of rat cerebral arteries. Arterial segments were dissected from different regions of the cerebral circulation and responses assessed using wire myography. Endothelin-1 concentration-contraction curves were constructed in calcium-free medium or in the presence of nifedipine, NNC 55-0396 ((1S,2S)-2-(2-(N-[(3-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl]-N-methylamino)ethyl)-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-isopropyl-2-naphtyl cyclopropanecarboxylate dihydrochloride) or SK&F 96365 (1-(2-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy)-4-methoxyphenylethyl)-1H-imidazole) to inhibit the l-type VOCC, T-type VOCC and non-VOCC, respectively. Inhibition of the calcium channels or removal of calcium from the medium variably decreased the maximum effects (Emax) of endothelin-1, however its potency (pEC50) was unaltered. Endothelin-1 caused a small contraction (<22%) in calcium-free solution. Pre-treatment with nifedipine (1µM) did not affect responses to low concentrations of endothelin-1 but decreased Emax, while NNC 55-0396 (1µM) and SK&F 96365 (30-100µM) generally attenuated the endothelin-1-induced contraction. Combination of nifedipine with SK&F 96365 further decreased the Emax. The relaxant effect of the calcium channel antagonists was also assessed in pre-contracted arteries. Only nifedipine and SK&F 96365 relaxed the arteries pre-contracted with endothelin-1. In conclusion, VOCC and non-VOCC calcium channels are involved in different phases of the endothelin-1 contraction in rat cerebral vessels. T-type VOCC may be involved in contraction induced by low concentrations of endothelin-1, while l-type VOCC mediate the maintenance phase of contraction. VOCC and non-VOCC may work in concert in mediating contraction induced by endothelin-1.

Vasoconstrictor responses to vasopressor agents in human pulmonary and radial arteries: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Vasopressor drugs, commonly used to treat systemic hypotension and maintain organ perfusion, may also induce regional vasoconstriction in specialized vascular beds such as the lung. An increase in pulmonary vascular tone may adversely affect patients with pulmonary hypertension or right heart failure. While sympathomimetics constrict pulmonary vessels, and vasopressin does not, a direct comparison between these drugs has not been made. This study investigated the effects of clinically used vasopressor agents on human isolated pulmonary and radial arteries. METHODS: Isolated pulmonary and radial artery ring segments, mounted in organ baths, were used to study the contractile responses of each vasopressor agent. Concentration-response curves to norepinephrine, phenylephrine, metaraminol, and vasopressin were constructed. RESULTS: The sympathomimetics norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and metaraminol caused concentration-dependent vasoconstriction in the radial (pEC50: 6.99 ± 0.06, 6.14 ± 0.09, and 5.56 ± 0.07, respectively, n = 4 to 5) and pulmonary arteries (pEC50: 6.86 ± 0.11, 5.94 ± 0.05 and 5.56 ± 0.09, respectively, n = 3 to 4). Vasopressin was a potent vasoconstrictor of the radial artery (pEC50 9.13 ± 0.20, n = 3), whereas in the pulmonary artery, it had no significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathomimetic-based vasopressor agents constrict both human radial and pulmonary arteries with similar potency in each. In contrast, vasopressin, although a potent vasoconstrictor of radial vessels, had no effect on pulmonary vascular tone. These findings provide some support for the use of vasopressin in patients with pulmonary hypertension.