Abstract
Our previous studies demonstrated that tentacle extract (TE) from the jellyfish, Cyanea capillata, could cause a dose-dependent increase of systolic blood pressure, which seemed to be the result of direct constriction of vascular smooth muscle (VSM). The aim of this study is to investigate whether TE could induce vasoconstriction in vitro and to explore its potential mechanism. Using isolated aorta rings, a direct contractile response of TE was verified, which showed that TE could induce concentration-dependent contractile responses in both endothelium-intact and -denuded aortas. Interestingly, the amplitude of contraction in the endothelium-denuded aorta was much stronger than that in the endothelium-intact one, implying that TE might also bring a weak functional relaxation in addition to vasoconstriction. Further drug intervention experiments indicated that the functional vasodilation might be mediated by nitric oxide, and that TE-induced vasoconstriction could be attributed to calcium influx via voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) from the extracellular space, as well as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), leading to an increase in [Ca2+]c, instead of activation of the PLC/DAG/PKC pathway or the sympathetic nerve system.
Highlights
In recent years, there has been growing evidence that jellyfish blooms are increasing globally in frequency and persisting longer than usual in response to anthropogenic disturbance and climate change [1,2]
Our result suggested that tentacle extract (TE) may serve as a potential alternative to the nematocyst venom for isolating and purifying cardiovascular toxicity proteins, because they share similar cardiovascular activity in vivo [6]
Contractile Response Induced by TE in the Endothelium-Intact and Endothelium-Denuded Aorta
Summary
There has been growing evidence that jellyfish blooms are increasing globally in frequency and persisting longer than usual in response to anthropogenic disturbance and climate change [1,2]. With larger human population numbers and their need for recreation, the contact between humans and jellyfish is increasing. The incidence of jellyfish stings is on the rise [3]. Jellyfish envenomation is often accompanied with local reactions, such as painful, linear, red, hive-like lesions. The sting results in systemic reactions, such as shock, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse and, even, death [3]. Since cardiovascular complications are the most severe and life-threatening events in jellyfish stings [4], many researches focused on the cardiovascular toxicity of jellyfish venom, developing specific prevention or therapy strategies [5]
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