Responses Of Cerebral Arterioles Research Articles

Dilatation of Cerebral Arterioles in Response to Activation of Adenylate Cyclase Is Dependent on Activation of Ca 2+ -Dependent K + Channels

The role of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels in mediating vascular responses to activation of adenylate cyclase in vivo is not known. The goal of this study was to examine the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to activation of adenylate cyclase is mediated by activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured in vivo in anesthetized rabbits. Topical application of forskolin (1 and 10 mumol/L), a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, dilated cerebral arterioles by 40 +/- 8% (mean +/- SEM) and 71 +/- 9%, respectively, from a control diameter of 85 +/- 4 microns. Iberiotoxin (50 and 100 nmol/L), a selective inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels, inhibited dilatation in response to both concentrations of forskolin by 45% to 60%. We obtained similar results by using charybdotoxin (50 nmol/L), another inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Vasodilatation in response to dibutyryl cAMP (a cell-permeable cAMP analogue) was also inhibited by iberiotoxin. In contrast, dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine (activators of guanylate cyclase) and aprikalim (activator of ATP-sensitive potassium channels) was not inhibited by iberiotoxin. These findings suggest that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to forskolin and increases in intracellular concentrations of cAMP are mediated by activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Thus, activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels may be a major mechanism of cerebral vasodilatation in response to activation of adenylate cyclase in vivo.

Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to lipopolysaccharide in vivo.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide can increase nitric oxide (NO) production by expression of an inducible form of NO synthase. Bacterial infections of the central nervous system dilate cerebral vessels and increase blood flow. We hypothesized that topical application of bacterial lipopolysaccharide would increase production of NO, causing dilatation of cerebral arterioles. Cranial windows were implanted in anesthetized rabbits. Windows were flushed with artificial cerebrospinal fluid, artificial cerebrospinal fluid with lipopolysaccharide, or artificial cerebrospinal fluid with lipopolysaccharide and NG-monomethyl-L- arginine (an inhibitor of NO synthase) for 4 hours. Other rabbits received either dexamethasone or indomethacin intravenously 1 hour before lipopolysaccharide treatment of cranial windows. Application of lipopolysaccharide in cranial windows produced marked, progressive vasodilation, with diameter increased by 58 +/- 7% (mean +/- SEM) after 4 hours. The cerebral vasodilator response was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, dexamethasone, or indomethacin. Excess L-arginine reversed the inhibitory effect of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced dilatation of cerebral arterioles by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and dexamethasone suggests that a portion of the vasodilation was mediated by inducible NO synthase. Indomethacin also inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced vasodilatation. These findings suggest an important role for both nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase products in lipopolysaccharide-induced cerebral arteriolar dilatation in vivo.

Cerebral vasodilation during hypercapnia. Role of glibenclamide-sensitive potassium channels and nitric oxide.

The purpose of these experiments was to examine mechanisms by which hypercapnia produces vasodilatation in brain. We examined the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles during hypercapnia is dependent on activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels and formation of nitric oxide. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured using a closed cranial window in anesthetized rabbits. Changes in diameter of arterioles were measured in response to topical application of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside and during two levels of systemic hypercapnia. Increasing arterial PCO2 from 32 +/- 1 mm Hg (mean +/- SE) to 54 +/- 1 and 66 +/- 1 mm Hg dilated cerebral arterioles by 25 +/- 3% and 38 +/- 5%, respectively, from a control diameter of 93 +/- 3 microns. The response to the low level of hypercapnia was attenuated (25 +/- 3% versus 16 +/- 4%, P < .05) by glibenclamide (1 mumol/L), an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Vasodilatation in response to the high level of hypercapnia was not affected by glibenclamide. Increases in arteriolar diameter in response to sodium nitroprusside were not inhibited by glibenclamide. NG-nitro-L-arginine (300 mumol/L), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, completely inhibited dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to the low level of hypercapnia and inhibited vasodilatation during the high level of hypercapnia by 66%. Thus, activation of glibenclamide-sensitive potassium channels may contribute to dilatation of cerebral arterioles during hypercapnia. Cerebral vasodilatation during hypercapnia is dependent in large part on production of nitric oxide.

ATP-sensitive K+ channels mediate dilatation of cerebral arterioles during hypoxia.

We tested the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles during hypoxia is mediated by activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels. The diameter of pial arterioles was measured through a closed cranial window in anesthetized rabbits. Topical application of aprikalim (10(-6) mol/L), a direct activator of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, dilated pial arterioles by 18 +/- 3% (mean +/- SEM). Glibenclamide (10(-6) mol/L), an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, virtually abolished aprikalim-induced vasodilatation. When arterial PO2 was reduced from 129 +/- 3 to 25 +/- 1 mm Hg, the diameter of cerebral arterioles increased by 66 +/- 9% (P < .05). Glibenclamide inhibited dilatation of pial arterioles during hypoxia by 46 +/- 5% (P < .05). In contrast, vasodilatation in response to sodium nitroprusside was not altered by glibenclamide. Topical application of adenosine (10(-4) mol/L) increased arteriolar diameter by 21 +/- 4%. Glibenclamide did not affect adenosine-induced vasodilatation. These findings suggest that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to hypoxia is mediated, in part, by activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels.

Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to N-methyl- d-aspartate : role of CGRP and acetylcholine

The purpose of these experiments was to examine mechanisms by which N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) produces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilatation in brain. Some nitrovasodilators appear to dilate cerebral arterioles, in part, by release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from trigeminal fibers. The first goal of this study was to examine the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to NMDA is mediated by activation of receptors for CGRP. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured using a closed cranial window in anesthetized rabbits. Topical CGRP (1 and 10 nM) dilated cerebral arterioles by 30 ± 9 (mean±S.E.M.) and 72 ± 9%, respectively, from a control diameter of 94 ± 7 μm. This response was inhibited almost completely by the CGRP antagonist CGRP(8–37) (0.5 μM). NMDA (100 and 300 μM) dilated cerebral arterioles by 14 ± 5and38 ± 7% in the absence and 20 ± 5%and30 ± 6% in the presence, respectively, of CGRP(8–37). Neurons may release acetylcholine in response to activation with NMDA. The second goal of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to NMDA is mediated by acetylcholine. Topical atropine (2 μg/ml) completely inhibited dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to acetylcholine, but had no effect on vasodilatation in response to NMDA. Thus, vasodilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to NMDA does not appear to be dependent on activation of receptors for CGRP or acetylcholine.

Nitric oxide contributes to dilatation of cerebral arterioles during seizures

Endogenous release of excitatory amino acids during seizures produces marked increases in neuronal activity and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate levels in brain tissue, which are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). We tested the hypothesis that dilatation of the cerebral microcirculation during seizures is mediated by NO. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured using a closed cranial window in anesthetized rabbits. Three, five, nine, and eleven minutes after the onset of pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure (which releases endogenous excitatory amino acids), arteriolar diameter increased by 42 +/- 6, 30 +/- 3, 20 +/- 2, and 16 +/- 2% (means +/- SE), respectively, from a control diameter of 86 +/- 6 microns. Arterial pressure was maintained at control levels during seizures. In the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 300 microM), an inhibitor of NO synthase, vasodilatation during seizures was not affected at 3 min (40 +/- 8%) but was significantly reduced at 5, 9, and 11 min (17 +/- 5, 6 +/- 3, and 1 +/- 3%, respectively, P < 0.05 vs. control). Vasodilatation in response to topical application of acetylcholine (1 microM) was also inhibited by L-NNA (33 +/- 5 vs. 3 +/- 2%, P < 0.05). Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to nitroprusside (1 and 10 microM) was not inhibited by L-NNA. Thus sustained, but not initial, dilatation of cerebral arterioles during seizures appears to be mediated in part by NO.

Responses of cerebral arterioles in diabetic rats to activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels

The goal of this study was to determine whether responses of pial arterioles to activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels are altered during diabetes mellitus. We measured changes in diameter of pial arterioles in vivo in nondiabetic and diabetic rats (streptozotocin; 50-60 mg/kg ip; studied 3-4 mo after streptozotocin) in response to RP52891, an activator of ATP-sensitive potassium channels. RP52891 (1.0 microM) dilated pial arterioles in nondiabetic rats by 16 +/- 1% but constricted pial arterioles in diabetic rats by 2 +/- 2% (means +/- SE; P < 0.05 vs. response in nondiabetic rats). Dilatation of pial arterioles in nondiabetic rats in response to RP52891 was inhibited by glibenclamide (1.0 microM) but was not altered by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (1.0 microM), apamin (0.1 microM), or charybdotoxin (50 nM). Thus dilatation of pial arterioles in response to RP52891 appears to be due to activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels and does not involve nitric oxide or calcium-activated potassium channels. To determine whether impaired dilatation of pial arterioles in response to RP52891 in diabetic rats was related to a nonspecific effect of diabetes mellitus on vasodilatation, we measured diameter of pial arterioles in nondiabetic and diabetic rats in response to nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin (1.0 microM) dilated pial arterioles by 12 +/- 1% in nondiabetic rats and 16 +/- 2% in diabetic rats (P > 0.05). Thus impaired dilatation of pial arterioles in diabetic rats in response to RP52891 also is not related to a nonspecific effect of diabetes mellitus on vasodilatation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nitric oxide mediates vasodilatation in response to activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in brain.

Neurons release nitric oxide (NO) in response to activation of receptors for the excitatory amino acid N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). We examined the hypothesis that activation of receptors for NMDA produces dilatation of the cerebral microcirculation that is mediated by NO. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured using a closed cranial window in anesthetized rabbits. Under control conditions, topical NMDA produced concentration-related dilatation of pial arterioles. Dilatation in response to NMDA was inhibited selectively by MK-801 (an NMDA receptor antagonist) and tetrodotoxin, suggesting that responses to NMDA were receptor mediated and dependent on neuronal activation. Increases in arteriolar diameter in response to NMDA were not affected by L-arginine but were inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine, suggesting that the vasodilatation was mediated by NO. Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to NMDA was not inhibited by indomethacin, suggesting that cyclooxygenase products do not mediate the response. Using isolated cerebral arteries, we also examined whether NMDA elicited direct cerebral vascular effects. In intact arteries studied in vitro, NMDA had no effect on vascular tone, suggesting that cerebral arteries lack receptors for NMDA. These findings suggest that NO generated in response to activation of receptors for NMDA in vivo is neuronally derived and not due to a direct vascular effect. Thus, NO may mediate increases in local blood flow during increases in neuronal activity in response to excitatory amino acids.

Responses of cerebral arterioles during chronic ethanol exposure.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ethanol exposure on responses of cerebral arterioles in vivo. Rats were fed liquid diets with or without ethanol for 2-3 mo. Using intravital microscopy, we measured diameter of cerebral arterioles in non-ethanol- and ethanol-fed rats in response to acetylcholine, histamine, ADP, the thromboxane analogue (U-46619), and nitroglycerin. In non-ethanol-fed rats, acetylcholine, histamine, and ADP produced dose-related dilatation of cerebral arterioles. In ethanol-fed rats, however, acetylcholine produced vasoconstriction, and vasodilatation in response to histamine and ADP was impaired. Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to nitroglycerin and vasoconstriction in response to the thromboxane analogue (U-46619) were similar in non-ethanol-fed and ethanol-fed rats. Thus these findings suggest that chronic ethanol exposure impairs responses of cerebral arterioles to agonists, which produce dilatation via the release of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor. We speculate that impaired vasodilatation coupled with preservation of vasoconstriction in ethanol-fed rats may have important implications for the pathogenesis of stroke during chronic alcohol ingestion.

Endothelium-dependent responses of cerebral arterioles to adenosine 5'-diphosphate.

The goal of this study was to determine the role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP). Using intravital microscopy, we measured the diameters of pial arterioles in vivo in rats during superfusion with ADP, acetylcholine and nitroglycerin before and during topical application of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis (NG-monomethyl-L-arginine; L-NMMA and NW-nitro-L-arginine; L-NNA). Prior to suffusion with L-NMMA and L-NNA, ADP (10 and 100 microM), acetylcholine (0.1 and 1.0 microM), and nitroglycerin (1.0 and 10 microM) produced dose-related increases in the diameter of pial arterioles. Following application of L-NMMA (1.0 and 10 microM) and L-NNA (0.1 and 1.0 microM), dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to ADP was significantly inhibited. In addition, L-NMMA and L-NNA significantly inhibited dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to acetylcholine, but did not alter vasodilatation in response to nitroglycerin. Thus, our findings suggest that ADP dilates cerebral arterioles via the production of nitric oxide, or a nitric-oxide-containing compound.

Mechanisms of impaired endothelium-dependent cerebral vasodilatation in response to bradykinin in hypertensive rats.

Bradykinin produces less dilatation of pial arterioles in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. The goals of this study were to determine the mediator of bradykinin-induced dilatation in cerebral arterioles of rats and to determine whether responses to this mediator are altered in hypertensive rats. Diameter of pial arterioles (20-65 microns) was measured using intravital microscopy in 18 normotensive and 17 hypertensive rats. Superfusion of 3 x 10(-7) M bradykinin dilated pial arterioles by 53 +/- 4% (mean +/- SEM) in normotensive rats but only 33 +/- 6% in hypertensive rats (p less than 0.05 versus normotensive rats). Vasodilatation in response to bradykinin was almost completely inhibited by 280 units/ml catalase in both normotensive and hypertensive rats (n = 7 and n = 7, respectively) whereas 150 units/ml superoxide dismutase (n = 6 and n = 5, respectively) and 1 mM deferoxamine (n = 5 and n = 5, respectively) did not attenuate bradykinin-induced vasodilatation. These findings suggest that hydrogen peroxide is the mediator of bradykinin-induced dilatation in cerebral arterioles of rats. We also examined responses of cerebral arterioles to hydrogen peroxide in five normotensive and six hypertensive rats. Dilator responses of cerebral arterioles to 3.2 x 10(-5) M to 1.6 x 10(-4) M hydrogen peroxide did not differ in normotensive and hypertensive rats, which suggests that impaired dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to bradykinin is not related to altered responsiveness of smooth muscle to an endothelium-derived relaxing factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mechanism of impaired responses of cerebral arterioles during diabetes mellitus

The goal of this study was to determine the mechanism of impaired responses of cerebral arterioles during diabetes mellitus. To induce diabetes, rats were injected with streptozotocin. Rats were characterized as diabetic by a blood glucose of greater than 300 mg/dl. Diameter of pial arterioles was measured with intravital microscopy in nondiabetic and diabetic rats during superfusion with acetylcholine (ACh), ADP, the thromboxane (Tx) analogue U-46619, and nitroglycerin. ACh increased pial arteriolar diameter in nondiabetic rats and did not alter diameter in diameter in diabetic rats. ADP increased pial arteriolar diameter in nondiabetic rats and produced minimal changes in diameter of arterioles in diabetic rats. Tx analogue U-46619 produced similar constriction of cerebral arterioles in nondiabetic and diabetic rats. In addition, nitroglycerin produced similar dilatation of cerebral arterioles in nondiabetic and diabetic rats, suggesting that impaired dilatation of cerebral arterioles in diabetic rats was not related to nonspecific impairment of vasodilatation. Next, we examined the possibility that impaired responses of cerebral arterioles in diabetic rats in response to ACh and ADP may be related to production of a cyclooxygenase constrictor substance. Indomethacin and the TxA2-prostaglandin (PG) H2 receptor antagonist SQ 29548 restored dilator responses to ACh and ADP in diabetic rats toward that observed in nondiabetic rats. Indomethacin and SQ 29548 did not alter responses in nondiabetic rats. Thus diabetes mellitus impairs endothelium-dependent responses of cerebral arterioles. The mechanism of impaired responses of cerebral arterioles during diabetes mellitus appears to be related to the production of a cyclooxygenase constrictor substance and presumably related to stimulation of the TxA2-PGH2 receptor.

Cardiovascular purinoceptors

Cardiovascular purinoceptors

Angiotensin II induces endothelium-dependent vasodilation of rat cerebral arterioles

We evaluated the response of cerebral arterioles to angiotensin II (ANG II) in anesthetized rats equipped with a closed cranial window. Topical application of 10(-10)-10(-5) M ANG II induced dose-dependent arteriolar vasodilation. Maximum vasodilation of 24 +/- 2.2% (+/- SE) was attained at a concentration of 10(-6) M ANG II. The dilation in response to ANG II was blocked by 3 micrograms/ml indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and was reversed to minimal vasoconstriction by 10(-5) M methylene blue, a substance that has been reported to eliminate endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Coapplication of indomethacin with methylene blue reduced the arteriolar response to ANG II to a similar extent as the application of indomethacin alone. Indomethacin or methylene blue did not inhibit the vasodilation induced by 10(-5) M adenosine, which is not endothelium and cyclooxygenase dependent. Mercury light illumination of the pial vessels after intravenous injection of fluorescein dye, a technique that has been used by others to functionally damage endothelial cells, reversed ANG II (10(-6) M)-induced vasodilation into a -14.2 +/- 2.3% constriction while not affecting the response to adenosine. Our data suggest that ANG II produces vasodilator responses of rat cerebral arterioles by the release of a factor that is derived from the endothelium and may be generated through a cyclooxygenase-dependent mechanism.

Effects of Anesthesia on Cerebral Arteriolar Responses to Hypercapnia

We evaluated the effect of general anesthesia induced by 45 mg/kg iv pentobarbital sodium or by 75 mg/kg iv alpha-chloralose plus 500 mg/kg iv urethan on the response of cerebral arterioles to hypercapnia in rabbits equipped with chronically implanted cranial windows for the observation of the cerebral microcirculation. Both types of anesthetic induced approximately comparable anesthesia and depressed the responsiveness to CO2 to an equal extent. There were no changes in resting vessel diameter or in mean arterial blood pressure induced by either anesthetic, but both anesthetics increased end-expiratory PCO2 during room air breathing. The findings show that anesthetics depress the responsiveness of cerebral arterioles to hypercapnia. A decrease in cerebral metabolism and/or direct effects of the anesthetics on cerebral vessels may be involved.

Effects of anesthesia on cerebral arteriolar responses to hypercapnia.

We evaluated the effect of general anesthesia induced by 45 mg/kg iv pentobarbital sodium or by 75 mg/kg iv alpha-chloralose plus 500 mg/kg iv urethan on the response of cerebral arterioles to hypercapnia in rabbits equipped with chronically implanted cranial windows for the observation of the cerebral microcirculation. Both types of anesthetic induced approximately comparable anesthesia and depressed the responsiveness to CO2 to an equal extent. There were no changes in resting vessel diameter or in mean arterial blood pressure induced by either anesthetic, but both anesthetics increased end-expiratory PCO2 during room air breathing. The findings show that anesthetics depress the responsiveness of cerebral arterioles to hypercapnia. A decrease in cerebral metabolism and/or direct effects of the anesthetics on cerebral vessels may be involved.

Impairment of endothelium-dependent dilatation of cerebral arterioles during diabetes mellitus

The goal of this study was to determine whether responses of cerebral arterioles to vasoactive substances released by platelets are altered during diabetes mellitus. To induce diabetes, rats were injected with streptozotocin (50-60 mg/kg ip). Rats were characterized as diabetic by a blood glucose of greater than 300 mg/dl. Diameter of pial arterioles was measured during superfusion with ADP, serotonin, and the thromboxane analogue (U-46619), with the use of intravital microscopy in control (non-diabetic) and diabetic rats. ADP (10(-5)M) increased pial arteriolar diameter by 13 +/- 1% (mean +/- SE) in control rats and did not change diameter of arterioles in diabetic rats (1 +/- 1%). Serotonin (10(-5)M) increased diameter of cerebral arterioles by 9 +/- 1% in control rats and constricted arterioles by 5 +/- 2% in diabetic rats. Nitroglycerin produced similar dilatation of cerebral arterioles in control and diabetic rats, suggesting that impaired dilatation of cerebral arterioles in diabetic rats was not related to nonspecific impairment of vasodilatation. The thromboxane analogue U-46619 produced similar constriction of cerebral arterioles in control and diabetic rats. Thus endothelium-dependent dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to ADP and serotonin is profoundly impaired in diabetic rats.