Contraction Of Rat Aortic Rings Research Articles

A New Lignan from Annona squamosa L. (Annonaceae) Demonstrates Vasorelaxant Effects In Vitro.

Esquamosan, a new furofuran lignan, has been isolated by bio-guided assays from the methanolic extract of the leaves of Annona squamosa L., and its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Esquamosan inhibited the rat aortic ring contraction evoked by phenylephrine in a concentration-dependent manner and showed an inhibitory effect on vasocontraction of the depolarized aorta with high-concentration potassium. The vasorelaxant effect by esquamosan could be attributed mainly to the inhibition of calcium influx from extracellular space through voltage-dependent calcium channels or receptor-operated Ca2+ channels and also partly mediated through the increased release of NO from endothelial cells. The ability of esquamosan to modify the vascular reactivity of rat aortic rings incubated with high glucose (D-glucose 55 mM) was then evaluated, and this furofuran lignan reverted the endothelium-dependent impairment effect of high glucose in rat aortic rings. The antioxidant capacity of esquamosan was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Esquamosan exhibited a similar antioxidant capacity compared to ascorbic acid, which was used as a positive control. In conclusion, this lignan showed a vasorelaxant effect, free radical scavenging capacity, and potential reductive power, suggesting its potential beneficial use to treat complex cardiometabolic diseases due to free radical-mediated diseases and its calcium antagonist effect.

Curcumanes E and F, two rare sesquiterpenoids with a dicyclo[3.3.1]nonane moiety, from Curcuma longa and their vasorelaxant activities.

Two new sesquiterpenoids, curcumanes E (1) and F (2), were isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, and their structures and absolute configurations were examined using extensive spectroscopic analyses and ECD calculations. Interestingly, compounds 1 and 2 are diastereoisomers possessing a rare sesquiterpenoid skeleton that has been reported only once before. Both curcumanes E and F exhibit significant vasorelaxant effects against KCl-induced contraction of rat aortic rings, with EC50 values of 5.10 ± 0.79 and 5.58 ± 1.77 μM, respectively. These findings enrich the data concerning this rare type of sesquiterpenoids and further indicate that these rare sesquiterpenoids can effectively reduce blood pressure.

The Combined Inotropic and Vasorelaxant Effect of DHQ-11, A Conjugate of Flavonoid Dihydroquercetin with Isoquinoline Alkaloid 1-Aryl-6,7-Dimethoxy-1,2.3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline.

This study investigated the positive inotropic andvasorelaxant activity ofDHQ-11, aconjugate of flavonoid dihydroquercetin with isoquinoline alkaloid 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2.3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline.A study was performed using anterior papillary muscle removed from the left ventricle and thoracic aorta dissected from rats. DHQ-11 produceda concentration-dependent positive inotropic effect which was more potent than their parent compounds alone. The positive inotropic effect of conjugate DHQ-11was significantly attenuated by the β-adrenoreceptor inhibitor propranolol and L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine. Also,conjugate DHQ-11 markedly potentiated first post-rest responses indicating that it can modulate Ca2+ loading/release processes in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.These results suggest that positive inotropic effect produced by conjugate DHQ-11may be mediated through activation oftheβ-AR/AC/cAMP/PKA pathway that leads to increased Ca2+ influx and rises in Ca2+ loading/release in the SR, resulting in increased [Ca2+]i and enhanced contraction force. DHQ-11 significantly relaxed both high KCl- and phenylephrine-induced contractions of rat aortic rings whichwere significantly inhibited by lowering extracellular Ca2+ concentration and in the presence of verapamil.DHQ-11 significantly inhibited phenylephrine-induced contractions in a Ca2+-free medium, in the presence of verapamil. The vasorelaxant effect of the DHQ-11 was significantly reduced by the removal of endothelium and in the presenceof L-NAME and methylene blue as well as glibenclamide and TEA.These results suggest that the vasorelaxation produced by conjugate DHQ-11may be mediatedbyan endothelium-independent mechanism involving activation of KATP and BKCa channels and inhibition of L-type VDCCs and Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and endothelium-dependent mechanism through activation of the NO/sGC/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway resulting in a decrease of intracellular Ca2+levels. These observations reveal that the conjugate DHQ-11 due to its high positive inotropic and vasorelaxant activity could be a promising compound for the design and development of new drugs for the treatment of heart failure.

Seven pairs of new enantiomeric sesquiterpenoids from Curcuma phaeocaulis.

Seven pairs of new enantiomeric sesquiterpenoids, (+)/(-)-phaeocauline A-G [(+)/(-)-1-7], were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis by chiral HPLC separation. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were determined by spectroscopic analyses and ECD data. The isolates were assessed for vasorelaxant, anti-platelet aggregative, and neuroprotective activities. Enantiomers (+)-1 and (-)-1 showed similar activity against abnormal platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, while their C-4 epimers (+)-2 and (-)-2 were inactive, which indicated that those effects were stereoselective, but not enantioselective. Compounds (+)/(-)-3-5 exhibited vasorelaxant effects against KCl-induced contraction of rat aortic rings.

Curcumane C and (±)-curcumane D, an unusual seco-cadinane sesquiterpenoid and a pair of unusual nor-bisabolane enantiomers with significant vasorelaxant activity from Curcuma longa

A new seco-cadinane sesquiterpenoid (curcumane C, 1) and a pair of new nor-bisabolene enantiomers [(+)- and (−)-curcumane D, 2a and 2b] were isolated from C. longa. Compound 1 possesses an unusual 4,5-seco-cadinane skeleton with a tetrahydrophthalide moiety, while 2a and 2b contain an unusual 15-nor-bisabolene skeleton with a chromone core. All compounds exhibited significant vasorelaxant effects against KCl-induced contraction of rat aortic rings. Compound 1 also exhibited a vasorelaxant effect against phenylephrine-induced contraction of rat aortic rings. Meanwhile, compound 1 showed a stronger vasorelaxant effect in endothelium-intact rat aortic rings compared with endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings, indicating that vasodilation by 1 involved both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent pathways. Furthermore, compound 1 increased the NO content in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and its vasorelaxant effect could be attenuated by treatment with L-NAME, an endothelium NO synthase inhibitor. Thus, the underlying vasodilatory mechanisms of 1 may be mediated via abrogation of extracellular Ca2+ influx and regulation of NO release in vascular endothelial cells.

Biotin improves relaxation of rat aortic rings in combination with antihypertensive drugs

Biotin at pharmacological concentrations has beneficial effects on hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension. We recently reported in a model of metabolic syndrome that biotin has an antihypertensive effect and decreases arterial contraction. In this study, we investigated the effect of biotin (10 nM) on arterial contraction in rat aortic rings with or without an endothelium induced by phenylephrine (1 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−5 M) or calcium (1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−2.5 M) in the presence of antihypertensive drugs (BMY 7378, 100 nM; captopril, 1 μM; or nitrendipine, 100 nM). Biotin suppressed phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction, which is partly modulated via endothelium-independent mechanisms. Biotin incubation with BMY 7378, captopril or nitrendipine improved the vasorelaxant effects of these drugs on aortic rings contracted by phenylephrine or calcium. Moreover, biotin decreased arterial contraction induced by calcium, suggesting the inhibition of extracellular influx and intracellular release of calcium. Our data demonstrate for the first time that biotin enhanced the vasorelaxant effect of some antihypertensive drug classes in rat aortic rings. Therefore, biotin could be used as a therapeutic strategy together with antihypertensive drugs for the treatment of hypertension.

Discovery of New Allosteric Modulators of the Urotensinergic System through Substitution of the Urotensin II-Related Peptide (URP) Phenylalanine Residue.

Urotensin II (UII) and urotensin II-related peptide (URP) are functionally selective, suggesting that these two hormones might play distinct physiological role through different interactions with their cognate receptor UT. Hypothesizing that the Phe3 residue of URP, which is also present in UII, is a key-element of its specific UT activation, we evaluated the impact of its replacement by non-natural amino acids in URP. Each compound was evaluated for its ability to bind UT, induce rat aortic ring contraction, and activate Gq, G12, and β-arrestin 1 signaling pathways. Such modifications impaired contractile efficacy, reflected by a reduced aptitude to activate G12 in URP but not in the truncated but equipotent UII4-11. Moreover, we have identified two structurally different UT modulators: [d-Phe(pI)3]URP and [Bip3]URP, which exert a probe-dependent action against UII and URP. These compounds should help us understand the specific roles of these hormones as well as guide further therapeutic development.

Vasoconstriction triggered by hydrogen sulfide: Evidence for Na+,K+,2Cl-cotransport and L-type Ca2+ channel-mediated pathway

ObjectivesThis study examined the dose-dependent actions of hydrogen sulfide donor sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) on isometric contractions and ion transport in rat aorta smooth muscle cells (SMC). MethodsIsometric contraction was measured in ring aortas segments from male Wistar rats. Activity of Na+/K+-pump and Na+,K+,2Cl-cotransport was measured in cultured endothelial and smooth muscle cells from the rat aorta as ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-resistant, bumetanide-sensitive components of the 86Rb influx, respectively. ResultsNaHS exhibited the bimodal action on contractions triggered by modest depolarization ([K+]o=30mM). At 10−4 M, NaHS augmented contractions of intact and endothelium-denuded strips by ~ 15% and 25%, respectively, whereas at concentration of 10−3M it decreased contractile responses by more than two-fold. Contractions evoked by 10−4M NaHS were completely abolished by bumetanide, a potent inhibitor of Na+,K+,2Cl-cotransport, whereas the inhibition seen at 10−3M NaHS was suppressed in the presence of K+ channel blocker TEA. In cultured SMC, 5×10−5M NaHS increased Na+,K+,2Cl- - cotransport without any effect on the activity of this carrier in endothelial cells. In depolarized SMC, 45Ca influx was enhanced in the presence of 10−4M NaHS and suppressed under elevation of [NaHS] up to 10−3M. 45Ca influx triggered by 10−4M NaHS was abolished by bumetanide and L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nicardipine. ConclusionsOur results strongly suggest that contractions of rat aortic rings triggered by low doses of NaHS are mediated by activation of Na+,K+,2Cl-cotransport and Ca2+ influx via L-type channels.

Insight into the role of urotensin II-related peptide tyrosine residue in UT activation

While sharing common biological activity, the two endogenous ligands of the G protein-coupled receptor UT, e.g. urotensin II (UII) and urotensin II-related peptide (URP), also exhibit distinct effects that could be explained by distinct interactions with their cognate receptor (UT). Accordingly, introduction of a similar substitution at the intracyclic Tyr residue in UII and URP led to compounds with divergent pharmacologic profiles. Hypothesizing that the Tyr6 residue of URP is a key-element to understand the specific activation of UT by URP, we undertook a study of the structure-activity relationship in which this particular residue was replaced by non-natural and constrained amino acids. Each compound was evaluated for its ability to bind UT, to induce rat aortic ring contraction and to activate Gq and G12 signaling pathways. We identified [Pep6]URP, that binds UT with an affinity similar to that of URP, but behaves as a biased ligand. Used as an antagonist, this peptide is also able to selectively reduce the maximal aortic contraction of URP but not UII. Our results suggest that the orientation of the Tyr residue can stabilize at least two different conformations of UT, leading to biased signaling and a probe-dependent allosteric effect.

Chemerin-induced arterial contraction is Gi- and calcium-dependent

Chemerin is an adipokine associated with increased blood pressure, and may link obesity with hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that chemerin-induced contraction of the vasculature occurs via calcium flux in smooth muscle cells. Isometric contraction of rat aortic rings was performed in parallel with calcium kinetics of rat aortic smooth muscle cells to assess the possible signaling pathway. Chemerin-9 (nonapeptide of the chemerin S157 isoform) caused a concentration-dependent contraction of isolated aorta (EC50 100nM) and elicited a concentration-dependent intracellular calcium response (EC50 10nM). Pertussis toxin (Gi inhibitor), verapamil (L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor), PP1 (Src inhibitor), and Y27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor) reduced both calcium influx and isometric contraction to chemerin-9 but PD098059 (Erk MAPK inhibitor) and U73122 (PLC inhibitor) had little to no effect on either measure of chemerin signaling. Although our primary aim was to examine chemerin signaling, we also highlight differences in the mechanisms of chemerin-9 and recombinant chemerin S157. These data support a chemerin-induced contractile mechanism in vascular smooth muscle that functions through Gi proteins to activate L-type Ca2+ channels, Src, and Rho kinase. There is mounting evidence linking chemerin to hypertension and this mechanism brings us closer to targeting chemerin as a form of therapy.

Abstract P182: The Novel Perivascular Adipose Tissue Adipokine, Chemerin, Signals Through G i - and Calcium-Dependent Mechanisms

Chemerin is an adipokine associated with inflammation, increased blood pressure, and may be a link between the pathologies of obesity and hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that chemerin-induced contraction of the vasculature occurs via the chemerin receptor and calcium flux in smooth muscle cells. Known mediators of the amplified arterial responsiveness seen in hypertension (L-type Ca 2+ channels, Src, and Rho kinase) were interrogated by isometric contraction of rat aortic rings in parallel with calcium kinetics of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Western blots were also used to observe phosphorylation of Erk/MAPK. Chemerin-9 (nonapeptide of the chemerin S 157 isoform) caused a concentration-dependent contraction of isolated aorta (EC 50 100 nM) and elicited a concentration-dependent intracellular calcium response (EC 50 10 nM). Both calcium influx and isometric contraction, respectively, were reduced (units of “% of vehicle response”) by Pertussis toxin (G i inhibitor; 0±3% and 23±9%), verapamil (L-type Ca 2+ channel inhibitor; 38±20% and 23±4%), PP1 (Src inhibitor; 43±23% and 15±4%), and Y27632 (Rho Kinase inhibitor; 58±23% and 22±4%) but U73122 (PLC inhibitor) had little to no effect (71±31% and 71±12%). PD098059 (Erk/MAPK inhibitor) did not inhibit chemerin-9 induced contraction (117±19%) and phosphorylation did not change after chemerin-9 stimulation [1.12±0.14 (44 kDa) and 1.11±0.29 (42 kDa) fold-increase with chemerin-9 contraction compared to vehicle, p>0.05]. The chemerin receptor-selective antagonist CCX832 inhibited chemerin-9-induced calcium flux and aortic contraction and calcium flux (0.1±10.3% and 10±7%). These data support a chemerin-induced contractile mechanism in vascular smooth muscle that functions through the G i -linked chemerin receptor to activate L-type Ca 2+ channels, Src, and Rho kinase. There is mounting evidence linking chemerin to hypertension and this mechanism brings us one step closer to targeting chemerin as a unique form of therapy.

PS 10-04 HYPOTENSIVE EFFECT OF LOSARTAN THROUGH SUPPRESSING LEUKEMIA-ASSOCIATED RhoGEF EXPRESSION IN VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE OF SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

Objective: To elucidate the mechanism that chronic blood pressure (BP) reduction caused by losartan is through the suppression of leukemia-associated Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (LARG) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Design and Method: Four-week-old Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHRs were treated with Losartan (20 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. BP was measured by the tail-cuff method. At 12 weeks, isometric contraction of rat aortic rings was measured with a force transducer and recorder. The target Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, and the myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT-1) phosphorylation extent in aorta were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results: BP of four-week-old SHRs did not differ from that of age-matched WKY rats, whereas BP increased in twelve-week-old SHRs. Losartan treatment reduced BP in both rats’ strains, with greater extent in SHRs. The contractile force of aortic rings from SHRs treated with losartan was significantly lower than that from non-treated SHRs in response to angiotensin II. LARG protein expression was significantly higher in non-treated SHRs compared to WKY rats. After losartan treatment, both LARG protein level and phosphorylation extent of MYPT-1 were more suppressed in SHRs than in WKY rats. Conclusions: The study shows that chronic reduction of BP by losartan in SHRs is through suppressing LARG expression and MYPT-1 phosphorylation of VSMCs. Administration of losartan at early age of SHRs may help prevent hypertension development.

Nitric oxide production contributes to Bacillus anthracis edema toxin-associated arterial hypotension and lethality: ex vivo and in vivo studies in the rat.

We showed previously that Bacillus anthracis edema toxin (ET), comprised of protective antigen (PA) and edema factor (EF), inhibits phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction in rat aortic rings and these effects are diminished in endothelial-denuded rings. Therefore, employing rat aortic ring and in vivo models, we tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) contributes to ET's arterial effects. Compared with rings challenged with PA alone, ET (PA + EF) reduced PE-stimulated maximal contractile force (MCF) and increased the PE concentration producing 50% MCF (EC50) (P < 0.0001). Compared with placebo, l-nitro-arginine methyl-ester (l-NAME), an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, reduced ET's effects on MCF and EC50 in patterns that approached or were significant (P = 0.06 and 0.03, respectively). In animals challenged with 24-h ET infusions, l-NAME (0.5 or 1.0 mg·kg(-1)·h(-1)) coadministration increased survival to 17 of 28 animals (60.7%) compared with 4 of 27 (14.8%) given placebo (P = 0.01). Animals receiving l-NAME but no ET all survived. Compared with PBS challenge, ET increased NO levels at 24 h and l-NAME decreased these increases (P < 0.0001). ET infusion decreased mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in placebo and l-NAME-treated animals (P < 0.0001) but l-NAME reduced decreases in MAP with ET from 9 to 24 h (P = 0.03 for the time interaction). S-methyl-l-thiocitrulline, a selective neuronal NOS inhibitor, had effects in rings and, at a high dose in vivo models, comparable to l-NAME, whereas N'-[3-(aminomethyl)benzyl]-acetimidamide, a selective inducible NOS inhibitor, did not. NO production contributes to ET's arterial relaxant, hypotensive, and lethal effects in the rat.

DL0805-2, a novel indazole derivative, relaxes angiotensin II-induced contractions of rat aortic rings by inhibiting Rho kinase and calcium fluxes.

DL0805-2 [N-(1H-indazol-5-yl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl) pyrrolidine-3-carboxamide] is a DL0805 derivative with more potent vasorelaxant activity and lower toxicity. This study was conducted to investigate the vasorelaxant mechanisms of DL0805-2 on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced contractions of rat thoracic aortic rings in vitro. Rat thoracic aortic rings and rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were pretreated with DL0805-2, and then stimulated with Ang II. The tension of the aortic rings was measured through an isometric force transducer. Ang II-induced protein phosphorylation, ROS production and F-actin formation were assessed with Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. Intracellular free Ca(2+) concentrations were detected with Fluo-3 AM. Pretreatment with DL0805-2 (1-100 μmol/L) dose-dependently inhibited the constrictions of the aortic rings induced by a single dose of Ang II (10(-7) mol/L) or accumulative addition of Ang II (10(-10)-10(-7) mol/L). The vasodilatory effect of DL0805-2 was independent of endothelium. In the aortic rings, pretreatment with DL0805-2 (1, 3, and 10 μmol/L) suppressed Ang II-induced Ca(2+) influx and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and Ang II-induced phosphorylation of two substrates of Rho kinase (MLC and MYPT1). In VSMCs, pretreatment with DL0805-2 (1, 3, and 10 μmol/L) also suppressed Ang II-induced Ca(2+) fluxes and phosphorylation of MLC and MYPT1. In addition, pretreatment with DL0805-2 attenuated ROS production and F-actin formation in the cells. DL0805-2 exerts a vasodilatory action in rat aortic rings through inhibiting the Rho/ROCK pathway and calcium fluxes.

The effect of urapidil, an alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist and a 5-HT1A agonist, on the vascular tone of the porcine coronary and pulmonary arteries, the rat aorta and the human pulmonary artery

Urapidil (Eupressyl®) an antihypertensive drug acting as an α1 antagonist and a 5-HT1A agonist, may be of special interest in the treatment of hypertension associated with preeclamptic toxaemia and hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction. However, the effect of urapidil on vascular tone has been poorly investigated. Vascular reactivity was evaluated using pulmonary and coronary arteries from 36 pigs, aortae from 22 rats and 9 human pulmonary artery samples suspended in organ chambers. Concentration-relaxation curves either to urapidil, 5-HT, or the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT were constructed after pre-contraction of rings. Pig pulmonary and coronary artery rings were contracted with U46619, a thromboxane mimetic, rat aortic rings with either endothelin-1 or phenylephrine, and human pulmonary artery rings with U46619 or phenylephrine. Urapidil markedly inhibited phenylephrine-induced contractions in rat aortic rings with and without endothelium with a more pronounced effect observed in rings without endothelium. Both 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT failed to induce relaxation in rat aortic rings with an intact endothelium. 5-HT, but not urapidil and 8-OH-DPAT, induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in the porcine coronary and pulmonary artery rings with an intact endothelium (P<0.05). 5-HT and phenylephrine but not urapidil caused concentration-dependent contractions in human pulmonary artery rings. The present findings, while confirming that urapidil is a potent inhibitor of α1-adrenoceptor-induced contraction, do not support the role of 5-HT1A receptor activation in the control of the vascular tone of the different types of arteries tested in response to urapidil. In addition, they indicate that urapidil seems to preferentially target arteries with endothelial dysfunction.

Pinocembrin inhibits angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction via suppression of the increase of [Ca2+]i and ERK1/2 activation through blocking AT1R in the rat aorta

Pinocembrin (5,7-dihydroxyflavanone) is one of the primary flavonoids in propolis. Angiotensin II (AngII) is a biologically active peptide that induces vasoconstriction via the activation of the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R). In the present study, we investigated the vasorelaxant effect of pinocembrin on AngII-induced vasoconstriction and the molecular mechanism of action. Pinocembrin was observed to inhibit AngII-induced vasoconstriction in rat aortic rings with either intact or denuded endothelium. In endothelium-denuded tissues, pinocembrin (pD́′2pD2′ 4.28±0.15) counteracted the contractions evoked by cumulative concentrations of AngII. In a docking model, pinocembrin showed effective binding at the active site of AT1R. Pinocembrin was shown to inhibit both AngII-induced Ca2+ release from internal stores and Ca2+ influx. Moreover, the increase in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) induced by AngII was blocked by pinocembrin. These results demonstrate that pinocembrin inhibits AngII-induced rat aortic ring contraction, and these inhibitory effects may be related to the reduction of the AngII-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and ERK1/2 activation via blocking AT1R.

P21‐activated kinase inhibits vascular reactivity via inhibition of MLCK

Changes in vascular reactivity contribute to the pathology of a number of different diseases including heart failure, hypertension, severe trauma, and sepsis. P21‐activated kinase (PAK) can alter smooth muscle contractile activity and has been implicated in altering vascular reactivity. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism by which PAK regulates MLC phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle to alter vascular reactivity. The effects of PAK activation and inhibition on basal and agonist‐induced aortic contraction in aortic rings and on myosin light chain (MLC) and myosin targeting subunit of MLC phosphatase (MYPT1) phosphorylation and MLC kinase (MLCK) activity in primary aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) were determined. Finally, the effects of increased mechanical stimulation on PAK activation were determined in ASMC. PAK activation inhibited both basal tone and agonist induced contraction of rat aortic rings. Conversely, PAK inhibition increased agonist induced contraction and basal tone. In ASMC, PAK activation inhibited MLC phosphorylation and PAK inhibition increased MLC phosphorylation. However, PAK activation increased MYPT1 phosphorylation in ASMC. Increased mechanical stimulation of ASMC increased PAK activation and decreased MLCK activation. These data suggest that PAK inhibits vascular reactivity via decreased inhibition of MLCK.

Controversial Effect of Ethanol Irrespective of Kinases Inhibition on the Agonist-Dependant Vasoconstriction

The present study was undertaken to determine whether ethanol influences on the agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Ethanol significantly inhibited thromboxane A2 mimetic-induced contraction with intact endothelial function, but there was no relaxation on thromboxane A2 mimetic U-46619-induced contraction irrespective of endothelium suggesting that the pathway such as Rho-kinase activation, Ca2+ entry or thin filament regulation was not affected. In addition, ethanol didn’t decrease thromboxane A2 mimetic-induced increase of phospho-myosin phosphatase targeting subunit protein 1 (pMYPT1) or pERK1/2. Interestingly, ethanol didn’t inhibit significantly phorbol ester-induced contraction in denuded muscles suggesting that thin filament regulation is less important on the ethanol-induced regulation in the muscle than endothelial NO synthesis. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence and possible related mechanism concerning the effect of ethanol on the agonist-dependent contraction in rat aortic rings with regard to endothelial function.

Vasoconstriction Potency Induced by Aminoamide Local Anesthetics Correlates with Lipid Solubility

Aminoamide local anesthetics induce vasoconstriction in vivo and in vitro. The goals of this in vitro study were to investigate the potency of local anesthetic-induced vasoconstriction and to identify the physicochemical property (octanol/buffer partition coefficient, pKa, molecular weight, or potency) of local anesthetics that determines their potency in inducing isolated rat aortic ring contraction. Cumulative concentration-response curves to local anesthetics (levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, lidocaine, and mepivacaine) were obtained from isolated rat aorta. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between the reported physicochemical properties of local anesthetics and the local anesthetic concentration that produced 50% (ED50) of the local anesthetic-induced maximum vasoconstriction. We determined the order of potency (ED50) of vasoconstriction among local anesthetics to be levobupivacaine > ropivacaine > lidocaine > mepivacaine. The relative importance of the independent variables that affect the vasoconstriction potency is octanol/buffer partition coefficient > potency > pKa > molecular weight. The ED50 in endothelium-denuded aorta negatively correlated with the octanol/buffer partition coefficient of local anesthetics (r2 = 0.9563; P < 0.001). The potency of the vasoconstriction in the endothelium-denuded aorta induced by local anesthetics is determined primarily by lipid solubility and, in part, by other physicochemical properties including potency and pKa.

Effects of magnolol on vascular contraction in rat aortic rings

1. Magnolol (5,5'-diallyl-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl) is a major phenolic compound purified from Magnolia officinalis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of magnolol on vascular contractions. 2. Rat aortic rings were mounted in organ baths. Magnolol was added cumulatively (0.3-30 μmol/L) to elicit relaxation in endothelium-intact and -denuded rat aortic rings precontracted with U46619 (30 nmol/L, 20 min), NaF (8.0 mmol/L, 40 min), phenylephrine (1.0 or 0.1 μmol/L, 15 min) or phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 0.3 or 0.1 μmol/L, 40 min). In separate experiments, cumulative concentrationresponse curves were obtained for NaF (2.0-12 mmol/L), U46619 (1.0 nmol/L1.0 μmol/L) or PDBu (1.0 nmol/L1.0 μmol/L) after pretreatment with either magnolol or vehicle for 30 min in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. After completion of the functional study, we measured the amount of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) RhoA by using a G-LISA RhoA Activation Assay, as well as the phosphorylation of 20 kDa myosin light chain (MLC₂₀), myosin phosphatase-targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and protein kinase C-potentiated inhibitory protein for heterotrimeric myosin light-chain phosphatase of 17 kDa (CPI-17) by immunobloting. 3. Magnolol (0.3-30 μmol/L) reduced vascular tension induced by the thromboxane A₂ agonist U46619 (30 nmol/L), sodium fluoride (NaF) (8.0 mmol/L) and the α₁ -adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (1.0 or 0.1 μmol/L) in both endothelium-intact and -denuded rings. The magnitude of the relaxation effects of magnolol on the contraction induced by each of the drugs were similar. The magnitude of the effect of magnolol in endothelium-intact and -denuded rings were similar. 4. Pretreatment of rat aortic rings with 1.0, 3.0 or 10 μmol/L magnolol for 30 min dose-dependently inhibited the maximum response on the concentration-response curves to NaF and U46619, but not to phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu). 5. Magnolol (3.0 or 10 μmol/L) decreased RhoA activation, as well as the phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ , MYPT1(Thr855) and CPI-17(Thr38) induced by either 8.0 mmol/L NaF or 30 nmol/L U46619. In contrast, magnolol did not affect PDBu (0.1 μmol/L)-induced phosphorylation of CPI-17(Thr38) . 6. In conclusion, magnolol reduces vascular contraction by inhibiting the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway in endothelium-denuded rat aorta.