Effects Of Various Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors Research Articles

Various subtypes of phosphodiesterase inhibitors differentially regulate pulmonary vein and sinoatrial node electrical activities.

Phosphodiesterase (PDE)3-5 are expressed in cardiac tissue and play critical roles in the pathogenesis of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. PDE inhibitors are widely used in the clinic, but their effects on the electrical activity of the heart are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of various PDE inhibitors on spontaneous cardiac activity and compare those effects between sinoatrial nodes (SANs) and pulmonary veins (PVs). Conventional microelectrodes were used to record action potentials in isolated rabbit SAN and PV tissue preparations, before and after administration of different concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 µM) of milrinone (PDE3 inhibitor), rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor) and sildenafil (PDE5 inhibitor), with or without the application of isoproterenol (cAMP and PKA activator), KT5823 (PKG inhibitor) or H89 (PKA inhibitor). Milrinone (1 and 10 µM) increased the spontaneous activity in PVs by 10.6±4.9 and 16.7±5.3% and in SANs by 9.3±4.3 and 20.7±4.6%, respectively. In addition, milrinone (1 and 10 µM) induced the occurrence of triggered activity (0/8 vs. 5/8; P<0.005) in PVs. Rolipram increased PV spontaneous activity by 7.5±1.3-9.5±4.0%, although this was not significant, and did not alter SAN spontaneous activity. Sildenafil reduced spontaneous activity in PVs to a greater extent than that seen in SANs. Both KT5823 and H89 suppressed milrinone-increased PV spontaneous activity. In the presence of isoproterenol, milrinone did not alter isoproterenol-induced PV arrhythmogenesis, suggesting that the effects of PDE3 are mediated by the protein kinase G and protein kinase A signaling pathways. In conclusion, inhibitors of different PDE subtypes exert diverse electrophysiological effects on PV and SAN activities.

Cardiac Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Function, Regulation, and Therapeutic Prospects

The second messengers cAMP and cGMP exist in multiple discrete compartments and regulate a variety of biological processes in the heart. The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, by catalyzing the hydrolysis of cAMP and cGMP, play crucial roles in controlling the amplitude, duration, and compartmentalization of cyclic nucleotide signaling. Over 60 phosphodiesterase isoforms, grouped into 11 families, have been discovered to date. In the heart, both cAMP- and cGMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterases play important roles in physiology and pathology. At least 7 of the 11 phosphodiesterase family members appear to be expressed in the myocardium, and evidence supports phosphodiesterase involvement in regulation of many processes important for normal cardiac function including pacemaking and contractility, as well as many pathological processes including remodeling and myocyte apoptosis. Pharmacological inhibitors for a number of phosphodiesterase families have also been used clinically or preclinically to treat several types of cardiovascular disease. In addition, phosphodiesterase inhibitors are also being considered for treatment of many forms of disease outside the cardiovascular system, raising the possibility of cardiovascular side effects of such agents. This review will discuss the roles of phosphodiesterases in the heart, in terms of expression patterns, regulation, and involvement in physiological and pathological functions. Additionally, the cardiac effects of various phosphodiesterase inhibitors, both potentially beneficial and detrimental, will be discussed.

Effects of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on human ether‐a‐go‐go related gene (hERG) channel activity

It is presumed that phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors have two mechanisms for inhibition of hERG currents in the acute applications to cells: direct channel block, and downregulation of human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) activities by PKA-dependent pathway mediated phosphorylation through their inhibitory effects against PDE enzymes. However, it is unknown whether PDE inhibition contributes to the inhibitory effects of PDE inhibitors on hERG currents. This study examined the effects of various PDE inhibitors on hERG currents using both the whole-cell and perforated patch-clamp techniques in hERG transfected CHO-K1 cells. The study also investigated the contribution of the PKA-dependent pathway to the inhibitory effects of PDE inhibitors on hERG currents. Of the PDE inhibitors tested, vinpocetine, erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA), vesnarinone, rolipram and dipyridamole decreased hERG currents in a concentration-dependent manner. Vinpocetine and vesnarinone markedly decreased the hERG current with an IC (50)of 0.13 and 20.6 microm, respectively, at comparatively low concentrations. Furthermore, vinpocetine caused a cumulative block of hERG currents. Milrinone, amrinone and zaprinast had no effect on the hERG current up to 100 microm. Of the PDE3 inhibitors (vesnarinone, amrinone and milrinone), only vesnarinone showed an hERG inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effects of vinpocetine and vesnarinone were not significantly affected by the co-application of protein kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, the protein kinase activators had no effect on hERG currents. It is concluded that vinpocetine and vesnarinone block the hERG channel directly, and that the inhibitory effect on intracellular PDE in the PKA-dependent pathway may not be involved in the inhibition of hERG currents in hERG transfected CHO-K1 cells.

CHARACTERIZATION AND FUNCTIONAL RELEVANCE OF CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHODIESTERASE ISOENZYMES OF THE HUMAN PROSTATE

Current pharmacological concepts in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are aimed at the static and dynamic component of the disease. Mainly alpha-blocking agents are used to reduce the adrenergic tone of prostatic myocytes, thus, increasing urine flow through the prostatic urethra by reducing urethral resistance. With the introduction of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitor sildenafil the concept of PDE inhibition has gained tremendous interest in the field of urology. We characterized PDE isoenzymes from human prostatic tissue by molecular biology and protein chemistry, and investigated the effects of various PDE inhibitors compared with standard pharmacological agents on adrenergic tension in isolated human prostatic strips. PDE isoenzymes were characterized by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and anion exchange chromatography. Using the organ bath technique we determined the relaxing effects of the PDE inhibitors papaverine, vinpocetine (Biomol GmbH, Hamburg, Germany), erythro-9-[2-hydrox-3-nonyl]adenine hydrochloride (Tocris Cookson, Ltd., Bristol, United Kingdom) rolipram (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany), zaprinast (Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Ltd., Dagenham, United Kingdom) and sildenafil (Pfizer, Ltd., Sandwich, United Kingdom), the adenylate cyclase activating agent forskolin (ICN Biomedicals, Aurora, Ohio) and the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside on adrenergic tension in prostatic strips isolated from the transition zone. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed messenger RNA transcripts encoding for PDE 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in the various anatomical regions of the human prostate, including the peripheral, central and transition zones. Except for complementary DNA encoding for PDE 1C, complementary DNA fragments encoding for PDE 1A, 1B, 2A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5A, 7A, 8A, 9A and 10A were found at almost even ratios in the different histological regions of the prostate. The hydrolytic activities of PDE 4 and 5 were present in the cytosolic fraction of prostatic tissue, whereas in the particulate fraction only the hydrolytic activity of PDE 4 was detected. Adrenergic tension in prostatic strip preparations was reversed by forskolin, sodium nitroprusside, and inhibitors of PDE 4 and 5. Our results demonstrate the presence and functional relevance of PDE isoenzymes 4 and 5 in human prostatic tissue. These studies support the possible use of inhibitors of PDE 4 and 5 for treating urinary obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Effects of various phosphodiesterase-inhibitors, forskolin, and sodium nitroprusside on porcine detrusor smooth muscle tonic responses to muscarinergic stimulation and cyclic nucleotide levels in vitro

The cyclic nucleotides cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are second messengers involved in the regulation of contractility in various smooth muscle organs including detrusor smooth muscle. They are synthesized by activation of adenylate and guanylate cyclases, respectively, and inactivated by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). In order to delineate the intracellular regulation of porcine detrusor contractility by cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterases, functional organ bath studies and determinations of intracellular cyclic nucleotide contents were performed after incubation of porcine detrusor strips with forskolin (adenylate cyclase activator), sodium nitroprusside (guanylate cyclase activator), and various phosphodiesterase-inhibitors. Significant relaxant responses were achieved only by forskolin, the nonspecific phosphodiesterase-inhibitor papaverine, and the phosphodiesterase 1-inhibitor vinpocetine (62.4 +/- 5.6%, 73 +/- 4.3%, and 53 +/- 7.9%, respectively). Sodium nitroprusside and the selective PDE-inhibitors milrinone, rolipram, zaprinast, and dipyridamole were significantly less efficacious (26.9 +/- 3.9%, 15.5 +/- 3.8%, 15.3 +/- 3.0%, 13 +/- 4.0%, and 13.2 +/- 2.1%, respectively). Forskolin, papaverine, and vinpocetine elevated intracellular cAMP concentrations (7.3-, 1.9-, and 1.7-fold increase at 100 microM, respectively), whereas the other substances failed to enhance cAMP levels. cGMP levels were only increased by sodium nitroprusside (7.8-fold). The adenylate cyclase-cAMP system seems to be the more important signal transduction system involved in the relaxation of carbachol induced smooth muscle tone of the porcine detrusor. The role of the guanylate cyclase-cGMP system is less clear. In addition, the calcium/calmodulin-stimulated PDE I seems to be of major functional importance in regulating cAMP hydrolysis in the porcine detrusor smooth muscle in vitro.

Porcine detrusor cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoenzymes: Characterization and functional effects of various phosphodiesterase inhibitors in vitro

Objectives This study was undertaken to characterize adenosine 3′5′cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3′5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in porcine detrusor smooth muscle and to define their possible role in tension regulation. Methods PDEs were isolated from porcine detrusor homogenate by Q-Sepharose an ion exchange and calmodulin affinity chromatography. The effects of selective inhibitors of CAMP and cCMP PDEs were investigated on isolated PDEs and on carbachol (1 μM) precontracted detrusor strips. Results Six PDE isoenzymes were isolated by Q-Sepharose anion exchange and calmodulin affinity chromatography: one calmodulin-stimulated PDE (PDE I) which hydrolyzed mainly cGMP, one cGMP-stimulated cAMP PDE (PDE II), two cAMP-specific PDE (PDE IVα and IVβ), and two cGMP-specific PDE (PDE Vα and Vβ). PDE I was potently inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by papaverine, vinpocetine, and zaprinast; the PDE IVs were potently inhibited by papaverine and rolipram; and the PDE Vs were weakly inhibited by papaverine. In organ bath studies, inhibitors of PDE III (milrinone), IV (rolipram), and V (zaprinast) caused only minor relaxations at high concentrations (200 μM), whereas papaverine and vinpocetine caused relaxations of more than 50%. Conclusions Our findings support the involvement of cyclic nucleotide metabolism in the regulation of the detrusor smooth muscle tone in the pig and its regulation by PDEs. The weak action of PDE IV and V inhibitors in vitro may be explained by a possible intracellular compartmentalization of such PDEs and the low cyclic nucleotide turnover rate at the conditions used.

Phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in human ureteral smooth muscle: identification, characterization, and functional effects of various phosphodiesterase inhibitors in vitro.

Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are key enzymes regulating intracellular cyclic nucleotide metabolism and, thus, contraction and relaxation of the muscle. At present, five different families of isoenzymes of PDE exist that show a distinct species-specific and organ-specific distribution. The aim of the present study was to analyze the PDE isoenzymes present in the human ureter and to evaluate the functional effects of isoenzyme-specific inhibitors in this tissue. Normal ureteral tissue was obtained during radical nephrectomies, homogenized, centrifuged, and the supernatant fraction was separated using DEAE-Sephacel anion-exchange chromatography. PDE assay was then performed and the isoenzymes characterized on the basis of their kinetic characteristics and their sensitivity to allosteric modulators and inhibitors. In vitro, longitudinal ureteral strips as well as ureteral rings were precontracted, and different selective and nonselective PDE inhibitors were added incrementally. Three different PDE isoenzymes were identified: PDE I (Ca/calmodulin-stimulated), PDE II (cyclic guanosine monophosphate-stimulated), and PDE IV (cyclic adenosine monophosphate-specific). All PDE inhibitors relaxed the strips dose-dependently with an EC50 of 30 microM for papaverine, 40 microM for zaprinast, 25 microM for quazinone, and 0.1 microM for rolipram. The existence of three different PDE isoenzymes was shown in this study. The ureter-relaxing effect of the PDE IV inhibitor at low concentrations, combined with its low effect on the systemic circulatory parameters, may open a possibility of using selective PDE IV inhibitors in the treatment of ureteral colics or ureteral stones.

Cellular signal pathways in tracheal smooth muscle

Describes the effects of various phosphodiesterase-inhibitors, forskolin, and sodium nitroprusside on porcine detrusor smooth muscle tonic responses to muscarinergic stimulation and cyclic nucleotide levels in vitro.

Differential effects of various phosphodiesterase inhibitors, pyrimidine and purine compounds, and inorganic phosphates on cyclic CMP, cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases

The effects of various compounds on homogeneous cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic CMP-PDE) from pig liver were compared with the effects on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic AMP-PDE) and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic GMP-PDE). Of the conventional inhibitors for AMP-PDE and cyclic GMP-PDE, only Sch 15280 was found to inhibit cyclic CMP-PDE. Nucleoside monophosphates, orthophosphate, and 2':3'-cyclic nucleotides were rather specific and were more effective in inhibiting cyclic CMP-PDE, compared to their effects on cyclic AMP-PDE and cyclic GMP-PDE. On the other hand, nucleoside di- and triphosphates and pyrophosphate (PP i) were less effective in inhibiting cyclic CMP-PDE and were without marked effect on cyclic AMP-PDE and cyclic GMP-PDE. Orthophosphate (P i) was more potent than CMP, CDP and CTP in inhibiting cyclic CMP-PDE, with a rank order of inhibitory potency of P i > CMP > CDP > CTP. Of the 3' :5'-cyclic nucleotides examined, cyclic UMP was more specific in inhibiting cyclic CMP-PDE compared to its effect on cyclic AMP-PDE and cyclic GMP-PDE. In all experiments similar results were obtained when either cyclic CMP or cyclic AMP was used as a substrate for this multifunctional cyclic CMP-PDE, supporting the contention that a single catalytic site on the enzyme is responsible for the hydrolysis of both cyclic CMP and cyclic AMP. The present studies further support our original suggestion that cyclic CMP-PDE is a unique enzyme that is distinguishable from the conventional enzymes for purine cyclic nucleotides.