Guinea-pig Portal Vein Research Articles

Comparison of the electrophysiological properties of murine CD117pos stem cells with vascular smooth muscle cells (guinea-pig portal vein)

Comparison of the electrophysiological properties of murine CD117pos stem cells with vascular smooth muscle cells (guinea-pig portal vein)

The actions of azelnidipine, a dihydropyridine‐derivative Ca antagonist, on voltage‐dependent Ba2+ currents in guinea‐pig vascular smooth muscle

Although azelnidipine is used clinically to treat hypertension its effects on its target cells, Ca2+ channels, in smooth muscle have not been elucidated. Therefore, its effects on spontaneous contractions and voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels were investigated in guinea-pig portal vein. The inhibitory potency of azelnidipine on spontaneous contractions in guinea-pig portal vein was compared with those of other dihydropyridine (DHP)-derived Ca antagonists (amlodipine and nifedipine) by recording tension. Also its effects on voltage-dependent nifedipine-sensitive inward Ba2+ currents (IBa) in smooth muscle cells dispersed from guinea-pig portal vein were investigated by use of a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Spontaneous contractions in guinea-pig portal vein were reduced by all of the Ca antagonists (azelnidipine, Ki = 153 nM; amlodipine, Ki = 16 nM; nifedipine, Ki = 7 nM). In the whole-cell experiments, azelnidipine inhibited the peak amplitude of IBa in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner (-60 mV, Ki = 282 nM; -90 mV, Ki = 2 microM) and shifted the steady-state inactivation curve of IBa to the left at -90 mV by 16 mV. The inhibitory effects of azelnidipine on IBa persisted after 7 min washout at -60 mV. In contrast, IBa gradually recovered after being inhibited by amlodipine, but did not return to control levels. Both azelnidipine and amlodipine caused a resting block of IBa at -90 mV. Only nifedipine appeared to interact competitively with S(-)-Bay K 8644. These results suggest that azelnidipine induces long-lasting vascular relaxation by inhibiting voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle.

PH-induced changes in calcium: functional consequences and mechanisms of action in guinea pig portal vein.

The effects of changing extracellular (pH(o)) and intracellular pH (pH(i)) on force and the mechanisms involved in the guinea pig portal vein were investigated to better understand the control of tone in this vessel. When pH(o) was altered, the effects on force and calcium were the same irrespective of whether force had been produced spontaneously by high-K depolarization or by norepinephrine; alkalinization increased tone, and acidification reduced it. Because pH(o) changes also lead to changes in pH(i), we determined whether the effects on force could be explained by these induced pH(i) changes. It was found, however, that only with spontaneous activity did intracellular alkalinization increase force. In depolarized preparations, force was decreased, and, with norepinephrine, force was initially decreased and then increased. Thus the effects of pH(o) cannot be explained solely by changes in pH(i). The role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and surface membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase on the mechanism were investigated and shown not to be involved. Therefore, it is concluded that both pH(o) and pH(i) can have powerful modulatory effects on portal vein tone, that these effects are not identical, and that they are likely to be due to effects of pH on ion channels rather than the SR or plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase.

Vascular effects of class-III antiarrhythmic drugs: chromanol 293B, but not dofetilide blocks the smooth muscle delayed rectifier K + channel

Chromanol 293B and dofetilide are inhibitors of IKs and IKr, i.e., of the slow and the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current. The specificity of these drugs was tested by investigating their effects on the delayed rectifier potassium current in vascular smooth muscle, regulating the tone of blood vessels. Using depolarizing step protocols with asymmetrical potassium concentrations (135/4.5 mM K+ in pipette/bath), voltage-dependent K+ currents (IKv) of enzymatically dispersed guinea pig portal vein cells were studied in the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Peak currents were obtained within 20 ms (at +50 mV) after activation. During a 10 s test pulse to +60 mV, these currents exhibited a relatively fast inactivation with time constants of 384 ms (Tfast) and 4505 ms (Tslow). Dofetilide was totally ineffective in modulating currents; in contrast, after application of chromanol 293B, a steady-state block of IKv developed within 135 s. The block was concentration-dependent with an IC50 of 7.4 microM. Chromanol did not produce any shift in the normalized steady-state activation and inactivation curves and the recovery from inactivation was not significantly changed. Chromanol 293B similarly inhibited delayed rectifier K+ channels whether in their closed or open state, and produced an "apparent" acceleration of inactivation, i.e., the drug accelerated the faster time constant of inactivation during a 10 s test pulse from 384 ms (control) to 149 ms (100 microM chromanol). In recent studies, chromanol was described as a specific blocker of slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium channels (IKs) in cardiomyocytes. The results of this study, however, extend the inhibitory spectrum of the drug and demonstrate block of closed and open state delayed rectifier K+ currents in portal vein vascular smooth muscle. Such a block could possibly contribute to the generation of portal hypertension.

Atypical effect of minoxidil sulphate on guinea pig airways

The effects of minoxidil sulphate, an "atypical" K(ATP) channel opener, and bimakalim, a benzopyran-type classical K(ATP) channel opener, on guinea pig airways in vitro and in vivo and on isolated portal veins from rats and guinea pigs were compared. Minoxidil sulphate inhibited the spontaneous activity of isolated guinea pig and rat portal vein preparations with pD2 values of 7.83+/-0.08 and 7.14+/-0.03, respectively (Emax=100% in both preparations). Bimakalim caused a more potent inhibition with pD2 values of 8.80+/-0.05 and 8.20+/-0.04, respectively (Emax=100% in both preparations). Minoxidil sulphate reduced the spontaneous tone of isolated guinea pig tracheal rings with a pIC50 value of 3.92+/-0.02 and the same efficacy as isoprenaline. Bimakalim was more potent (pIC50=7.25+/-0.02) but less efficacious (Emax=75% of the Emax of isoprenaline). The airway relaxant effect of bimakalim, but not minoxidil sulphate, was antagonised by glibenclamide (pA2=7.50) at concentrations above 0.1 microM. Bombesin-induced bronchoconstriction in anaesthetised, ventilated, normoreactive guinea pigs (measured as increase in total lung resistance) was dose-dependently reversed by intratracheally (i.t.) administered bimakalim (ED50=4 microg/kg; Emax=92% of maximally possible inhibition), but not by minoxidil sulphate, at doses up to 1 mg/kg i.t. In the same animals, following i.t. administration of higher doses, both minoxidil sulphate and bimakalim reduced blood pressure. Airways hyperreactivity to histamine induced by acute treatment of guinea pigs with immune complex was dose-dependently reversed by bimakalim (ED50=0.5 microg/kg i.t., Emax=100%). This effect was antagonised by glibenclamide (30 mg/kg i.v.). Minoxidil sulphate had a biphasic effect on airways hyperreactivity: at 1 microg/kg i.t., airways hyperreactivity was augmented, whereas at doses above 3.2 microg/kg i.t. it caused reversal of airways hyperreactivity. Both of the effects of minoxidil sulphate were insensitive to glibenclamide (30 mg/kg i.v.). It is concluded that the pharmacological profile of minoxidil sulphate in guinea pig airways is completely different from that of classical K(ATP) channel openers such as bimakalim. Minoxidil sulphate is either only weakly active or even inactive at K(ATP) channels in guinea pig airways or interacts with these channels in a different manner. The current results are consistent with there being differences between the K(ATP) channels in airways and blood vessels.

A K+ single channel and whole-cell clamp study on the effects of levcromakalim in guinea pig portal vein cells

Single channel cell-attached patch and whole-cell clamp experiments on the mode of action of the K+ channel opener (KCO), levcromakalim, were performed in guinea pig isolated portal vein cells. At +20 mV (135/23 mM K+ in bath/pipette), 10 microM levcromakalim activated K+ channels with a chord conductance of 23.2 pS (K(KCO)), which were sensitive to the blocker of ATP-dependent K+ channels (K(ATP)), glibenclamide. Voltage steps from -80 mV to +20 mV activated 4-aminopyridine-sensitive K+ channels of 6.5 pS with properties of delayed rectifier K+ channels (Kv). In patches which upon a previous voltage step had revealed the existence of Kv, levcromakalim reduced the open-probability of Kv, but it did not concomitantly activate K(KCO). During the course of the experiments, but unrelated to the presence of levcromakalim, large conductance K+ channels (BK(Ca)) appeared which could be inhibited by iberiotoxin, a selective blocker of BK(Ca), and by the membrane-permeant calcium buffer, BAPTA/AM, but not by glibenclamide. Whole-cell current-voltage (i-V) relations were established in response to voltage ramps from +50 mV to -100 mV; on subtraction of control i-V curves from i-V curves obtained in the presence of 10 microM levcromakalim, the KCO-induced K+ current remained which was proportional to voltage. This is not compatible with the upward-bent curvature predicted by the GHK current equation for purely resistive channels at high [K+]i versus low [K+]o. In conclusion, in the guinea pig portal vein cells, no evidence could be established for the hypotheses that KCOs may act via conversion of Kv to K(ATP) (Beech and Bolton 1989; Edwards et al. 1993) or by activation of BK(Ca) (Balwierczak et al. 1995). In these cells, mild inward rectification of the levcromakalim-induced current was observed which underlines their relationship to K(ATP) in other tissues.

Basic anatomical and physiological differences between species should be considered when choosing combinations for use in models of hepatic xenotransplantation: an investigation of the guinea pig-to-rat combination.

Published data on the guinea pig-to-rat hepatic xenotransplant model describe problems concerning poor graft reperfusion. To further investigate this phenomenon, orthotopic liver xenotransplantation between weight-matched guinea pigs and rats were performed using Kamada's technique. On reperfusion, all cases had portal venous inflow block with hypoperfusion of the hepatic parenchyma. Histological examination showed no evidence of hyperacute rejection, although deposits of IgG2a and C3 but not IgM were identified within the central area of the liver. To increase blood inflow, arterialized partial liver grafts were performed without changing the outcome. We hypothesize that the hypoperfusion may be related to anatomical and physiological differences between the species. Guinea pig portal vein branches were found to have muscular walls susceptible to spasm, and portal blood flow is four times greater in the guinea pig than in the rat because the guinea pig intestine is both longer (two times as long) and of greater diameter. The combination of reperfusion injury, early immunological events, and the rat's lower portal blood flow induces spasm of the intrahepatic portal system resulting in hypoperfusion. These findings demonstrate the importance of recognizing basic anatomical and physiological differences between species when selecting xenotransplantation models.

Ca 2+-entry blockade by CAF603, a carotane sesquiterpene isolated from Trichoderma virens

Isometric tension recordings and patch clamp methods were combined to explore the functional effects and mechanisms of action of 8-daucene-3,4-diol (CAF603), a carotane sesquiterpene isolated from the fungus Trichoderma virens. CAF603 (1–100 μM) inhibited the spontaneous motility of guinea pig's portal vein, duodenum and ileum, and the Ca 2+-induced tension of depolarized ileum strips. These effects were not antagonized by either iberiotoxin or glyburide. CAF603 increased the spontaneous motility of guinea pig detrusor muscle, but inhibited the contraction induced by high-KCl, depolarizing salines. CAF603 blocked L-type Ca 2+ channel currents of rabbit cardiac myocytes. It is proposed that Ca 2+-entry blockade accounts for the inhibitory effects of CAF603 on smooth muscle contractility, whereas the stimulation of spontaneous motility of detrusor muscle is ascribed to blockade of Ca 2+-activated K + (BK Ca) channel currents. The latter interpretation is consistent with the allosteric modulation of charybdotoxin binding to BK Ca in smooth muscle membranes [Lee et al., 1995. J. Nat. Prod. 58, 1822–1828].

Nonadrenergic contractile response of guinea pig portal vein to electrical field stimulation mimics response to UTP but not to ATP.

Transmural electrical field stimulation (EFS, 4-32 Hz) produced a biphasic contractile response consisting of a rapid and transient contraction (first phase) followed by a slow contraction (second phase) in ring preparations of guinea pig portal veins. Both contractions were enhanced by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 microM). In the presence of L-NAME, tetrodotoxin (1 microM) and guanethidine (3 microM) inhibited both contractions and phentolamine (10 microM), and reserpine treatment abolished the first-phase contraction without affecting the second-phase contraction. These results suggest that the first-phase contraction is caused by norepinephrine released from the perivascular nerves. In the presence of phentolamine and L-NAME, the second-phase contraction was inhibited by the nonselective P2-purinoceptor antagonist suramin (30-300 microM) and the P(2Y)-purinoceptor antagonist reactive blue 2 (RB2; 10-100 microM). alpha,beta-Methylene-adenosine triphosphate (alpha,beta-mATP; 3-30 microM), which desensitizes P(2X)-purinoceptors, and the P(2X)-purinoceptor antagonist 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate (DIDS; 1-10 microM) had a little effect. Exogenous ATP (0.1-3 mM) and UTP (0.1-3 mM) in the presence of L-NAME produced contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. The ATP-induced contraction was enhanced by suramin, RB2, and DIDS but unaltered by alpha,beta-mATP. The UTP-induced contraction was inhibited by suramin and RB2 but unaltered by alpha,beta-mATP and DIDS. These results indicate that in the guinea pig portal vein, the classic P(2X)-purinoceptors do not contribute to the nonadrenergic component of sympathetic neurotransmission. Furthermore, the pharmacology of the nonadrenergic component of neurotransmission resembles that of vasoconstrictor responses to exogenous UTP rather than to ATP.

Isoflurane Reduces K+ Current in Single Smooth Muscle Cells of Guinea Pig Portal Vein

Volatile anesthetics vasodilate in part by direct action on vascular smooth muscle.Isoflurane-induced relaxation of portal vein smooth muscle involves alteration of membrane ionic currents that control cell excitability and contraction. Whole cell voltage clamp technique was used to examine outward Ca2+-activated K+ current (IK,Ca) in guinea pig portal vein cells. Isoflurane caused a concentration-dependent reduction in IK,Ca at steady-state conditions but had no significant effect on resting potential. Isoflurane transiently potentiated IK,Ca by a mechanism that may partly involve Ca2+ release from intracellular storage sites. The depression of IK,Ca by isoflurane may occur by direct action on the channel protein or on the lipid environment of the channel to alter conductance or kinetic properties. Since isoflurane reduces IK,Ca coincident with suppression of Ca2+ channel current, it was concluded that the depression of IK,Ca by isoflurane is of secondary importance to reduction in inward Ca2+ channel current. Potentiation of IK,Ca may preclude significant membrane activation during the onset of isoflurane's action. (Anesth Analg 1996;83:1307-13)

Isoflurane reduces K+ current in single smooth muscle cells of guinea pig portal vein.

Volatile anesthetics vasodilate in part by direct action on vascular smooth muscle. Isoflurane-induced relaxation of portal vein smooth muscle involves alteration of membrane ionic currents that control cell excitability and contraction. Whole cell voltage clamp technique was used to examine outward Ca(2+)-activated K+ current (IK,Ca) in guinea pig portal vein cells. Isoflurane caused a concentration-dependent reduction in IK,Ca at steady-state conditions but had no significant effect on resting potential. Isoflurane transiently potentiated IK,Ca by a mechanism that may partly involve Ca2+ release from intracellular storage sites. The depression of IK,Ca by isoflurane may occur by direct action on the channel protein or on the lipid environment of the channel to alter conductance or kinetic properties. Since isoflurane reduces IK,Ca coincident with suppression of Ca2+ channel current, it was concluded that the depression of IK,Ca by isoflurane is of secondary importance to reduction in inward Ca2+ channel current. Potentiation of IK,Ca may preclude significant membrane activation during the onset of isoflurane's action.

The effects of P 2 purinoceptor agonists on the isolated portal vein of the guinea pig

UTP, ATP and several of its analogues enhanced contractions of the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the guinea-pig portal vein. The rank order of potency was 2-methylthioATP > α,β-methyleneATP > adenosine tetraphosphate ≥ β,γ-methyleneATP ≥ ATP = UTP ⪢ adenosine. Suramin (100 μM) blocked the contractile effects of 2-methylthioATP and α,β-methyleneATP, but not those of ATP and adenosine tetraphosphate. The P 1 purinoceptor antagonist, 8-phenyltheophylline (10 μM), was without effect on the response to ATP. Field stimulation (5 s trains every 100 s, 1 ms, 55 V) caused frequency-dependent contractions that were partially reduced by the noradrenergic neurone blocking drug, BW 172 C58 (4-benzoyl-xylocholine, 10 μM), but not by suramin. α,β-MethyleneATP was more potent than β,γ-methyleneATP, UTP and adenosine tetraphosphate in partially inhibiting field stimulation-induced contractions of the portal vein; its effects, but not those of adenosine tetraphosphate, were reduced by suramin. These results indicate that the guinea-pig portal vein contains P 2 purinoceptors; these include a P 2x subtype, mediating contraction.

Effects of calciseptine on unitary barium channel currents in guinea-pig portal vein.

Effects of synthesized calciseptine (CaS), found naturally in the venom of the black mamba, on voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig portal vein were investigated. In the whole-cell voltage-clamp configuration, extracellular application of CaS (>/= 10 nM) inhibited the inward current in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner at a holding potential of -90 mV. The Ca2+ current recorded at a high holding potential (-50 mV) was approximately 8 times more sensitive to CaS than that at a more negative holding potential (-90 mV). CaS (50 nM) shifted to the left the steady-state inactivation curve obtained by using single 8-s conditioning pulses of various amplitudes. When CaS (>/= 200 nM) was present in the pipette, the Ca2+ current remained for the duration of the experiments (more than 60 min) in the whole-cell configuration. Two different Ca2+ channel conductances are present in this tissue (25-pS and 12-pS channels). Both channels are blocked by dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives, but have different sensitivities. In the cell-attached condition, CaS hardly changed the activity of either unitary Ca2+ channel current. To prevent the "run down" of the Ca2+ channels in cell-free conditions, we added cardiac cytosol, a supernatant from homogenized cardiac cells and an endogenous Ca2+ channel activating factor, in the pipette. The unitary Ca2+ channel currents were then recorded using the outside-out membrane patch configuration. Application of CaS (1 microM) in the bath completely blocked the open events of the 25-pS Ca2+ channel. CaS (10 nM) in the bath reduced the mean open time and channel availability, resulting in a decrease in the open probability of the 25-pS channel currents without affecting the amplitude of the single-channel conductance. CaS also reduced the open probability (though less potently) and channel availability of the 12-pS Ca2+ channel without a change in its amplitude. From these results, we conclude that CaS has inhibitory effects on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ current that are similar to those of DHP derivatives and that it acts from the outside of the membrane.

PH dependence of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate‐induced Ca2+ release in permeabilized smooth muscle cells of the guinea‐pig.

1. The dependence on pH of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca2+ release was studied in saponin-skinned smooth muscle cells from guinea-pig portal vein, using the indicator fura-2 to monitor Ca2+ release. 2. Increasing pH between 6.7 and 7.3 enhanced the rate of IP3-induced Ca2+ release at all the Ca2+ concentrations above 30 nM without changing the bell-shaped dependence of the Ca2+ release rate on Ca2+ concentration with a peak near 300 nM. 3. The ascending limb of the biphasic Ca2+ dependence was shifted slightly toward the lower Ca2+ concentration at pH 7.3, suggesting an increase in the Ca2+ sensitivity of IP3-induced Ca2+ release at the higher pH. 4. With the elevation in pH from 6.7 to 7.3 at 100 nM Ca2+, about 7-fold higher IP3 concentration was required to release half of the Ca2+ in the store within 15 s. This pH-dependent change in the IP3 sensitivity was smaller at 1 microM Ca2+ and was indiscernible in the absence of Ca2+. 5. These results suggest that H+ may inhibit binding of IP3 and Ca2+ to the modulator sites of the Ca2+ release mechanism. However, these effects on the binding sites may not fully explain the complex effect of pH, and there may be pH-dependent step(s) involved in the gating mechanism of IP3 channels. The present study demonstrates the importance of pH as a modulator of IP3-induced Ca2+ release.

Characterization of ATP-sensitive potassium channel-blocking activity of ZENECA ZM181,037, a eukalemic diuretic.

ZENECA ZM181,037 is a novel eukalemic diuretic from a series of 1,1-diarylcarbin-1-01-2 amines. In contrast to the standard diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, the blood pressure-lowering effect was not observed with ZENECA ZM181,037 in spontaneously hypertensive rats. ZENECA ZM181,037 demonstrated a K+ channel-blocker profile. In the isolated rat aorta stimulated with 20 mmol/l KCl, both the d- and l-enantiomer of ZENECA ZM181,037 antagonized the relaxation of cromakalim with mean pKB values of 6.4 and 6.7, respectively. In the isolated guinea-pig portal vein and urinary detrusor muscle, both enantiomers enhanced the spontaneous myogenic activity at concentrations of 1 mumol/l and higher, in addition to antagonizing the effect of cromakalim. ZENECA ZM 181,037, similar to glibenclamide, prevented a significant increase in 86Rb+ by cromakalim in both portal vein and detrusor muscle strips; however, ZENECA ZM181,037, dissimilar to glibenclamide and tolbutamide, did not increase plasma glucose when given orally to dogs. Thus, ZENECA ZM181,037 is a blocker of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) in vascular and nonvascular tissues. In view of the profound saluresis produced by ZENECA ZM181,037, the lack of antihypertensive effect appears to result from its blocking activity on KATP in vascular tissues.

Flash photolysis studies of relaxation and cross-bridge detachment: higher sensitivity of tonic than phasic smooth muscle to MgADP

The effects of MgADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) on cross-bridge detachment were determined in tonic (rabbit femoral artery) and phasic (rabbit bladder and guinea pig portal vein) smooth muscles permeabilized with staphylococcal alpha-toxin. Relaxation from rigor was induced by photolysis of ATP (1.2-1.5 mM) from caged ATP. The initial one second of relaxation from rigor was resolved into two exponential components: a rapid component with normalized amplitudes, Af, of 8, 15 and 26% and rate constants, kf (in s-1) of 26, 36 and 30 in rabbit femoral artery, guinea pig portal vein, and rabbit bladder; the respective rate constants of the second, slower component, ks, were 0.07, 0.2 and 0.1. Removal of residual endogenous ADP with apyrase treatment increased the amplitude Af and accelerated ks; addition of MgADP reduced Af. The combination of these effects (increases in Af and ks) decreased the t1/2 of relaxation from control values by factors of 2.6 (femoral artery), 6.7 (portal vein) and 10 (bladder). Pi (30 mM) further increased the amplitudes Af. The affinity of MgADP for myosin cross-bridges, estimated as the reduction of the relative amplitude of the rapid component, Af, was significantly higher in tonic than in phasic smooth muscle: the KD of MgADP was 1.1 +/- 0.3 microM in rabbit femoral artery and 4.9 +/- 1.0 microM in rabbit bladder. The higher affinity of tonic smooth muscle myosin for MgADP correlated with its relatively high LC17b isoform content (58 +/- 4.2%) in contrast to the lower affinity of the phasic, bladder detrusor smooth muscle that contained only the LC17a isoform.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of 2,3-butanedione monoxime on smooth-muscle contraction of guinea-pig portal vein.

Effects of 2,3-butanedione-2-monoxime (BDM) on the contraction of intact and skinned smooth muscles from guinea-pig portal vein were examined. In intact preparations loaded with fura-2, 5-10 mM BDM markedly suppressed Ca2+ transients and force developments induced by 154 mM potassium and by phenylephrine (0.1 mM). On the other hand, in Ca(2+)-free depolarizing solution, BDM did not suppress phenylephrine (0.1 mM)-induced Ca2+ transient and force development. In skinned preparations obtained with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin treatment, BDM did not markedly affect active force development. The above results indicate that BDM suppresses contraction of the portal vein mainly by the inhibition of voltage-dependent cytosolic Ca2+ transients. An additional result suggests that BDM suppresses the force-enhancing effect of alpha 1-adrenergic agents on the contractile elements.

Effects of cicletanine on whole-cell currents of single smooth muscle cells from the guinea-pig portal vein.

1. Smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig portal vein were dispersed by enzymatic treatment and recordings of membrane currents were made in the whole-cell mode by the patch-clamp technique. The effects of extracellular application of cicletanine-hydrochloride on the whole-cell currents of isolated smooth muscle cells from the guinea-pig portal vein were studied in solutions containing a normal concentration of calcium (2.5 mM). 2. Cicletanine, 10 to 100 microM, reduced the voltage-dependent inward calcium current with an IC50 of 250 microM. These effects of cicletanine were reversible. 3. The action of cicletanine on calcium currents can be interpreted as a decrease of the availability of calcium channels but not by an alteration of the time course or voltage-dependency of inactivation. 4. The control calcium current was enhanced by application of Bay K 8644. On this enhanced inward current, cicletanine also exerted inhibitory effects which were not use-dependent. 5. Cicletanine, 1 to 100 microM, did not enhance outward potassium currents. 6. It is concluded that at least one component of the vasorelaxant effects of cicletanine is produced by inhibition of calcium currents.

Intracellular ADP activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig portal vein.

Vasodilatation following tissue ischemia is assumed to partially result from activation of ATP-dependent K+ channels (KATP). To assess the effect of cytosolic adenosine nucleotides, the balance of which depends on tissue pO2, on KATP, we have measured steady state outward currents (SSC) by the whole-cell clamp technique in smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig portal vein at different concentrations of ATP and ADP in the pipette solution. Glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of KATP, was used as a pharmacological tool. With no nucleotides in the pipette solution (Ca(2+)-free), the SSC determined at +20 mV was unaffected by glibenclamide, while with 0.1 mM ATP or with 0.1 mM ADP, the SSC exhibited a glibenclamide-sensitive component indicating activation of KATP. At 5 mM ATP and no ADP, hardly any effect of glibenclamide on the SSC was detected, suggesting inhibition of KATP by this high concentration of ATP. With 0.1 mM ADP at 5 mM ATP however, activation of KATP was achieved. At 10(-7) M Ca2+ in the pipette solution, an increased SSC was measured, but the responses to the nucleotides and/or glibenclamide were not modified. These findings suggest that in vivo, ADP may be involved in the regulation of vascular KATP, linking tissue pO2 with vascular tone and tissue perfusion.

The effects of MgADP on cross-bridge kinetics: a laser flash photolysis study of guinea-pig smooth muscle.

1. The effects of MgADP on cross-bridge kinetics were investigated using laser flash photolysis of caged ATP (P3-1(2-nitrophenyl) ethyladenosine 5'-triphosphate), in guinea-pig portal vein smooth muscle permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. Isometric tension and in-phase stiffness transitions from rigor state were monitored upon photolysis of caged ATP. The estimated concentration of ATP released from caged ATP by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was 1.3 mM. 2. The time course of relaxation initiated by photolysis of caged ATP in the absence of Ca2+ was well fitted during the initial 200 ms by two exponential functions with time constants of, respectively, tau 1 = 34 ms and tau 2 = 1.2 s and relative amplitudes of 0.14 and 0.86. Multiple exponential functions were needed to fit longer intervals; the half-time of the overall relaxation was 0.8 s. The second order rate constant for cross-bridge detachment by ATP, estimated from the rate of initial relaxation, was 0.4-2.3 x 10(4) M-1 s-1. 3. MgADP dose dependently reduced both the relative amplitude of the first component and the rate constant of the second component of relaxation. Conversely, treatment of muscles with apyrase, to deplete endogenous ADP, increased the relative amplitude of the first component. In the presence of MgADP, in-phase stiffness decreased during force maintenance, suggesting that the force per cross-bridge increased. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of MgADP for the cross-bridge binding site, estimated from its concentration-dependent effect on the relative amplitude of the first component, was 1.3 microM. This affinity is much higher than the previously reported values (50-300 microM for smooth muscle; 18-400 microM for skeletal muscle; 7-10 microM for cardiac muscle). It is possible that the high affinity reflects the properties of a state generated during the co-operative reattachment cycle, rather than that of the rigor bridge. 4. The rate constant of MgADP release from cross-bridges, estimated from its concentration-dependent effect on the rate constant of the second (tau 2) component, was 0.35-7.7 s-1. To the extent that reattachment of cross-bridges could slow relaxation even during the initial 200 ms, this rate constant may be an underestimate. 5. Inorganic phosphate (Pi, 30 mM) did not affect the rate of relaxation during the initial approximately 50 ms, but accelerated the slower phase of relaxation, consistent with a cyclic cross-bridge model in which Pi increases the proportion of cross-bridges in detached ('weakly bound') states.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)