Non-cholinergic Relaxation Research Articles

BDNF rescues aging-associated internal anal sphincter dysfunction.

Aging can lead to rectoanal incontinence due to internal anal sphincter (IAS) dysfunction, which is characterized by a decrease in IAS tone and contractility and an increase in nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation. We aimed to determine whether brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) rescues this aging-associated IAS dysfunction (AAID). To do so, we studied the effects of BDNF on the basal and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR)-stimulated IAS smooth muscle tone and on NANC relaxation in Fischer 344 rats representing different age groups [26-mo-old (aging) vs. 6-mo-old (young)], before and after tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) antagonist K252a. We also used isolated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to determine the effects of BDNF before and after different agonists. For some studies, we monitored NO release using smooth muscle perfusates. BDNF reversed AAID by rescuing the basal IAS tone and agonists [thromboxane A2 analog (U46619) and angiotensin II (ANG II)]-induced contractility, and NANC relaxation. These rescue effects of BDNF were selective as K252a attenuated the changes in the IAS without modifying the effects of K+depolarization. Because of the direct association between the basal and GPCR-stimulated IAS tone and RhoA/ROCK activation, we speculate that this pathway in the rescue effects of BDNF. Conversely, our data suggest that aging-associated increased NANC relaxation is reversed by decreased release of NO and decrease in the sensitivity of the released inhibitory neurotransmitter. In summary, BDNF rescue of AAID involves RhoA/ROCK and inhibitory neurotransmission. These data have direct implications for the role of BDNF in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of aging-associated rectoanal motility disorders.NEW & NOTEWORTHY These studies demonstrate that brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) rescues the aging-associated internal anal sphincter (IAS) dysfunction, characterized by a decrease in IAS tone, and increase in non-adrenergic noncholinergic relaxation. We determined the effects of BDNF on the basal and GPCR (TXA2 and ANG II)-stimulated IAS tone, and on NANC relaxation, before and after TrkB inhibitor K252a. BDNF may have an important role in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of certain rectoanal motility disorders.

Mechanistic role of antioxidants in rescuing delayed gastric emptying in high fat diet induced diabetic female mice

Diabetic gastroparesis (DG) exhibits delayed gastric emptying (GE) due to impaired gastric non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation. These defects are due to loss or reduction of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) that causes reduced expression and/or dimerization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase alpha (nNOSα) gene expression and function. We investigated the effect of potent Nrf2 activators (cinnamaldehyde [CNM] & curcumin [CUR]) on GE in obesity-induced diabetic female mice. We fed adult female homozygous Nfe2l2-/- (Nrf2 KO) and wild-type (WT) female mice with either a high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal diet (ND) for a period of 16 weeks. Groups of HFD mice were fed with CUR or CNM either at 6th or 10th week respectively. Our results demonstrate that supplementation of CNM or CUR restored impaired nitrergic relaxation and attenuated delayed GE in HFD fed mice. Supplementation of CNM or CUR normalized altered gastric antrum protein expression of (1) p-ERK/p-JNK/MAPK/p-GSK-3β, (2) BH4 (Cofactor of nNOS) biosynthesis enzyme GCH-1 and the GSH/GSSG ratio, (3) nNOSα protein & dimerization and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), (4) AhR and ER expression, (5) inflammatory cytokines (TNF α, IL-1β, IL-6), (6)TLR-4, as well as (7) reduced oxidative stress markers in WT but not in Nrf2 KO obesity-induced chronic diabetic female mice. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed an interaction between nNOS and Nrf2 proteins. Our results conclude that Nrf2 activation restores nitrergic-mediated gastric motility and GE by normalizing inflammation and oxidative stress induced by obesity-induced chronic diabetes.

Involvement of Enteric Glia in Small Intestine Neuromuscular Dysfunction of Toll-Like Receptor 4-Deficient Mice.

Enteric glial cells (EGCs) influence nitric oxide (NO)− and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)− mediated signaling in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Since Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) participates to EGC homoeostasis, this study aimed to evaluate the possible involvement of EGCs in the alterations of the inhibitory neurotransmission in TLR4−/− mice. Ileal segments from male TLR4−/− and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were incubated with the gliotoxin fluoroacetate (FA). Alterations in ENS morphology and neurochemical coding were investigated by immunohistochemistry whereas neuromuscular responses were determined by recording non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations in isometrically suspended isolated ileal preparations. TLR4−/− ileal segments showed increased iNOS immunoreactivity associated with enhanced NANC relaxation, mediated by iNOS-derived NO and sensitive to P2Y1 inhibition. Treatment with FA diminished iNOS immunoreactivity and partially abolished NO− and ADP− mediated relaxation in the TLR4−/− mouse ileum, with no changes of P2Y1 and connexin-43 immunofluorescence distribution in the ENS. After FA treatment, S100β and GFAP immunoreactivity in TLR4−/− myenteric plexus was reduced to levels comparable to those observed in WT. Our findings show the involvement of EGCs in the alterations of ENS architecture and in the increased purinergic and nitrergic-mediated relaxation, determining gut dysmotility in TLR4−/− mice.

BDNF augments rat internal anal sphincter smooth muscle tone via RhoA/ROCK signaling and nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation via increased NO release.

Presently, there are no studies examining the neuromodulatory effects of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) on the basal internal anal sphincter (IAS) tone and nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation. To examine this, we determined the neuromuscular effects of BDNF on basal IAS smooth muscle tone and the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the effects of NANC nerve stimulation before and after high-affinity receptor tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) antagonist K252a. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying BDNF-augmented increase in the IAS tone and NANC relaxation. We found that BDNF-increased IAS tone and SMC contractility were TTX resistant and attenuated by K252a. TrkB-specific agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, similar to BDNF, also produced a concentration-dependent increase in the basal tone, whereas TrkB inhibitors K252a and ANA-12 produced a decrease in the tone. In addition, BDNF produced leftward shifts in the concentration-response curves with U46619 and ANG II (but not with bethanechol and K+ depolarization), and these shifts were reversed by K252a. Effects of Y27632 and Western blot data indicated that the BDNF-induced increase in IAS tone was mediated via RhoA/ROCK. BDNF-augmented NANC relaxation by electrical field stimulation was found to be mediated via the nitric oxide (NO)/soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) pathway rather than via increased sensitivity to NO. In conclusion, the net effect of BDNF was that it caused an increase in the basal IAS tone via RhoA/ROCK signaling. BDNF also augmented NANC relaxation via NO/sGC. These findings may have relevance to the role of BDNF in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of the IAS-associated rectoanal motility disorders.NEW & NOTEWORTHY These studies for the first time to our knowledge demonstrate that increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; conceivably released from smooth muscle cells and/or the enteric neurons) has two major effects. First, BDNF augments the internal anal sphincter (IAS) tone via tyrosine kinase receptor B/thromboxane A2-receptor, angiotensin II receptor type 1/RhoA/ROCK signaling; and second, it increases nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation via nitric oxide/soluble guanylate cyclase. These studies may have relevance in therapeutic targeting in the anorectal motility disorders associated with the IAS.

Effects of epoxygenases on the nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxant responses induced by electrical field stimulation in rabbit corpus cavernosum.

We aimed to investigate the effects of epoxygenases on electrical field stimulation (EFS)-mediated nitric oxide (NO)-dependent and NO-independent nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) relaxations in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum. The tissues of 20 male adult albino rabbits (2.5-3kg) were suspended in organ baths containing aerated Krebs solution, and isometric contractions were recorded. EFS-mediated NANC relaxations were obtained on phenylephrin (3×10-5 M)-contracted tissues in the presence of guanethidine (10-6 M) and atropine (10-6 M). Miconazole (10-9 -10-4 M), 17-octadecynoic acid (ODYA) (10-10 -10-5 M), 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) (10-11 -10-8 M), 11,12-EET (10-12 -3×10-8 M) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) (10-11 -3×10-8 M) were added cumulatively (n=5-7 for each set of experiments). For NO-independent relaxations, Nω -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (10-4 M) was added before a group of experiments. Depending on the concentration, miconazole, 17-ODYA, 14,15-EET, 11,12-EET, and 20-HETE significantly enhanced both NO-dependent and NO-independent EFS-mediated relaxations (p<0.05). Epoxygenases showed similar effect on NO-dependent and NO-independent relaxant responses except 20-HETE which caused significantly more enhanced relaxation on NO-dependent responses (p<0.05). No drug caused a significant relaxation response on tissues contracted with phenylephrine. Epoxygenases contribute to EFS-mediated NO-dependent and NO-independent NANC relaxations by presynaptic mechanisms, offering a new treatment alternative for erectile dysfunction which needs to be explored in further in vivo, molecular and clinical studies.

Enhanced Electrical Field Stimulated Nitrergic and Purinergic Vasoreactivity in Distal vs Proximal Internal Pudendal Arteries

BackgroundThe internal pudendal arteries (IPAs) supply blood to the penis and are highly susceptible to vascular remodeling in rodent models of diabetes, hypertension, aging, and chronic kidney disease, thus contributing to erectile dysfunction. Interestingly, vascular remodeling primarily occurs in the distal and not in the proximal IPA, suggesting distinct local physiologic signaling differences within the IPA. AimTo examine the role of purinergic signaling and neurotransmitter release by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the regulation of proximal and distal IPA vascular tone. MethodsProximal and distal IPAs were mounted in wire myographs and vascular responses to phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and 2-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide, diethyl-ammonium salt (DEA NONOate) were measured. EFS-mediated contraction and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation were evaluated in the absence and presence of a nitric oxide synthase antagonist. Purinergic agonist and NANC relaxation responses were assessed in the presence and absence of P2X1 and P2Y1 antagonists. Protein expression of P2X1 and P2Y1 receptors was measured by western blot. Main Outcome MeasuresProximal and distal IPA contraction and relaxation were measured during increasing agonist administration and EFS in the presence and absence of antagonists. ResultsProximal and distal IPA concentration response curves to phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and DEA NONOate did no differ. Interestingly, distal IPA exhibited greater EFS-mediated contraction and NANC relaxation compared with proximal IPA. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition completely inhibited distal IPA NANC relaxation but did not affect proximal IPA relaxation. P2X1 or P2Y1 receptor antagonism during NANC relaxation increased distal IPA relaxation but decreased proximal IPA relaxation. Combined P2X1 and P2Y1 receptor antagonism had no effect on proximal IPA relaxation but significantly increased distal IPA NANC relaxation. Clinical TranslationUnderstanding neurovascular regulation of IPA vascular tone through nitrergic and purinergic mechanisms could yield new therapeutic targets to improve IPA blood flow and treat vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. Strengths and LimitationsThis study is the first to illustrate the differences in mechanisms responsible for regulating vascular tone in the proximal and distal IPAs. All presented findings are currently limited to ex vivo vascular function. ConclusionThe regulation of vascular tone differs regionally in the IPA. The distal IPA is controlled through neurotransmitter-mediated NO-dependent mechanisms and increased sensitivity to purinergic P2X1 and P2Y1 receptor inhibition.Odom MR, Pak ES, Brown DA, Hannan JL. Enhanced Electrical Field Stimulated Nitrergic and Purinergic Vasoreactivity in Distal vs Proximal Internal Pudendal Arteries. J Sex Med 2017;14:1285–1296.

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Modulates Small Intestine Neuromuscular Function through Nitrergic and Purinergic Pathways.

Objective: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in the homeostatic microflora-host crosstalk. TLR4-mediated modulation of both motility and enteric neuronal survival has been reported mainly for colon with limited information on the role of TLR4 in tuning structural and functional integrity of enteric nervous system (ENS) and in controlling small bowel motility.Methods: Male TLR4 knockout (TLR4-/-, 9 ± 1 weeks old) and sex- and age-matched wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were used for the experiments. Alterations in ENS morphology and neurochemical code were assessed by immunohistochemistry whereas neuromuscular function was evaluated by isometric mechanical activity of ileal preparations following receptor and non-receptor-mediated stimuli and by gastrointestinal transit.Results: The absence of TLR4 induced gliosis and reduced the total number of neurons, mainly nNOS+ neurons, in ileal myenteric plexus. Furthermore, a lower cholinergic excitatory response with an increased inhibitory neurotransmission was found together with a delayed gastrointestinal transit. These changes were dependent on increased ileal non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations mediated by a complex neuronal-glia signaling constituted by P2X7 and P2Y1 receptors, and NO produced by nNOS and iNOS.Conclusion: We provide novel evidence that TLR4 signaling is involved in the fine-tuning of P2 receptors controlling ileal contractility, ENS cell distribution, and inhibitory NANC neurotransmission via the combined action of NO and adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP). For the first time, this study implicates TLR4 at regulating the crosstalk between glia and neurons in small intestine and helps to define its role in gastrointestinal motor abnormalities during dysbiosis.

Role of the nitrergic pathway in motor effects of oxytocin in rat proximal colon.

Oxytocin (OT) reduces rat duodenal tone and mouse intestinal transit; however, the underlying mechanisms are not totally understood. Consequently, this study was designed to investigate the influence of OT on spontaneous mechanical activity and neurally evoked responses, to characterize the mechanisms of the action, and to determine the distribution of the OT receptor (OTR) in rat proximal colonic muscle strips. The organ bath technique with electrical field stimulation, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used. In rat proximal colon, exogenous OT induced a concentration-dependent reduction of the spontaneous mechanical activity without affecting the resting basal tone, which was abolished by atosiban, an OTR antagonist, by tetrodotoxin (TTX), a neural blocker or by Nω-propyl-l-arginine hydrochloride, an inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The inhibitory effects of OT were not affected by atropine or the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor antagonist [Lys1, Pro2,5, Arg3,4, Tyr6]-VIP (VIPHyb). Proximal colon responses to electrical field stimulation were characterized by nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation, which was followed by an off-contraction. Oxytocin enhanced only NANC relaxation. Oxytocin stimulated spontaneous NO release from the longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation of rat proximal colon. Western blot and immunohistochemistry experiments showing the presence of the OTR in proximal colon, and its co-localization with nNOS established that myenteric nitrergic neurons express OTR. The activation of OTR located on nitrergic neurons may negatively modulate colonic spontaneous contraction and enhance electrically evoked NANC relaxation through excitation of NO release.

Effects of chronic l-DOPA administration on neurogenic and endothelium-dependent relaxation responses in rabbit corpus cavernosum

Dopamine is a crucial central neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in the autonomic and somatic components of penile reflexes in animals and humans. Similar to the erectile responses of dopamine, systemic administration of l-DOPA induces yawning and penile erection in some species. The possible effects of l-DOPA on nitric oxide (NO)-dependent and -independent non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation responses mediated by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and endothelium-dependent relaxation were investigated in this study. Thirty-two adult albino male rabbits, in two- and four-week-treatment groups, were divided into three subgroups: control group (saline-injected) (n=4), 3mg/kg/day (low dose) l-DOPA-injected groups (n=6) and 12mg/kg/day (high dose) l-DOPA-injected groups (n=6). After the intraperitoneal injection treatments, the corpus cavernosum tissues were placed in organ bath chambers. The EFS-mediated responses, and the concentration-response curve to carbachol, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), sildenafil were assessed. The two-week treatment with high-dose l-DOPA decreased the NO-dependent NANC relaxation responses, while there was no change in the low-dose two- and four-week treatment groups. The NO-independent NANC relaxation responses in the two-week groups decreased, and the responses in the four-week groups were unchanged when compared to the controls. The relaxation responses to carbachol showed no differences among all groups except for the high-dose four-week l-DOPA group. The relaxation responses of SNP and sildenafil were increased in all of the treatment groups when compared to the controls. The observed increases in SNP- and sildenafil-induced responses, along with the decreased EFS-mediated responses, suggest increased sensitivity in the NO-signalling pathway following l-DOPA administration.

H2S, a novel gasotransmitter, involves in gastric accommodation.

H2S is produced mainly by two enzymes:cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), using L-cysteine (L-Cys) as the substrate. In this study, we investigated the role of H2S in gastric accommodation using CBS+/− mice, immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, methylene blue assay, intragastric pressure (IGP) recording and electrical field stimulation (EFS). Mouse gastric fundus expressed H2S-generating enzymes (CBS and CSE) and generated detectable amounts of H2S. The H2S donor, NaHS or L-Cys, caused a relaxation in either gastric fundus or body. The gastric compliance was significantly increased in the presence of L-Cys (1 mM). On the contrary, AOAA, an inhibitor for CBS, largely inhibited gastric compliance. Consistently, CBS+/− mice shows a lower gastric compliance. However, PAG, a CSE inhibitor, had no effect on gastric compliances. L-Cys enhances the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation of fundus strips, but AOAA reduces the magnitude of relaxations to EFS. Notably, the expression level of CBS but not CSE protein was elevated after feeding. Consistently, the production of H2S was also increased after feeding in mice gastric fundus. In addition, AOAA largely reduced food intake and body weight in mice. Furthermore, a metabolic aberration of H2S was found in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). In conclusion, endogenous H2S, a novel gasotransmitter, involves in gastric accommodation.

Bimodal effect of oxidative stress in internal anal sphincter smooth muscle.

Changes in oxidative stress may affect basal tone and relaxation of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) smooth muscle in aging. We examined this issue by investigating the effects of the oxidative stress inducer 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY-83583) in basal as well as U-46619-stimulated tone, and nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation in rat IAS. LY-83583, which works via generation of reactive oxygen species in living cells, produced a bimodal effect in IAS tone: lower concentrations (0.1 nM to 10 μM) produced a concentration-dependent increase, while higher concentrations (50-100 μM) produced a decrease in IAS tone. An increase in IAS tone by lower concentrations was associated with an increase in RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) activity. This was evident by the increase in RhoA/ROCK in the particulate fractions, in ROCK activity, and in the levels of phosphorylated (p) (Thr696)-myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 and p(Thr18/Ser19)-20-kDa myosin light chain. Conversely, higher concentrations of LY-83583 produced inhibitory effects on RhoA/ROCK. Interestingly, both the excitatory and inhibitory effects of LY-83583 in the IAS were reversed by superoxide dismutase. The excitatory effects of LY-83583 were found to resemble those with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibition by l-NNA, since it produced a significant increase in the IAS tone and attenuated NANC relaxation. These effects of LY-83583 and l-NNA were reversible by l-arginine. This suggests the role of nNOS inhibition and RhoA/ROCK activation in the increase in IAS tone by LY-83583. These data have important implications in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of rectoanal disorders, especially associated with IAS dysfunction.

Role of PGE2/EP2 Receptor Signaling on The Effects of Neonatal Hyperoxia on Airway Smooth Muscle

It was shown that neonatal hyperoxic‐exposure associates with airway hyperresponsiveness and impaired nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation. It was demonstrated that reduced relaxant responses were associated with an impairment of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release from airway smooth muscle (ASM). In this study we tested the hypothesis that supplementation of PGE2 or EP2 agonists to ASM restore relaxant responses. Tracheal cylinders were obtained from 12 days rat pups exposed to hyperoxia or room air for seven days. These cylinders were used to study contractile and relaxant responses. In hyperoxic tracheal preparations the contractile responses to bethanechol were enhanced as compared to room air controls. These enhanced contractile responses were attenuated by pre‐incubation of tissues with PGE2 (1µM). Similar effect was showed by using an EP2 agonist. This effect of PGE2 and EP2 agonist was reversed by an EP2 antagonist. PGE2 and EP2 induced dose response relaxations of ASM, which were reduced by an EP2 antagonist.We conclude that PGE2 induces relaxation of airways via EP2 receptors, and the use of EP2 agonists may serve as a therapeutic approach to overcome the adverse effects of neonatal hyperoxia on relaxant responses of ASM.Support by MEST

Role of PGE2/EP4 Receptor Signaling on The Effects of Hyperoxia on Airway Smooth Muscle

It was shown that neonatal hyperoxic‐exposure associates with airway hyperresponsiveness and impaired nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation. It was demonstrated that reduced relaxant responses were associated with an impairment of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release from airway smooth muscle (ASM). In this study we tested the hypothesis that supplementation of PGE2 or EP4 agonists to ASM restore relaxant responses. Tracheal cylinders were obtained from 12 days rat pups exposed to hyperoxia or room air for seven days. These cylinders were used to study contractile and relaxant responses. In hyperoxic trachea the contractile responses to bethanechol were enhanced as compared to room air controls. These enhanced contractile responses were attenuated by pre‐incubation of tissues with PGE2 (1µM). Similar effect showed an EP4 agonist. This effect of PGE2 and EP4 agonist was reversed by an EP4 antagonist. PGE2 and EP4 induced dose response relaxations of ASM, which were reduced by an EP4 antagonist.We conclude that PGE2 induces relaxation of airways via EP4 receptors, and the use of EP4 agonists may serve as a therapeutic approach to overcome the adverse effects of neonatal hyperoxia on relaxant responses of ASM.Supported by MEST

Effect of vagal stimulation in acute asthma

American lung association report,there were 1.8 million emergency department visits and 3,816 deaths per year attributable to asthma [1]. according to (GINA2012) the role of complementary and alternative medicine in adult asthma treatment are limited because these approaches have been insufficiently researched and their effect are largely unproven [2]. the parasympathetic nervous system are the primary regulators of pulmonary smooth muscle tone. Postganglionic parasympathetic nerves mediate both cholinergic contractions and inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (iNANC) relaxations. It is the close balance between these two that ultimately determines airway caliber. These relaxation and contraction responses are through anatomical and physiological distinct vagus nerve pathways [3].

Upregulation of bile acid receptor TGR5 and nNOS in gastric myenteric plexus is responsible for delayed gastric emptying after chronic high-fat feeding in rats.

Chronic high-fat feeding is associated with functional dyspepsia and delayed gastric emptying. We hypothesize that high-fat feeding upregulates gastric neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression, resulting in delayed gastric emptying. We propose this is mediated by increased bile acid action on bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5) located on nNOS gastric neurons. To test this hypothesis, rats were fed regular chow or a high-fat diet for 2 wk. Rats fed the high-fat diet were subjected to concurrent feeding with oral cholestyramine or terminal ileum resection. TGR5 and nNOS expression in gastric tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry, PCR, and Western blot. Gastric motility was assessed by organ bath and solid-phase gastric emptying studies. The 2-wk high-fat diet caused a significant increase in neurons coexpressing nNOS and TGR5 in the gastric myenteric plexus and an increase in nNOS and TGR5 gene expression, 67 and 111%, respectively. Enhanced nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation, deoxycholic acid (DCA)-induced inhibition in fundic tissue, and a 26% delay in gastric emptying accompanied these changes. A 24-h incubation of whole-mount gastric fundus with DCA resulted in increased nNOS and TGR5 protein expression, 41 and 37%, respectively. Oral cholestyramine and terminal ileum resection restored the enhanced gastric relaxation, as well as the elevated nNOS and TGR5 expression evoked by high-fat feeding. Cholestyramine also prevented the delay in gastric emptying. We conclude that increased levels of circulatory bile acids induced by high-fat feeding upregulate nNOS and TGR5 expression in the gastric myenteric plexus, resulting in enhanced NANC relaxation and delayed gastric emptying.

Hematin supplementation protects against hyperoxia‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness (870.8)

It was shown that neonatal hyperoxic‐exposure associates with airway hyperresponsiveness and impaired nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation. Previously we have demonstrated the ability of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) to normalize the airway relaxation under hyperoxic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CO on the hyperoxia‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Tracheal cylinders were excised from rat pups 12 days old, exposed to hyperoxia or room air for seven days. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) was applied to induce contraction. The preparations were supplemented with CO precursor ‐ hematin in presence or absence of heme oxygenase (HO) inhibitor tin protoporphyrin‐IX (SnPP‐IX; 100 µM), and/or soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a] quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ; 10 µM). In TSM obtained from hyperoxia‐exposed animals the contractile responses were increased significantly as compared to room air‐exposed animals, but supplementation of tissues with hematin reversed the contractile responses in hyperoxic group to almost normal level. Inhibiton of HO by SnPP‐IX diminished this effect of hematin. Similar effect was shown also by ODQ alone or in combination with SnPP‐IX. We conclude that increase of CO production overcomes the effects of hyperoxia on airway contractile responses via cGMP signaling and this may serve as a therapeutic approach for treatment of increased airway reactivity in hyperoxia‐exposed neonates.

Purinergic signalling: from discovery to current developments.

New FindingsWhat is the topic of this review?This is a personal historical review about the discovery and the main conceptual advances leading to our current understanding of purinergic signalling. The contributions of leading figures in the field are acknowledged. It includes the discovery of purinergic neuromuscular and synaptic transmission, cotransmission, the identification of P1 (adenosine), P2X nucleotide ion channel and P2Y nucleotide G protein-coupled receptors, the identity of ectonucleotidases and release of ATP from cells by mechanical stimulation and mechanosensory transduction.What advances does it highlight?It highlights the pathophysiology of purinergic signalling and recent therapeutic developments.This lecture is about the history of the purinergic signalling concept. It begins with reference to the paper by Paton & Vane published in 1963, which identified non-cholinergic relaxation in response to vagal nerve stimulation in several species, although they suggested that it might be due to sympathetic adrenergic nerves in the vagal nerve trunk. Using the sucrose gap technique for simultaneous mechanical and electrical recordings in smooth muscle (developed while in Feldberg’s department in the National Institute for Medical Research) of the guinea-pig taenia coli preparation (learned when working in Edith Bülbring’s smooth muscle laboratory in Oxford Pharmacology), we showed that the hyperpolarizations recorded in the presence of antagonists to the classical autonomic neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and noradrenaline, were inhibitory junction potentials in response to non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurotransmission, mediated by intrinsic enteric nerves controlled by vagal and sacral parasympathetic nerves. We then showed that ATP satisfied the criteria needed to identify a neurotransmitter released by these nerves. Subsequently, it was shown that ATP is a cotransmitter in all nerves in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The receptors for purines and pyrimidines were cloned and characterized in the early 1990s, and immunostaining showed that most non-neuronal cells as well as nerve cells expressed these receptors. The physiology and pathophysiology of purinergic signalling is discussed.

Activation of P2Y1 and P2Y2 nucleotide receptors by adenosine 5′-triphosphate analogues augmented nerve-mediated relaxation of human corpus cavernosum

INTRODUCTION: Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is a ubiquitous cellular energy source. We evaluated the effect of ATP and its analogues on nonadrenergic and noncholinergic relaxation in precontracted human corpus cavernosal smooth muscle (HCCSM). METHODS: We obtained specimens of human corpus cavernosum (HCC) from patients undergoing penile prosthesis surgery (patient age 46-70 yr, n = 17) with prior approval from the local institutional review board. Isolated HCC strips were placed in organ baths containing Krebs solution and functional experiments were conducted. Immunohistochemical localization studies were performed to establish the presence of purinergic P2X1, P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors in HCC. RESULTS: The amplitude of relaxation induced by electrical-field stimulation (EFS) on HCC was significantly increased after exposure to ATP (P2X and P2Y agonists), 2-MeSATP (P2Y1 agonist), and uridine 5' triphosphate (P2Y2 agonist), but not alpha,beta-methylene ATP (P2X1 agonist). The P2X1 antagonist pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2', 4'-disulfonate, and the nonspecific P2Y antagonist, reactive blue 2, did not inhibit the potentiated response of EFS on HCC. Although immunoreactivity for both P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors was localized abundantly in HCC, there was only low-level immunostaining for the P2X1 receptor. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that nerve-mediated relaxation of HCCSM strips precontracted with phenylephrine in organ bath preparations is amplified by stimulating purinergic P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors. Although nucleotides are important regulators of HCCSM tone, these observations suggest an independent purinergic relaxing mechanism in the HCC, separate from the better known nitrergic system.

Effects of selenoprotein P on the contraction and relaxation of the airway smooth muscle

Selenoprotein P (SeP) not only represents the major selenoprotein in plasma, but also provides more than 50% of the total plasma selenium. However, there is no report concerning the direct action of selenium or selenium-containing compounds on the contraction and relaxation of the airway smooth muscle. Therefore, we investigated the effects of SeP and sodium selenite (SS) on the indirectly induced contraction and relaxation of the cat bronchi, and gel contraction of cultured bovine tracheal smooth muscle cells (BTSMC) induced by ATP. In the present results, SeP or SS suppressed the amplitude of twitch-like contractions of cat bronchiole without affecting the non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations evoked by electrical field stimulation. SeP also suppressed the ATP-induced gel contraction of BTSMC. These results suggest that SeP suppresses the amplitude of twitch-like contraction of cat bronchiole by acting directly on the bronchiolar smooth muscle.

2, 3, 5, 4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside improves gastrointestinal motility disorders in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Oxidative stress has recently been considered as a pivotal player in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastrointestinal dysfunction. We therefore investigated the role of 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (THSG) that has a strong anti-oxidant property, in diabetic gastrointestinal dysmotility as well as the underlying protective mechanisms. THSG restored the delayed gastric emptying and the increased intestinal transit in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression and impaired nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxations in diabetic mice were relieved by long-term preventive treatment with THSG. Meanwhile, THSG (10−7∼10−4 mol/L) enhanced concentration-dependently NANC relaxations of isolated colons in diabetic mice. Diabetic mice displayed a significant increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and decrease in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), which were ameliorated by THSG. Inhibition of caspase-3 and activation of ERK phosphorylation related MAPK pathway were involved in prevention of enhanced apoptosis in diabetes afforded by THSG. Moreover, THSG prevented the significant decrease in PPAR-γ and SIRT1 expression in diabetic ileum. Our study indicates that THSG improves diabetic gastrointestinal disorders through activation of MAPK pathway and upregulation of PPAR-γ and SIRT1.