Norepinephrine Dose-response Curves Research Articles

Effect of sulfasalazine on endothelium-dependent vascular response by the activation of Nrf2 signalling pathway.

Background: Diabetes mellitus leads to endothelial dysfunction and accumulation of oxygen radicals. Sulfasalazine-induced Nrf2 activation reduces oxidative stress in vessels. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the effects of sulfasalazine on endothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose. We also ascribed the underlying mechanism involved in glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction. Methods: For this experiment we used 80 Wistar Albino rats thoracic aorta to calculate the dose response curve of noradrenaline and acetylcholine. Vessels were incubated in normal and high glucose for 2h. To investigate glucose and sulfasalazine effects the vessels of the high glucose group were pre-treated with sulfasalazine (300mM), JNK inhibitor (SP600125), and ERK inhibitor (U0126) for 30min. The dose response curve was calculated through organ bath. The eNOS, TAS, TOS, and HO-1 levels were estimated by commercially available ELISA kits. Results: In the high glucose group, the Emax for contraction was significantly higher (p < 0.001), and Emax for relaxation was lower than that of control. These functional changes were parallel with the low levels of eNOS (p < 0.05). High glucose vessel treated with sulfasalazine showed low Emax value for contraction (p < 0.001) however, the Emax for relaxation was significantly high (p < 0.001) when compared to high glucose group. In the JNK group, Emax for contraction and relaxation was inhibited (p < 0.001) compared to sulfasalazine treated vessels. HO-1 enzyme levels were significantly low (p < 0.01) with sulfasalazine but higher with ERK inhibitor (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High glucose induced endothelial dysfunction and sulfasalazine reduced damage in high glucose vessels by activating eNOS, antioxidant effect through HO-1 enzymes and particularly inducing Nrf2 via the ERK and JNK pathways.

Dihydromyricetin improves vascular hyporesponsiveness in experimental sepsis via attenuating the over-excited MaxiK and KATP channels

Context: Dihydromyricetin (DMY) has oxidation resistance, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging capabilities. The preventive effects of DMY for vascular hyporeactivity remain unclear.Objective: This study investigates the preventive effects of DMY in vascular hyporeactivity.Materials and methods: The experimental sepsis was induced by transvenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. DMY-treated rats received daily administration of DMY, 5 μg/kg dissolved in DMSO through the tail vein for 7 days. The invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the caudal ventral artery was measured. Dose-response curves for norepinephrine (NE, doses from 10−9 to 10−6 M) were obtained in isolated thoracic aorta in a cumulative manner. The function of MaxiK and KATP channels were investigated using whole-cell patch clamp recording. The Elisa was adopted to measure the serum concentration of NO, MDA, 3-NT, IL-1β and TNF-α.Results: The increased MAP in septic rats induced by vasopressor agents was smaller than that in control rats. However, the % of increased MAP induced by vasopressor agents was raised by DMY injection (NE: 20.4 ± 8.495 vs. 15.16 ± 5.195%; AVP: 14.05 ± 2.459 vs. 9.583 ± 2.982%, p < 0.05). The vascular hyporesponsiveness to NE (10−6 M) in vitro. was increased by 51% in LPS + DMY group compared with that in LPS + Con group (2.74 ± 0.81 vs. 1.82 ± 0.92 g, p < 0.05). Charybdotoxin (a potent MaxiK channel blocker) and glibenclamide (a KATP channel blocker) pretreatment, instead of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and BaCl2, could diminish the DMY-induced improvement of vasoconstrictor hyporeactivity (ChTX: 73.2 ± 11.8 vs. 71.8 ± 13.5%; Glib: 63.1 ± 12.5 vs. 58.1 ± 13.7%, p > 0.05). DMY blunted the highly sensitized MaxiK and KATP channels of arterial smooth muscle cells isolated from the thoracic aorta of LPS rats. DMY decreased the serum level of NO, MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α, which had increased in LPS rats.Discussion and conclusions: Our results indicate that DMY administration ameliorated the impaired contractility of the rat aorta in experimental sepsis. Such an effect is mediated by normalization of the over-excited MaxiK and KATP, channels possibly via oxidative stress inhibition.

Moderate Hypothermia Improves Cardiac and Vascular Function in a Pig Model of Ischemic Cardiogenic Shock Treated With Veno-Arterial ECMO.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have severe cardiac failure, associated with ischemia-reperfusion. The use of moderate hypothermia during ischemia-reperfusion syndrome is supported by experimental data. We therefore studied the effects of moderate hypothermia on cardiac and vascular function in pig ischemic CS treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). CS was induced in 12 anesthetized pigs by coronary ligation. After 1 h of CS, VA-ECMO was initiated and pigs were randomized to normothermia (38°C) or moderate hypothermia (34°C) during 8 h. Intrinsic cardiac function was measured using a left ventricular conductance catheter. At the end of the experiment, tissues were harvested for Western blotting. ECMO associated with norepinephrine infusion and volume resuscitation increased mean arterial pressure, mixed venous oxygen saturation as well as carotid, renal, and coronary blood flow without any differences between normothermia and hypothermia. Hypothermia was associated with less fluid and less norepinephrine infusion, lower lactate level, and higher urinary output. Vascular reactivity was superior in hypothermia comparatively to normothermia as expressed using norepinephrine dose-response curves. Pressure development during isovolumic contraction, left ventricular ejection fraction, and prerecruitable stroke work index were higher in the hypothermia group. There were no differences between normothermia and hypothermia with regard to carotid and mesenteric protein expression for iNOs, eNOS, and phospho AKt/AKt measured at the end of the experimentation. The incidence of surgical bleeding and coagulation disorders was the same in both groups. In conclusion, moderate and rapid hypothermia improves hemodynamics and cardiac and vascular function in a pig model of ischemic CS treated with ECMO.

Neurovascular mechanisms underlying augmented cold-induced reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction in human hypertension.

In hypertensive adults (HTN), cardiovascular risk increases disproportionately during environmental cold exposure. Despite ample evidence of dysregulated sympathetic control of the peripheral vasculature in hypertension, no studies have examined integrated neurovascular function during cold stress in HTN. The findings of the present study show that whole-body cold stress elicits greater increases in sympathetic outflow directed to the cutaneous vasculature and, correspondingly, greater reductions in skin blood flow in HTN. We further demonstrate an important role for non-adrenergic sympathetic co-transmitters in mediating the vasoconstrictor response to cold stress in hypertension. In the context of thermoregulation and the maintenance of core temperature, sympathetically-mediated control of the cutaneous vasculature is not only preserved, but also exaggerated in hypertension. Given the increasing prevalence of hypertension, clarifying the mechanistic underpinnings of hypertension-induced alterations in neurovascular function during cold exposure is clinically relevant. Despite ample evidence of dysregulated sympathetic control of the peripheral vasculature in hypertension, no studies have examined integrated neurovascular function during cold stress in hypertensive adults (HTN). We hypothesized that (i) whole-body cooling would elicit greater cutaneous vasoconstriction and greater increases in skin sympathetic nervous system activity (SSNA) in HTN (n=14; 56±2years) compared to age-matched normotensive adults (NTN; n=14; 55±2years) and (ii) augmented reflex vasoconstriction in HTN would be mediated by an increase in cutaneous vascular adrenergic sensitivity and a greater contribution of non-adrenergic sympathetic co-transmitters. SSNA (peroneal microneurography) and red cell flux (laser Doppler flowmetry; dorsum of foot) were measured during whole-body cooling (water-perfused suit). Sympathetic adrenergic- and non-adrenergic-dependent contributions to reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction and vascular adrenergic sensitivity were assessed pharmacologically using intradermal microdialysis. Cooling elicited greater increases in SSNA (NTN: +64±13%baseline vs. HTN: +194±26%baseline ; P<0.01) and greater reductions in skin blood flow (NTN: -16±2%baseline vs. HTN: -28±3%baseline ; P<0.01) in HTN compared to NTN, reflecting an increased response range for sympathetic reflex control of cutaneous vasoconstriction in HTN. Norepinephrine dose-response curves showed no HTN-related difference in cutaneous adrenergic sensitivity (logEC50 ; NTN: -7.4±0.3log Mvs. HTN: -7.5±0.3log M; P=0.84); however, non-adrenergic sympathetic co-transmitters mediated a significant portion of the vasoconstrictor response to cold stress in HTN. Collectively, these findings indicate that hypertension increases the peripheral cutaneous vasoconstrictor response to cold via greater increases in skin sympathetic outflow coupled with an increased reliance on non-adrenergic neurotransmitters.

Combination of Sildenafil and Bosentan for Pulmonary Hypertension in a Human Ex Vivo Model

Both sildenafil and bosentan have been used clinically to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. As these substances target different pathways to modulate vasoconstriction, we investigated the combined effects of both drug classes in isolated human pulmonary vessels. Segments of pulmonary arteries (PA) and veins (PV) were harvested from 51 patients undergoing lobectomy. Contractile force was determined isometrically in an organ bath. Vessels were constricted with norepinephrine (NE) to determine effects of sildenafil. They were constricted with ET-1 to assess effects of bosentan, and with NE and ET-1 to evaluate the combination of both substances. Sildenafil (1E-5 M) significantly reduced maximum constriction by NE of both PA (13.0 ± 11.1 vs. 34.9 ± 7.6% relative to KCl induced constriction; n = 6; p < 0.001) and PV (81.2 ± 34.2 vs 121.6 ± 20.8%; n = 6; p < 0.01) but did not affect basal tones. Bosentan (1E-5 M) significantly reduced maximum constriction of PV (56.6 ± 21.5 vs. 172.1 ± 30.0%; n = 6; p < 0.01) by ET-1 and led to a small but insignificant decrease of basal tone (p = 0.07). Bosentan almost completely abolished constriction of PA (1.0 ± 0.9 vs. 74.7 ± 25.7 %; n = 6; p < 0.001) by ET-1, but did not affect basal tone. Bosentan (1E-7 M) significantly attenuated combined ET-1/NE dose-response curves in PA (93.1 ± 47.4 vs. 125.3 ± 41.0%; n = 12; p < 0.001) whereas the effect of sildenafil (1E-5 M) was less pronounced (103.6 ± 20.2%; p < 0.05). Simultaneous administration of both substances showed a significantly greater reduction of maximum constriction in PA compared to individual administration (64.6 ± 26.3 %; p < 0.001). Sildenafil only at its highest concentration was effective in suppressing NE induced pulmonary vessel contraction. Bosentan was able to completely suppress ET-1 induced contraction of PA and strongly attenuated contraction of PV. The present data suggest a benefit of sildenafil/bosentan combination therapy as they affect different pathways and may allow lower dosages.

Ca2+ sensitization and Ca2+ entry in the control of blood pressure and adrenergic vasoconstriction in conscious Wistar–Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Calcium entry through nifedipine-sensitive L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VDCC) is augmented in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) characterized by enhanced sympathetic vasoconstriction. However, the changes of calcium sensitization mediated by RhoA/Rho kinase pathway are less understood. The participation of calcium entry and calcium sensitization in the control of blood pressure (BP) and vascular contraction was studied in SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The acute administration of fasudil (Rho kinase inhibitor) caused BP decrease which lasted longer in SHR. Fasudil also attenuated adrenergic contraction in femoral or mesenteric arteries of WKY and SHR. BP reduction elicited by fasudil in WKY was more pronounced than that induced by L-VDCC blocker nifedipine (-33±2 vs. -15±3% of baseline BP, P<0.001), whereas both inhibitors were similarly effective in SHR (-36±4 vs. -41±2%). Fasudil pretreatment also attenuated BP elevation elicited by L-VDCC agonist BAY K8644 more in WKY than in SHR (-63±4 vs. -42±5%, P<0.001), indicating reduced calcium sensitization in SHR. Moreover, fasudil pretreatment shifted norepinephrine dose-response curves to the right more in WKY than in SHR. The additional nifedipine pretreatment shifted these curves further to the right but this shift was more pronounced in SHR than in WKY. Thus adrenergic vasoconstriction is more dependent on L-VDCC in SHR and on RhoA/Rho kinase pathway in WKY rats. Ca sensitization mediated by RhoA/Rho kinase pathway is attenuated in SHR compared with normotensive WKY rats. This might be a part of the compensation for enhanced Ca entry through L-VDCC in genetic hypertension.

Influence of Systemically Given Placebo, Trapidil and Isosorbide Dinitrate on Norepinephrine-evoked Hand Vein Constriction in Healthy Subjects

Since trapidil (CAS 15421-84-8) is able to dilate human hand veins after local intravenous administration, four studies were carried out in healthy male volunteers using the dorsal hand vein compliance technique to test the influence of common systemic single doses of trapidil (200 mg orally, 100 mg intravenously) and isosorbide dinitrate (CAS 87-33-2, 20 mg orally) on norepinephrine (CAS 51-41-2)-evoked hand vein constriction in comparison with oral placebo. Oral placebo and oral trapidil were studied in a randomized double-blind cross-over design in 10 subjects aged 20 to 30 years, and oral isosorbide dinitrate and intravenous trapidil, in a randomized open cross-over design in 8 subjects aged 22 to 29 years. In the three similar studies with oral medications dose-response curves for venoconstriction by locally infused norepinephrine were established before and 1 h, 2 h and 3 h after oral medication and ED50 values of norepinephrine were calculated. The control dose-response curves and ED50 values of norepinephrine did not differ significantly. After oral placebo administration the dose-response curves of norepinephrine did not change significantly, but the ED50 of norepinephrine increased 3 h after placebo (from 12.1 to 31.7 ng/ min), indicating a lessening in norepinephrine effect at this time. After oral trapidil application the dose-response curves of norepinephrine shifted to the left compared with the pre-treatment curve (significantly 2 h after trapidil) and the corresponding curves after placebo with a significant decrease in the ED50 of norepinephrine 3 h after trapidil compared with placebo (from 31.7 to 12.6 ng/ min). After oral isosorbide dinitrate administration the dose-response curves of norepinephrine did not differ significantly from the pre-treatment curve, but they shifted to the left compared with the corresponding curves after placebo (significantly 3 h after isosorbide dinitrate). The ED50 of norephinephrine decreased significantly 2 h after isosorbide dinitrate compared with the pre-treatment value (from 9.4 to 3.3 ng/min) as well as 1 h, 2 h and 3 h after isosorbide dinitrate compared with placebo (from 32.4/21.3/31.7 to 7.3/3.3/6.0 ng/min). Therefore, oral trapidil and isosorbide dinitrate did not weaken norepinephrine-evoked hand vein constriction as expected but strengthened it slightly. Intravenously given trapidil led only to an insignificant short decrease followed by an insignificant increase in permanent venoconstriction due to local norepinephrine infusion. The data suggest that after systemic administration of trapidil or isosorbide dinitrate a hand vein constriction, which could be a reflex consequence of a drug-induced decrease in central venous pressure, exceeds an only discreet direct hand vein dilation.

The effects in rabbits of thyroidectomy and treatment with triiodothyronine on the sensitivity to noradrenaline and the content of noradrenaline in aorta and spleen.

Abstract The sensitivity of spiral strips of aorta and strips of isolated spleen to sympathomimetic amines and nicotine has been studied in the thyroidectomised rabbit and in rabbits treated with triiodothyronine. Aortic strips from hyperthyroid rabbits were less sensitive to noradrenaline and less able to contract than those from normal rabbits; they also usually failed to respond initially to nicotine or tyramine although the nicotine response could be restored by exposure of the tissues to noradrenaline. Strips from hypothyroid rabbits were slightly less sensitive to low doses of noradrenaline than the normal although their maximal responses to high doses was greater. The dose-response curves for noradrenaline of spleen capsules from hyperthyroid and hypothryoid rabbits were more shallow than the normal. While spleen capsules from both experimental groups responded to nicotine with tachyphylaxis, they failed to respond to tyramine. Exposure of the capsules to noradrenaline temporarily restored the nicotine response. The noradrenaline content of aorta and spleen from hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rabbits was determined and in each case was found to be reduced to about 50 per cent of normal. These observations indicate that not all sympathetically innervated tissues of the hyperthyroid rabbit develop an increased sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines. Changes in tissue noradrenaline levels during periods of altered thyroid activity do not explain the altered sensitivity of the aorta and spleen to noradrenaline.

The effect of corticosterone on extraneuronal amine uptake and effector response in rat salivary glands

Abstract The effect of corticosterone on effector cell response to noradrenaline in vivo and on extraneuronal amine uptake in vitro has been investigated in rat submaxillary glands. When tissue slices were incubated with [3H]noradrenaline the level of extraneuronally retained radioactive material was found to be markedly reduced at a concentration of 10 μg ml−1 of corticosterone after inhibition of neuronal uptake by protriptyline. Corticosterone in a dose of 10 mg kg−1 was found to markedly potentiate the secretory response to noradrenaline in vivo, when the neuronal uptake of noradrenaline was blocked by protriptyline (10 mg kg−1, i.p.). Inhibition of neuronal uptake alone by protriptyline or of the extraneuronal uptake alone by corticosterone in the doses used here did not affect the dose-response curve for noradrenaline, at least not in its lower part. The data thus clearly show that the extraneuronal amine uptake of rat salivary glands is blocked by corticosterone and that this extraneuronal uptake might be regarded as a mechanism of importance for the inactivation of the adrenergic transmitter.

Influence of calcium-dependent potassium channel blockade and nitric oxide inhibition on norepinephrine-induced contractions in two forms of genetic hypertension

The activation of Ca 2+-dependent K + channels (BK Ca) leads to the attenuation of vascular contraction. Our study aimed to evaluate BK Ca influence on norepinephrine (NE)-induced femoral artery contraction in two forms of genetic hypertension. NE dose-response curves were studied before and after BK Ca blockade or after combined blockade of BK Ca and NO synthase (NOS) in femoral arteries with intact endothelium from normotensive Wistar (WIS), hypertensive hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HTG), or spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). NE-induced contractions of femoral arteries were augmented in both hypertensive strains compared with Wistar rats, but acetylcholine-induced relaxation was impaired in HTG only. The increase of basal vascular tone of isolated arteries after BK Ca blockade was similar in all rat strains, but subsequent NOS inhibition increased basal vascular tone more in vessels from both hypertensive rat strains. NOS inhibition increased sensitivity to NE in all strains, but BK Ca blockade in SHR only. Neither treatment enhanced maximal NE-induced contraction. NO-dependent attenuation of NE-induced contractions was greater in SHR than HTG or Wistar vessels, whereas large conductance Ca 2+-dependent K + channels may play a greater role in modulating vascular contraction in the severe form of hypertension.

Role of nifedipine-sensitive sympathetic vasoconstriction in maintenance of high blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats: effect of Gi-protein inactivation by pertussis toxin

High blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) is attributed to excessive activity of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and relative nitric oxide deficiency. An important part of SNS hypertensive action is exerted by calcium influx through L-type of voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VDCC). The overexpression of pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive inhibitory G-proteins (Gi) participating in the development and maintenance of high BP in SHRs suggested us to study Gi-protein involvement in the pathway through which noradrenergic vasoconstriction and calcium influx can be coupled. The participation of main vasoactive systems (angiotensin II, norepinephrine, nitric oxide) in BP maintenance was investigated in conscious SHR and WKY rats (half of them being pretreated with PTX, 10 microg/kg i.v., 48 h before the experiment). To evaluate the contribution of Gi-proteins and L-VDCC to vasoconstriction induced by exogenous norepinephrine, dose-response curves were determined before and after acute nifedipine administration. PTX pretreatment of SHRs significantly decreased BP and reduced sympathetic vasoconstriction, which was partially substituted by enhanced angiotensin II-dependent vasoconstriction. PTX pretreatment also reduced nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in both rat strains. PTX pretreatment of SHRs decreased BP component sensitive to acute blockade of calcium entry by nifedipine. In both strains, PTX pretreatment as well as acute nifedipine administration caused substantial rightward shift of norepinephrine dose-response curves (without additive effects of both treatments). The enhanced contribution of SNS to hypertension maintenance in SHRs is mediated by Gi-protein-coupled pathway controlling calcium influx through L-VDCC.

β 2 -Adrenoceptor Antagonist ICI 118,551 Decreases Pulmonary Vascular Tone in Mice via a G i/o Protein/Nitric Oxide-Coupled Pathway

beta(2)-adrenoceptors are important modulators of vascular tone, particularly in the pulmonary circulation. Because neurohormonal activation occurs in pulmonary arterial hypertension, we have investigated the effect of different adrenergic vasoactive substances on tone regulation in large and small pulmonary arteries, as well as in systemic vessels of mice. We found that the beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 (ICI) evoked a decrease of vascular tone in large pulmonary arteries and reduced the sensitivity of pulmonary arteries toward different contracting agents, eg, norepinephrine, serotonin, or endothelin. ICI proved to act specifically on pulmonary vessels, because it shifted the dose-response curve of norepinephrine to the right in pulmonary arteries, whereas there was no effect in the aorta. Pharmacological experiments proved that the right shift of the norepinephrine dose-response curve by ICI was mediated via a beta(2)-adrenoceptor/G(i/o) protein-dependent pathway enhancing NO production in the endothelium; these results were corroborated in beta-adrenoceptor and endothelial NO synthase knockout mice where ICI had no effect. ICI increased vascular lumen diameter in lung sections and reduced pulmonary arterial pressure under normoxia and under hypoxia in the isolated perfused lung model. These effects were found to be physiologically relevant, because ICI specifically decreased pulmonary but not systemic blood pressure in vivo. Thus, the beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI is a pulmonary arterial-specific vasorelaxant and, therefore, a potentially interesting novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Effect of cGMP on Pharmacomechanical Coupling in the Uterine Artery of Near-Term Pregnant Sheep

The present study examined the role of cGMP in the regulation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated pharmacomechanical coupling in the uterine artery of near-term pregnant sheep. The cell-permeable cGMP analog 8-bromo-cGMP produced a dose-dependent relaxation of the uterine artery and shifted norepinephrine (NE) dose-response curve to the right with a decreased maximal contraction. Accordingly, 8-bromo-cGMP significantly decreased the potency and the maximal response of NE-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) synthesis in the uterine artery. In addition, 8-bromo-cGMP significantly reduced the binding affinity of IP(3) to the IP(3) receptor. The density of IP(3) receptors was not affected. Simultaneous measurement of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+](i)) and tensions in the same tissue indicated that 8-bromo-cGMP decreased NE-induced contractions by 92% but only blocked 44% [Ca2+](i). In accordance, 8-bromo-cGMP significantly decreased tension generation for a given [Ca2+](i) (g/R(f340/380), 24.87 +/- 3.43 versus 3.10 +/- 0.35). In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, NE produced a transient increase in [Ca2+](i) and contraction, which were inhibited by 8-bromo-cGMP by 47 and 76%, respectively. In contrast to NE-induced responses, 8-bromo-cGMP had no significant effects on KCl-induced [Ca2+](i) and contractions. The results indicate that cGMP suppresses alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated pharmacomechanical coupling in the uterine artery by inhibiting IP(3) synthesis and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, as well as inhibiting the agonist-mediated Ca2+ sensitization of myofilaments, which is likely to play an important role in the adaptation of uterine artery contractility during pregnancy.

Effect of aldosterone on isolated human penile corpus cavernosum tissue

To clarify the physiological effects of aldosterone on human penile corpus cavernosum (hPCC) tissue, as aldosterone has a wider physiological action than just the maintenance of electrolyte balance, and there are mineralocorticoid receptors, i.e. aldosterone receptors, in hPCC tissue. Specimens of hPCC were obtained from 10 patients (mean age 38 years, range 21-75), with informed consent and approval by the local ethics committee. One patient had a penectomy because of penile cancer, and nine had a penile biopsy because of erectile dysfunction. Patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension or ischaemic heart disease were excluded. In a pharmacological study we evaluated the effect of aldosterone on the isolated hPCC tissues. Aldosterone caused no significant change in resting tension and did not affect the nitric oxide-dependent relaxation reaction. However, the dose-response curve of noradrenaline was shifted to the left when the strip preparation was treated with aldosterone (1 x 10(-5)M) for 20 min before administering noradrenaline. Moreover, the shift to the left was completely blocked when spironolactone (anti-aldosterone agent) was added as a pre-treatment. Pre-treatment with aldosterone also significantly extended the mean (SEM) time required to reach 50% relaxation of a noradrenaline-induced contraction, of 9.3 (1.5) min, vs the control, of 5.2 (1.0) min (P = 0.002). Aldosterone has no direct contractile action or a relaxant action on human penile cavernous tissue, but acts to significantly enhance the noradrenaline-induced contraction. The effect on the noradrenaline-induced contraction is probably caused by aldosterone enhancing the affinity of the alpha-receptors for noradrenaline in hPCC. We suggest that aldosterone acts to enhance contraction of hPCC tissue, and is one of the restraining factors for human penile erection.

The effects of salt-induced hypertension on α1-adrenoreceptor expression and cardiovascular physiology in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Experiments were conducted on rainbow trout to determine the impact of dietary salt on arterial blood pressure. After 4-6 wk, fish fed a salt-enriched diet exhibited a 37% elevation of dorsal aortic pressure (from 23.8 +/- 1.2 to 32.6 +/- 1.4 mmHg) and an 18% increase in ventral aortic pressure (from 33.0 +/- 1.5 to 38.9 +/- 1.3 mmHg). The hypertension presumably reflected the increase in cardiac output (from 31.0 +/- 0.8 to 36.4 +/- 2.2 ml.min(-1).kg(-1)) because systemic and branchial resistances were statistically unaltered by salt feeding. The chronic hypertension was associated with a decrease in the pressor responses of the systemic vasculature to catecholamines and hypercapnia in the salt-fed fish. The reduction in alpha-adrenergic responsiveness of the systemic vasculature is consistent with desensitization or loss of functional alpha-adrenoceptors (alpha-ARs). In support of this idea, the salt-fed fish exhibited significantly decreased levels of alpha(1D)-AR mRNA in the dorsal aorta and the afferent (ABA) and efferent branchial arteries (EBA). In contrast, however, the results obtained from norepinephrine dose-response curves for EBA and ABA vascular rings in vitro did not provide evidence for loss of function of branchial artery alpha(1)-ARs in the salt-fed fish. Indeed, the EC(50) for the EBA norepinephrine dose-response curve was significantly reduced (from 3.75 x 10(-7) to 2.12 x 10(-7) M) in the salt-fed fish, indicating an increase in the binding affinity of the alpha(1)-ARs.

Nifedipine-sensitive vascular reactivity of femoral arteries in WKY: the effect of pertussis toxin pretreatment and endothelium removal

Maintenance of norepinephrine (NE)-induced contraction is dependent on Ca(2+) influx through L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCC), which is opposed by nitric oxide. Adrenergic receptors are coupled with different G proteins, including inhibitory G proteins (Gi) that can be inactivated by pertussis toxin (PTX). Our study was aimed to investigate the effects of endothelium removal, PTX pretreatment and acute VDCC blockade by nifedipine on the contractions of femoral arteries stimulated by norepinephrine. We used 12-week-old male WKY, half of the rats being injected with PTX (10 microg/kg i.v., 48 h before the experiment), which considerably reduced their blood pressure (BP). Contractions of isolated arteries were measured using Mulvany-Halpern myograph. NE dose-response curves determined in femoral arteries from PTX-treated WKY rats were shifted to the right compared to those from control WKY. On the contrary, removal of endothelium augmented NE dose-response curves shifting them to the left. Acute VDCC blockade by nifedipine (10(-7) M) abolished all differences in NE dose-response curves which were dependent on the presence of either intact endothelium or functional Gi proteins because all NE dose-response curves were identical to the curve seen in vessels with intact endothelium from PTX-treated animals. We can conclude that BP reduction after PTX injection is accompanied by the attenuation of NE-induced contraction of femoral arteries irrespective of endothelium presence. Moreover, our data indicate that both vasodilator action of endothelium and Gi-dependent vasoconstrictor effect of norepinephrine operate via the control of Ca(2+) influx through VDCC.

Femoral Artery Constriction by Norepinephrine Is Enhanced by Methylprednisolone in a Rat Model

Corticosteroids are associated with femoral head osteonecrosis and arterial hypertension. The patho-mechanism of femoral head osteonecrosis is often attributed to ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate if corticosteroids directly constrict the femoral artery or if they have a permissive effect on norepinephrine and endothelin-1-induced vasoconstriction. Femoral artery segments were harvested from twenty Wistar rats and mounted as ring preparations on a small-vessel myograph for the purpose of making isometric force measurements. For the norepinephrine study, twenty femoral artery segments from ten rats were stimulated cumulatively with norepinephrine before and after incubation with methylprednisolone (5 mug/mL). For the endothelin-1 study, forty femoral artery segments from ten rats were used. The four artery segments from each animal were randomized by pairs to either a corticosteroid treatment group (5 mug/mL methylprednisolone incubation, n = 20) or a control group (placebo incubation, n = 18, as two of the twenty control-group vessels did not meet protocol requirements). Isometric wall tension was plotted and quantified by the EC(50) (the plasma concentration of endothelin-1 required for obtaining 50% of maximal constriction in vivo). In the norepinephrine-stimulated group, incubation with methylprednisolone did not directly induce any vasoconstriction but did enhance norepinephrine-elicited vasoconstriction. The norepinephrine dose-response curve displayed a shift to the left after incubation with methylprednisolone. This shift was reflected by a significantly lower mean EC50 of 9.5 x 10(-7) M +/- 5.1 x 10(-7) M after methylprednisolone incubation compared with a mean of 2.5 x 10(-6) M +/- 1.1 x 10(-6) M before incubation (p < 0.005). In the endothelin-1-stimulated group, the endothelin-1 dose-response curve displayed a tendency toward stronger contraction in the vessels that were incubated with methylprednisolone, but this tendency did not reach significance. Incubation with methylprednisolone enhances norepinephrine-mediated contraction of the femoral artery in a rat model. Vasoconstriction of the vascular bed supplying the femoral head can diminish femoral head blood flow, and this may be a factor in the early pathogenesis of corticosteroid-associated femoral head osteonecrosis.

Alpha2‐Adrenoreceptors contribute to norepinephrine‐induced constriction of mesenteric veins

Mesenteric veins are more sensitive to stimulation by norepinephrine (NE) than arteries. Furthermore, veins desensitize more slowly than arteries in response to continuous stimulation by NE. These differences might be related to expression of functional α2 adrenergic receptors (α 2ARs) in venous smooth muscle cells. These studies investigated the contribution of α 2ARs to NE induced constriction of murine mesenteric veins in vitro. Phenylephrine (PE) and NE caused concentration dependent (1 – 1000 nM) constrictions of mesenteric veins. The α2AR agonist, UK14304 (10-1000 nM) did not cause venous constriction. However, yohimbine (300 nM), an α 2AR blocker produced a 5-fold rightward shift of the NE dose-response curve in veins, but not arteries (EC50 = 0.015 vs 0.08μM for NE and NE + yohimbine, respectively). BRL44408 (100 nM α 2AAR antagonist) or imiloxan (1 μM, α 2B antagonist) did change significantly NE dose-response curves in veins. In contrast, MK912 (10nM, α 2CAR antagonist) produced a 4-fold rightward shift (EC50s:0.01 vs 0.04 for NE and NE + MK912, respectively). This shift was comparable to the effect produced by yohimbine (300 nM). These data indicate that α2AR agonists do not directly constrict mesenteric veins; however, they contribute to constriction caused by the αAR non-selective agonist NE. These data also indicate that the main α 2AR subtype mediating the actions of NE in murine mesenteric veins is the α 2CAR.

Dehydration-induced synaptic plasticity in magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus.

Norepinephrine plays a critical role in the regulation of hypothalamic neuroendocrine function, in large part through modulation of synaptic glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release. Hypothalamic magnocellular neuroendocrine cells undergo dramatic changes in synaptic organization under conditions of increased hormone release, including increased numbers of glutamatergic, GABAergic and noradrenergic synapses. We studied the functional plasticity of magnocellular neurons of the rat supraoptic nucleus induced by chronic dehydration using whole-cell recordings in hypothalamic slices. Dehydrated rats showed increases in glutamate and GABA release onto magnocellular neurons, as evidenced by an increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory (29%) and inhibitory (33%) postsynaptic currents. The change in glutamate release was likely due to increased numbers of release sites because paired-pulse facilitation analysis did not reveal a change in the probability of transmitter release. In untreated rats, norepinephrine facilitates glutamate release and attenuates GABA release onto magnocellular neurons. Dehydration resulted in a marked enhancement of norepinephrine's actions, doubling both the norepinephrine-induced increase in glutamate release and decrease in GABA release. The norepinephrine dose-response curve was shifted to the left with dehydration, revealing an increase in norepinephrine sensitivity. Thus, dehydration leads to an increase in glutamate and GABA release onto supraoptic magnocellular neurons as well as a marked enhancement of the facilitatory effect of norepinephrine on glutamate release and inhibitory effect on GABA release. This synaptic plasticity would be expected to increase the excitability of the magnocellular neurons and support the enhanced bursting capacity and facilitated hormone secretion observed in vivo with chronic dehydration.

THE EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON RABBIT TIBIAL VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM

Cigarette smoking is hazardous for various tissues in human. The cigarette smoke inhalation has been proved to delay bone healing. However, no previous study demonstrates the smoking effect on bony microcirculation. In this study, we investigated the effect of cigarette smoking on tibial vascular endothelium and blood flow by using the bone chamber model. Eighteen adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Group 1: Control, Group 2: 1 week smoking, and Group 3: 6 weeks smoking. All these rabbits were then anesthetized, and their nutrient arteries of tibia were identified and cannulated. We put the tibia into bone chamber after cannulation, perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution (phase 1), and then compared the effect of vasospasm by norepinephrine dose-response curve (NEDRC). Acetylcholine (phase 2) and L-NMMA (phase 3) were also perfused and the NEDRC recorded. Acetylcholine can stimulate the release of nitric oxide and lower the NEDRC. L-NMMA inhibits NO synthesis in vascular endothelium, and hence results in vasoconstriction under various stimuli. Data collection and statistic processing were performed by ANOVA analysis. The NEDRC data in Group 1 (control) was set to be 100%. In phase 1 study, our results showed that 1 week cigarette smoking significantly increased NEDRC in Group 2 (142.5%, p&lt;0.01). However, 6 weeks smoking strikingly boosted the response of NEDRC in Group 3 (226.5%, p&lt;0.01). In phase 2 study, Group 2 tibia showed the NEDRC under acetylcholine perfusion to be without any difference in comparison with Group 1 (p&gt;0.05). Nevertheless, Group 3 tibia showed significant vasospasm even under acetylcholine perfusion. In phase 3 study, L-NMMA perfused data revealed that; Group 3 tibia had the highest NEDRC, i.e. the most severe vasospasm. Based on our study, both short-term and long-term cigarette smoking are hazardous to the bony vascular endothelium. The nitric oxide production significantly attenuated in Group 2 and 3 tibia. However, the adverse effect of smoking seems reversible in short-term (Group 2). Long-term smoking (Group 3) causes irreversible damage to vascular endothelium and muscarinic receptor.