Release Of Relaxing Factor Research Articles

Aldose Reductase (AR) Mediates and Perivascular Adipose Tissue (PVAT) Modulates Endothelial Dysfunction of Short-Term High-Fat Diet Feeding in Mice.

Increased adiposity of both visceral and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) depots is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Under healthy conditions, PVAT modulates vascular tone via the release of PVAT-derived relaxing factors, including adiponectin and leptin. However, when PVAT expands with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, it appears to contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction (ED). Yet, the mechanisms by which PVAT alters vascular health are unclear. Aldose reductase (AR) catalyzes glucose reduction in the first step of the polyol pathway and has been long implicated in diabetic complications including neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and vascular diseases. To better understand the roles of both PVAT and AR in HFD-induced ED, we studied structural and functional changes in aortic PVAT induced by short-term HFD (60% kcal fat) feeding in wild type (WT) and aldose reductase-null (AR-null) mice. Although 4 weeks of HFD feeding significantly increased body fat and PVAT mass in both WT and AR-null mice, HFD feeding induced ED in the aortas of WT mice but not of AR-null mice. Moreover, HFD feeding augmented endothelial-dependent relaxation in aortas with intact PVAT only in WT and not in AR-null mice. These data indicate that AR mediates ED associated with short-term HFD feeding and that ED appears to provoke 'compensatory changes' in PVAT induced by HFD. As these data support that the ED of HFD feeding is AR-dependent, vascular-localized AR remains a potential target of temporally selective intervention.

Dietary Magnesium Supplementation Modifies Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Function in Mineralocorticoid-Salt Hypertensive Rats but Not in Normotensive Rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dietary magnesium supplementation on blood pressure and cardiovascular function of Sprague-Dawley normotensive and mineralocorticoid-salt (DOCA-salt) hypertensive rats. The rats were pairfed for 5 wk a purified diet containing either a normal or magnesium-supplemented diet (1.5 or 10 g/kg diet). Magnesium supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure levels in hypertensive rats, but not in normotensive rats. Heart rate was not affected in either group. The blood pressure-lowering effect of magnesium supplementation in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats was associated with a lower in vivo cardiovascular reactivity to norepinephrine and angiotensin II. Norepinephrine reactivity in isolated aortae from DOCA-salt hypertensive rats was not modified by magnesium supplementation. However, endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was improved and could be related to the release of endothelial relaxant factors. Magnesium supplementation did not affect cardiac hemodynamics in isolated heart from either normotensive or DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Furthermore, no protective effects upon myocardial ischemia and ventricular arrhythmias were demonstrated. These findings suggest that the lowering effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure in hypertensive rats may be related to a vascular effect of magnesium that reduces vascular tone. Mechanisms related to the pathophysiological development of mineralocorticoid-salt hypertension may be involved.

Venous endothelial function in cardiovascular disease.

The essential role of the endothelium in vascular homeostasis is associated with the release of endothelium-dependent relaxing and contractile factors (EDRF and EDCF, respectively). Different from arteries, where these factors are widely studied, the vasoactive factors derived from the venous endothelium have been given less attention. There is evidence for a role of the nitric oxide (NO), endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) mechanism, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived metabolites as EDRFs; while the EDCFs need to be better evaluated since no consensus has been reached about their identity in venous vessels. The imbalance between the synthesis, bioavailability, and/or action of EDRFs and/or EDCFs results in a pathological process known as endothelial dysfunction, which leads to reduced vasodilation and/or increased vasoconstriction. In the venous system, endothelial dysfunction is relevant since reduced venodilation may increase venous tone and decrease venous compliance, thus enhancing mean circulatory filling pressure, which maintains or modify cardiac workload contributing to the etiology of cardiovascular diseases. Interestingly, some alterations in venous function appear at the early stages (or even before) the establishment of these diseases. However, if the venous endothelium dysfunction is involved in these alterations is not yet fully understood and requires further studies. In this sense, the present study aims to review the current knowledge on venous endothelial function and dysfunction, and the general state of the venous tone in two important cardiovascular diseases of high incidence and morbimortality worldwide: hypertension and heart failure.

Expression of Melatonin Receptor 1 in Rat Mesenteric Artery and Perivascular Adipose Tissue and Vasoactive Action of Melatonin

Melatonin is released by the pineal gland and can modulate cardiovascular system function via the G protein-coupled melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2. Most vessels are surrounded by perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), which affects their contractility. The aim of our study was to evaluate mRNA and protein expression of MT1 and MT2 in the mesenteric artery (MA) and associated PVAT of male rats by RT-PCR and Western blot. Receptor localization was further studied by immunofluorescence microscopy. Effects of melatonin on neurogenic contractions were explored in isolated superior MA ex vivo by measurement of isometric contractile tension. MT1, but not MT2, was present in MA, and MT1 was localized mainly in vascular smooth muscle. Moreover, we proved the presence of MT1, but not MT2 receptors, in MA-associated PVAT. In isolated superior MA with intact PVAT, neuro-adrenergic contractile responses were significantly smaller when compared to arteries with removed PVAT. Pre-treatment with melatonin of PVAT-stripped arterial rings enhanced neurogenic contractions, while the potentiating effect of melatonin was not detected in preparations with preserved PVAT. We hypothesize that melatonin can stimulate the release of PVAT-derived relaxing factor(s) via MT1, which can override the direct pro-contractile effect of melatonin on vascular smooth muscle. Our results suggest that melatonin is involved in the control of vascular tone in a complex way, which is vessel specific and can reflect a sum of action on different layers of the vessel wall and surrounding PVAT.

Palmitic Acid Methyl Ester and Its Relation to Control of Tone of Human Visceral Arteries and Rat Aortas by Perivascular Adipose Tissue.

Background: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) exerts anti-contractile effects on visceral arteries by release of various perivascular relaxing factors (PVRFs) and opening voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Palmitic acid methyl ester (PAME) has been proposed as transferable PVRF in rat aorta. Here, we studied PVAT regulation of arterial tone of human mesenteric arteries and clarified the contribution of Kv channels and PAME in the effects.Methods: Wire myography was used to measure vasocontractions of mesenteric artery rings from patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Isolated aortic rings from Sprague-Dawley rats were studied for comparison. PVAT was either left intact or removed from the arterial rings. Vasocontractions were induced by external high K+ (60 mM), serotonin (5-HT) or phenylephrine. PAME (10 nM−3 μM) was used as vasodilator. Kv channels were blocked by XE991, a Kv7 (KCNQ) channel inhibitor, or by 4-aminopyridine, a non-specific Kv channel inhibitor. PAME was measured in bathing solutions incubated with rat peri-aortic or human visceral adipose tissue.Results: We found that PVAT displayed anti-contractile effects in both human mesenteric arteries and rat aortas. The anti-contractile effects were inhibited by XE991 (30 μM). PAME (EC50 ~1.4 μM) was capable to produce relaxations of PVAT-removed rat aortas. These effects were abolished by XE991 (30 μM), but not 4-aminopyridine (2 mM) or NDGA (10 μM), a lipoxygenases inhibitor. The cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor 17-octadecynoic acid (ODYA 10 μM) and the soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor 12-(3-adamantan-1-ylureido)-dodecanoic acid (AUDA 10 μM) slightly decreased PAME relaxations. PAME up to 10 μM failed to induce relaxations of PVAT-removed human mesenteric arteries. 5-HT induced endogenous PAME release from rat peri-aortic adipose tissue, but not from human visceral adipose tissue.Conclusions: Our data also suggest that Kv7 channels are involved in the anti-contractile effects of PVAT on arterial tone in both rat aorta and human mesenteric arteries. PAME could contribute to PVAT relaxations by activating Kv7 channels in rat aorta, but not in human mesenteric arteries.

Acetylcholine released by endothelial cells facilitates flow-mediated dilatation.

Key points The endothelium plays a pivotal role in the vascular response to chemical and mechanical stimuli.The endothelium is exquisitely sensitive to ACh, although the physiological significance of ACh‐induced activation of the endothelium is unknown.In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of flow‐mediated endothelial calcium signalling.Our data establish that flow‐mediated endothelial calcium responses arise from the autocrine action of non‐neuronal ACh released by the endothelium. Circulating blood generates frictional forces (shear stress) on the walls of blood vessels. These frictional forces critically regulate vascular function. The endothelium senses these frictional forces and, in response, releases various vasodilators that relax smooth muscle cells in a process termed flow‐mediated dilatation. Although some elements of the signalling mechanisms have been identified, precisely how flow is sensed and transduced to cause the release of relaxing factors is poorly understood. By imaging signalling in large areas of the endothelium of intact arteries, we show that the endothelium responds to flow by releasing ACh. Once liberated, ACh acts to trigger calcium release from the internal store in endothelial cells, nitric oxide production and artery relaxation. Flow‐activated release of ACh from the endothelium is non‐vesicular and occurs via organic cation transporters. ACh is generated following mitochondrial production of acetylCoA. Thus, we show ACh is an autocrine signalling molecule released from endothelial cells, and identify a new role for the classical neurotransmitter in endothelial mechanotransduction.

Acetylcholine Released by the Endothelium Mediates Flow‐induced Endothelial Ca2+ Signalling and Vascular Relaxation

The flow of blood generates mechanical forces (e.g. shear‐stress) that are important physiological regulators of vascular tone. The vascular endothelium senses these forces and, in response, releases various vasodilators (e.g. nitric oxide) that relax smooth muscle cells in a process termed flow‐mediated vasodilation. Whilst some elements of the signalling mechanisms have been identified, precisely how flow is sensed and then transduced to cause the release of relaxing factors is poorly understood. In intact, pressurized arteries we show that flow induces relaxation of phenylephrine‐induced contractions. In large areas of the endothelium of surgically opened arteries, encompassing ~150 cells, flow (shear‐stress: 3 dyne cm−2) induced endothelial Ca2+ signalling and the release of nitric oxide. The Ca2+ signals were complex and transmitted between cells as intercellular “waves”, resulting in spatiotemporally heterogeneous activity across the endothelium. The Ca2+ signals were evoked both by IP3‐mediated Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. Both components of the Ca2+ signals (release and influx) arose from the activation of the endothelium by acetylcholine (ACh) released in response to shear‐stress. In support, flow‐induced Ca2+ signals were abolished by atropine and by acetylcholinesterase. The flow‐induced Ca2+ signals were also attenuated by the choline acetyltransferase inhibitor, bromoacetylcholine, and potentiated by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, neostigmine. Flow‐induced responses were also blocked by depolarization and by inhibitors of chloride channels, but were unaffected by inhibitors of ATP‐mediated signalling pathways, organic cation transporters, or Panx hemichannels. Together, these results suggest that physiological shear‐stress induced activation of endothelial chloride channels mediates the release of ACh and hence flow‐mediated vasodilation. Significantly, these results also suggest that ACh is an autocrine signalling molecule released from endothelial cells.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation

Abstract P627: The β3 Adrenergic Receptor is Partially Responsible for Anti-contractile Effect of Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Rat Mesenteric Resistance Arteries

In normal conditions, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) decreases contractile responses non-specifically in various vascular beds. This anti-contractile effect of PVAT is reduced in metabolic diseases and hypertension. The β3 adrenergic receptor (β3AR) is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in adipocytes and involved in lipolysis and thermoregulation. We have previously demonstrated that chronic systemic infusion with a β3AR agonist induces white-to-brown adipose tissue remodeling and enhanced anti-contractile effects of PVAT via activation of cystathionine gamma lyase, enzyme involved in hydrogen sulfide synthesis. We hypothesized that the β3AR is directly mediating release of PVAT relaxing factors. Endothelium-intact mesenteric resistance arteries from adult male Wistar rats were used to measure contractile responses in the presence and absence of PVAT. In the absence of PVAT, the β3AR agonist CL316243 (1 nM-10 μM) did not directly induce relaxation of U46619-contracted arteries. In control conditions, norepinephrine (NE)-induced contraction was significantly reduced in the presence of PVAT. In contrast, incubation with the selective β3AR antagonist L-748337 (100 nM) led to a significant increase in NE-induced contraction in PVAT-intact arteries, while no change was observed in the absence of PVAT (figure). These data suggest that β3AR mediates the anti-contractile effect of PVAT on NE-induced contraction in resistance mesenteric arteries. Considering the structural and functional alterations of PVAT in hypertension, future studies may reveal a potential novel therapeutic approach via targeting of the PVAT β3AR pathway.

219 Stimulation of Sympathetic Nerves within Perivascular Adipose Tissue Causes the Release of Vasoactive Relaxing Factors

<h3>Introduction</h3> There is considerable evidence to implicate over-activity of the sympathetic nervous system during obesity and the subsequent development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. It has been suggested that these conditions are dependent upon changes in small artery function. Healthy perivascular fat exerts an anti-contractile effect on circulation which is lost in obesity. Therefore it was decided to examine the effects of sympathetic nerve stimulation on perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) function. The hypothesis to be tested was that an anti-contractile factor is released from PVAT as a result of sympathetic nerve stimulation. <h3>Methods</h3> The frequency-stimulation profiles (0.1–30 Hz) of murine mesenteric arteries (&lt;200 µM), +/-PVAT, were characterised using wire myography at various voltages (5–30 V). The accepted test for neural stimulation using 1 µM tetrodotoxin (TTX) was performed, and 1.46 µM 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) used to sympathetically denervate vessels +/-PVAT. Exogenous PVAT was incubated with TTX and 6-OHDA for 30 min before re-suspending in the bath. Specific adrenoceptor stimulation of PVAT function was investigated using noradrenaline, phenylephrine (both 1 × 10^–9–1 × 10^–5M), and CL-316,243 (10 µm). <h3>Results</h3> At 20&amp;30V PVAT elicited an anti-contractile effect (P &lt; 0.01); reproducible at 20V after a 15 min rest period. This effect is due to factors released from the PVAT and not due to a “barrier” effect, as application of exogenous PVAT elicits the same anti-contractile response (P &lt; 0.05). Sympathetic denervation of whole vessels with 6-OHDA abolished all significant contractile activity, confirming that EFS at 20V innervates sympathetic nerves (P &lt; 0.0001). PVAT incubated with TTX, demonstrated a reduced anti-contractile effect, confirming this effect to be neural and therefore physiologically relevant (P &lt; 0.05). Exogenous PVAT pre-incubated with 6-OHDA also induced a diminished PVAT anti-contractile effect, implicating the role of sympathetic nerves in PVAT (P &lt; 0.0001). In the noradrenaline but not phenylephrine concentration-response curve, PVAT elicits an anti-contractile response. The addition of β₃-adrenoceptor agonist CL-316,243 to phenylephrine-constricted +PVAT vessels induced a relaxation which replicated the PVAT anti-contractile effect seen in vessels stimulated with NA (P &lt; 0.05), indicating the role of β₃-adrenoceptors in PVAT. <h3>Conclusions</h3> These results clearly demonstrate sympathetic nerve stimulation can provoke the release of vasodilators from PVAT. The mechanism appears to be via activation of the adipocyte membrane located β3-adrenoreceptor. Further studies will be carried out in an obese model to understand how over-stimulation leads to a down-regulation and a loss of anti-contractility possibly via β3 receptor desensitisation.

181 Elucidating The Role Of β3-receptors In Perivascular Adipose Tissue

IntroductionPerivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has been shown by various studies to have an anti-contractile effect on the arteries it surrounds. The mechanism by which PVAT exerts its anti-contractile effect is...

194 Sympathetic Activity in Perivascular Adipose Tissue

IntroductionPerivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) both regulate vascular tone. Healthy PVAT is a potent paracrine tissue that exerts an anti-contractile effect in response to agonist-induced...

CGMP kinase: past, presence and future

Signaling via cGMP-dependent protein kinase is the major pathway of the NO/cGMP cascade in vascular smooth muscle (SM), heart, CNS, and other cells. cGMP-dependent protein kinases (cGK) are serine/threonine kinases that are widely distributed in eukaryotes. Two genes – prkg1 and prkg2 - code for cGKs, namely cGKI and cGKII. In mammals, two isozymes, cGKIα and cGKIβ, are generated from the prkg1 gene. The cGKI isozymes are prominent in all types of smooth muscle, platelets and specific neuronal areas such as cerebellar Purkinje cells, hippocampal neurons, and the lateral amygdala. The cGKII prevails in the secretory epithelium of the small intestine, the juxta-glomerular cells, the adrenal cortex, the chondrocytes, and in the nucleus suprachiasmaticus. Both cGKs are major down- stream effectors of many, but not all signalling events of the NO/cGMP and the ANP/BNP/CNP/cGMP pathways. cGKI relaxes smooth muscle tone and prevents platelet aggregation, whereas cGKII inhibits renin secretion, chloride/water secretion in the small intestine, the resetting of the clock during early night and endochondreal bone growth. cGKs are involved in cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular processes and are modulators of cell growth and many other functions. Recent evidence suggest that vascular smooth muscle relaxation is not affected by cGK-dependent phosphorylation of smooth muscle expressed TRPC channels, but by cGK-dependent inhibition of TRPC-6 in endothelial cells and attenuation of endothelial release of smooth muscle relaxing factors. Angiotensin increases blood pressure and induces cardiac hypertrophy. Hypertrophy is reduced in sildenafil treated wild type mice but not in beta rescue mice. This suggests that the sildenafil effects are mediated by inhibition of a cGMP hydrolysing phosphodiesterase. Restricted evidence supports the notion that sildenafil affects cGMP levels in cardiomyofibroblasts and/or in cardiac endothelial cells. It will be shown that cGK are essential modulators of many regulatory processes.

ACE inhibition enhances bradykinin relaxations through nitric oxide and B1 receptor activation in bovine coronary arteries.

Bradykinin causes vascular relaxations through release of endothelial relaxing factors including prostacyclin, nitric oxide (NO) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Bradykinin is metabolized by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE inhibition enhances bradykinin relaxations. Our goal was to characterize the role of bradykinin receptors and endothelial factors in ACE inhibitor-enhanced relaxations in bovine coronary arteries. In U46619 preconstricted arteries, bradykinin (10-11-10-8m) caused concentration-dependent relaxations (maximal relaxation ≥100%, log EC50=-9.8±0.1). In the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA, 30 μm) and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10 μm), relaxations were reduced by an inhibitor of EET synthesis, miconazole (10 μm) (maximal relaxation=55±10%). Bradykinin relaxations were inhibited by the bradykinin 2 (B2) receptor antagonist, D-Arg0-Hyp3-Thi5,8-D-Phe7-bradykinin (1 μm) (log EC50=-8.5±0.1) but not altered by the B1 receptor antagonist, des-Arg9[Leu8]bradykinin (1 μm). Mass spectrometric analysis of bovine coronary artery bradykinin metabolites revealed a time-dependent increase in bradykinin (1-5) and (1-7) suggesting metabolism by ACE. ACE inhibition with captopril (50 μm) enhanced bradykinin relaxations (log EC50=-10.3±0.1). The enhanced relaxations were eliminated by L-NA or the B1 receptor antagonist but not the B2 receptor antagonist. Our results demonstrate that ACE inhibitor-enhanced bradykinin relaxations of bovine coronary arteries occur through endothelial cell B1 receptor activation and NO.

Therapeutic Approach in the Improvement of Endothelial Dysfunction: The Current State of the Art

The endothelium has a central role in the regulation of blood flow through continuous modulation of vascular tone. This is primarily accomplished by balanced release of endothelial relaxing and contractile factors. The healthy endothelial cells are essential for maintenance of vascular homeostasis involving antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-fibrinolytic, anti-adhesive, or anticoagulant effects. Oppositely, endothelial dysfunction is primarily characterized by impaired regulation of vascular tone as a result of reduced endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity, lack of cofactors for NO synthesis, attenuated NO release, or increased NO degradation. So far, the pharmacological approach in improving/reversal of endothelial dysfunction was shown to be beneficial in clinical trials that have investigated actions of different cardiovascular drugs. The aim of this paper was to summarize some of the latest clinical findings related to therapeutic possibilities for improving endothelial dysfunction in different pathological conditions. In the majority of presented clinical investigations, the assessment of improvement or reversal of endothelial dysfunction was performed through the flow-mediated dilatation measurement, and in some of those endothelial progenitor cells' count was used for the same purpose. Still, given the fast and continuous development of this field, the evidence acquisition included the MEDLINE data base screening and the selection of articles published between 2010 and 2012.

Social isolation causes endothelial dysfunction: implications for depression and cardiovascular disease

Humans with depression show endothelial dysfunction, one recent demonstration of which was reduced acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced relaxation of adrenergically‐precontracted small arteries biopsied from depressed patients. Accordingly, we examined vascular reactivity to ACh in the socially isolated prairie vole, an animal model relevant to depression. Thoracic aortas were removed from female prairie voles after 4 weeks of social isolation (vs pairing with a sibling). ACh‐induced relaxations were notably reduced by social isolation with maximum relaxation reaching only 30% of adrenergic precontraction (compared to 47% in aortas from paired controls). Removal of endothelium from an additional set of aortic tissues abolished all ACh relaxations including the difference between paired and isolated groups. In these same tissues the nitric oxide (NO)‐donor nitroprusside completely relaxed all precontractions of the smooth muscle, unaltered by isolation. Thus, social isolation of the prairie vole may impair release of protective relaxing factors like NO from vascular endothelium without altering smooth muscle responsiveness to them. This is the first animal model of depression due solely to chronic isolation to show this phenomenon. These findings provide insight into the role of the social environment in mediating the association of depression and cardiovascular disease. Support: MH77581, NIU, MWU.

Perivascular adipose tissue-derived relaxing factors: release by peptide agonists via proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) and non-PAR2 mechanisms

We hypothesized that proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2)-mediated vasorelaxation in murine aorta tissue can be due in part to the release of adipocyte-derived relaxing factors (ADRFs). Aortic rings from obese TallyHo and C57Bl6 intact or PAR2-null mice either without or with perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) were contracted with phenylephrine and relaxation responses to PAR2-selective activating peptides (PAR2-APs: SLIGRL-NH(2) and 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH(2) ), trypsin and to PAR2-inactive peptides (LRGILS-NH(2) , 2-furoyl-OLRGIL-NH(2) and LSIGRL-NH(2) ) were measured. Relaxation was monitored in the absence or presence of inhibitors that either alone or in combination were previously shown to inhibit ADRF-mediated responses: L-NAME (NOS), indomethacin (COX), ODQ (guanylate cyclase), catalase (H(2) O(2) ) and the K(+) channel-targeted reagents, apamin, charybdotoxin, 4-aminopyridine and glibenclamide. Endothelium-intact PVAT-free preparations did not respond to PAR2-inactive peptides (LRGILS-NH(2) , LSIGRL-NH(2) , 2-furoyl-OLRGIL-NH(2) ), whereas active PAR2-APs (SLIGRL-NH(2) ; 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH(2) ) caused an L-NAME-inhibited relaxation. However, in PVAT-containing preparations treated with L-NAME/ODQ/indomethacin together, both PAR2-APs and trypsin caused relaxant responses in PAR2-intact, but not PAR2-null-derived tissues. The PAR2-induced PVAT-dependent relaxation (SLIGRL-NH(2) ) persisted in the presence of apamin plus charybdotoxin, 4-aminopyridine and glibenclamide, but was blocked by catalase, implicating a role for H(2) O(2) . Surprisingly, the PAR2-inactive peptides, LRGILS-NH(2) and 2-furoyl-OLRGIL-NH(2) (but not LSIGRL-NH(2) ), caused relaxation in PVAT-containing preparations from both PAR2-null and PAR2-intact (C57Bl, TallyHo) mice. The LRGILS-NH(2) -induced relaxation was distinct from the PAR2 response, being blocked by 4-aminopyridine, but not catalase. Distinct ADRFs that may modulate vascular tone in pathophysiological settings can be released from murine PVAT by both PAR2-dependent and PAR2-independent mechanisms.

Transient Receptor Potential Channel Activation and Endothelium-dependent Dilation in the Systemic Circulation

The endothelium plays a crucial role in the regulation of vascular tone by releasing a number of vasodilator mediators, including nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor(s). The production of these mediators is typically initiated by an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in endothelial cells. An essential component of this Ca(2+) signal is the entry of Ca(2+) from the extracellular space through plasma membrane Ca(2+)-permeable channels. Although the molecular identification of the potential Ca(2+) entry channel(s) responsible for the release of endothelial relaxing factors is still evolving, accumulating evidence indicates that the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, a superfamily of Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels, serve as an important mechanism of Ca(2+) entry in endothelial cells and other nonexcitable cells. The activation of these channels has been implicated in diverse endothelial functions ranging from control of vascular tone and regulation of vascular permeability to angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. This review summarizes recent evidence concerning TRP channels and endothelium-dependent dilation in several systemic vascular beds. In particular, we highlight the emerging roles of several TRP channels from the canonical and vanilloid subfamilies, including TRPV4, TRPC4, and TRPC6, in vasodilatory responses to shear stress and receptor agonists and discuss potential signaling mechanisms linking the TRP channel activation and the initiation of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated responses in endothelial cells.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, due to deficiency in insulin or insulin resistance, and represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in contemporary societies [1,2]. According to the world health organization (WHO), more than 285 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes of which 4 million died in 2010. The prevalence is expected to enhance to 380 million by 2030. Genetic and environmental factors associated with life style such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco, and obesity contribute to the increasing incidence of diabetes. The situation becomes extremely critical since type 1 and type 2 diabetes compromise the cardiovascular homeostasis. Based on the report of WHO and clinical studies, the direct cause of death for 80 % of diabetic patients is cardiovascular diseases. Studies in human and experimental diabetic animal models have reported vascular dysfunction and structural arterial wall remodeling [3-5]. It is well known that endothelial dysfunction is an important risk factor of cardiovascular diseases [6,7]. Several hypothesis and mechanisms documented the relationship between diabetes and microvascular endothelial dysfunction [8,9], which include reduced endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) release and bioavailability, and enhanced endothelium-derived constricting factors release associated with augmented oxidative stress levels. Despite treatments have progressed, the development of novel effective treatments for patients with vascular complications in diabetes remains a major research goal.

Obesity, metabolic syndrome, adipocytes and vascular function: A holistic viewpoint

1. Obesity is a metabolic disease of pandemic proportions largely arising from positive energy balance, a consequence of sedentary lifestyle, conditioned by environmental and genetic factors. Several central and peripheral neurohumoral factors (the major ones being the anorectic adipokines leptin and adiponecin and the orexigenic gut hormone ghrelin) acting on the anorectic (pro-opiomelanocortin and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) and orexigenic (neuropeptide Y and agouti gene-related protein) neurons regulate energy balance. These neurons, mainly in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, project to parts of the brain modulating functions such as wakefulness, autonomic function and learning. A tilt in the anorectic-orexigenic balance, perhaps determined genetically, leads to obesity. 2. Excess fat deposition requires space, created by adipocyte (hypertrophy and hyperplasia) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. This process is regulated by several factors, including several adipocyte-derived Matrix metalloproteinases and the adipokine cathepsin, which degrades fibronectin, a key ECM protein. Excess fat, also deposited in visceral organs, generates chronic low-grade inflammation that eventually triggers insulin resistance and the associated comorbidities of metabolic syndrome (hypertension, atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus). 3. The perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has conventionally been considered non-physiological structural tissue, but has recently been shown to serve a paracrine function, including the release of adipose-derived relaxant and contractile factors, akin to the role of the vascular endothelium. Thus, PVAT regulates vascular function in vivo and in vitro, contributing to the cardiovascular pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome. Defining the mechanism of PVAT regulation of vascular reactivity requires more and better controlled investigations than currently seen in the literature.

Nitric oxide – the endothelium-derived relaxing factor and its role in endothelial functions

Vascular endothelium plays a key role in the local regulation of vascular tone and vascular architecture by release of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances, as well as factors with pro-coagulant, anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, antibacterial properties, growth factors, chemokines, free radicals, etc. Release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, as well as vasoconstricting factors such as endothelin, superoxide and thromboxanes play an influential role in the maintenance and regulation of vascular tone and the corresponding peripheral vascular resistance. Under physiological conditions, the release of anticoagulant and smooth muscle relaxing factors exceeds the release of other substances. The first part of this review presents the functions of the endothelium itself, the nature of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, its production by NO synthases, mechanisms of its action via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and production of cyclic 3'-5'-guanosine monophosphate. The resulting biological effects include vasodilatation, regulation of vessel wall structure, increased regional blood perfusion, lowering of systemic blood pressure, antithrombosis and antiatherosclerosis effects, which counteract the vascular actions of endogenous vasoconstrictor substances. Impaired endothelial function, either as a consequence of reduced production/release or increased inactivation of endothelium-derived vasodilators, as well as interactions of NO with angiotensin, reactive oxygen species and oxidized lipoproteins, has detrimental functional consequences and is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore the second part of this review assesses the pathophysiologic impact of the endothelium in examples of cardiovascular pathologies, e.g. endotheliopathies caused by increased angiotensin production, lipid peroxidation, ischemia/reperfusion or diabetes.