Vasoconstrictor Activity Research Articles

Haemodynamic responses to angiotensin II in conscious lambs: role of nitric oxide and prostaglandins

It was hypothesized that nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs) play a synergistic role in modulating haemodynamic responses to angiotensin II (ANG II) in an age-dependent manner. To this end, experiments were carried out in conscious, chronically instrumented lambs aged ∼1week (N = 9) and ∼6weeks (N = 10) to evaluate the haemodynamic responses to ANG II, before and after treatment with the L: -arginine analogue, N-nitro-L: -arginine methyl ester (L: -NAME), as well as the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (INDO). Pressor and renal blood flow responses to ANG II were measured before (control) and after administration of L: -NAME (20mgkg(-1)), following pretreatment with either vehicle (VEH) (experiment 1) or INDO (1mgkg(-1), experiment 2). The two experiments were carried out at minimum intervals of 48h. In both age groups, the pressor and renal vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II were augmented by pretreatment with INDO, the effects being similar at 1 and 6weeks. The haemodynamic responses to ANG II were, however, not altered after L: -NAME following pretreatment with either VEH or INDO. These data provide new evidence that soon after birth, endogenously produced PGs, but not endogenously produced NO, balance the vasoconstrictor actions of ANG II. There is, however, no apparent interaction between PGs and NO in modulating the responses to ANG II postnatally.

Cataract Surgery Complications

Background: Intraoperative lidocaine is widely used in controlling discomfort during cataract surgery. However, recent studies have confirmed the toxic effect of lidocaine on ganglion cells. Ropivacaine is an anesthetic recently introduced in clinical practice that couples a long anesthetic effect with a mild vasoconstrictive action.Objective: The aim of this study was an in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of ropivacaine in reducing the degenerative effects usually observed during lidocaine treatment.Methods: Ropivacaine and lidocaine toxicity has been evaluated in murine fibroblasts 3T6 by measuring percentage of cell death, cell growth inhibition, and DNA degradation. The choice of this cellular line is motivated by the presence of a complete apoptotic system that can be assimilated to the endothelium precursor cells.Results: We observed that lidocaine 0.25% decreases cell viability and causes DNA degradation in murine fibroblasts 3T6, whereas ropivacaine 0.5% does not cause any cellular or molecular degenerative effect.Conclusions: Our in vitro studies confirm that ropivacaine is less toxic than lidocaine to these cells. Therefore, in vivo studies in the anterior chamber could be useful to evaluate the effects of ropivacaine versus lidocaine in intracameral anesthesia in cataract surgery.

Cataract Surgery Complications

Background: Intraoperative lidocaine is widely used in controlling discomfort during cataract surgery. However, recent studies have confirmed the toxic effect of lidocaine on ganglion cells. Ropivacaine is an anesthetic recently introduced in clinical practice that couples a long anesthetic effect with a mild vasoconstrictive action. Objective: The aim of this study was an in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of ropivacaine in reducing the degenerative effects usually observed during lidocaine treatment. Methods: Ropivacaine and lidocaine toxicity has been evaluated in murine fibroblasts 3T6 by measuring percentage of cell death, cell growth inhibition, and DNA degradation. The choice of this cellular line is motivated by the presence of a complete apoptotic system that can be assimilated to the endothelium precursor cells. Results: We observed that lidocaine 0.25% decreases cell viability and causes DNA degradation in murine fibroblasts 3T6, whereas ropivacaine 0.5% does not cause any cellular or molecular degenerative effect. Conclusions: Our in vitro studies confirm that ropivacaine is less toxic than lidocaine to these cells. Therefore, in vivo studies in the anterior chamber could be useful to evaluate the effects of ropivacaine versus lidocaine in intracameral anesthesia in cataract surgery.

Implications of a Local Overproduction of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

To review the implications of a local overproduction of tumor necrosis factor-α for the pathogenesis and treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Elevated local production of tumor necrosis factor-α contributes to prolonged inflammation in the early stages of complex regional pain syndrome. Consequences could include hypoxia and necrosis of local tissues. We conducted a review of articles published since 2000 on tumor necrosis factor-α in complex regional pain syndrome. We propose that exaggerated local inflammation, subsequent inhibition of N-type calcium channel currents in sympathetic vasoconstrictor neurons and reduced sympathetic neurotransmitter release from perivascular terminals disrupt sympathetic cutaneous vasoconstrictor activity in complex regional pain syndrome. The resultant microvascular disturbance could exacerbate inflammation in the affected limb. In addition, an underactive cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway might lead to overproduction of tumor necrosis factor-α. The results of large, randomized controlled treatment studies that test the efficacy of selective anti-tumor necrosis factor-α drugs in complex regional pain syndrome are not yet available. However, numerous small-scale studies and case reports indicate that anti-inflammatory drug treatments that directly or indirectly target tumor necrosis factor-α ameliorate pain and other symptoms in some cases. An exaggerated inflammatory cytokine cascade may contribute to sensory and autonomic disturbances in complex regional pain syndrome. Further investigation of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy as a cost-effective treatment option for this devastating disease is required. Whether increased activity in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway provides therapeutic benefits for complex regional pain syndrome also warrants further investigation.

The morning blood pressure surge

The morning blood pressure surge

Effects of salt loading on sympathetic activity and blood pressure in anesthetized two-kidney, one clip hypertensive rats

In this study, we investigated the effects of salt loading on sympathetic pressor activity, cardiac autonomic activity, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and on the relations between them in anesthetized two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. We submitted rats to either renal artery clipping or sham operation. Distilled water or 0.5 % NaCl was given orally to the clipped and sham-operated control rats for 4 weeks. Then, MAP and HR differences between pre- and post- autonomic blockade were evaluated as indexes of sympathetic pressor and cardiac autonomic activity, respectively. The autonomic blockade decreased MAP to the similar levels in all groups (between 81.7±7.6 -87.3±7.1 mmHg). Sympathetic pressor activity was greater in the clipped rats than in its sham-operated controls only under salt loading (55.3±6.2 vs. 37.0±4.1 mmHg, p<0.05). Cardiac autonomic activity was, predominantly, sympathetic and more in the clipped group than in the sham-operated rats under distilled water (48.3±8.6 vs. 19.7±7.0 beats/min, p<0.05) but not under salt loading. Salt loading inverted the relationship between HR and cardiac autonomic activity in 2K1C hypertensive rats (r=-0.76, p=0.046 vs. r=0.89, p=0.019). These results suggest that salt loading may have augmented the effect of renovascular constriction on MAP by affecting the sympathetic pressor activity and the relation between cardiac autonomic activity and HR in 2K1C hypertensive rats.

The Profile of Endothelial Function in Children with ALL Is Associated with the Risk Stratification Determining the Outcome – a Pilot Study

Abstract 4230 Background:Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is characterized by impaired balance between pro- and anti-aggregatory, pro- and anti-inflammatory factors as well as vasodilative and vasoconstrictive action of numerous metabolic and signaling pathways. ED is an important factor worsening the outcome in severe diseases. The aim of this study was to assess if the profile of endothelial function during the treatment of ALL might be associated with the risk stratification and with the outcome. Material and Methods:N=18 children at age of 4–18 years with ALL, treated with the ALLIC- BFM 2002 protocol were investigated. Plasma levels of the NO pathway metabolites (L-Arginine, ADMA – an endogenous competive eNOS inhibitor), markers of endothelial inflammatory and aggregatory function (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, P-selectin and PAI-1), lipid peroxidation (MDA – malonyldialdehyde) were analyzed at baseline, then during the 33rd and 78th day of treatment. Results were compared between three subgroups: standard risk, intermediate risk and high risk. Results:Subjects in the high risk groups were characterized by increased baseline lipid peroxidation, as assessed by the MDA levels in comparison to those in the standard risk group (8.56±2.14U/ml vs. 3.57±0.81U/ml, respectively, p<0.05). In the high risk group low E-selectin levels at baseline (32.1±6.1ng/ml vs. 101.3±11.8ng/ml in the standard risk group, respectively, p<0.05), as well as high NO production at the beginning of the M protocol, assessed by the L-Arg/ADMA ratio (88.6±11.6ng/ml vs. 41.7±6.4ng/ml, respectively, p<0.05) were observed. Moreover, increase in the PAI-1 level during the therapy was associated with smaller risk for poor outcome.Conclusions: Increased lipid peroxidation, low E-selectin at baseline, as well as increased NO bioavailability, decreased PAI-1 levels at the beginning of the M protocol are common feature in children classified to the high risk group. Low NO bioavailability at baseline and high at the beginning of the M protocol as well as decreased anti-inflammatory and antiaggregatory function of endothelium at the beginning of the M protocol are associated with higher risk for poor prognosis. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

New Agents for Acute Treatment of Migraine: CGRP Receptor Antagonists, iNOS Inhibitors

The treatment of migraine was advanced dramatically with the introduction of triptans in the early 1990s. Despite the substantial improvement in the quality of life that triptans have brought to many migraineurs, a substantial cohort of patients remain highly disabled by attacks and need new therapeutic approaches, which ideally should be quick-acting, have no vasoconstrictor activity, and have a longer duration of action and be better tolerated than current therapies. The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists (gepants)-olcegepant (BIBN 4096 BS), telcagepant (MK-0974), MK3207, and BI 44370 TA-are effective in treating acute migraine. They have no vasoconstrictive properties, fewer adverse effects, and may act longer than triptans. Their development has been complicated by liver toxicity issues when used as preventives. Results from studies with BI 44370 TA do not support broad concern about a class effect, and further studies are ongoing in this respect. Many experimental studies and clinical trials suggest that nitric oxide may have a role in the pathophysiology of migraine. Therefore, the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for the acute or prophylactic treatment of migraine offered a feasible approach; as inducible NOS (iNOS) is involved in several pain states, such as inflammatory pain, it appeared to be an attractive target. However, despite high selectivity and potency, the iNOS inhibitor GW274150 was not effective for acute treatment or prophylaxis of migraine, suggesting that iNOS is very unlikely to be a promising target.

Sympathetic nervous system in obesity-related hypertension: mechanisms and clinical implications

Obesity markedly increases the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which may be related to activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Sympathetic overactivity directly and indirectly contributes to blood pressure (BP) elevation in obesity, including stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The adipocyte-derived peptide leptin suppresses appetite, increases thermogenesis, but also raises SNS activity and BP. Obese individuals exhibit hyperleptinemia but are resistant to its appetite-suppressing actions. Interestingly, animal models of obesity exhibit preserved sympathoexcitatory and pressor actions of leptin, despite resistance to its anorexic and metabolic actions, suggesting selective leptin resistance. Disturbance of intracellular signaling at specific hypothalamic neural networks appears to underlie selective leptin resistance. Delineation of these pathways should lead to novel approaches to treatment. In the meantime, treatment of obesity-hypertension has relied on antihypertensive drugs. Although sympathetic blockade is mechanistically attractive in obesity-hypertension, in practice its effects are disappointing because of adverse metabolic effects and inferior outcomes. On the basis of subgroup analyses of obese patients in large randomized clinical trials, drugs such as diuretics and RAAS blockers appear superior in preventing cardiovascular events in obesity--hypertension. An underused alternative approach to obesity-hypertension is induction of weight loss, which reduces circulating leptin and insulin, partially reverses resistance to these hormones, decreases sympathetic activation and improves BP and other risk factors. Though weight loss induced by lifestyle is often modest and transient, carefully selected pharmacological weight loss therapies can produce substantial and sustained antihypertensive effects additive to lifestyle interventions.

Losing control over adenosine 5′-triphosphate release: Implications for the red blood cell storage lesion*

Losing control over adenosine 5′-triphosphate release: Implications for the red blood cell storage lesion*

Losartan exerts no protective effects against acute pulmonary embolism-induced hemodynamic changes

The acute obstruction of pulmonary vessels by venous thrombi is a critical condition named acute pulmonary embolism (APE). During massive APE, severe pulmonary hypertension may lead to death secondary to right heart failure and circulatory shock. APE-induced pulmonary hypertension is aggravated by active pulmonary vasoconstriction. While blocking the effects of some vasoconstrictors exerts beneficial effects, no previous study has examined whether angiotensin II receptor blockers protect against the hemodynamic changes associated with APE. We examined the effects exerted by losartan on APE-induced hemodynamic changes. Hemodynamic evaluations were performed in non-embolized lambs treated with saline (n = 4) and in lambs that were embolized with silicon microspheres and treated with losartan (30 mg/kg followed by 1 mg/kg/h, n = 5) or saline (n = 7) infusions. The plasma and lung angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity were assessed using a fluorometric method. APE increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) by 21 ± 2 mmHg and 375 ± 20 dyn s cm⁻⁵ m⁻², respectively (P < 0.05). Losartan decreased MPAP significantly (by approximately 15%), without significant changes in PVRI and tended to decrease cardiac index (P > 0.05). Lung and plasma ACE activity were similar in both embolized and non-embolized animals. Our findings show evidence of lack of activation of the renin-angiotensin system during APE. The lack of significant effects of losartan on the pulmonary vascular resistance suggests that losartan does not protect against the hemodynamic changes found during APE.

The Plasma Renin Test Reveals the Contribution of Body Sodium-Volume Content (V) and Renin-Angiotensin (R) Vasoconstriction to Long-Term Blood Pressure

Body sodium works together with the plasma renin-angiotensin system to ensure adequate blood flow to the tissues. Body sodium content determines the extracellular fluid (ECF) volume ensuring that, with each heart beat, a sufficient volume of fluid is delivered into the arterial space. At the same time the kidneys monitor ECF volume and blood pressure (BP), so that the juxtaglomerular cells can adjust their net secretion rate of renin to maintain an appropriate plasma renin activity (PRA) level. Plasma renin produces angiotensin II (Ang II) to constrict the arterioles and thereby ensure sufficient BP to deliver an appropriate rate of flow for cardiovascular homeostasis. The low renin, sodium-volume dependent (V) form of essential hypertension occurs whenever body sodium content increases beyond the point where plasma renin-angiotensin vasoconstrictor activity is turned off. In contrast, medium to high renin (R) hypertension occurs when too much renin is secreted relative to the body sodium content. Thus, BP = V × R. This volume-vasoconstriction dual support of long-term hypertension is validated by the fact that all effective long-term antihypertensive drug types are either (i) natriuretic to reduce body salt and volume content (anti-V), or (ii) antirenin to reduce or block the activity of the circulating renin-angiotensin system (anti-R). The PRA test defines the relative participation of the concurrent volume and vasoconstrictor factors. In the hypertensive patient PRA testing can guide initiation, addition or subtraction of anti-V or anti-R antihypertensive drug types to thereby improve BP control and prognosis while reducing drug type usage and cost.

Prolactin and vasoinhibins: Endogenous players in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the retinal microvasculature that develops as a complication of diabetes mellitus and constitutes a major cause of blindness in adults of all ages. Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by the loss of capillary cells leading to increased vasopermeability, ischemia, and hypoxia that trigger the excessive formation of new blood vessels in the retina. The influence of the pituitary gland in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy was recognized nearly six decades ago, but the contribution of pituitary hormones to this disease remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that the pituitary hormone prolactin is proteolytically cleaved to vasoinhibins, a family of peptides with potent antivasopermeability, vasoconstrictive, and antiangiogenic actions that can protect the eye against the deleterious effects of the diabetic state. In this review, we summarize what is known about the changes in the circulating levels of prolactin and vasoinhibins during diabetes and diabetic retinopathy as well as the implications of these changes for the development and progression of the disease with particular attention to hyperprolactinemia in pregnancy and postpartum. We discuss the effects of prolactin and vasoinhibins that may impact diabetic retinopathy and suggest these hormones as important targets for therapeutic interventions.

Cardiovascular and vasoconstrictive actions of skate bradykinin in the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea (Elasmobranchii)

The vasoconstrictive and cardiovascular actions of a recently identified bradykinin (BK)-related peptide (Gly-Ile-Thr-Ser-Trp-Leu-Pro-Phe) from the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea were examined in the unanesthetised little skate. Intra-arterial administration of a skate BK (0.1–1 nmol kg −1) produced a hypertensive response with a rise in blood pressure reaching a maximum elevation of 28.7 ± 4.8% over baseline ( P < 0.05, n = 8) that was sustained for at least 12 min following administration of a 1 and 0.3 nmol kg −1 dose of skate BK. Further, in vivo administration of 1 nmol kg −1 skate BK induced a significant delayed increase in stroke volume (reaching a maximum of 54.4 ± 14.7% above baseline) without significant effect on either cardiac output or heart rate. In vitro, skate BK constricted the 1st branchial, mesenteric (EC 50 2.7 × 10 −9 M) and coeliac (EC 50 3.1 × 10 −9 M) arterial preparations of the skate. In contrast, skate [Arg 9]BK, the mammalian B 1 receptor agonist des-[Arg 9]BK, and the mammalian B 2 receptor antagonist HOE-140 failed to induce vasoconstriction in these isolated arterial preparations. The vasoconstrictor actions of skate BK in the isolated mesenteric, coeliac and branchial arterial preparations were significantly inhibited when co-administrated with esculetin and phentolamine. Indomethacin also inhibited the vasoconstrictor actions of skate BK in the isolated branchial artery. We conclude that, as in mammals and teleost fish, multiple pathways involving at least the alpha adrenergic and leukotriene synthesis pathway are involved in mediating the vasoconstrictive actions of BK in vascular smooth muscle of the little skate.

Propofol’s derivative: A potential drug for erectile dysfunction?

Propofol, an intravenous anesthetic agent induces priapism in humans. We hypothesize the probable central nervous system and local mechanisms through which a similar molecule can be used as a therapy in erectile dysfunction. Previous literatures published over a period of 35 years (1976–2010) were searched using the key words, mechanisms were identified and discussed. In the central nervous system, propofol has an inhibitory effect on serotonin receptors and on gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) receptors as well as a facilitatory action on N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) mediated calcium response and agonistic action on dopaminergic D2 receptors, which might contribute towards maintaining erections. While in the penile tissue, propofol’s action may be due to increased synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), the principal mediator of penile erection. In addition, it may also have inhibitory effect on thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor and stimulatory action on penile adenosine triphosphate (ATP) dependent potassium (K-ATP) channels, a potent vasodilator. In view of the above mechanisms, use of propofol or similar molecule in erectile dysfunction needs to be ascertained and evaluated.

Cilostazol Suppresses Angiotensin II–Induced Vasoconstriction via Protein Kinase A–Mediated Phosphorylation of the Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 6 Channel

The goal of this study was to determine whether inhibition of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels underlies attenuation of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vasoconstriction by phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 inhibition. Pretreatment of rat thoracic aorta with cilostazol, a selective PDE3 inhibitor, suppressed vasoconstriction induced by Ang II but not that induced by KCl. The Ang II-induced contraction was largely dependent on Ca(2+) influx via receptor-operated cation channels. Cilostazol specifically suppressed diacylglycerol-activated TRPC channels (TRPC3/TRPC6/TRPC7) through protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of TRPC channels in HEK293 cells. In contrast, we found that phosphorylation of TRPC6 at Thr69 was essential for the suppression of Ang II-induced Ca(2+) influx by PDE3 inhibition in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RAoSMCs). Cilostazol specifically induced phosphorylation of endogenous TRPC6 at Thr69. The endogenous TRPC6, but not TRPC3, formed a ternary complex with PDE3 and PKA in RAoSMCs, suggesting the specificity of TRPC6 phosphorylation by PDE3 inhibition. Furthermore, inhibition of PDE3 suppressed the Ang II-induced contraction of reconstituted ring with RAoSMCs, which were abolished by the expression of a phosphorylation-deficient mutant of TRPC6. PKA-mediated phosphorylation of TRPC6 at Thr69 is essential for the vasorelaxant effects of PDE3 inhibition against the vasoconstrictive actions of Ang II.

α1D‐Adrenoceptor regulates the vasopressor action of α1A‐adrenoceptor in mesenteric vascular bed of α1D‐adrenoceptor knockout mice

1 The pressor action of the α(1A)-adrenoceptor (α(1A)-AR) agonist A61603 (N-[5-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl] methanesulfonamide) and the α(1)-ARs agonist phenylephrine and their blockade by selective α(1)-ARs antagonists in the isolated mesenteric vascular bed of wild-type (WT) mice and α(1D)-AR knockout (KO α(1D)-AR) mice were evaluated. 2 The apparent potency of A61603 to increase the perfusion pressure in the mesenteric vascular bed of WT and KO α(1D)-AR mice is 86 and 138 times the affinity of phenylephrine, respectively. 3 A61603 also enhanced the perfusion pressure by ≈1.7 fold in the mesenteric vascular bed of WT mice compared with KO α(1D)-AR mice. 4 Because of its high affinity, low concentrations of the α(1A)-AR selective antagonist RS100329 (5-methyl-3-[3-[4-[2-(2,2,2,-trifluoroethoxy) phenyl]-1-piperazinyl] propyl]-2,4-(1H)-pyrimidinedione) shifted the agonist concentration-response curves to the right in the mesenteric vascular bed of WT and KO α(1D)-AR mice. 5 The α(1D)-AR selective antagonist BMY7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5] decane-7,9-dione) did not modify the A61603 or the phenylephrine-induced pressor effect. 6 The α(1B/D)-ARs alkylating antagonist chloroethylclonidine (CEC) shifted the agonist concentration-response curves to the right and decreased the maximum phenylephrine-induced vascular contraction in KO α(1D)-AR mice when compared to WT mice; however, CEC only slightly modified the contraction induced by A61603. 7 The results indicate that the isolated mesenteric vascular bed of WT and KO α(1D)-AR mice expresses α(1A)-AR, that the pressor action of α(1A)-AR is up-regulated for α(1D)-AR in WT mice and suggest an important role of α(1B)-AR in the vascular pressure evoked by phenylephrine in KO α(1D)-AR mice.

Enhanced endothelin-1 system activity with overweight and obesity

Endothelin (ET)-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone contributes to the development and progression of several adiposity-related conditions, including hypertension and atherosclerotic vascular disease. The aims of the present study were to determine 1) whether endogenous ET-1 vasoconstrictor activity is elevated in overweight and obese adults, and, if so, 2) whether increased ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction contributes to the adiposity-related impairment in endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Seventy-nine adults were studied: 34 normal weight [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2)], 22 overweight (BMI ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m(2)), and 23 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). Forearm blood flow (FBF) responses to intra-arterial infusion of ET-1 (5 pmol/min for 20 min) and selective ET-1 receptor blockade (BQ-123, 100 nmol/min for 60 min) were determined. In a subset of the study population, FBF responses to ACh (4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 μg·100 ml tissue(-1)·min(-1)) were measured in the absence and presence of selective ET-1 receptor blockade. The vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 was significantly blunted in overweight and obese adults (∼ 70%) compared with normal weight adults. Selective ET-1 receptor blockade elicited a significant vasodilator response (∼ 20%) in overweight and obese adults but did not alter FBF in normal weight adults. Coinfusion of BQ-123 did not affect FBF responses to ACh in normal weight adults but resulted in an ∼ 20% increase (P < 0.05) in ACh-induced vasodilation in overweight and obese adults. These results demonstrate that overweight and obesity are associated with enhanced ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction that contributes to endothelial vasodilator dysfunction and may play a role in the increased prevalence of hypertension with increased adiposity.

Angioprotectin: an angiotensin II‐like peptide causing vasodilatory effects

The family of angiotensin peptides has been steadily growing in recent years. Most are fragments of angiotensin II (Ang II) with different affinities to the known angiotensin receptors. Here, we describe a novel endogenous Ang II-like octapeptide in plasma from healthy humans and patients with end-stage renal failure, which acts as a stronger agonist at Mas receptors than Ang 1-7. Chromatographic purification and structural analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) revealed an Ang II-like octapeptide, angioprotectin, with the sequence Pro-Glu-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, which differs from Ang II in Pro¹ and Glu² instead of Asp¹ and Arg². Pro-Glu-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe in angioprotectin is most likely generated enzymatically from Ang II. Angioprotectin antagonized the contractile actions of Ang II on rat aortic rings. The physiological antagonism of vasoconstrictor actions of Ang II by angioprotectin is mediated by the Mas receptor. Angioprotectin has a stronger affinity to the Mas receptor than Ang-1-7. Plasma concentrations were ~15% of plasma Ang II concentrations in healthy volunteers and up to 50% in patients with renal failure. A commercially available Ang II antibody did not discriminate between angioprotectin and Ang II; thus, angioprotectin can contribute to Ang II concentrations measured by antibody-based assays. This novel peptide is likely to be a relevant component of the human renin-angiotensin-system.

Visualizing the cortical microcirculation in patients with stroke*

Visualizing the cortical microcirculation in patients with stroke*