Zinc Deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis Glycol Research Articles

Heme Oxygenase Inhibition Enhances Neutrophil Migration Into the Bronchoalveolar Spaces and Improves the Outcome of Murine Pneumonia-Induced Sepsis

A reduction of the neutrophil migration into the site of infection during cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis increases host mortality. Inhibition of heme oxygenase (HO) prevents this neutrophil paralysis and improves host survival in the cecal ligation and puncture model. Taking into account that almost 50% of all sepsis cases are a consequence of pneumonia, we designed the present study to determine the role of HO in an experimental model of pneumonia-induced sepsis. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the inhibition of HO improves the outcome and pathophysiologic changes of sepsis induced by an intratracheal instillation of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The pretreatment of mice subjected to pneumonia-induced sepsis with ZnDPBG (zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol), a nonspecific HO inhibitor, increased the number of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar spaces, reduced the bacterial load at the site of infection, and prevented the upregulation of CD11b and the downregulation of CXCR2 on blood neutrophils. Moreover, the pretreatment with ZnDPBG decreased alveolar collapse, attenuating the deleterious changes in pulmonary mechanics and gas exchanges and, as a consequence, improved the survival rate of mice from 0% to ∼20%. These results show that heme oxygenase is involved in the pathophysiology of pneumonia-induced sepsis and suggest that HO inhibitors could be helpful for the management of this disease.

Hemeoxygenase ‐1: A potential target for management of hypertension caused by Recurrent Insulin Induced Hypoglycemia

Recurring insulin‐induced hypoglycemia (RIIH) often occurs during therapeutic management of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. There is evidence that both cardiac and adrenergic sensitivity are altered in type 1 diabetics. Controversy currently exists in literature as to the ability of insulin to promote hypertension. Could insulin promote adverse pressor effects, if so under what conditions and through what mechanism? Thus, the current study was performed to evaluate the hypothesis that hypoglycemia promotes hypertension via an increase in Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). Male Sprague Dawley rats (200 – 225g) were treated for 2 weeks with varying doses of subcutaneous insulin injections (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 U/kg body weight) and fed on normal chow or zinc diet (1mM) for 2 weeks. Tail‐cuff blood pressure, food/water intake and blood glucose states were monitored daily. A dose dependent decrease in blood glucose was observed. Blood pressure was significantly elevated in rats treated with 7U/Kg dose as compared to other units. However, there was no change in urine output among all the groups. Animals fed a high zinc diet and animals treated with the HO‐1 inhibitor zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4‐ bis glycol (ZnDPBG) (20mg/kg) were shown to have reduced blood pressure as compared to animals fed on normal diet. Also, HO‐1 protein levels in heart and kidney were reduced in the animals fed on zinc diet vs control. These results demonstrate that RIIH promotes hypertension and inhibition of HO‐1 with high zinc diet and ZnDPBG reduces the blood pressure.

Cardioprotection by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha transfection in skeletal muscle is dependent on haem oxygenase activity in mice

The present study investigates whether the cardioprotection achieved by gene delivery of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) depends on the downstream factor haem oxygenase (HMOX)-1. Immortalized cardiomyocytes (HL-1 cells) were transfected with HIF-1 alpha or HMOX-1 and injured with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), and death was evaluated by trypan blue staining. Quadriceps muscles of mice were treated with DNA for HIF-1 alpha and HMOX-1, or sham-treated and electroporated, and 3 days later, hearts were isolated and subjected to global ischaemia and reperfusion. Some HIF-1 alpha- and sham-treated mice received the HMOX blocker zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis-glycol (ZnBG) (n = 6-8 in each group). HL-1 cells were stimulated with bilirubin or the carbon monoxide donor CORM-2 before injury with H(2)O(2). HL-1 cells which were transfected with HIF-1 alpha or HMOX-1 had an increased survival to H(2)O(2)-induced injury compared with empty vector (n = 10-12 per group; P < 0.01 for both). When HMOX-1-luciferase reporter mice were treated with HIF-1 alpha in the quadriceps muscle, increased luciferase activity was found locally, but nowhere else. Mice pre-treated with HIF-1 alpha or HMOX-1 had a reduced infarct size, improved post-ischaemic function, and increased serum bilirubin (P < 0.05). ZnBG inhibited all these effects afforded by HIF-1 alpha. Stimulation of HL-1 cells with bilirubin and CORM-2 reduced cell death evoked by H(2)O(2) (P < 0.05 for both, n = 11-15 in each group). HIF-1 alpha and HMOX-1 provided protection against H(2)O(2)-induced damage in HL-1 cells. Remote gene delivery of HIF-1 alpha afforded cardioprotective effects. These were dependent on HMOX activity, as an HMOX blocker abolished the effects, and they were mimicked by pre-treatment with HMOX-1. Downstream to HMOX-1, bilirubin as well as carbon monoxide may be organ effectors.

Antinociception synergy between the peripheral and spinal sites of the heme oxygenase-carbon monoxide pathway

We have shown that the peripheral and spinal cord heme oxygenase (HO)-carbon monoxide (CO)-soluble guanylate cyclase-cGMP pathways play an important role in antinociception in the rat experimental formalin model. Our objective was to determine if there is synergism between peripheral (paw) and spinal HO-CO pathways in nociception. Rats were handled and adapted to the experimental environment for a few days before the formalin test, in which 50 microL of a 1% formalin was injected subcutaneously into the dorsal surface of the right hind paw. The animals were then observed for 1 h and the frequency of flinching behavior was taken to represent the nociceptive response. Thirty minutes before the test, rats were pretreated with intrathecal injections of the HO inhibitor, zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) or heme-lysinate, which is a substrate of the HO pathway. The paw treatments took place 20 min before the test. Low doses of ZnDPBG did not increase nociception, while a low heme-lysinate dose did not change flinching behavior after paw or spinal injections. Combined subactive spinal (50 nmol) and peripheral (40 nmol) low doses of ZnDPBG induced hypernociception (increase of 80% in the first and 25% in the second phase flinching), whereas combined spinal-peripheral heme-lysinate (50 and 30 nmol) led to second phase antinociception (40% reduction in flinching). These findings suggest a synergy between the peripheral and spinal HO-CO pathways. Local activation of the HO system probably regulates the nociception initiation in peripheral tissue and participates in buffering the emerging nociceptive signals at the peripheral and spinal sites of action. In short, an antinociceptive synergy exists between peripheral and spinal HO pathways, which may reduce the doses required and side effects.

Role of the spinal cord heme oxygenase–carbon monoxide–cGMP pathway in the nociceptive response of rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the spinal cord heme oxygenase (HO)–carbon monoxide (CO)–soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)–cGMP pathway in nociceptive response of rats to the formalin experimental nociceptive model. Animals were handled and adapted to the experimental environment for a few days before the formalin test was applied. For the formalin test 50 µl of a 1% formalin solution was injected subcutaneously in the dorsal surface of the right hind paw. Following injections, animals were observed for 1 h and flinching behavior was measured as the nociceptive response. Thirty min before the test, rats were pretreated with intrathecal injections with the HO inhibitor, zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) or heme-lysinate, which is known to induce the HO pathway. Control animals were treated with vehicles. We observed a significant increase in nociceptive response of rats treated with ZnDPBG, and a drastic reduction of flinching nociceptive behavioral response in the heme-lysinate treated animals. Furthermore, the HO pathway seems to act via cGMP, since methylene blue (a sGC inhibitor) prevented the reduction of flinching nociceptive behavioral response caused by heme-lysinate. These findings strongly indicate that the HO pathway plays a spinal antinociceptive role during the formalin test, acting via cGMP.

Influence of the heme-oxygenase pathway on cerebrocortical blood flow

Heme-oxygenase (HO)-derived carbon monoxide (CO) is generated in the cardiovascular and in the central nervous systems. Endogenous CO exerts direct vascular effects and has also been shown to inhibit nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In the current study, the heme-oxygenase blockade [zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG), 45 micromol/kg intraperitoneally] decreased cerebral CO production and increased cerebrocortical blood flow (CBF) in anesthetized rats. This latter effect was abrogated by the NOS blockade (50 mg/kg L-NAME intravenously). Furthermore, inhibition of CO production had no effect on stepwise hypoxia/hypercapnia-stimulated increases in CBF. Our results indicate that endogenous CO reduces the resting CBF via inhibition of NOS but fails to influence the CBF response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in adult rats.

Role of the peripheral heme oxygenase–carbon monoxide pathway on the nociceptive response of rats to the formalin test: Evidence for a cGMP signaling pathway

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the peripheral heme oxygenase (HO)–carbon monoxide (CO) pathway on nociceptive response of rats to the formalin experimental model of pain. Animals were handled and adapted to the experimental environment for a few days before the formalin test was applied. For the formalin test, 50 μl of a 1% formalin solution was used and injected subcutaneously in the dorsal surface of the right hind paw. Following injections, animals were observed for 1 h, and flinching behavior was measured as the nociceptive response. Twenty minutes before the test rats were pretreated with podal injections with the HO inhibitor, zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) or heme-lysinate, which is known to induce the HO pathway. Control animals were treated with vehicles. We observed a significant increase on nociceptive response of rats treated with ZnDPBG, and a drastic reduction of flinching nociceptive behavioral response in the heme-lysinate and CO treated animals. Among the three different HO products, CO seems to account for the heme-lysinate effect because the injection of the gas attenuated the flinching response whereas biliverdine and deferoxanine (an iron chelator) failed to cause any significant change. Furthermore, CO seems to act via cGMP, since methylene blue (a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor) prevented the reduction of the flinching nociceptive behavioral response caused by heme-lysinate. These findings strongly indicate that CO is the HO pathway product that plays an antinociceptive role during the formalin test, acting via cGMP.

Autonomic Cardiovascular Responses to Heme Oxygenase Inhibition in Conscious Rats

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced in the course of heme degradation from biliverdin by heme oxygenase (HO) in various tissues, including the central nervous system. Recent studies suggest the inhibition of HO activity increases arterial pressure mediated by the autonomic nervous system. The present study was designed to investigate the autonomic regulation of cardiovascular responses to inhibition of endogenous CO production by the HO inhibitor Zinc deuteroporphyrin 2, 4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) by using direct sympathetic nerve recordings in conscious, chronically instrumented rats. ZnDPBG induced increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (P<0.05) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) (P<0.05) but no significant change in heart rate (P>0.05) in intact rats. In atropine-treated rats, ZnDPBG also induced increases in MAP (P<0.05) and RSNA (P<0.05) but no change in heart rate (P>0.05). In sinoaortic denervated rats, ZnDPBG induced increases in MAP (P<0.05), heart rate (P<0.05), and RSNA (P<0.05). ZnDPBG shifted the baroreflex curve for RSNA upward and to the right, which was characterized by increases in the maximum and minimum response and midpoint pressure without altering the maximum gain. These results indicate that inhibition of HO activity within the central nervous system causes sympathoexcitation, resulting in an increase in arterial pressure. We conclude that the CO/HO system plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation by modulating sympathetic tone.

Metabolic syndrome increases endogenous carbon monoxide production to promote hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in obese Zucker rats

Vascular heme oxygenase (HO) metabolizes heme to form carbon monoxide (CO). Increased heme-derived CO inhibits nitric oxide synthase and can contribute to hypertension via endothelial dysfunction in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Obese Zucker rats (ZR) are models of metabolic syndrome. This study tests the hypothesis that endogenous CO formation is increased and contributes to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in obese ZR. Awake obese ZR showed increased respiratory CO excretion, which was lowered by HO inhibitor administration [zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) 25 micromol.kg(-1).24 h(-1) ip]. In awake obese ZR, chronically instrumented with femoral arterial catheters, blood pressure was elevated but was decreased by the HO inhibitor ZnDPBG. Body weight, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, plasma insulin, total and LDL cholesterol, oxidized LDL, and triglyceride levels were elevated in obese ZR, and, except for LDL cholesterol, were unchanged by HO inhibition. Total HO-1 protein levels were not different between lean and obese ZR aortas. In vitro experiments used isolated skeletal muscle arterioles with constant pressure and no flow, or constant midpoint, but altered endpoint pressures to establish graded levels of luminal flow. In obese ZR arterioles, responses to ACh and flow were attenuated. Acute in vitro pretreatment with an HO inhibitor, chromium mesoporphyrin, enhanced ACh and flow-induced dilation and abolished the differences between groups. Furthermore, exogenous CO prevented the restoration of flow-induced dilation by the HO inhibitor in obese ZR arterioles. These results suggest that HO-derived CO production is increased and promotes hypertension and arteriolar endothelial dysfunction in obese ZR with metabolic syndrome independent of affecting metabolic parameters.

Interactions between the heme oxygenase, cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase pathways in the regulation of the resting hypothalamic blood flow

The heme-oxgenase (HO) – carbon monoxide (CO) pathway has been reported to evoke direct vascular effects and to influence other vasoregulatory mechanisms like the cyclooxygenase (COX) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) systems. Since the hypothalamus expresses relatively high HO, COX and NOS levels compared to other brain regions, we have hypothesized interactions among these pathways in the regulation of the resting local hypothalamic tissue blood flow (HBF). Therefore, we have investigated whether inhibition of the COX and NOS pathways influences the alterations of the HBF that develop after HO blockade. Adult male Wistar rats were anaesthetized with 1.3 g/kg urethane. The femoral arteries were cannulated for measurement of the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and for blood sampling. HBF was measured by use of the hydrogen gas-clearance method. HO-blockade was induced by ip. injection of 45 imol/kg zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG). In the first group of the animals HBF, MAP and blood gas measurements were performed under physiological conditions. In the second and third experimental groups the animals received diclofenac (10 mg/kg iv.) or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 mg/kg iv.) pretreatment in order to inhibit prostanoid- or NO-synthesis, respectively. In the fourth group the animals received combined diclofenac and L-NAME pretreatment. In all groups HBF values were determined before and after the pretreatment as well as after the induction of HO-blockade. Baseline arterial pO2, pCO2 and pH values were within the physiological range and did not change throughout the experiments. In animals pretreated with L-NAME or with diclofenac+L-NAME the MAP was significantly higher (1435 mmHg and 1386 mmHg, respectively) than in controls (995 mmHg) or after diclofenac pretreatment alone (957 mmHg). ZnDPBG administration, however, did not influence the MAP in any of the experimental groups. L-NAME and diclofenac+L-NAME pretreatments markedly reduced the HBF (from 0.900.10 to 0.550.09 ml/g/min and from 0.790.11 to 0.440.11 ml/g/min, respectively) while diclofenac alone had no significant effect (0.840.09 vs. 0.880.10 ml/g/min). ZnDPBG administration in control animals did not influence the HBF (-0.34.1 %), but significantly increased it by 15.52.9 % after diclofenac pretreatment. In contrast, ZnDPBG induced a marked reduction (-20.65.6 %) of the HBF in animals pretreated with L-NAME. In animals receiving both diclofenac and L-NAME pretreatment the HBF remained unchanged after ZnDPBG administration (+5.95.4 %). Our observations indicate that the HO pathway interacts with both the COX and the NOS systems in the regulation of the hypothalamic circulation. Endogenous CO production appears to increases the HBF via a COX-dependent mechanism, but at the same time suppresses NOS activity which leads to the reduction of HBF. These effects of CO may neutralize each other under physiological conditions. In pathophysiological states, however, which are associated with altered COX or NOS activity, the HO pathway may significantly influence the resting CBF.

The role of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide in hyperosmolality-induced atrial natriuretic peptide release by hypothalamus in vitro

We evaluated the participation of the nitrergic and carbon monoxide (CO) systems in the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release induced by osmotic stimulation of the rat anterior and medial basal hypothalamus (BH) fragments in vitro. The increase in the medium osmolality (NaCl, 340 mOsm/kg H 2O) induced an elevated ANP release, which was associated with a decrease in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity ( p<0.001), nitric oxide (NO) production and nitrate ( p<0.001) release into the medium. The NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 300 μM), S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 300 μM) and 3-morpholinylsydnoneimine chloride (SIN-1, 300 μM) promoted a significant decrease in ANP release in response to hyperosmolality ( p<0.001). ANP release observed in the present study did not result from injury to the BH caused by the increase in medium osmolality nor a toxic effect of the NO donors as demonstrated by the ANP release after incubation with KCl (56 mM). Furthermore, hyperosmolality or NO donors did not increase the LDH content in the medium. The hyperosmotic-induced ANP release and reduction of NOS activity were prevented by the heme oxygenase inhibitor, zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG). In conclusion, these results suggest that NO, the production of which is dependent on CO, modulates the osmolality-induced ANP release by BH fragments.

Role of the brain heme oxygenase-carbon monoxide pathway in stress fever in rats

This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that the brain heme oxygenase (HO)-carbon monoxide (CO) pathway plays a role in stress fever. To this end, the effect of the HO inhibitor, zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG), on restraint-induced fever was tested. Intracerebroventricular ZnDPBG (200 nmol) did not affect the body core temperature of unrestrained rats, but markedly attenuated restraint-induced fever. However, at the same dose, intraperitoneal ZnDPBG did not affect the febrile response to restraint. Taken together, these results indicate that the brain HO–CO pathway plays a major role in the genesis of stress fever in rats.

Different effects of constitutive nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase on pulmonary or liver metastasis of colon cancer in mice.

It has recently been reported that not only endogenous nitric oxide (NO) but also carbon monoxide (CO) produced by heme oxygenase (HO) have many physiological functions. The objective of the present study was to determine whether endogenous NO or CO is involved in the experimental pulmonary or liver metastasis of colon cancer in mice. Intravenous or intrasplenic injection of colon 26 cells from a mouse colon adenocarcinoma cell line resulted in multiple pulmonary or liver metastases. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), or zinc deuteroporphyrin 2, 4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG), a competitive inhibitor of HO, was administered to the mice only on the day of tumor inoculation. We assessed the number of tumor cells 24 h later and the outcome of metastases of the target organ. In the pulmonary metastasis model, L-NAME increased both the number of tumor cells 24 h later and outcome of metastases 18 days later, but did not have a significant effect on liver metastasis. On the other hand, metastasis to the liver, but not that to the lung, increased following administration of ZnDPBG. These results suggest that the activities of NOS and HO could influence experimental metastasis in an organ-specific manner.

Carbon monoxide and metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat nucleus tractus solitarii: participation in cardiovascular effect

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been identified as an endogenous biological messenger in the brain. Heme oxygenase catalyzes the metabolism of heme to biliverdin and CO. Recent studies have demonstrated that CO is involved in central cardiovascular regulation and modulates the baroreflex in the nucleus tractus solitarii of rats. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible interaction of CO and excitatory amino acids in the nucleus tractus solitarii. In anesthetized male Sprague–Dawley rats, unilateral intranucleus tractus solitarii microinjection of hematin, a heme molecule cleaved by heme oxygenase to yield CO, or excitatory amino acids l-glutamate produced depressor and bradycardiac effects. Similar cardiovascular effects were observed with several agonists for ionotropic glutamate receptors such as N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA), (±)-α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methylisoxazole-4-propanoic acid (AMPA), kainic acid and for metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, trans-(±)-1-amino-(1 S,3 R)-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (ACPD). Among these agonists, prior administration of the heme oxygenase inhibitor, zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) (1 nmol), significantly attenuated the cardiovascular effects of hematin, l-glutamate and ACPD. Furthermore, the cardiovascular effects of ACPD were prevented by the selective mGlu receptors antagonist l-2-amino-3-phosphonoprionate ( l-AP3). However, pretreatment with ZnDPBG failed to prevent the cardiovascular responses to microinjection of NMDA, AMPA and kainic acid. On the other hand, prior administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist, diazocilpine (MK-801), or (±)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV) attenuated the depressor and bradycardiac effect of hematin. These results demonstrated that mGlu receptors may couple to the activation of heme oxygenase via the liberation of CO to participate in central cardiovascular regulation. They also suggested that CO and excitatory amino acids may interact in the nucleus tractus solitarii of rats.

Role of the haeme oxygenase/carbon monoxide pathway in mechanical nociceptor hypersensitivity.

The cleavage of haeme by haeme oxygenase (HO) yields carbon monoxide (CO), a biologically active molecule which exerts most of its effects via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that endogenous CO could modulate inflammatory hyperalgesia. The intensity of hyperalgesia was investigated in a model of mechanical nociceptor hypersensitivity in rats. The intra-plantar (i.pl.) administration of the HO inhibitor, ZnDPBG (Zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol), potentiated in a dose-dependent manner the mechanical nociceptor hypersensitivity evoked by i.pl. administration of carrageenan. The mechanical hypersensitivity evoked by i.pl. injection of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), but not interleukin-8 (IL-8), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) or dopamine, was also enhanced by ZNDPBG: Moreover, the haeme (HO substrate) injection in the paws reduced the hypersensitivity evoked by IL-1beta, but not PGE(2). Furthermore, i.pl. administration of the gas CO reduced the hypersensitivity elicited by PGE(2). The inhibitory effect of haeme and CO upon mechanical nociceptor hypersensitivity were counteracted by a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, ODQ (1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one), suggesting that this effect of CO is mediated via cyclic GMP. Finally, the inhibitory effect of CO upon mechanical nociceptor hypersensitivity was prevented by the NO synthase blocker, L-NMMA (N(G)-monomethyl L-arginine), suggesting that the impairment of mechanical hypersensitivity elicited by CO depends on the integrity of the NO pathway. In conclusion, the results presented in this paper imply that endogenously CO produced by HO plays an anti-hyperalgesic role in inflamed paws, probably by increasing the intracellular levels of cyclic GMP in the primary afferent neurone.

Modulatory effects of carbon monoxide on baroreflex activation in nucleus tractus solitarii of rats.

Recent studies suggest that carbon monoxide (CO), which is produced in significant quantities in many brain regions, may function as a neurotransmitter. Heme oxygenase catalyzes the metabolism of heme to CO and biliverdin; however, the physiological role of CO in central cardiovascular regulation was not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated the baroreflex response of CO in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane, and blood pressure and heart rate were monitored intra-arterially. Unilateral microinjection (60 nL) of hematin, a heme molecule cleaved by heme oxygenase to yield CO, into the NTS produced prominent dose-related depressor and bradycardic effects. Baroreflex responses were elicited by increasing doses of phenylephrine (10 to 30 microg/kg IV) before and after intra-NTS administration of zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis-glycol (ZnDPBG) (1 nmol), an inhibitor of heme oxygenase activity, or vehicle alone. The reflex bradycardia elicited by phenylephrine was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with ZnDPBG. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of ZnDPBG on baroreflex activation was dose dependent. These results suggest CO formed by brain heme oxygenase plays a significant role in central cardiovascular regulation and that inhibition of heme oxygenase attenuated baroreflex activation.

Expression and Actions of Heme Oxygenase in the Renal Medulla of Rats

Recent studies have shown that the heme oxygenase (HO) product, carbon monoxide (CO), induces vasodilation and that inhibition of HO produces a sustained hypertension in rats. Given the importance of renal medullary blood flow (MBF) in the long-term control of arterial blood pressure, we hypothesized that the HO/CO system may play an important role in maintaining the constancy of blood flow to the renal medulla, which in turn contributes to the antihypertensive effects of the renal medulla. To test this hypothesis, we first determined the expression of 2 isoforms of HO (HO-1 and HO-2) in the different kidney regions. By Northern blot analyses, the abundance of both isozyme mRNAs was found highest in the renal inner medulla and lowest in the renal cortex. The transcripts for HO-1 in the renal outer medulla and inner medulla were 2.5 and 3.7 times that expressed in the renal cortex and those for HO-2 in the outer medulla and inner medulla were 1.3 and 1.6 times that expressed in the renal cortex, respectively. Western blot analyses of both enzymes showed the same expression pattern in these kidney regions as the mRNAs. To determine the role that HO plays in the control of renal MBF, we examined the effect of the HO inhibitor zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) on cortical blood flow and MBF in anesthetized rats. ZnDPBG was given by renal medullary interstitial infusion, and cortical blood flow and MBF were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Renal medullary interstitial infusion of ZnDPBG at a dose of 60 nmol/kg per minute produced a 31% decrease in MBF over a period of 60 minutes as measured by laser Doppler flow signal (0.62+/-0.02 vs 0.43+/-0.04 V in control vs ZnDPBG). With the use of an in vivo microdialysis technique, ZnDPBG was found to significantly reduce renal medullary cGMP concentrations when infused into the renal medullary interstitial space. These results suggest that both HO-1 and HO-2 are highly expressed in the renal medulla, that HO and its products play an important role in maintaining the constancy of blood flow to the renal medulla, and that cGMP may mediate the vasodilator effect of HO products in the renal medullary circulation.

Role of endogenous carbon monoxide in central regulation of arterial pressure.

We investigated the contribution of neural mechanisms to the arterial pressure increase produced by zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG), an inhibitor of endogenous carbon monoxide synthesis. The arterial baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate was examined in rats with and without ZnDPBG pretreatment (45 micromol/kg IP) by analysis of the arterial pressure-heart rate relationship during infusions of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside to vary arterial pressure. ZnDPBG increased arterial pressure from 110 +/- 3 to 126 +/- 2 mm Hg without eliciting bradycardia. The maximum gain of the heart rate response to changes in arterial pressure was attenuated by ZnDPBG treatment (-1.9 +/- 0.3 versus -4.8 +/- 1.0 bpm/mm Hg). The possibility that ZnDPBG elevates arterial pressure by attenuating baroreceptor reflex function was addressed by comparing the pressor response to ZnDPBG (45 micromol/kg IP) in rats with and without sinoaortic denervation. The pressor effect of ZnDPBG was similar in rats with and without arterial baroreceptor deafferentation, implying that the increase in pressure is not simply the consequence of attenuated baroreceptor reflex function per se. The possibility that ZnDPBG increases arterial pressure via an effect on the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) also was investigated. ZnDPBG (1 nmol in 100 nL) injected into the NTS of rats increased arterial pressure from 111 +/- 4 to 126 +/- 5 mm Hg, and this effect was reversed by an ipsilateral microinjection of carbon monoxide into the NTS. Accordingly, the pressor effect of ZnDPBG may rely on inhibition of carbon monoxide production in the NTS. This implies that carbon monoxide formed by brain heme oxygenase plays a role in the central regulation of arterial pressure.

A heme oxygenase product, presumably carbon monoxide, mediates a vasodepressor function in rats.

Heme oxygenase is a mammalian enzyme that converts heme to biliverdin and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide activates soluble guanylate cyclase and relaxes vascular smooth muscle, and it has been implicated as a potential neuromessenger. The regulatory functions of endogenous carbon monoxide on hemodynamics are not known. Zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG) inhibits heme oxygenase in rats and thus permits assessment of the hemodynamic response to inhibition of endogenous carbon monoxide synthesis. In chronically instrumented, awake male Sprague-Dawley rats, ZnDPBG (45 mumol/kg IP) increased mean arterial pressure (19 +/- 2%, P < .05) and total peripheral resistance (47 +/- 4%, P < .05), decreased cardiac output (-16 +/- 2%, P < .05), but did not affect heart rate. Another heme oxygenase inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (45 mumol/kg IP), also increased arterial pressure (17 +/- 5%, P < .05), with no effect on heart rate. In contrast, neither the nonmetallic deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (45 mumol/kg IP) nor bilverdin (45 mumol/kg IP) had any effect on blood pressure or heart rate. These findings suggest that ZnDPBG and zinc protoporphyrin IX increase arterial pressure by inhibiting heme oxygenase activity. After pretreatment with chlorisondamine (5 mg/kg IP) or prazosin (5 mg/kg IP) to inhibit autonomic ganglionic or alpha 1-adrenoceptor functions, respectively, ZnDPBG did not affect arterial pressure or heart rate. This suggests that ZnDPBG-induced increases in blood pressure rely on autonomic nervous function. We conclude that the pressor response to heme oxygenase inhibitors results from withdrawal of the inhibitory influence of endogenous carbon monoxide on a pressor mechanism mediated by the autonomic nervous system.

In Vitro and In Vivo Characteristics of a Heme Oxygenase Inhibitor: ZnBG

The authors evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and photosensitizing effects of zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnBG) as an inhibitor of adult Wistar rat tissue heme oxygenase (HO) activity and bilirubin production. Concentrations of 0.02-0.05 microM ZnBG inhibited the HO activity in postmitochondrial supernatants of liver, spleen, brain, and kidney by at least 50%. Administration of 4 mumole ZnBG/kg body weight to adult rats significantly reduced the total body carbon monoxide (CO) excretion, an index of bilirubin formation, from 1 to 6 hours posttreatment. At 6 hours posttreatment, the HO activity in postmitochondrial supernatants of the liver and spleen, but not of the brain, was significantly lowered. ZnBG also behaved as an in vitro photooxidizer by degrading, in the presence of cool white light, the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and histidine to CO and other nonidentified products. ZnBG also enhanced the natural photodegradation of bilirubin. Furthermore, administration of ZnBG to 1-day-old neonatal rats caused mortality within 12 hours in light-exposed animals, with a lethal dose 50 of 23 microM/kg body weight.