Endothelial K(ca) channels mediate flow-dependent dilation of arterioles of skeletal muscle and mesentery

NFAT regulation of cystathionine γ-lyase expression in endothelial cells is impaired in rats exposed to intermittent hypoxia

Sleep apnea is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and intermittent hypoxia (IH, 20 episodes/h of 5% O₂-5% CO₂ for 7 h/day) to mimic sleep apnea increases blood pressure and impairs hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)-induced vasodilation in rats. The enzyme that produces H₂S, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), is decreased in rat mesenteric artery endothelial cells (EC) following in vivo IH exposure. In silico analysis identified putative nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) binding sites in the CSE promoter. Therefore, we hypothesized that IH exposure reduces Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]) activation of calcineurin/NFAT to lower CSE expression and impair vasodilation. In cultured rat aortic EC, inhibiting calcineurin with cyclosporine A reduced CSE mRNA, CSE protein, and luciferase activity driven by a full-length but not a truncated CSE promoter. In male rats exposed to sham or IH conditions for 2 wk, [Ca²⁺] in EC in small mesenteric arteries from IH rats was lower than in EC from sham rat arteries (Δfura 2 ratio of fluorescence at 340 to 380 nm from Ca²⁺ free: IH = 0.05 ± 0.02, sham = 0.17 ± 0.03, P < 0.05), and fewer EC were NFATc3 nuclear positive in IH rat arteries than in sham rat arteries (IH = 13 ± 3, sham = 59 ± 11%, P < 0.05). H₂S production was also lower in mesenteric tissue from IH rats vs. sham rats. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to acetylcholine (ACh) was lower in mesenteric arteries from IH rats than in arteries from sham rats, and inhibiting CSE with β-cyanoalanine diminished ACh-induced vasodilation in arteries from sham but not IH rats but did not affect dilation to the H₂S donor NaHS. Thus, IH lowers EC [Ca²⁺], NFAT activity, CSE expression and activity, and H₂S production while inhibiting NFAT activation lowers CSE expression. The observations that IH exposure decreases NFATc3 activation and CSE-dependent vasodilation support a role for NFAT in regulating endothelial H₂S production.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study identifies the calcium-regulated transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells as a novel regulator of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). This pathway is basally active in mesenteric artery endothelial cells, but, after exposure to intermittent hypoxia to mimic sleep apnea, nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 nuclear translocation and CSE expression are decreased, concomitant with decreased CSE-dependent vasodilation.

Vascular structural and functional changes: their association with causality in hypertension: models, remodeling and relevance

Essential hypertension is a complex multifactorial disease process that involves the interaction of multiple genes at various loci throughout the genome, and the influence of environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle, to ultimately determine long-term arterial pressure. These factors converge with physiological signaling pathways to regulate the set-point of long-term blood pressure. In hypertension, structural changes in arteries occur and show differences within and between vascular beds, between species, models and sexes. Such changes can also reflect the development of hypertension, and the levels of circulating humoral and vasoactive compounds. The role of perivascular adipose tissue in the modulation of vascular structure under various disease states such as hypertension, obesity and metabolic syndrome is an emerging area of research, and is likely to contribute to the heterogeneity described in this review. Diversity in structure and related function is the norm, with morphological changes being causative in some beds and states, and in others, a consequence of hypertension. Specific animal models of hypertension have advantages and limitations, each with factors influencing the relevance of the model to the human hypertensive state/s. However, understanding the fundamental properties of artery function and how these relate to signalling mechanisms in real (intact) tissues is key for translating isolated cell and model data to have an impact and relevance in human disease etiology. Indeed, the ultimate aim of developing new treatments to correct vascular dysfunction requires understanding and recognition of the limitations of the methodologies used.

The Beta-1-Receptor Blocker Nebivolol Elicits Dilation of Cerebral Arteries by Reducing Smooth Muscle [Ca2+]i

Rationale

Nebivolol is known to have beta-1 blocker activity, but it was also suggested that it elicits relaxation of the peripheral arteries in part via release of nitric oxide (NO). However, the effect of nebivolol on the vasomotor tone of cerebral arteries is still unclear.

Objective

To assess the effects of nebivolol on the diameter of isolated rat basilar arteries (BA) in control, in the presence of inhibitors of vasomotor signaling pathways of know action and hemolysed blood.

Methods and Results

Vasomotor responses were measured by videomicroscopy and the intracellular Ca²⁺ by the Fura-2 AM ratiometric method. Under control conditions, nebivolol elicited a substantial dilation of the BA (from 216±22 to 394±20 μm; p<0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner (10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁴ M). The dilatation was significantly reduced by endothelium denudation or by L-NAME (inhibitor of NO synthase) or by SQ22536 (adenylyl cyclase blocker). Dilatation of BA was also affected by beta-2 receptor blockade with butoxamine, but not by the guanylate cyclase blocker ODQ. Interestingly, beta-1 blockade by atenolol inhibited nebivolol-induced dilation. Also, the BK_Ca channel blocker iberiotoxin and K_Ca channel inhibitor TEA significantly reduced nebivolol-induced dilation. Nebivolol significantly reduced smooth muscle Ca²⁺ level, which correlated with the increases in diameters and moreover it reversed the hemolysed blood-induced constriction of BA.

Conclusions

Nebivolol seems to have an important dilator effect in cerebral arteries, which is mediated via several vasomotor mechanisms, converging on the reduction of smooth muscle Ca²⁺ levels. As such, nebivolol may be effective to improve cerebral circulation in various diseased conditions, such as hemorrhage.

Nitric oxide and the cardiovascular system

Nitric oxide (NO) generated by endothelial cells to relax vascular smooth muscle is one of the most intensely studied molecules in the past 25 years. Much of what is known about NO regulation of NO is based on blockade of its generation and analysis of changes in vascular regulation. This approach has been useful to demonstrate the importance of NO in large scale forms of regulation but provides less information on the nuances of NO regulation. However, there is a growing body of studies on multiple types of in vivo measurement of NO in normal and pathological conditions. This discussion will focus on in vivo studies and how they are reshaping the understanding of NO's role in vascular resistance regulation and the pathologies of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The role of microelectrode measurements in the measurement of [NO] will be considered because much of the controversy about what NO does and at what concentration depends upon the measurement methodology. For those studies where the technology has been tested and found to be well founded, the concept evolving is that the stresses imposed on the vasculature in the form of flow-mediated stimulation, chemicals within the tissue, and oxygen tension can cause rapid and large changes in the NO concentration to affect vascular regulation. All these functions are compromised in both animal and human forms of hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to altered regulation of endothelial cells and formation of oxidants that both damage endothelial cells and change the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Nitric oxide-mediated dilation of arterioles to intraluminal administration of aldosterone

The nature of the rapid action of aldosterone on blood vessels, whether endothelium-dependent dilation or smooth muscle-dependent constriction is predominant, is still in dispute. In this study, we administered aldosterone intraluminally or extraluminally to isolated mesenteric and cerebral arterioles of male Wistar rats. Extraluminal administration of aldosterone (10(-11) or 10(-7) M) elicited a transient vasodilatation. The peak response appeared at approximately 5 minutes. In contrast, intraluminal administration of aldosterone elicited a greater and sustained dilation. When aldosterone (10(-12)-10(-7) M) was administered extraluminally in a cumulative manner, dose-dependent vasodilator responses were elicited, except a reduced dilation was observed to 10(-7) M aldosterone. The dilations were significantly inhibited by spironolactone (10(-7) M), a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist or Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (3 x 10(-4) M), a NO synthesis inhibitor. In endothelium-denuded vessels, extraluminal aldosterone induced a dose-dependent vasoconstrictor response. Scavenging superoxide with Tempol (10(-4) M) sustained the extraluminal aldosterone (10(-11) or 10(-7) M)-induced dilation, whereas inhibition of NO synthesis or removal of the endothelium abolished intraluminal aldosterone-induced dilation. Dilation to 10(-7) M aldosterone was significantly enhanced after inhibition of NAD(P)H-oxidase with apocynin (10(-5) M). Furthermore, in the presence of endothelial dysfunction, induced by chronic inhibition of NO synthesis, intraluminal administration of aldosterone failed to dilate the arterioles. We conclude that in physiological conditions, acute elevation of aldosterone will evoke mainly an endothelium-dependent NO-mediated dilation.

Caveolin-1 limits the contribution of BK(Ca) channel to EDHF-mediated arteriolar dilation: implications in diet-induced obesity

AIMS

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) interacts with large conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels (BKCa) and likely exerts a negative regulatory effect on the channel activity. We investigated the role of Cav-1 in modulating BK(Ca) channel-mediated, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-dependent arteriolar dilation in normal condition and in an experimental model of obesity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In isolated, pressurized (80 mmHg) gracilis muscle arterioles (approximately 100 microm) of Cav-1 knockout mice, acetylcholine (ACh)-induced, EDHF-mediated dilations were enhanced and were significantly reduced by the BK(Ca) channel inhibitor, iberiotoxin (IBTX), whereas IBTX had no effect on EDHF-mediated dilations in the wild-type mice. Dilations to the selective BK(Ca) channel opener, NS-1619 were augmented in the Cav-1 knockout mice. In high-fat diet-treated, obese rats ACh-induced coronary arteriolar dilations were preserved, whereas IBTX-sensitive, ACh-induced and also NS-1619-evoked vasodilations were augmented when compared with lean animals. In coronary arterioles of obese rats a reduced protein expression of Cav-1 was detected by western immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, in coronary arterioles of lean rats, disruption of caveolae with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin augmented IBTX-sensitive, ACh-induced, and also NS-1619-evoked dilations.

CONCLUSION

Thus, under normal conditions, Cav-1 limits the contribution of the BK(Ca) channel to EDHF-mediated arteriolar dilation. In obesity, a reduced expression of Cav-1 leads to greater contribution of the BK(Ca) channel to EDHF-mediated response, which seems essential for maintained coronary dilation.

Flow-induced vascular remodeling in the mesenteric artery of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of an increased blood flow on vascular remodeling was studied in the mesenteric arteries of 11–12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY). Increased blood flow was induced by selective ligation of mesenteric arteries. Nearby arteries with normal blood flow were used as controls. 7–10 days after the ligation procedure, mesenteric arteries were fixed in situ at maximal relaxation by perfusion fixation. Morphometric measurement of vascular dimension was carried out with confocal microscopy. Apoptotic cells were detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling method. Cell growth was quantified by using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in sections of paraffin-embedded vessels. In SHR, elevated blood flow increased the vessel wall dimension and the number of smooth muscle cell (SMC) layers and also increased the wall-to-lumen ratio and the number of PCNA-positive SMC, but did not change lumen size or number of apoptotic SMC. In WKY, on the other hand, increased blood flow resulted in an increase in lumen diameter, a reduction of apoptotic SMC, but no change in wall-to-lumen ratio, number of SMC layers, or number of PCNA-positive SMC. These results showed that mesenteric arteries from hypertensive and normotensive rats respond to an increase in blood flow differently: a lumen enlargement with reduced SMC apoptosis in WKY, but an increased wall-to-lumen ratio with enhanced SMC growth in SHR. Although it remains to be determined whether flow alteration is one of the initiating factors in the development of vascular remodeling in hypertension, we speculate that an increase in cardiac output, and therefore an increase in shear stress that occurs in young SHR, contributes to vascular remodelling in this model of hypertension.

The effects of endothelial factor inhibition on the time course of responses of isolated rat coronary arteries to intraluminal flow

The aims of this study were to investigate, for the first time, the effects of endothelial factor inhibition on both the magnitude and dynamics of the response of isolated small coronary arteries to intraluminal flow. Isolated rat coronary arteries were mounted on a pressure myograph and left to develop myogenic tone. Flow was introduced and maintained until stable diameters were attained. Dilatory responses were observed which were maximal at low flow rates (5-10 microl/min) and thus shear stresses (1-2 dyn/cm(2)). These responses were transient in nature. Transient dilations were also observed upon cessation of flow. All responses (to 5 microl/min) were endothelium dependent and were completely abolished by addition of charybdotoxin (100 nM) and apamin (100-500 nM) suggesting an important role for a hyperpolarizing mechanism most likely involving an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. However, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (L-NNA; 100 microM) or cyclo-oxygenase (indomethacin; 10 microM) also modulated the response causing an increase and decrease in maximum vasodilation, respectively. By examining the time course we showed that both agents also made the response significantly more transient in nature. These results show that inhibition of endothelial factor pathways can influence both the magnitude and dynamics of the response of isolated rat coronary arteries to flow.

Functional contribution of the endothelial component to the vasorelaxing effect of resveratrol and NS 1619, activators of the large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels

Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK) of smooth muscle play a role in the relevant modulation of vascular tone, due to their calcium- and voltage-dependent mechanisms of activation. A potential role of endothelial BK channels has also been suggested by approaches on endothelial cell cultures. However, no functional study, aimed at evaluating the contribution of endothelial BK channels to the effect of BK-openers, has been reported. Resveratrol and NS 1619, BK-openers, have been tested on endothelium-intact and -denuded aortic rings. Furthermore, the effects of high depolarisation of potassium channel blockers TEA (Tetraethylammonium), 4-AP ( 4-Aminopyridine) and IbTX (Iberiotoxin) and of inhibitors of NO-pathway (L-NAME and ODQ) have been evaluated. The presence of endothelium increased the vasorelaxing potency of BK-openers. This potentiation was eliminated by L-NAME and ODQ. TEA, 4-AP, IbTX and high depolarisation had modest or no antagonist influence on resveratrol in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. The effects of NS 1619 on endothelium-denuded aortic rings were not affected by IbTX, and were modestly antagonised by TEA, 4-AP and high depolarisation. In intact endothelium vessels, TEA, IbTX and 4-AP antagonised the vasorelaxing effect of the two BK-activators. A BK-mediated release of endothelial NO seems a very important factor, determining a strong influence on vasodilator profile of BK-openers. Therefore, an eventual therapy with a BK-opener could promote a series of cardiovascular impacts not confined to the only direct vasorelaxing effects, but also due to a significant contribution of endothelial NO.

Transport of extracellular l-arginine via cationic amino acid transporter is required during in vivo endothelial nitric oxide production

In cultured endothelial cells, 70-95% of extracellular l-arginine uptake has been attributed to the cationic amino acid transporter-1 protein (CAT-1). We tested the hypothesis that extracellular l-arginine entry into endothelial cells via CAT-1 plays a crucial role in endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production during in vivo conditions. Using l-lysine, the preferred amino acid transported by CAT-1, we competitively inhibited extracellular l-arginine transport into endothelial cells during conditions of NaCl hyperosmolarity, low oxygen, and flow increase. Our prior studies indicate that each of these perturbations causes NO-dependent vasodilation. The perivascular NO concentration ([NO]) and blood flow were determined in the in vivo rat intestinal microvasculature. Suppression of extracellular l-arginine transport significantly and strongly inhibited increases in vascular [NO] and intestinal blood flow during NaCl hyperosmolarity, lowered oxygen tension, and increased flow. These results suggest that l-arginine from the extracellular space is accumulated by CAT-1. When CAT-1-mediated transport of extracellular l-arginine into endothelial cells was suppressed, the endothelial cell NO response to a wide range of physiological stimuli was strongly depressed.

Involvement of NO and EDHF in Flow-Induced Vasodilation in Isolated Hamster Cremasteric Arterioles

Flow-induced vasodilation in hamster cremasteric arterioles was investigated with special reference to the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Arterioles (approximately 60 microm resting diameter) were cannulated, and suffused with MOPS solution at 37 degrees C (mean intraluminal pressure: 80 cm H(2)O). Step increases in the perfusate flow elicited a dose-dependent vasodilation, which was almost proportional to the increases in calculated wall shear stress (WSS). N(omega)-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM) reduced the flow-induced vasodilation by approximately 50%, whereas indomethacin (10 microM) produced no significant effect. In the presence of L-NAME, the residual vasodilation was eliminated by treatment with the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase inhibitor 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA, 50 microM), sulfaphenazol (10 microM), tetraethylammonium (TEA, 3 mM; a nonselective Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel inhibitor), or charybdotoxin (ChTX, 0.1 microM; intermediate or large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel inhibitor). In the absence of L-NAME, the dilation was also reduced by approximately 50% by treatment with 17-ODYA, TEA, or ChTX. The residual vasodilation was eliminated by additional treatment with L-NAME. The inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels (K(ATP)), glibenclamide, also caused a significant, but partial, reduction of the flow-induced vasodilation. The residual vasodilation was completely reduced by additional treatment with 17-ODYA, but not L-NAME. These findings suggest that in hamster cremaster, higher flow rate produces NO, K(ATP), and EDHF vasodilation of the arterioles under physiological conditions.

Cellular mechanisms underlying cutaneous pressure-induced vasodilation: in vivo involvement of potassium channels

In the skin of humans and rodents, local pressure induces localized cutaneous vasodilation, which may be protective against pressure-induced microvascular dysfunction and lesion formation. Once activated by the local pressure application, capsaicin-sensitive nerve fibers release neuropeptides that act on the endothelium to synthesize and release nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins, leading to the development of the cutaneous pressure-induced vasodilation (PIV). The present study was undertaken to test in vivo the hypothesis that PIV is mediated or modulated by differential activation of K+ channels in anesthetized rats using pharmacological methods. Local pressure was applied at 11.1 Pa/s. Endothelium-independent and -dependent vasodilation were tested using iontophoretic delivery of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and acetylcholine (ACh), respectively, and was correlated with PIV response. PIV was reduced after systemic administration of tetraethylammonium (a nonspecific K+ channel blocker), iberiotoxin [a specific large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channel blocker], and glibenclamide [a specific ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel blocker], whereas PIV was unchanged by apamin (a specific small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel blocker) and 4-aminopyridine (a specific voltage-sensitive K+ channel blocker). The responses to SNP and ACh were reduced by iberiotoxin but were unchanged by glibenclamide. We conclude that the cellular mechanism of PIV in skin involves BKCa and KATP channels. We suggest that the opening of BKCa and KATP channels contributes to the hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle cells to produce PIV development mainly via the NO and prostaglandin pathways, respectively.

Mechanisms underlying endothelium-dependent flow increase in perfused rat mesenteric vascular bed

The isolated rat mesenteric vasculature was perfused at constant pressures of 40, 80 or 120 mm Hg and the change in flow rate was measured. In the presence of phenylephrine, treatment with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS) or N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) significantly inhibited the pressure-dependent flow rate increase, but treatment with indomethacin or charybdotoxin plus apamin did not. Acetylcholine, bradykinin and ADP increased the flow rate, which had been markedly suppressed by CHAPS. At 80 mm Hg, the flow rate increase induced by these agonists was not affected by indomethacin plus L-NA, but was suppressed by subsequent treatment with charybdotoxin plus apamin. Changes in the perfusion pressure did not significantly affect the flow rate increases induced by the agonists. In conclusion, the opening of charybdotoxin plus apamin-sensitive Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels may be mainly involved in the endothelium-dependent flow rate increase induced by the agonists, whereas nitric oxide (NO) may be responsible for the endothelium-dependent, pressure-induced flow rate increase.

Acute modulation of adrenal chromaffin cell BK channel gating and cell excitability by glucocorticoids

Although adrenal glucocorticoids cortisol and corticosterone (CORT) have numerous "genomic" effects on adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, acute modulatory actions remain largely unknown, despite rapid stress-related changes in secretion. We report that 1 microM glucocorticoids rapidly modulate gating of chromaffin cell BK channels and action potential firing. In general, CORT, or the analog dexamethasone (DEX), increased channel activity in inside-out bovine patches, an effect not blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist RU38486. By contrast, these steroids could profoundly inhibit BK activation in many rat patches, while facilitating activation in others. We show that BK inhibition arises from a negative shift in the voltage dependence of BK inactivation paralleling that for activation. We report that rat cells characteristically exhibit greater repetitive firing ability than bovine cells in the absence of glucocorticoids. In both species, steroid application typically increased firing responses to smaller current injections, attributable to BK-enhanced repolarization and Na+ channel deinactivation. However, in rat cells, where BK inactivation is generally faster and more complete, glucocorticoids tended to dampen responses to stronger stimuli. Thus, in the context of natural variation in BK gating, glucocorticoids can either promote or limit firing responses. We suggest that steroids exploit BK gating variety to tailor catecholamine output in a species- and context-specific fashion.

G protein-coupled endothelial receptor for atypical cannabinoid ligands modulates a Ca2+-dependent K+ current

The cannabinoid analog "abnormal cannabidiol" (abn-cbd) causes endothelium-dependent vasodilation in rat isolated mesenteric arteries through a G protein-coupled receptor distinct from CB1 or CB2. We examined the actions of abn-cbd on the electrophysiology of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), using the whole cell version of the patch clamp technique. Voltage steps produced noninactivating outward currents, which were abolished by iberiotoxin or by chelation of intracellular calcium. The presence of a BKCa channel in HUVEC was documented by reverse transcriptase-PCR. Abn-cbd concentration dependently potentiated the outward current produced by a single voltage step. This potentiation was abolished by the cannabidiol analog O-1918 or by pertussis toxin but was unaffected by CB1 or CB2 antagonists. HU-210, a CB1/CB2 receptor agonist, had no effect on the outward current. Clamping [Ca2+]i did not prevent abn-cbd-induced increases in outward current. cGMP potentiated the outward current, and abn-cbd increased the cellular levels of cGMP. The increase in outward current produced by abn-cbd was blocked by KT-5823, an inhibitor of protein kinase G, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase. We conclude that a Ca2+-activated K+ current in HUVEC is potentiated by activation of a Gi/Go-coupled receptor distinct from CB1 or CB2, which signals through cGMP and protein kinase G to increase channel availability or the sensitivity of the channel to voltage and/or Ca2+. Because iberiotoxin also inhibited abn-cbd-induced relaxation of intact, but not of endothelium-denuded, rat mesenteric artery segments, modulation of endothelial BKCa channels may underlie the mesenteric vasodilator action of abn-cbd.

Effect of steady versus oscillating flow on porcine coronary arterioles: involvement of NO and superoxide anion

Coronary blood vessels are compressed by the contracting myocardium. This leads to oscillations in flow in especially the subendocardium. We examined the effects of steady and oscillating flow on isolated, cannulated subendocardial and subepicardial porcine arterioles. Steady flow-induced dilation in both vessel types, up to 12.9+/-0.8% of the passive diameter in subendocardials and 9.6+/-1.4% in subepicardials at 40 dyne/cm2. Dilation was completely abolished after treatment with 10 micromol/L L-NNA. Sinusoidal modulation of steady flow at 1.5 Hz and 50% to 200% amplitude did not affect dilation. Oscillating flow without a net forward component with peak-peak shear values up to 100 dyne/cm2 caused no dilation at all in these vessels. However, in the presence of 100 U/mL superoxide dismutase (SOD), oscillating flow induced dilation up to 19.5+/-2.3% in subendocardial vessels and 11.5+/-4.3% in subepicardials. LNNA (10 micromol/L) blocked this dilation by approximately 50%. SOD did not affect the magnitude of steady flow-induced dilation, but the response time after onset of steady flow shortened from 23.4+/-1.5 to 14.3+/-2.1 seconds. Diphenyleneiodinium, an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase, uncovered dilation to oscillating flow in subendocardial vessels up to 9.5+/-1.6%. Flow causes production of both NO and O2-. During steady flow, the bioavailability of NO is sufficient to cause vasodilation. During oscillating flow, NO is quenched by the O2-, suppressing vasodilation. Considering the pulsatile nature of subendocardial flow and the vulnerability of this layer, pharmacological manipulation of the balance between NO and O2- may improve subendocardial perfusion.