The role of adenylate cyclase in relaxation of brain arteries: studies with forskolin

How Energy Metabolism Supports Cerebral Function: Insights from 13C Magnetic Resonance Studies In vivo

Cerebral function is associated with exceptionally high metabolic activity, and requires continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients from the blood stream. Since the mid-twentieth century the idea that brain energy metabolism is coupled to neuronal activity has emerged, and a number of studies supported this hypothesis. Moreover, brain energy metabolism was demonstrated to be compartmentalized in neurons and astrocytes, and astrocytic glycolysis was proposed to serve the energetic demands of glutamatergic activity. Shedding light on the role of astrocytes in brain metabolism, the earlier picture of astrocytes being restricted to a scaffold-associated function in the brain is now out of date. With the development and optimization of non-invasive techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), several groups have worked on assessing cerebral metabolism in vivo. In this context, ¹H MRS has allowed the measurements of energy metabolism-related compounds, whose concentrations can vary under different brain activation states. ¹H-[¹³C] MRS, i.e., indirect detection of signals from ¹³C-coupled ¹H, together with infusion of ¹³C-enriched glucose has provided insights into the coupling between neurotransmission and glucose oxidation. Although these techniques tackle the coupling between neuronal activity and metabolism, they lack chemical specificity and fail in providing information on neuronal and glial metabolic pathways underlying those processes. Currently, the improvement of detection modalities (i.e., direct detection of ¹³C isotopomers), the progress in building adequate mathematical models along with the increase in magnetic field strength now available render possible detailed compartmentalized metabolic flux characterization. In particular, direct ¹³C MRS offers more detailed dataset acquisitions and provides information on metabolic interactions between neurons and astrocytes, and their role in supporting neurotransmission. Here, we review state-of-the-art MR methods to study brain function and metabolism in vivo, and their contribution to the current understanding of how astrocytic energy metabolism supports glutamatergic activity and cerebral function. In this context, recent data suggests that astrocytic metabolism has been underestimated. Namely, the rate of oxidative metabolism in astrocytes is about half of that in neurons, and it can increase as much as the rate of neuronal metabolism in response to sensory stimulation.

Both milrinone and colforsin daropate attenuate the sustained pial arteriolar constriction seen after unclamping of an abdominal aortic cross-clamp in rabbits

We previously reported that unclamping of an abdominal aortic cross-clamp causes initial dilation of pial arteries followed by sustained constriction. Both milrinone and colforsin daropate have a vasodilator action, and both have been used in such critical conditions as abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy. We measured cerebral pial arteriolar diameters using a rabbit closed cranial window preparation before (baseline) and 15 min after the start of an IV infusion of 0.9% saline (control group), milrinone, or colforsin daropate (0.05 and 0.5 microg . /kg(-1) . min(-1)) (pre-clamp), just after aortic clamping, 20 min after clamping, and at 0 to 60 min after unclamping. In the control group, a significant decrease in diameter persisted for at least 60 min after unclamping (maximum, -15% for large and -26% for small arterioles versus baseline). These values were significantly smaller after both doses of milrinone and the larger dose of colforsin daropate (-5% and -8%, 10% and 12%, and -2% and -5%, respectively vs baseline, at 60 min). In a second experiment, changes in regional cerebral blood flow and tissue oxygen tension reflected changes in vascular variables. Thus, sustained cerebral pial arteriolar constriction induced by aortic unclamping can be attenuated by IV milrinone or colforsin daropate.

Prenatal stress changes rat arterial adrenergic reactivity in a regionally selective manner

A suboptimal fetal environment has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. We investigated whether intrauterine stress (IUS) alters the development of adrenergic reactivity in different types of rat arteries. Intrauterine stress was induced by ligation of the uterine arteries at day 13 of pregnancy in Wistar rats. First-order mesenteric, renal, femoral and saphenous arteries of the 21-day-old male offspring were studied in a myograph. IUS in the rat changes arterial adrenergic reactivity in a regionally selective manner. Adrenoceptor-mediated responses are altered in the renal artery. Maximal contractile responses to phenylephrine were increased, while sensitivity to the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist was decreased. Intrauterine stress significantly reduced contractile responses to norepinephrine and enhanced relaxing responses to isoproterenol in the renal artery. Adrenergic responses were not modified in mesenteric, femoral and saphenous arteries. In the kidneys the densities of [(3)H]prazosin binding sites, periarterial adrenergic nerves and of the glomeruli were not altered after intrauterine stress at day 13 of gestation. The observed regionally selective alterations in arterial reactivity might link a suboptimal fetal environment to the development of cardiovascular disease in the adult.

Analysis of the effects of phosphodiesterase type 3 and 4 inhibitors in cerebral arteries

Inhibitors of phosphodiesterases 3 and 4, the main cyclic AMP (cAMP) degrading enzymes in arteries, may have therapeutic potential in cerebrovascular disorders. We analysed the effects of such phosphodiesterases in guinea pig cerebral arteries with organ bath technique and cyclic nucleotide assays. Guinea pig and human cerebral arteries were used for phosphodiesterase assays. Cilostazol (6-[4-(1-cyclohexyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)butoxy]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone), a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor, was compared to conventional phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitors. Phosphodiesterases 3 and 4 were the major contributors to total cAMP hydrolysis in the arteries examined. The phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitors additionally attenuated cyclic GMP (cGMP) hydrolysis, but relaxant responses were not dependent on an intact endothelium or on the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway. Conversely, the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor used was endothelium-dependent and affected by cGMP levels. This suggests that phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitors are still effective under conditions with possible dysfunctional nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, such as in ischemic stroke or cerebral vasospasm.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein induction in focal stroke: a neuroprotective vascular peptide

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a multifunctional peptide that enhances blood flow in non-central nervous system (CNS) vascular beds by causing vasodilation. PTHrP expression is induced in non-CNS organs in response to ischemia. Experiments were therefore undertaken to determine whether PTHrP can be induced in brain in response to ischemic injury and whether PTHrP can act locally as a vasodilator in the cerebral vasculature, an effect that could be neuroprotective in the setting of stroke. PTHrP expression was examined by Northern analysis and immunohistochemical staining in male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Vasodilatory effects of superfused PTHrP(1-34) on pial arterioles were determined by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Effects of PTHrP(1-34) peptide administration on MCAO infarction size reduction were assessed. PTHrP expression was induced in the ischemic hemisphere as early as 4 h after MCAO and remained elevated for up to 24 h. Increased immunoreactive PTHrP at sites of ischemic tissue injury was located in the cerebral microvessels. Superfusion with PTHrP(1-34) peptide for up to 25 min increased pial arteriolar diameter by 30% in normal animals. In animals with permanent MCAO, PTHrP(1-34) peptide treatment significantly decreased cortical infarct size (-47%). In summary, PTHrP expression increases at sites of ischemic brain injury in the cerebrovasculature. This local increase in PTHrP could be an adaptive response that enhances blood flow to the ischemic brain, thus limiting cell injury.

Effect of mild hypothermia on inodilator-induced vasodilation of pial arterioles in cats

BACKGROUND

Mild hypothermia has been proposed as a means of providing cerebral protection after traumatic brain injury. However, hypothermia has been shown to alter not only physiologic but also pharmacologic responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether mild hypothermia (3-4 degrees C temperature reduction) could alter cerebral vasodilation induced by inodilators, which are characterized by having an inotropic effect in addition to a vasodilatory effect. Isoproterenol (a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist), colforsin dapropate (an adenylate cyclase stimulant), and amrinone (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) were chosen as inodilators.

METHODS

The cranial window technique, combined with microscopic video recording, was used. Forty-eight cats were randomly assigned to either a normothermic or a hypothermic group (33 degrees C). Isoproterenol, colforsin dapropate, or amrinone was topically applied in the cranial window and the diameter of pial arterioles was measured.

RESULTS

Topical administration of isoproterenol, colforsin dapropate, and amrinone produced a significant dilation in a dose-dependent manner during normothermia. The vasodilation induced by these inodilators was not affected by mild hypothermia.

CONCLUSION

The vasodilation induced by topical administration of isoproterenol, colforsin dapropate, and amrinone was not affected by mild hypothermia.

Identification, characterization, and functional role of phosphodiesterase type IV in cerebral vessels: effects of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors

The role of the phosphodiesterase type IV isozyme (PDE IV) in the regulation of cerebrovascular tone was investigated in the canine basilar artery in vitro and in vivo. The PDE isozymes extracted from the canine basilar artery were isolated by diethylaminoethanol (DEAE)-Sepharose affinity chromatography and identified based on sensitivity to isozyme-selective PDE inhibitors. [3H]cAMP hydrolysis was observed in one major and one minor peak of activity. The predominant peak was inhibited by the addition of cGMP (25%), siguazodan (26%), rolipram (39%), and the combination of siguazodan and rolipram (95%). Selective PDE IV inhibitors BRL 61063, rolipram, and denbufylline were equieffective inhibitors of [3H]-ccAMP hydrolysis mediated by PDE IV isolated from the canine basilar artery [concentrations producing 50% inhibition (IC50S) = 0.21 +/- 0.05 microM, 0.67 +/- 0.23 microM, and 0.73 +/- 0.16 microM, respectively]. In precontracted isolated ring segments of the canine basilar artery, selective PDE IV inhibitors produced potent and complete relaxation (IC50S < 150 nM). In contrast, zaprinast (a selective PDE V inhibitor) and siguazodan (a selective PDE III inhibitor) produced only weak relaxation of the basilar artery (IC50S = 4.5 microM and > 10 microM, respectively). Vasorelaxation produced by PDE IV inhibitors was not altered by removing the endothelium, 1-NAME, or adenosine receptor antagonism. In a canine model of acute cerebral vasospasm, all three selective PDE IV inhibitors reversed basilar artery spasm produced by autologous blood without altering mean arterial blood pressure. In contrast, prolonged treatment with BRL 61063 failed to alter the development of basilar spasm in the two hemorrhage canine models of chronic cerebral vasospasm. Denbufylline-induced relaxation in vitro was also significantly impaired in basilar arteries obtained from the model of chronic vasospasm. In conclusion, PDE IV appears to be the predominant isozyme regulating vascular tone mediated by cAMP hydrolysis in cerebral vessels. In addition, vasorelaxation modulated by PDE IV is compromised in chronic cerebral vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

beta-Adrenoceptor stimulation activates large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in smooth muscle cells from basilar artery of guinea pig

We studied the effect of isoproterenol on the Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel in smooth muscle cells isolated from the basilar artery of the guinea pig. Cells were studied in a whole-cell configuration to allow the clamping of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i. Macroscopic BK channel currents were recorded during depolarizing test pulses from a holding potential (VH) of 0 mV, which was used to inactivate the outward rectifier. The outward macroscopic current available from a VH of 0 mV was highly sensitive to block by external tetraethylammonium Cl (TEA) and charybdotoxin, and was greatly augmented by increasing [Ca2+]i from 0.01 to 1.0 microM. With [Ca2+]i between 0.1 and 1.0 microM, 0.4 microM isoproterenol increased this current by 58.6 +/- 17.1%, whereas with [Ca2+]i at 0.01 microM a sixfold smaller increase was observed. With [Ca2+]i > or = 0.1 microM, 100 microM dibutyryl -adenosine 3':5: cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and 1 microM forskolin increased this current by 58.5 +/- 24.1% and 59.7 +/- 10.3%, respectively. The increase with isoproterenol was blocked by 4.0 microM propranolol extracellularly, and by 10 U/ml protein kinase inhibitor intracellularly. Single-channel openings during depolarizing test pulses from a VH of 0 mV recorded in the whole-cell configuration under the same conditions (outside-out-whole-cell recording) indicated a slope conductance of 260 pS. In conventional outside-out patches, this 260-pS channel was highly sensitive to block by external TEA, and in inside-out patches, its probability of opening was greatly augmented by increasing [Ca2+]i from 0.01 to 1.0 microM. Outside-out-whole-cell recordings with [Ca2+]i > or = 0.1 microM indicated that 100 microM dibutyryl-cAMP increased the probability of opening of the 260-pS channel by 152 +/- 115%. In inside-out patches, the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A increased the probability of opening, and this effect also depended on [Ca2+]i , with a 35-fold larger effect observed with 0.1-0.5 microM Ca2+ compared to 0.01 microM Ca2+. We conclude that the BK channel in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells can be activated by beta-adrenoceptor stimulation, that the effect depends strongly on [Ca2+]i, and that the effect is mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A with no important contribution from a direct G-protein or phosphorylation-independent mechanism. Our data indicate that the BK channel may participate in beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of cerebral vessels, although the importance of this pathway in obtaining vasorelaxation remains to be determined.

Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to activation of adenylate cyclase is dependent on activation of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels

The role of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels in mediating vascular responses to activation of adenylate cyclase in vivo is not known. The goal of this study was to examine the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to activation of adenylate cyclase is mediated by activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured in vivo in anesthetized rabbits. Topical application of forskolin (1 and 10 mumol/L), a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, dilated cerebral arterioles by 40 +/- 8% (mean +/- SEM) and 71 +/- 9%, respectively, from a control diameter of 85 +/- 4 microns. Iberiotoxin (50 and 100 nmol/L), a selective inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels, inhibited dilatation in response to both concentrations of forskolin by 45% to 60%. We obtained similar results by using charybdotoxin (50 nmol/L), another inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Vasodilatation in response to dibutyryl cAMP (a cell-permeable cAMP analogue) was also inhibited by iberiotoxin. In contrast, dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine (activators of guanylate cyclase) and aprikalim (activator of ATP-sensitive potassium channels) was not inhibited by iberiotoxin. These findings suggest that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to forskolin and increases in intracellular concentrations of cAMP are mediated by activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. Thus, activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels may be a major mechanism of cerebral vasodilatation in response to activation of adenylate cyclase in vivo.

Cholinergic and vasoactive intestinal polypeptidergic innervation of the cerebral arteries

Acetylcholine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide are not only two vasoactive agonists that predominantly induce a vasodilatation of the cerebral arteries, but also correspond to neurotransmitters that innervate the various anatomical segments of the cerebral vasculature. The distinct patterns of the cerebrovascular cholinergic and vasoactive intestinal polypeptidergic innervation, their neurochemistry, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, as well as the putative pathophysiological implications of these neurotransmission systems are critically summarized on the basis of the most recently published literature.

Examination of the role of inhibition of cyclic AMP in alpha 2-adrenoceptor mediated contractions of the porcine isolated palmar lateral vein

1. We have examined the effect of elevation of cellular adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) on alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of the isolated palmar lateral vein of the pig. Cellular cyclic AMP was increased by either inhibition of phosphodiesterase by rolipram, or direct activation of adenylyl cyclase by forskolin. 2. Noradrenaline (1 nM-10 microM) caused concentration-dependent contractions of the porcine isolated palmar lateral vein (pD2 7.32 +/- 0.07, n = 10). The selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (0.1 microM) and the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, rauwolscine (1 microM) caused a 10 fold rightward displacement of the concentration-response curve and a combination of the two antagonists caused a 200 fold rightward displacement of the concentration-response curve. The selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, UK-14304, also produced concentration-dependent contractions of the palmar lateral vein (pD2 7.70 +/- 0.15, n = 5), but the maximum response was 55.5 +/- 7.6% (n = 5) of that produced by noradrenaline. Prazosin (0.1 microM) failed to affect responses to UK-14304 but rauwolscine, 1 microM, caused a 200 fold rightward displacement. The estimated pKB value for rauwolscine (8.28 +/- 0.19, n = 10) is consistent with inhibition of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Thus, the porcine isolated palmar lateral vein has a population of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors capable of producing a contraction. 3. Rolipram, 10 micro M, and forskolin, 1 micro M, caused a 2-3 fold rightward displacement of the noradrenaline concentration-response curve (CRC), but 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, 1 micro M, a forskolin analogue which does not activate adenylyl cyclase, failed to produce a significant inhibition of noradrenaline induced contractions. The combination of forskolin (1 micro M) and rolipram (10 micro M) were additive, producing a 20 fold rightward displacement of the noradrenaline CRC.4. Responses to noradrenaline were similarly affected by a combination of rolipram (10 micro M) and prazosin (0.1 micro M) (isolation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors) and the combination of rolipram (10 micro M) and rauwolscine(1 micro M) (isolation of alpha l-adrenoceptors), resulting in a 100 fold rightward displacement of the noradrenaline CRC. Although forskolin inhibited both alpha l- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions,the effects produced were not similar. In particular, noradrenaline, 0.3-3 micro M, produced a significant contraction in the presence of forskolin (1 micro M) and prazosin (0.1 micro M) (an alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated response) but not in the presence of forskolin (1 micro M) and rauwolscine (1 micro M) (an alpha l-adrenoceptor mediated response).5. Five minute exposure to either rolipram (10 micro M) or forskolin (1 micro M) elevated [3H]-cyclic AMP of the porcine isolated palmar lateral vein by approximately 70% and 150-200%, respectively. Neither noradrenaline (1 nM- 100 micro M) nor UK-14304 (1 nM- 100 micro M) affected basal levels of [3H]-cyclic AMP,but both produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of forskolin-stimulated [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation with a pKi of 7.43 +/- 0.1 (n = 3) and 7.97 +/- 0.18 (n = 3), respectively. The effect of noradrenaline against forskolin-stimulated [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation was reversed by rauwolscine(1 micro M) but not by prazosin (0.1 micro M). In contrast, alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation did not affect rolipram induced elevation of [3H]-cyclic AMP.6. These findings indicate that M2-adrenoceptor contractions of the porcine isolated palmar lateral vein are not produced by reduction in cellular cyclic AMP per se. It is proposed that this response involves a novel signal transduction mechanism. However, when cellular cyclic AMP has been elevated by agents that stimulate adenylyl cyclase, rather than through inhibition of phosphodiesterase, the ability of alpha 2-adrenoceptors to inhibit cyclic AMP formation may be of functional importance in vascular smooth muscle.

Protein kinase A increases availability of calcium channels in smooth muscle cells from guinea pig basilar artery

We studied single Ca2+ channels in smooth muscle cells from the basilar artery of the guinea pig using conventional patch-clamp techniques. With 40 mM or 90 mM Ba2+ as the charge carrier, a 23-pS inward current channel was observed in 46/187 cell-attached patches studied without the dihydropyridine, BAY K8644, in the pipette solution. At 0 mV, this channel exhibited short and long openings with time constants of 1.03 and 3.65 ms, respectively. The probability of channel opening was voltage dependent with half-activation occurring at +9.9 mV. In 14/26 patches tested, addition of 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) to the bath increased the probability of opening at -10 mV by a factor of 2.6, from 0.0272 +/- 0.0429 to 0.0695 +/- 0.0788 (P < 0.01, paired t-test). Mean data from five patches fit to a Boltzmann function indicated that at positive potentials, the probability of opening increased by a factor of 1.7, from 0.352 to 0.600, whereas the voltage dependence, the number of channels, the number of open states, the time constants of the open states, and the proportion of time spent in each open state were unchanged. When BAY K8644 was added to the pipette solution, the 23-pS channel was observed in nearly all patches (62/66), but the voltage dependence of activation was shifted -15.3 mV compared to control. In some patches studied with 90 mM Ba2+, a 9-pS inward current channel also was observed and its activity also was increased significantly by 8-Br-cAMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the contractile activity of human uterine smooth muscle

1. In the present study we examined the in vitro effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on spontaneous contractions in both inner and outer layers of non-pregnant human myometrium. A dose-dependent relaxation was observed, but with a marked difference in sensitivity to VIP between the two layers, with an IC50 value of 1 x 10(-8) and 1 x 10(-5) mol L in the outer and inner layers, respectively. 2. We also established that VIP did not directly stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity. The only slight stimulations were observed in non-initial rate conditions. The maximal response of this indirect effect was obtained for VIP concentrations between 1 x 10(-9) and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L and this occurred to the same extent (an approximately 1.4-fold increase) in both layers. However this response is specific, since structurally related peptides such as glucagon, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), secretin, or human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF) had no effect in our preparations. 3. Autoradiographic studies revealed that specific VIP binding sites were located on the vascularization of the intermediate vascular layer and on arterioles and venules distributed in the inner and outer myometrial layers. They were also present in the endometrium, but not on smooth muscle cells of either layer. 4. Such observations could provide evidence for another signal transduction pathway to mediate the biological effect of VIP. An additional intermediate step on the vascularization distributed in all of the muscle cannot be excluded.

Second messenger systems: functional role in cerebrovascular smooth muscle regulation

The role of two second messenger systems in alterations of cerebrovascular smooth muscle tone was examined in feline cerebral arteries using an in vitro preparation of vessel segments and cortical pial vessels in situ. Forskolin, which is known to activate adenylate cyclase, elicited a concentration-dependent relaxation of arteries preconstricted with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) (EC50 was approximately 300 nM). Microapplication of forskolin around individual cortical arteries and arterioles in situ elicited a dose-dependent dilatation. The maximum increase in arteriolar calibre was 54 +/- 4% from pre-injection calibre and EC50 was approximately 100 nM. Phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDBu), which activates protein kinase C, elicited strong contractions of cerebral vessels. In vitro, PDBu contracted vessel segments in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 was approximately 100 nM). Similarly, PDBu elicited potent dose-dependent constriction of pial arterioles in situ. The maximum response to PDBu was a 37 +/- 5% reduction in arteriolar calibre and the concentration eliciting EC50 was approximately 100 nM. These data provide an assessment to capacity of feline cerebral arteries to dilate and contract in response to adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C activation respectively.