Brain blood flow during hypercapnia in fish: no role of nitric oxide

Phylogenesis of constitutively formed nitric oxide in non-mammals

It is widely recognized that nitric oxide (NO) in mammalian tissues is produced from L-arginine via catalysis by NO synthase (NOS) isoforms such as neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) that are constitutively expressed mainly in the central and peripheral nervous system and vascular endothelial cells, respectively. This review concentrates only on these constitutive NOS (cNOS) isoforms while excluding information about iNOS, which is induced mainly in macrophages upon stimulation by cytokines and polysaccharides. The NO signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the functional regulation of mammalian tissues and organs. Evidence has also been accumulated for the role of NO in invertebrates and non-mammalian vertebrates. Expression of nNOS in the brain and peripheral nervous system is widely determined by staining with NADPH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) diaphorase or NOS immunoreactivity, and functional roles of NO formed by nNOS are evidenced in the early phylogenetic stages (invertebrates and fishes). On the other hand, the endothelium mainly produces vasodilating prostanoids rather than NO or does not liberate endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) (fishes), and the ability of endothelial cells to liberate NO is observed later in phylogenetic stages (amphibians). This review article summarizes various types of interesting information obtained from lower organisms (invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and birds) about the properties and distribution of nNOS and eNOS and also the roles of NO produced by the cNOS as an important intercellular signaling molecule.

Hydrogen sulfide as an endogenous regulator of vascular smooth muscle tone in trout

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is an endogenous vasodilator in mammals, but its presence and function in other vertebrates is unknown. We generated H(2)S from NaHS and examined the effects on isolated efferent branchial arteries from steelhead (stEBA) or rainbow (rtEBA) trout. H(2)S concentration was measured colorimetrically (CM) and with ion-selective electrodes (ISE) in rainbow trout plasma. NaHS produced a triphasic response consisting of a relaxation (phase 1), constriction (phase 2), and relaxation (phase 3) in both unstimulated vessels and in stEBA precontracted with carbachol (Carb). Phase 1 and phase 3 in stEBA were decreased and phase 2 increased in unstimulated vessels by K(+)(ATP) channel inhibition (glibenclamide), or a cocktail of inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P-450 (indomethacin, esculetin, and clotrimazole). Inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase with ODQ o NS-2028 inhibited phase 3 in stEBA, although NaHS decreased cGMP production by tEBA. stEBA phase 2 contractions were partially inhibited by the myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, ML-9, but unaffected by L-type calcium channel inhibition (methoxyverapamil), whereas contraction in tEBA was partially inhibited by nifedipine or removal of extracellular calcium. Phase 3 relaxations were more pronounced in stEBA precontracted with Carb and no epinephrine (NE) than those cont acted by KCl or K(2)SO(4). stEBA phase 2 and phase 3 responses were dose dependent (EC(50) = 1.1 +/- 1.2 x 10(-3) M and 6.7 +/- 0.9 x 10(-5) M, respectively; n = 7). NaHS was also vasoactive in steelhead bulbus arteriosus, celiac mesenteric arteries, and anterior cardinal veins. Rainbow trout plasma sulfide concentration was 4.0 +/- 0.3 x 10(-5) M, n = 4 (CM) and 3.8 +/- 0.4 x 10(-5) M, n = 9 (ISE); similar to phase 3 EC(50). Because NaHS has substantial vasoactive effects at physiological plasma concentrations, we propose that its soluble derivative, H(2)S, is a tonically active endogenous vasoregulator in trout.

Endothelin induced cerebral vasoconstriction in rainbow trout, detected in a novel in vitro preparation

We have here developed an in vitro method for examining cerebral vasoconstriction/vasodilation in fish brain tissue, relying on microscopic observation of the diameter of an artery (denoted tectal artery) on the ventral side of the isolated optic tectum of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Using this technique, we show that endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a powerful vasoconstrictor in rainbow trout brain. When surperfused over the optic tectum, 1.0-2.5 nM of ET-1 caused 23 and 46% reductions, respectively, in the tectal artery diameter. This vasoconstriction could be completely blocked by the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan. ET-1 is the first substance shown to constrict cerebral arteries in fish.

Energy metabolism of fish brain

This review focuses on recent research on the metabolic function of fish brain. Fish brain is isolated from the systemic circulation by a blood-brain barrier that allows the transport of glucose, monocarboxylates and amino acids. The limited information available in fishes suggests that oxidation of exogenous glucose and oxidative phosphorylation provide most of the ATP required for brain function in teleosts, whereas oxidation of ketones and amino acids occurs preferentially in elasmobranchs. In several agnathans and benthic teleosts brain glycogen levels rather than exogenous glucose may be the proximate glucose source for oxidation. In situations when glucose is in limited supply, teleost brains utilize other fuels such as lactate or ketones. Information on use of lipids and amino acids as fuels in fish brain is scarce. The main pathways of brain energy metabolism are changed by several effectors. Thus, several parameters of brain energy metabolism have been demonstrated to change post-prandially in teleostean fishes. The absence of food in teleosts elicits profound changes in brain energy metabolism (increased glycogenolysis and use of ketones) in a way similar to that demonstrated in mammals though delayed in time. Environmental factors induce changes in brain energy parameters in teleosts such as the enhancement of glycogenolysis elicited by pollutants, increased capacity for anaerobic glycolysis under hypoxia/anoxia or changes in substrate utilization elicited by adaptation to cold. Furthermore, several studies demonstrate effects of melatonin, insulin, glucagon, GLP-1, cortisol or catecholamines on energy parameters of teleost brain, although in most cases the results are quite preliminary being difficult to relate the effects of those hormones to physiological situations. The few studies performed with the different cell types available in the nervous system of fish allow us to hypothesize few functional relationships among those cells. Future research perspectives are also outlined.

Prolonged hypercapnia-evoked cerebral hyperemia via K(+) channel- and prostaglandin E(2)-dependent endothelial nitric oxide synthase induction

Mechanisms for secondary sustained increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) during prolonged hypercapnia are unknown. We show that induction of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) by an increase in prostaglandins (PGs) contributes to the secondary CBF increase during hypercapnic acidosis. Ventilation of pigs with 6% CO(2) (PaCO(2 approximately)65 mm Hg; pH approximately 7.2) caused a approximately 2.5-fold increase in CBF at 30 minutes, which declined to basal values at 3 hours and gradually rose again at 6 and 8 hours; the latter increase was associated with PG elevation, nitrite formation, eNOS mRNA expression, and in situ NO synthase (NOS) reactivity (NADPH-diaphorase staining). Subjecting free-floating brain sections to acidotic conditions increased eNOS expression, the time course of which was similar to that of CBF increase. Treatment of pigs with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac or the NOS inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine blunted the initial rise and prevented the secondary CBF increase during hypercapnic acidosis; neuronal NOS blockers 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl) imidazole and 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole were ineffective. Diclofenac abolished the hypercapnia-induced rise in cerebrovascular nitrite production, eNOS mRNA expression, and NADPH-diaphorase reactivity. Acidosis (pH approximately 7.15, PCO(2 approximately )40 mm Hg; 6 hours) produced similar increases in prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and eNOS mRNA levels in isolated brain microvessels and in NADPH-diaphorase reactivity of brain microvasculature; these changes were prevented by diclofenac, by the receptor-operated Ca(2+) channel blocker SK&F96365, and by the K(ATP) channel blocker glybenclamide. Acidosis increased Ca(2+) transients in brain endothelial cells, which were blocked by glybenclamide and SK&F96365 but not by diclofenac. Increased PG-related eNOS mRNA and NO-dependent vasorelaxation to substance P was detected as well in rat brain exposed to 6 hours of hypercapnia. PGE(2) was the only major prostanoid that modulated brain eNOS expression during acidosis. Thus, in prolonged hypercapnic acidosis, the secondary CBF rise is closely associated with induction of eNOS expression; this seems to be mediated by PGE(2) generated by a K(ATP) and Ca(2+) channel-dependent process.