Alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of rabbit mesenteric artery: a role for intra- and extracellular calcium pools

Na+-independent, nifedipine-resistant rat afferent arteriolar Ca2+ responses to noradrenaline: possible role of TRPC channels

AIM

In rat afferent arterioles we investigated the role of Na(+) entry in noradrenaline (NA)-induced depolarization and voltage-dependent Ca(2+) entry together with the importance of the transient receptor potential channel (TRPC) subfamily for non-voltage-dependent Ca(2+) entry.

METHODS

R (340/380) Fura-2 fluorescence was used as an index for intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Immunofluorescence detected the expression of TRPC channels.

RESULTS

TRPC 1, 3 and 6 were expressed in afferent arteriolar vascular smooth muscle cells. Under extracellular Na(+)-free (0 Na) conditions, the plateau response to NA was 115% of the baseline R(340/380) (control response 123%). However, as the R(340/380) baseline increased (7%) after 0 Na the plateau reached the same level as during control conditions. Similar responses were obtained after blockade of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger. The L-type blocker nifedipine reduced the plateau response to NA both under control (from 134% to 116% of baseline) and 0 Na conditions (from 112% to 103% of baseline). In the presence of nifedipine, the putative TRPC channel blockers SKF 96365 (30 μm) and Gd(3+) (100 μm) further reduced the plateau Ca(2+) responses to NA (from 117% to 102% and from 117% to 110% respectively).

CONCLUSION

We found that Na(+) is not crucial for the NA-induced depolarization that mediates Ca(2+) entry via L-type channels. In addition, the results are consistent with the idea that TRPC1/3/6 Ca(2+) -permeable cation channels expressed in afferent arteriolar smooth muscle cells mediate Ca(2+) entry during NA stimulation.

Vasodilatation produced by orientin and its mechanism study

In this paper we investigated the vascular activity and possible mechanism of Orientin, from bamboo leaves (Phyllostachys nigra), in isolated thoracic aortic rings from New Zealand rabbit. Among the four compounds, studied, only Orientin relaxed phenylephrine-induced contractions with an IC50 value of 2.28 microM in the endothelium intact and with an IC50 value around 7.27 microM in the endothelium removed aortic rings. The vasorelaxant effect of Orientin on endothelium-intact thoracic aortic rings was attenuated by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, but not by indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), tetraethylammonium chloride (K+ channels inhibitor) or propranolol (beta-receptor inhibitor). Furthermore, Orientin inhibited norepinephrine (NE), CaCl2 and KCl-induced vasoconstriction concentration dependently in a non-competitive manner, and also reduced both the initial fast release and the sustained phases of phenylephrine-induced contractions. Orientin can stimulate NO production from endothelial cells. Orientin also increased cyclic guanosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels without changes in adenosine-3',5'-cyclic phosphoric acid (cAMP) in rabbit aorta. The results showed that Orientin relaxed thoracic aortic rings by the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, and in the vascular smooth muscle inhibited the contraction induced by the activation of receptor-operating and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Cyclooxygenase pathway, potassium channels, beta-receptors and cAMP pathway, on the other hand, had no apparent roles. The inhibition of both intracellular Ca2+ release and extracellular Ca2+ influx may be one of the main vasorelaxant mechanisms of Orientin.

Calcium handling in afferent arterioles

The cytosolic intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) is a major determining factor in the vascular smooth muscle tone. In the afferent arteriole it has been shown that agonists utilizing G-protein coupled receptors recruit Ca(2+) via release from intracellular stores and entry via pathways in the plasma membrane. The relative importances of entry vs. mobilization seem to differ between different agonists, species and preparations. The entry pathway might include different types of voltage sensitive Ca(2+) channels located in the plasmalemma such as dihydropyridine sensitive L-type channels, T-type channels and P/Q channels. A role for non-voltage sensitive entry pathways has also been suggested. The importance of voltage sensitive Ca(2+) channels in the control of the tone of the afferent arteriole (and thus in the control of renal function and whole body control of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure) sheds light on the control of the membrane potential of afferent arteriolar smooth muscle cells. Thus, K(+) and Cl(-) channels are of importance in their role as major determinants of membrane potential. Some studies suggest a role for calcium-activated chloride (Cl(Ca)) channels in the renal vasoconstriction elicited by agonists. Other investigators have found evidence for several types of K(+) channels in the regulation of the afferent arteriolar tone. The available literature in this field regarding afferent arterioles is, however, relatively sparse and not conclusive. This review is an attempt to summarize the results obtained by others and ourselves in the field of agonist induced afferent arteriolar Ca(2+) recruitment, with special emphasis on the control of voltage sensitive Ca(2+) entry. Outline of the Manuscript: This manuscript is structured as follows: it begins with an introduction where the general role for [Ca(2+)](i) as a key factor in the regulation of the tone of vascular smooth muscles (VSMC) is detailed. In this section there is an emphasis is on observations that could be attributed to afferent arteriolar function. We then investigate the literature and describe our results regarding the relative roles for Ca(2+) entry and intracellular release in afferent arterioles in response to vasoactive agents, with the focus on noradrenalin (NA) and angiotensin II (Ang II). Finally, we examine the role of ion channels (i.e. K(+) and Cl(-) channels) for the membrane potential, and thus activation of voltage sensitive Ca(2+) channels.

Dopamine D 1 Receptor Augmentation of D 3 Receptor Action in Rat Aortic or Mesenteric Vascular Smooth Muscles

Dopamine is an important modulator of blood pressure, in part, by regulating vascular resistance. To test the hypothesis that D 1 and D 3 receptors interact in vascular smooth muscle cells, we studied A10 cells, a rat aortic smooth muscle cell line, and rat mesenteric arteries that express both dopamine receptor subtypes. Fenoldopam, a D 1 -like receptor agonist, increased both D 1 and D 3 receptor protein in a time-dependent and a concentration-dependent manner in A10 cells. The effect of fenoldopam was specific because a D 1 -like receptor antagonist, SCH23390 (10 −7 M/24 h), completely blocked the stimulatory effect of fenoldopam (10 −7 M/24 h) (D 3 receptor: control=21±1 density units [DU]); SCH23390=23±2 DU; fenoldopam=33±2 DU; fenoldopam+SCH23390=23±2 DU; n=10). D 1 and D 3 receptors physically interacted with each other because fenoldopam (10 −7 M/24 h) increased D 1 /D 3 receptor coimmunoprecipitation (35±5 versus 65±5 DU; n=8). A D 3 receptor agonist, PD128907, relaxed mesenteric arterial rings independent of the endothelium, effects that were blocked by a D 3 receptor antagonist, U99194A. Costimulation of D 1 and D 3 receptors led to additive vasorelaxation. We conclude that the D 1 receptor regulates the D 3 receptor by physical interaction and receptor expression. D 1 receptor stimulation augments D 3 receptor vasorelaxant effects. An interaction of D 1 and D 3 receptors may be involved in the regulation of blood pressure.

Vasorelaxant effect of harman

The in vivo cardiovascular effect and in vitro vasorelaxant effect of harman, one of harmala alkaloids isolated from Peganum harmala, were examined in this study. Harman (1-10 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently produced transient hypotension and long-lasting bradycardia in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, which were attenuated by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine pretreatment. In isolated rat endothelium-intact thoracic aortic rings, harman concentration dependently relaxed phenylepherine-induced contractions with an IC(50) value around 9 microM. This vasorelaxant effect was attenuated by endothelium removal or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester pretreatment, but not by tetraethylammonium or indomethacin pretreatment. In cultured rat aortic endothelial cells, harman (1-100 microM) concentration dependently increased nitric oxide (NO) release, which was dependent on the presence of external Ca(2+). Harman pretreatment (3-30 microM) also concentration dependently inhibited the contractions induced by phenylephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and KCl in endothelium-denuded aortic rings in a non-competitive manner. In addition, harman pretreatment reduced both phasic and tonic phases of phenylephrine-induced contractions. Receptor binding assays further indicated that harman (K(i) values around 5-141 microM) interacted with the cardiac alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, brain 5-HT(2) receptors, and cardiac 1, 4-dihydropyridine binding site of L-type Ca(2+) channels. Therefore, the present results suggested that the vasorelaxant effect of harman was attributed to its actions on the endothelial cells to release NO and on the vascular smooth muscles to inhibit the contractions induced by the activation of receptor-linked and voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels. The vasorelaxant effect may be involved in the hypotensive effect of harman.

Calcium recruitment in renal vasculature: NE effects on blood flow and cytosolic calcium concentration

This study provides new information about the relative importance of Ca2+ mobilization and entry in the renal vascular response to adrenoceptor activation. We measured renal blood flow (RBF) in Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo using electromagnetic flowmetry. We measured intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated afferent arterioles utilizing ratiometric photometry of fura-2 fluorescence. Renal arterial injection of NE produced a transient decrease in RBF. The response was attenuated, in a dose-dependent manner, up to approximately 50% by nifedipine, an antagonist of L-type Ca2+ entry channels. Inhibition of Ca2+ mobilization by 3,4, 5-trimethoxybenzoic acid-8-(diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8) inhibited the renal vascular effects of NE in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal blockade of approximately 80%. No additional attenuation was observed when nifedipine and TMB-8 were administered together. In microdissected afferent arterioles, norepinephrine (NE; 10(-6) M) elicited an immediate square-shaped increase in [Ca2+]i, from 110 to 240 nM. This in vitro response was blocked by nifedipine (10(-6) M) and TMB-8 (10(-5) M) to a degree similar to that of the in vivo experiments. A nominally calcium-free solution blocked 80-90% of the [Ca2+]i response to NE. The increased [Ca2+]i elicited by depolarization with medium containing 50 mM KCl was totally blocked by nifedipine. In contrast, TMB-8 had no effect. Our results indicate that both Ca2+ entry and mobilization play important roles in the renal vascular Ca2+ and contractile response to adrenoceptor activation. The entry and mobilization mechanisms activated by NE may interact. That a calcium-free solution caused a larger inhibition of the NE effects on afferent arterioles than nifedipine suggests more than one Ca2+ entry pathway.

Nifedipine inhibits responses to alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation in canine blood vessels: impact of heart failure

The effects of nifedipine (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) on alpha-adrenergic responses of the dorsal pedal artery and saphenous vein were examined from dogs with pacing-induced heart failure. Two groups of dogs had their right ventricles paced at 250 beats/min: group (1) 1 week of pacing (mild heart failure) and group (2) paced for a mean period of 25.8 days (peak heart failure). Nifedipine non-competitively antagonised 6-allyl-2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H- thiazolo[4,5-d]azepin dihydrochloride (BHT 920)-induced contractions to the same extent (i.e. at control, mild heart failure and peak heart failure) and IC50 values were as follows: for dorsal pedal artery 3.9 (1.8-6.1) nM, 4.4 (1.2-8.4) nM and 8.5 (2.9-38.9) nM, respectively; for saphenous vein 13.0 (4.6-26.0) nM, 13.0 (7.3-18.6) nM and 19.0 (9.3-32.8) nM, respectively). Before the onset of pacing, nifedipine did not affect concentration-effect curves generated to noradrenaline or phenylephrine in either the artery or the vein. After 1 week of pacing, nifedipine (10(-7) M) inhibited contractions to noradrenaline in the artery and the vein (70 +/- 5% for the artery and 51 +/- 4% for the vein). Nifedipine had no effect on phenylephrine-induced contractions. At peak heart failure, nifedipine inhibited both noradrenaline and phenylephrine contractions. These results indicate that nifedipine is useful in differentiating contractile activity of vascular smooth muscle with respect to alpha-adrenoceptor agonism.

Antihypertensive and vasodilator effect of A-80b, a new pyridazino indole derivative

The hypotensive and antihypertensive activities of a A-80b, a newly synthesized pyridazino[4,5-b]indole derivate were investigated in anaesthetized rats. In vitro studies were also done to examine the possible mechanism of its vasodilator action. A 80b (3-15 mg/kg i.p.) showed potent and long-lasting antihypertensive activity in spontaneous hypertensive rats. In normotensive rats, A-80b (7.5-30 mg/kg i.p.) also lowered blood pressure but less than in hypertensive rats. The decrease in diastolic pressure was greater than the decrease in systolic pressure and cardiac frequency was not modified significantly. Contractile responses induced in isolated rat thoracic aorta by K+ and noradrenaline were inhibited by A-80b. In K(+)-depolarized rat aorta, A-80b showed dose-dependent inhibition of the Ca(2+)-induced contraction. Also, A-80b inhibited spontaneous contractions of rat portal vein. The vasodilator action seemed to be endothelium-independent. These results suggest that A-80b is a new chemical entity which exerts a hypotensive and antihypertensive effect, possibly attributable to vasodilator activity via interference with Ca2+ influx and probably Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores.

Adrenergic and purinergic cotransmission in nicotine-evoked vasoconstriction in rabbit ileocolic arteries

The possible involvement of ATP, in addition to noradrenaline, in nicotine-evoked vasoconstriction was studied in branches of the ileocolic artery of the rabbit. For measurement of vasoconstrictor responses, the arteries were simultaneously incubated and perfused. For measurement of the release of [3H]-noradrenaline, they were preincubated with [3H]-noradrenaline and then superfused. Prazosin (0.1 mumol/l) antagonized the constrictor effect of exogenous noradrenaline but not that of exogenous ATP. Desensitization of P2X-receptors by alpha, beta-methylene ATP markedly attenuated the effect of exogenous ATP but not that of noradrenaline. The presumed P2-purinoceptor antagonist suramin (100 mumol/l) reduced the maximal contraction obtainable with noradrenaline and shifted the concentration-response curve for the constrictor effect of alpha, beta-methylene ATP to the right, but did not change the effect of ATP. Nicotine elicited monophasic vasoconstrictions which faded while nicotine was still in the medium. The concentration-response curve was bell-shaped with an EC50 of 50 mumol/l and a maximal effect at 180 mumol/l, and the exposure time-response curve indicated that responses were maximal after 5 s of contact of nicotine (180 mumol/l) with the tissue. Neither prazosin 0.1 mumol/l nor desensitization by alpha,beta-methylene ATP changed the time course of the response to nicotine, but both depressed the magnitude of the responses over the whole concentration- and exposure time-response curves. The depression was greater with prazosin than with alpha,beta-methylene ATP. Desensitization by alpha,beta-methylene ATP or addition of suramin 100 mumol/l practically abolished the prazosin-resistant part of the response. The effect of nicotine was blocked by hexamethonium as well as by sympathetic denervation by 6-hydroxydopamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative effects of K+ channel blockade on the vasorelaxant activity of cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil

Three agents with K+ channel blocking activity, procaine, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA), were tested for inhibition of vasorelaxation and 86Rb+ efflux induced by cromakalim (BRL 34915), pinacidil and nicorandil in rabbit isolated mesenteric artery. The potency order for inhibition of vasorelaxation was procaine greater than 4-AP greater than TEA and for inhibition of efflux was procaine = 4-AP greater than TEA. The K+ channel blockers did not discriminate between cromakalim, pinacidil or nicorandil on efflux but demonstrated preferential inhibition of vasorelaxation to cromakalim greater than pinacidil greater than nicorandil. In addition, the maximum response to cromakalim was depressed but that to pinacidil and nicorandil was not. The results confirm the role of K+ channel activation in vasorelaxation to cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil, but suggest that additional mechanisms may be involved for pinacidil and, in particular, for nicorandil.

Anti-spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects of BRL 34915: a comparison with nifedipine and nicorandil

1 BRL 34915, nifedipine and nicorandil were compared for anti-spasmogenic activity against field stimulation (frequency-response curves), noradrenaline and KCl (concentration-response curves), and for spasmolytic activity against tissues pre-contacted with 3 X 10(-2) and 9 X 10(-2) M KCl, in rabbit isolated mesenteric artery. 2 BRL 34915 was an effective anti-spasmogenic agent (threshold concentration 10(-8) M) against endogenous noradrenaline released by field stimulation, and slightly less effective (threshold concentration 10(-7) M) against exogenous noradrenaline. Anti-spasmogenic activity of BRL 34915 against KCl was limited. BRL 34915 demonstrated spasmolytic activity against contractions to KCl 3 X 10(-2) M (IC50 = 3.7 X 10(-7) M) but not KCl 9 X 10(-2) M. 3 Nicorandil demonstrated anti-spasmogenic activity against all three contractile stimuli although relatively high concentrations (10(-6)-10(-4) M) of the drug were required. Spasmolytic activity was greater against 3 X 10(-2) M KCl contractions (IC50 = 1.0 X 10(-5) M) than against 9 X 10(-2) M KCl contractions (maximum relaxation of 18% at 10(-4) M). 4 Nifedipine (10(-9)-10(-7) M) was a potent inhibitor of contractions over the entire KCl concentration range (1 X 10(-2)-9 X 10(-2) M). Nifedipine was, however, much less effective against contractions to exogenous or endogenous noradrenaline. 5 The results are consistent with the hypotheses that (a) the inhibitory activity of BRL 34915 may involve K+ channel activation, (b) the inhibition by nicorandil involves an additional mechanism(s) and (c) nifedipine is a Ca2+ channel blocker with selectivity for voltage-operated rather than receptor-operated Ca2+ channels.