Factors affecting the regional haemodynamic responses to glyceryl trinitrate and molsidomine in conscious rats

Pharmacokinetic interaction between 5-[2-propyloxy-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrollidinylethylamidosulfonyl)phenyl]-1-methyl-3-propyl-1,6-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo (4,3-d) pyrimidine-7-one (DA-8159) and nitroglycerin in rats

The pharmacokinetic interaction between 5-[2-propyloxy-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrollidinylethylamidosulfonyl)phenyl]-1-methyl-3-propyl-1,6-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo (4,3-d)pyrimidine-7-one (DA-8159), a new erectogenic, and nitroglycerin has been evaluated in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received DA-8159 (30 mgkg−1) as a single intravenous or oral dose with the simultaneous single intravenous administration of nitroglycerin (2.5 mgkg−1). After simultaneous intravenous administration, the total area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUCinf) of DA-8159 (746 vs 457 μg min mL−1) was found to be significantly greater than with DA-8159 alone. Also, after simultaneous intravenous administration total body clearance (CL) (40.2 vs 65.6 mL min−1 kg−1), renal clearance (CLR) (1.65 vs 5.11 mL min−1 kg−1), and nonrenal clearance (CLNR) (38.3 vs 60.2 mL min−1 kg−1) of DA-8159 were significantly slower compared with DA-8159 alone. The slower CLNR of DA-8159 could have been due to the inhibition of the metabolism of DA-8159 by nitroglycerin, since DA-8159 is metabolized via CYP3A1/2 in rats and nitroglycerin inhibits CYP3A1/2 in rats. The slower CLR of DA-8159 could have been due to the urine flow rate-dependent CLR of DA-8159 in rats. After the simultaneous intravenous administration of nitroglycerin and DA-8159, the AUCinf of nitroglycerin was significantly smaller (635 vs 960 μg min mL−1), which could have been due to the cardiac output-dependent CL of nitroglycerin. However, after the oral administration of DA-8159, the pharmacokinetic parameters of DA-8159 with and without the intravenous administration of nitroglycerin became comparable. This was not due to the decrease in nitroglycerin's gastrointestinal absorption of DA-8159, but could have been due to changes in nitroglycerin's intestinal first-pass effect of DA-8159. Human studies are required to determine the administration time of DA-8159 when nitroglycerin is concomitantly taken.

ACE inhibition restores the vasodilator potency of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, L-S-nitrosocysteine, in conscious Spontaneously Hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE

The major aim of this study was to determine whether the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, captopril or enalapril, restore the diminished vasodilator potency of the endothelium-dependent agonist, acetylcholine (ACh), and the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), L-S-nitrosocysteine (L-SNC), in conscious Spontaneously Hypertensive (SH) rats.

METHODS

The hemodynamic responses elicited by i.v. injections of ACh, L-SNC, and nitric oxide donors such as MAHMA NONOate, were determined in SH rats treated for 7 days with captopril, enalapril, or the direct vasodilator hydralazine. The effects of captopril, enalapril or hydralazine on oxidant stress levels in blood serum and aorta of WKY and SH rats were also determined.

RESULTS

Captopril, enalapril and hydralazine elicited equivalent falls in mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistances in SH rats. ACh- and L-SNC-induced vasodilation were increased in captopril- or enalapril-treated SH rats such that the responses were equal to those in normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats. The attenuated responses of ACh and L-SNC in SH rats were not improved by hydralazine. The vasodilator effects of MAHMA NONOate, which were substantially augmented in SH rats, were not affected by captopril, enalapril or hydralazine. The levels of oxidant stress were markedly reduced in captopril- or enalapril-treated but not hydralazine-treated SH rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding that the ACE inhibitors improved the vasodilator potencies of L-SNC and the EDRF released by ACh in SH rats, suggests that the diminished vasodilator potency of these compounds was due to augmented ACE activity, which increased oxidant stress levels. This study provides the first evidence to support the concept that ACE inhibition lowers arterial pressure in SH rats, at least in part, by restoring the vasodilator potency of endothelium-derived L-SNC.

Role of voltage-sensitive calcium-channels in nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study demonstrates that the vasodilator potencies of nitric oxide (NO) donors such as sodium nitroprusside are increased in conscious Spontaneously Hypertensive (SH) as compared to Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. For example, the NO donors do not dilate hindlimb resistance arteries in WKY rats whereas they elicit pronounced vasodilator responses in SH rats. This study also demonstrates that the NO-mediated vasodilator responses in WKY and SH rats were markedly diminished after blockade of voltage-sensitive Ca2+-channels (CaVS2+-channels) with nifedipine, diltiazem or verapamil. These findings suggest that NO dilates resistance arteries in vivo via direct and/or hyperpolarization-induced closure of CaVS2+-channels and that the increased potency of NO in SH rats may be due to the augmented CaVS2+-channel activity reported in this strain.

Haemodynamic effects of the selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, UK-357,903, in conscious SHR

1. Regional haemodynamic responses to a continuous, 4-day infusion of the selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, UK-357,903 (0.133 or 1.33 mg x kg(-1) h(-1)) were measured in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats, and compared with those of enalapril (1 mg x kg(-1) h(-1)). 2. Both doses of UK-357,903 caused modest reductions in mean blood pressure that were not dose-dependent and only significantly different from the vehicle effects on Day 1 of the study (mean -11.8 and -15.3 mmHg for low and high doses, respectively). UK-357,903 had mesenteric and hindquarters vasodilator effects, which were, again, similar for both dose levels and only significantly different from vehicle on Day 1. Neither dose of UK-357,903 affected renal vascular conductance or heart rate. 3. Although the haemodynamic effects of UK-357,903 were not clearly dose-related and some appeared to wane with time, geometric mean plasma levels of UK-357,903 increased in proportion to dose, and were sustained throughout the infusion period. Furthermore, plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate, a biomarker of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition, was persistently elevated, and increased with increasing dose. 4. Enalapril caused a fall in mean blood pressure on day 1 (-14.1 mmHg) that was associated with dilatation in renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds. The haemodynamic effects of enalapril were sustained or increased over the 4-day infusion, although plasma free drug levels were stable. 5. In conclusion, we have shown regional and temporal changes in the haemodynamic effects of UK-357,903, which may be due to activation of compensatory mechanisms, but there were no signs of functional compensation to the cardiovascular effects of enalapril.

The contribution of nitric oxide to cardiovascular status and responses to vasodilators in conscious, hypertensive, transgenic ((mRen-2)27) rats

1. The aim of the study was to measure the regional haemodynamic responses to vasodilators, and the effects of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition, in conscious, hypertensive, transgenic ((mRen-2)27) rats (TG rats) and normotensive, Hannover Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. 2. The hypotensive response to acetylcholine was greater in TG than in SD rats, but the renal vasodilator responses were not different. 3. The responses to bradykinin were similar in the two strains, except that hindquarters vasodilatation occurred only in SD rats. 4. Salbutamol caused smaller renal and hindquarters vasodilatation in TG rats than in SD rats, and there was mesenteric vasodilatation only in the latter strain. 5. The hypotensive response to sodium nitroprusside was smaller, but the accompanying mesenteric vasodilatation was greater, in SD than in TG rats. 6. The contribution of NO to the vasodilator responses was taken as the difference between the responses in the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), compared to those in the presence of a co-infusion of angiotensin II and vasopressin (to match the haemodynamic effects of L-NAME). 7. In TG rats, L-NAME caused a greater absolute pressor effect, but a smaller mesenteric vasoconstriction, than in SD rats. 8. L-NAME affected the vasodilator responses to all the challenges similarly in the two strains. 9. Collectively, the results provide no direct evidence for impaired NO-mediated vasodilator mechanisms in TG rats. It is feasible that the reduced hindquarters response to bradykinin and the reduced renal and hindquarters responses to salbutamol, in TG rats are due to abnormal beta2-adrenoceptor-mediated processes.

Pharmacological characterization of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor mediating relaxation in the rat isolated ileum

1 The aim of the present study was to investigate a 5-HT4 receptor involvement in the mediation of a 5-HT-induced relaxation response in the rat isolated ileum in vitro. 2 Ileal segments were taken at regular intervals from the ileo-caecal junction to duodenum. 5-HT (1 microM) induced a relaxation or contraction response in segments taken from the terminal ileum: the relaxation decreased and finally disappeared as contractions dominated in the proximal tissues. The 5-HT-induced relaxations were enhanced in the terminal segments and the contractions attenuated in both terminal and proximal segments, in the presence of methysergide (1 microM) and atropine (0.1 microM). 3 In the presence of methysergide (1 microM) and atropine (0.1 microM), a cumulative addition of 5-HT (0.01-1 microM) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in the terminal (1-20 cm from the ileo-ceacal junction) ileal segments which at higher concentrations of 5-HT (3-30 microM) reverted to contraction. 4 The rank order of potency of indole agonists in inducing a concentration-related relaxation response in tissues of the terminal ileum (pretreated with pargyline (100 microM) and in the presence of methysergide (1 or 100 microM) and atropine (0.1 microM) was 5-hydroxytryptamine (6.97 +/- 0.06), 5-methoxytryptamine (6.50 +/- 0.07), alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (5.53 +/- 0.17), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5.51 +/- 0.12) and 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (< 5), the pEC50 values (mean +/- s.e.mean) being shown in parentheses. 5 Pretreatment of tissues with pargyline (100 microM) selectively enhanced the potency of 5-methoxytryptamine by a factor of 19 but failed to modify the potency of the other indole agonists. 6 The 5-HT4 receptor antagonists, tropisetron, SDZ 205-557 and GR 113808 antagonized the relaxation response to 5-HT (in the presence of methysergide (1 or 10 microM) and atropine (0.1 microM)) with pKB values (95% CL) of 6.09 (5.94-6.24), 7.0 (6.9-7.09) and 8.95 (8.81-9.1) respectively. Apparent pKB values estimations for tropisetron (1 microM) and GR 113808 (10 nM) using the agonists 5-methoxytryptamine and 5-carboxamidotryptamine were 6.37 +/- 0.31, 5.91 +/- 0.38 and 8.83 +/- 0.11, 8.82 +/- 0.22 respectively. 7 Tropisetron (10 microM), SDZ 205-557 (3 microM) and GR 113808 (10-100 nM) caused an increase in basal tone of the rat terminal ileum when administered in the presence of methysergide and atropine. 8 The relaxation response to 5-HT in the rat terminal ileum was not antagonized by ritanserin (1 microM), ondansetron (1 microM) or N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 microM) and with only a twofold dextral shift of the concentration-response curve by tetrodotoxin (1 microM). 9 It is concluded that the relaxant response to 5-HT in the terminal region of the ileum is mediated directly at the smooth muscle; a ranked indole agonist potency and selective antagonism by 5-HT4 receptor antagonists tropisetron, SDZ 205-557 and GR 113808 indicate a 5-HT4 receptor involvement in the relaxation response.

A comparative study of functional 5-HT4 receptors in human colon, rat oesophagus and rat ileum

1. The pharmacological properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), the 5-HT4 receptor agonists, DAU 6236 and SC 53116 and the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, GR 1130808, were studied in the rat oesophagus, rat ileum and human colon. 2. 5-HT relaxed the longitudinal muscle of the rat oesophagus and rat ileum and the circular muscle of the human colon. Absolute values of relaxation were measured and showed the order of the maximum responses, rat oesophagus >> human colon > rat ileum with EC50 values of 189 +/- 15 nM, 157 +/- 4 nM, 306 +/- 72 nM, respectively. 5-HT also inhibited the spontaneous contractions of the human colon with an EC50 value of 119 +/- 1 nM. The effect of 5-HT on the human colon was not affected by methysergide (10 microM) or ondansetron (1 microM). 3. The use of the uptake and metabolism inhibitors, cocaine (30 microM) and pargyline (100 microM), did not increase the potency of 5-HT in the rat oesophagus or human colon. In the rat oesophagus, cocaine (30 microM) produced a reduction in carbachol-induced tone of 22.2 +/- 0.6% and reduced the 5-HT maximum effect by 52.0 +/- 0.4%. 4. The compounds, DAU 6236 and SC 53116, showed a different pattern of potencies and efficacies in the rat oesophagus, rat ileum and human colon compared to 5-HT. DAU 6236 relaxed the human colonic circular muscle with an EC50 value of 129 +/- 16 nM but its efficacy was less than that of 5-HT. DAU 6236 (1 microM) also antagonized the 5-HT-induced relaxation of the human colon with a dose-ratio of 9.9. In the rat oesophagus and rat ileum, DAU 6236 was inactive in the majority of tissues. In the minority of oesophagus tissues that did respond the EC50 value was 1.2 +/- 0.7 microM. DAU 6236 also antagonized the effect of 5-HT in the rat oesophagus in a non-surmountable fashion. SC 53116 relaxed the rat oesophagus with an EC50 value of 91 +/- 4 nM, with an efficacy less than that observed to 5-HT; however, at 200 nM it did not antagonize the 5-HT-induced relaxation of the rat oesophagus. SC 53116 showed no agonist activity in the rat ileum and human colon, but at 1 microM it did antagonize the effect of 5-HT in the human colon with a dose-ratio of 11.3 +/- 0.3. 5. GR 113808 competitively antagonized the 5-HT4 receptor-mediated relaxation of the rat oesophagus with a pA2 value of 8.59 (8.18-9.00) against 5-HT and 9.05 (8.79-9.31) against SC 53116. GR 113808(0.01 microM) also antagonized the 5-HT-induced relaxation of human colonic circular muscle with an apparent pA2 value of 9.02 +/- 0.12. However at 1 microM the apparent pA2 value was significantly lower than that measured at 0.01 and 0.1 microM. GR 113808 (0.01 microM) antagonized the 5-HT4 receptor-mediated relaxation of the rat ileum with an apparent pA2 value of 9.30 +/- 0.21.6. In conclusion, these studies have shown that the human colon, rat oesophagus and rat ileum contain functional 5-HT4 receptors. However, the 5-HT4 receptor agonists displayed differences in these tissues making it necessary to be cautious when extrapolating from animal to human tissue. This emphasizes the importance of the use of human tissue in the development of therapeutic drugs.

Characterization of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor type involved in inhibition of spontaneous activity of human isolated colonic circular muscle

1. Experiments were carried out to characterize pharmacologically the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor types which mediate inhibition of spontaneous contractions of the intertaenial circular muscle in human isolated colon. 2. 5-HT caused a reproducible concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous contractions of the circular muscle of human colon in vitro with a mean EC50 value of 0.2 microM and 95% confidence limits of 0.1-0.5 microM. No evidence for a contractile action of 5-HT was found. Tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1.5 microM) caused a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve of 5-HT with a concentration-ratio of 2.9. 3. The inhibitory response to 5-HT was mimicked by several indoles with the rank order of potency 5-HT > 5-methoxytryptamine = alpha-methyl-5-HT > 5-carboxamidotryptamine >> 2-methyl-5-HT. 5-Hydroxyindalpine was inactive. 4. The substituted benzamides were agonists with the following rank order of potency, 5-HT > renzapride > zacopride > metoclopramide > cisapride. 5. The inhibitory responses to 5-HT were not inhibited by methysergide (10 microM) or methiothepin (1 microM), which are antagonists selective for 5-HT1-like and 5-HT2 receptors, nor by ondansetron (10 microM) which is an antagonist at 5-HT3 receptors. 6. The inhibitory responses induced by 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine were competitively antagonized by a weak 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, tropisetron, with pKB values of approximately 6. Tropisetron had no significant effect on the inhibitory response curve produced by isoprenaline (0.01-100 microM). 7. The pharmacological profile of the 5-HT-evoked relaxations of human colon circular muscle are consistent with activation of a 5-HT4-like receptor.

Effects of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on regional haemodynamic responses to MgSO4 in conscious rats

1. We assessed regional haemodynamic responses to the vasodilator, MgSO4, in the absence and presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), in conscious chronically instrumented Long Evans rats (n = 9). 2. MgSO4 (loading dose 220 mumol kg-1 min-1 for 7 min, maintenance dose 56 mumol kg-1 min-1 for 7 min), alone, caused slight bradycardia and hypotension accompanied by reductions in renal and mesenteric flows, but a marked hyperaemic vasodilatation in the hindquarters (flow, delta 54 +/- 6%, vascular conductance, delta 77 +/- 5%). 3. L-NAME (183 nmol kg-1 min-1) caused hypertension (29 +/- 2 mmHg) accompanied by bradycardia (-51 +/- 6 beats min-1) and reductions in flow and vascular conductance in the renal (-18 +/- 4% and -35 +/- 3%, respectively), mesenteric (-35 +/- 3% and -49 +/- 3%, respectively), and hindquarters (-26 +/- 3% and -42 +/- 3%, respectively) vascular beds. In the presence of L-NAME, the hypotensive and bradycardic effects of MgSO4 were still apparent, but its hindquarters hyperaemic vasodilator effect was significantly attenuated. 4. In order to determine if the inhibitory action of L-NAME on the hindquarters hyperaemic vasodilator action of MgSO4 was a non-specific effect, due to the change in baseline conditions caused by L-NAME, we also examined responses to MgSO4 in the presence of endothelin-1 (12.5 pmol kg-1 min-1) or angiotensin II (50 pmol kg-1 min-1). In the presence of either peptide, the overall effects of MgSO4 on hindquarters flow and vascular conductance were unchanged. 5. In a separate experiment (n = 8) we determined that the inhibitory effect of L-NAME on the hyperaemic vasodilator response to MgSO4 was prevented by L-arginine, and also demonstrated that the Beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118551, caused significant inhibition of the hindquarters haemodynamic effects of MgSO4.6. We conclude that the hindquarters haemodynamic effects of MgSO4 in conscious rats involve a substantial L-NAME-sensitive component which depends on activation of Beta2-adrenoceptors, probably asa consequence of adrenal medullary adrenaline release.

Evidence for an inhibitory 5-HT4 receptor in urinary bladder of rhesus and Cynomolgus monkeys

1. The present study shows that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) inhibits electrically-evoked contractions of isolated urinary bladder strips from Rhesus and Cynomolgus monkeys via activation of 5-HT4 receptors. 2. 5-HT (0.1 nM-10 microM) produced concentration-dependent inhibition of the contractile response to electrical stimulation yielding a pEC50 of 7.8 (Rhesus monkey) and 7.6 (Cynomolgus monkey). This action of 5-HT was mimicked by 5-methoxytryptamine, renzapride and BIMU 8, each of which behaved as a full agonist relative to 5-HT. However, the potency estimate for BIMU 8 (pEC50 = 6.5) in Cynomolgus monkey was low, relative to 5-HT, indicating a possible heterogeneity of 5-HT4 receptors. 3. The inhibitory action of 5-HT was resistant to antagonism by methysergide (1 microM) and ondansetron (5 microM), thereby eliminating a role for 5-HT1, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors. The 5-HT4 receptor antagonists, GR 113808 (10 nM), DAU 6285 (1-10 microM) and RS 23597-190 (1 microM), produced parallel, dextral displacements of the concentration-effect curves to 5-HT and other related agonists with affinity estimates in agreement with those defined previously in other 5-HT4 receptor assay systems. 4. Experiments using direct electrical stimulation of bladder smooth muscle indicate that the 5-HT4 receptors are located post-junctionally. 5. The inhibitory action of 5-HT in isolated urinary bladder of monkey differs from the excitatory effect of 5-HT in urinary bladder of man. Species variation and its implications for the development of therapeutic agents are discussed.