Joseph N. Benoit

Opening of ATP-sensitive potassium channels causes generation of free radicals in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract. Recent evidence suggests that opening of mitochondrial KATP channels in cardiac muscle triggers the preconditioning phenomenon through free radical production. The present study tested the effects of KATP channel openers in a vascular smooth muscle cell model using the fluorescent probe MitoTracker (MTR) Red™ for detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (A7r5) were incubated with 1 μM reduced MTR (non-fluorescent) and the MTR oxidation product (fluorescent) was quantified. Thirty-minute pretreatment with either diazoxide (200 μM) or pinacidil (100 μM), both potent mitochondrial KATP channel openers, increased fluorescent intensity (FI) to 149 and 162 % of control (p < 0.05 for both), respectively, and the KATP channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD) blocked it. Valinomycin, a potassium-selective ionophore, raised FI to 156 % of control (p <: 0.05). However, 5HD did not affect the valinomycin-induced increase in FI. Inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport (myxothiazol) or uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (dinitrophenol) also blocked either valinomycin- or diazoxide-induced increase in FI, and free radical scavengers prevented any diazoxide-mediated increase in fluorescence. Finally the diazoxide-induced increase in fluorescence was not blocked by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, but was by HMR 1883, a putative surface KATP channel blocker. Thus opening of KATP channels increases generation of ROS via the mitochondrial electron transport chain in vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, a potassium-selective ionophore can mimic the effect of putative mitochondrial KATP channel openers. We conclude that potassium movement through KATP directly leads to ROS production by the mitochondria.

Acetylcholine leads to free radical production dependent on KATP channels, Gi proteins, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and tyrosine kinase

OBJECTIVE Acetylcholine (ACh) mimics ischemic preconditioning (PC) and therefore protects the heart against lethal ischemia. Steps common to both ischemic and drug-induced PC are opening of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels (mito K(ATP)) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to test whether ACh-induced ROS production could be seen in a vascular smooth muscle cell line, and, if so, to investigate the underlying signaling pathway. METHODS Mitochondrial ROS generation was quantified by measuring changes in fluorescence of ROS-sensitive intracellular markers in vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5). RESULTS Fluorescence, and, therefore, ROS production, was increased to 197.5+/-8.5% of baseline after 45 min of exposure of cells to 2 mM ACh (P<0.001 vs. untreated controls). This effect was blocked by co-treatment with a muscarinic receptor antagonist (atropine 102.8+/-2.9%, 4-DAMP 92.6+/-7.4%) or by inhibition of G(i) with pertussis toxin (PTX) (90.5+/-4.4%), implicating a receptor-mediated rather than non-specific effect of ACh. The increased fluorescence induced by ACh was also abrogated by the free radical scavenger N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (104.2+/-10.1%), documenting that ROS were indeed the cause of the enhanced fluorescence. Both diazoxide, a K(ATP) channel opener, and valinomycin, a potassium ionophore, also significantly increased ROS production, and these effects were not blocked by PTX, while the K(ATP) channel closer 5-hydroxydecanoate blocked ACh-induced ROS production (92.3+/-3.8%). These results suggest ROS production is directly influenced by K(ATP) activity and K(+) movements in the cell. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (102.8+/-6.6%) and the phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase inhibitor wortmannin (90.7+/-4.1%) also inhibited the ability of ACh to increase ROS production. CONCLUSION The signaling pathway by which ACh leads to ROS generation in A7r5 cells involves a muscarinic surface receptor, a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, PI3-kinase, at least one tyrosine kinase, and a 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD)-dependent K(ATP) (presumably that in mitochondria).

Effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation on aortic vasoconstrictor responsiveness

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) on vasoconstrictor effectiveness, in vitro. Aortic rings were obtained from rats and placed on isometric force transducers in oxygenated Krebs buffer (95% O2/5% CO2, PO2 > 500 torr). Cumulative concentration/effect relationships to norepinephrine, G-protein activation by AlICl3/NaF, depolarization by KCl or BayK-8644, mobilization of intracellular calcium by caffeine, and protein kinase C activation by l-indolactam were evaluated. Hypoxia (PO2 < 5 torr) was induced by rapidly bubbling the Krebs buffer with 95% N2/5% CO2 for 15 min. Vessel rings were reoxygenated for 30 min and concentration/effect relationships reevaluated. The dissociation constant (KA) for norepinephrine was also determined. The pD2 for maximal norepinephrine responsiveness decreased from 7.7 to 7.3 following H/R. Maximal tension generation was significantly decreased following H/R. Endothelium denudation or nitric oxide synthesis inhibition did not prevent the right shift in norepinephrine concentration/effect relationship caused by H/R. The combination of superoxide dismutase and catalase prevented the dextral shift in the concentration/effect curve. The dissociation constant for norepinephrine increased from 0.16 to 0.32 microM following H/R, suggesting decreased affinity of adrenergic receptor. H/R did not alter AlCl3/NaF, KCl, BayK-8644 or l-indolactam-induced vasoconstriction. Caffeine-induced vasoconstriction was significantly impaired following H/R, suggesting that release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is compromised. These results suggest that H/R leads to an endothelium independent, oxidant-mediated decrease in vascular norepinephrine responsiveness that may be related to defects in the mobilization of intracellular calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum pool.

Vascular reactivity following ischemia/reperfusion.

Data in the literature supports the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species generated in the vascular wall alter vascular regulation. At present the majority of the literature tends to suggest that oxidant induced damage on the smooth muscle cell impair vasoconstriction. However, direct action of oxidants on the smooth muscle cell impair vasoconstrictor function. Differences in studies in the literature are likely to be reconciled when the target sites of reactive oxygen species are considered. Future research in this area should lead to a more comprehensive understanding on the impact of these pathways on vasoregulation in postischemic tissue.

Effects of capacitative calcium entry on agonist-induced calcium transients in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of capacitative calcium influx to intracellular calcium levels during agonist-induced stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS Aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5) were loaded with Indo-1 and intracellular calcium transients were measured. Cells were challenged with either arginine vasopressin (0. 5 microM) or thapsigargin (1 microM). Lanthanum (1 mM) was used to block capacitative calcium influx through store-operated channels. Calcium traces were analyzed for basal, peak and plateau responses. Recordings were derivatized and integrated to gain additional information. Nonlinear regression provided a time constant that describes restoration of ionic equilibrium involving both sequestration and extrusion pathways. RESULTS Stimulation of cells with thapsigargin produced a non-L-type calcium influx that was attenuated by lanthanum. Cells excited with vasopressin exhibited a rapid calcium increase followed by a gradual decrease to a plateau level. Lanthanum pretreatment prior to stimulation caused no significant change in baseline, peak or plateau calcium levels as compared to control. Lanthanum caused no significant change in maximal calcium release rate, calcium integrals or time constant as compared to control. CONCLUSIONS Capacitative calcium entry can occur in vascular smooth muscle cells, but does not appear to contribute significantly to the vasopressin response.

Effect of milrinone on small mesenteric artery vasoconstriction: role of K+channels

We examined whether milrinone-mediated attenuation of small mesenteric artery vasoconstriction results predominantly from the activation of vascular smooth muscle K+ channels. Resistance arteries (∼150 μm) were dissected from rat mesentery and were mounted on a wire myograph. Isometric force development in response to increasing concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) was monitored before and after treatment with the type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor milrinone. Milrinone significantly reduced NE-induced vasoconstriction, attenuating both NE sensitivity and maximal tension generation. Inhibition of ATP-sensitive K+channels or voltage-gated K+channels did not prevent the milrinone-induced attenuation of NE responses. Blockade of inwardly rectifying K+ channels or Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels prevented the milrinone-mediated reduction in NE sensitivity, but this effect was apparently due to direct enhancement of vasoconstrictor responsiveness rather than interference with the mechanism of milrinone action. In addition, milrinone elicited substantial relaxation in vessels preconstricted with 100 mM KCl. This effect was mimicked by the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin and was reversed by the Rp diastereomer of cAMP, which is a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor. Our results indicate that cAMP/PKA-mediated impairment of vasoconstriction may occur without the contribution of K+ channel regulation.

Cyclic nucleotides and vasoconstrictor function: physiological and pathophysiological considerations

Abstract The role of cyclic nucleotides as modulators of vascular smooth muscle tone has been widely studied. Yet the cellular mechanisms whereby cAMP and cGMP promote vascular relaxation remain highly controversial. The purpose of this review is to summarize a large and expanding literature with particular emphasis on the cellular mechanisms of cAMP- and cGMP-induced relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. The review addresses the following topics: regulation of vascular tone, mechanisms of cAMP- and cGMP-mediated vascular smooth muscle relaxation, modulation of [Ca 2+ ] i by cAMP and cGMP, effects of cAMP and cGMP on the Ca 2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus, and pathophysiology of the resistance vasculature in chronic portal hypertension with particular emphasis on cAMP and cGMP dependent pathways.

Effects of IBMX on norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction in small mesenteric arteries.

The present study assesses the effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX on norepinephrine (NE)-induced constriction of small mesenteric arteries. Arteries (∼150 μm) were dissected from rats and mounted on a wire myograph for isometric force measurement. NE concentration effect curves were generated after exposure to 500 μM IBMX for 60 min. IBMX significantly reduced NE-induced tension development. Studies were also conducted following sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) depletion (ryanodine, 10 μM) or L-type Ca2+ channel blockade [(+)-BAY K 8644, 10 μM] in the presence and absence of IBMX. Both SR depletion and L-channel blockade reduced NE-induced tension generation, consistent with incomplete Ca2+ mobilization. IBMX significantly attenuated NE responses in ryanodine and (+)-BAY K 8644-treated vessels. Finally, treatment of NE-stimulated vessels with IBMX (500 μM) caused a reduction in vascular tension that was greater than the concomitant reduction in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), indicating that a portion of the IBMX-mediated relaxation is Ca2+-independent. These data suggest that IBMX attenuation of NE responsiveness not only involves a reduction in [Ca2+]ibut also a significant decrease in Ca2+ sensitivity.The present study assesses the effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX on norepinephrine (NE)-induced constriction of small mesenteric arteries. Arteries ( approximately 150 micrometer) were dissected from rats and mounted on a wire myograph for isometric force measurement. NE concentration effect curves were generated after exposure to 500 microM IBMX for 60 min. IBMX significantly reduced NE-induced tension development. Studies were also conducted following sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) depletion (ryanodine, 10 microM) or L-type Ca2+ channel blockade [(+)-BAY K 8644, 10 microM] in the presence and absence of IBMX. Both SR depletion and L-channel blockade reduced NE-induced tension generation, consistent with incomplete Ca2+ mobilization. IBMX significantly attenuated NE responses in ryanodine and (+)-BAY K 8644-treated vessels. Finally, treatment of NE-stimulated vessels with IBMX (500 microM) caused a reduction in vascular tension that was greater than the concomitant reduction in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), indicating that a portion of the IBMX-mediated relaxation is Ca2+-independent. These data suggest that IBMX attenuation of NE responsiveness not only involves a reduction in [Ca2+]i but also a significant decrease in Ca2+ sensitivity.

Renal hyperemia in portal hypertension is not mediated by gastrointestinal peptides

The objectives of this study were to characterize the time course of development of the renal hyperemia induced by chronic portal vein stenosis (PVS) in the rat, and to assess the possibility that vasoactive blood-borne gastrointestinal peptides mediate the renal hyperemia in established portal hypertension. Blood flow to the kidneys was measured with radioactive microspheres over a ten day time course. On day 2, no difference in renal blood flow (RBF) was observed in PVS rats as compared with controls. However, by day 4, RBF significantly increased by 35% in PVS vs. control animals. On day 6, the renal hyperemia in PVS rats reached a maximal value that was 42% higher than controls. A steady state hyperemia (approximately 40%) was maintained thereafter. Radioimmunoassay of plasma from control and established portal hypertensive rats (10 days samples) revealed that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, cholecystokinin, gastrin, neurotensin, pancreatic polypeptide, beta-endorphin and peptide histidine-isoleucine amide are not elevated in arterial plasma of portal hypertensive rats. These data suggest that the renal hyperemia induced by chronic portal vein stenosis is apparent within 4 days of the onset of a hypertensive state and attains a steady state by day 8. Furthermore, at least eight blood-borne gastrointestinal peptides are not directly involved in the renal hyperemia associated with chronic portal hypertension.