bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L-arginine suffusion restores response to acetylcholine in brain arterioles with damaged endothelium
Authors: Rosenblum W. I. , Nelson G. H. , Shimizu T.
Published: December 2017

Minor endothelial injury was produced in pial arterioles by a laser-Evans blue technique. This technique previously has been shown to prevent relaxation of the arterioles by topical acetylcholine (ACh) or bradykinin, agonists whose actions are known to be endothelium dependent in most vascular beds. L-Arginine is thought to be the precursor of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) that mediates the response to ACh. To further test this hypothesis and to begin exploration of the intracellular effects of the laser injury, we used the laser to eliminate the response to ACh and then attempted to restore the responsivity by suffusing the arterioles with 10(-3) L-arginine for 10 min before testing with ACh. This treatment restored the response. In contrast, over the same time period, responses failed to recover in arterioles that were never exposed to L-arginine or in arterioles that were only exposed to L-arginine at the time of retest with ACh. D-Arginine failed to restore the response to ACh. L-Arginine failed to restore the response to bradykinin. The data support the hypothesis that L-arginine acts as a substrate for synthesis of “classical” EDRF in brain microvessels in vivo. The data suggest that laser-Evans blue injury either depletes the endothelium of L-arginine or interferes with conversion of L-arginine to EDRF. Increasing the substrate by exposing the vessels to L-arginine for 10 min permitted ACh to release sufficient EDRF to elicit dilatation. The data also support conclusions from earlier studies that in this vascular bed the dilations produced by ACh and bradykinin are mediated by different EDRF.
Effect of heart failure on skeletal muscle in dogs
Authors: Wilson J. R. , Coyle E. F. , Osbakken M.
Published: December 2017

To investigate the effect of heart failure (HF) on skeletal muscle, gracilis, gastrocnemius, and triceps muscle histochemistry and enzyme activity, gracilis muscle performance, and gracilis muscle 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) metabolic responses to exercise were compared in six sham-operated control dogs (C) and seven dogs with HF produced by 3 mo of rapid ventricular pacing. HF reduced skeletal muscle weights and decreased type II fiber area (3,315 +/- 996 to 1,750 +/- 638 microns 2; P less than 0.01). Citrate synthase and beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase activity also tended to decrease. Gracilis muscle inorganic phosphate-to-phosphocreatine ratios, oxygen uptake (VO2), and pH responses to exercise using supramaximal twitch stimulation, a form of exercise that produces maximal stimulation of all muscle fibers and therefore is independent of muscle mass, were similar in both groups. There was no significant difference in developed tension per gram muscle during stimulation at 0.5-200 Hz, maximal developed tension (C: 177 +/- 32 vs. HF: 173 +/- 44 g/g muscle), or muscle fatigability as assessed by percent of initial tension observed at the end of 2 min of 20 Hz stimulation (C: 52 +/- 17% vs. HF: 52 +/- 11%; all P = NS). These data suggest that HF produces skeletal muscle atrophy but that the remaining muscle exhibits normal performance and metabolism.
Vascular injury by endotoxin: changes in macromolecular transport parameters in rat aortas in vivo
Authors: Penn M. S. , Saidel G. M. , Chisolm G. M.
Published: December 2017

Vascular injury can lead to enhanced macromolecular transport into the arterial wall. We previously demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced injury to rat aorta in vivo caused increases in intimal and medial horseradish peroxidase (HRP) accumulation. In the present study, we quantitatively interpret these LPS-induced changes in HRP transport parameters. The parameters of interest are the permeability (PL) of the luminal blood-tissue boundary (combination of endothelium and internal elastic lamina, IEL), the effective diffusivity (D), and the convective velocity (V) across the media. The parameter values that yield the best fit of the model to the data provide a basis for understanding the tissue changes. The time of peak transmural (medial) accumulation (24 h after LPS injection) correlated with increases in PL (peak, 12-48 h) and preceded the maximum increase in V (peak, 36 h). The monotonic increase in the intimal accumulation during the 5 days after the injury has a time course distinct from the transient increases in PL and from the changes in D, which implies that endothelial permeability has only limited influence on transport beyond the intima. These data implicate the IEL as a barrier to macromolecular transport in the normal aorta and demonstrate that the endothelium and IEL work in concert to determine intimal macromolecular accumulation.
Interactions of endothelins and EDRF in bovine native endothelial cells: selective effects of endothelin-3
Authors: Warner T. D. , Schmidt H. H. , Murad F.
Published: December 2017

The tone of vascular smooth muscle is influenced by factors released from the endothelium, including endothelin (ET)-1 and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). To better understand the interactions between these two mediators, we examined the release of both immunoreactive ET-1 (ir-ET-1) and EDRF from bovine aortic intact endothelium. Bovine aortas were opened longitudinally, washed, and clamped with the endothelium uppermost between two plates. The upper plate contained six openings forming identical and independent wells of endothelial cell monolayer. In experiments examining the release of EDRF, measured as accumulated NO2- and NO3- (NO chi -), we found that ET-3, calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187), acetylcholine (ACh), or ADP caused significant increase in NO chi- release, whereas ET-1 did not. These were significantly reduced in the presence of the EDRF/NO synthase inhibitor, NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA). In a parallel series of experiments measuring EDRF release by stimulation of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation in rat fetal lung (RFL)-6 cells, ET-3 but not ET-1 was also found to be active as a releaser of EDRF. A23187 caused an increase of ir-ET-1 release, whereas ACh, ADP, or the NO-containing compound sodium nitroprusside decreased the release of ir-ET-1. The depression in ir-ET-1 release in the presence of ACh or ADP was not seen when the endothelium was treated with L-NMA. When the cells were pretreated with 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-bromo-cGMP), the release of ir-ET-1 in response to A23187 was significantly depressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of Ca2+ ionophores on membrane potential of pig coronary artery endothelial cells
Authors: von der Weid P. Y. , Beny J. L.
Published: December 2017

Ca2+ ionophores (A23187 and ionomycin) were used to determine whether an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ plays a direct role in pig coronary endothelial cell hyperpolarization. Ionophores induced concentration-dependent hyperpolarizations that were not altered by the presence of N omega-nitro-L-argnine (L-NNA), and inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis. d-Tubocurarine decreased by 65-89% the A23187- and substance P (SP)-generated hyperpolarization of endothelial cells. To study the role of endothelial cell hyperpolarization in the endothelium-dependent relaxation of precontracted coronary artery strips, A23187 and SP concentration-response curves were built up in the presence of d-tubocurarine and/or L-NNA. A decrease in the maximal response was observed only when both d-tubocurarine and L-NNA were present. Our direct in situ approach gives results in agreement with a gating of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels during A23187- and SP-induced hyperpolarizations of endothelial cells. We suggest that these hyperpolarizations play a role in the endothelial cell-dependent relaxation induced by A23187 and SP in the pig coronary artery.
Effects of graded hypotension on cerebral blood flow, blood volume, and mean transit time in dogs
Authors: Ferrari M. , Wilson D. A. , Hanley D. F. , Traystman R. J.
Published: December 2017

This study tested the hypothesis that cerebral blood flow (CBF) is maintained by vasodilation, which manifests itself as a progressive increase in mean transit time (MTT) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) when cerebral perfusion pressure is reduced. Cerebral perfusion pressure was decreased in 10 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs by controlled hemorrhage. Microsphere-determined CBF was autoregulated in all tested cerebral regions over the 40- to 130-mmHg cerebral perfusion pressure range but decreased by 50% at approximately 30 mmHg. MTT and CBV progressively and proportionately increased in the right parietal cerebral cortex over the 40- to 130-mmHg cerebral perfusion pressure range. Total hemoglobin content (Hb1), measured in the same area by an optical method, increased in parallel with the increases in CBV computed as the (CBF.MTT) product. At 30 mmHg cerebral perfusion pressure, CBV and Hb were still increased and MTT was disproportionately lengthened (690% of control). We conclude that within the autoregulatory range, CBF constancy is maintained by both increased CBV and MTT. Outside the autoregulatory range, substantial prolongation of the MTT occurs. When CBV is maximal, further reductions in cerebral perfusion pressure produce disproportionate increases in MTT that signal the loss of cerebral vascular dilatory hemodynamic reserve.
Simple circuit for pacing hearts of experimental animals
Authors: Freeman G. L. , Colston J. T.
Published: December 2017

In this paper we describe a simple pacing circuit which can be used to drive the heart over a wide range of rates. The circuit is an astable multivibrator, based on an LM555 integrated circuit. It is powered by a 9-V battery and is small enough for use in rabbits. The circuit is easily constructed and inexpensive, making it attractive for numerous applications in cardiovascular research.
Removal of sarcolemmal sialic acid residues results in a loss of sarcolemmal functioning and integrity
Authors: Post J. A.
Published: December 2017

Treatment of neonatal rat heart cells with neuraminidase results in a large increase of cellular-associated Ca2+. The study described below was designed to test the hypothesis that neuraminidase produces its effects by increasing the transient Ca2+ channel current, as proposed by Yee et al. (24). This ICa,T can be inactivated by dodecylsulfate (DDS) (17). The experimental data show that 1) the increase in cellular Ca2+ during neuraminidase treatment cannot be explained by an increased ICa,T; 2) neuraminidase treatment has a much more profound effect on sarcolemmal permeability than has been recognized previously; and 3) the effect of neuraminidase treatment can be prevented by 50 microM DDS. The study indicates that glycocalyx-lipid bilayer interactions are important in maintenance of selective permeability of the sarcolemma. The protective effect of 50 microM DDS is probably mediated by insertion of the negatively charged amphiphilic molecule in the sarcolemma, although the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Analysis of pulmonary and systemic vascular responses to platelet-activating factor in the cat
Authors: Bellan J. A. , Minkes R. K. , Hood J. S. , McMahon T. J. , Higuera T. R. , Nossaman B. D. , McNamara D. B. , Kadowitz P. J.
Published: December 2017

Pulmonary and systemic vascular responses to platelet-activating factor (PAF) were investigated in the anesthetized cat. Intravenous injections of PAF decreased arterial pressure, increased pulmonary arterial pressure, and caused small but significant decreases in right and left atrial pressures. A transient increase in cardiac output was followed by a secondary decrease, and heart rate was increased. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was increased, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was reduced, and changes in PVR and SVR in response to PAF were blocked by the novel PAF receptor antagonist, BN 50730. Under constant-flow conditions PAF dilated the hindlimb vascular bed in a dose-related manner, whereas in the pulmonary lobar vascular bed, PAF caused dose-related increases in perfusion pressure. Hindlimb and lobar vascular responses to PAF were blocked by BN 50730 in a selective manner, whereas cyclooxygenase inhibitors had no effect on responses to the phospholipid mediator. Hindlimb vasodilator responses to PAF were reduced by N omega-nitro-L-arginine in a dose that blocked the response to acetylcholine but did not decrease responses to prostaglandin E1 or nitroprusside. Increases in lobar arterial pressure in response to PAF were not altered by treatment with a thromboxane receptor antagonist, when the lung was perfused with a low-molecular-weight dextran solution, or when ventilation to the lobe was interrupted. These data suggest that the release of cyclooxygenase products, activation of thromboxane A2 receptors, cellular aggregation, release of leukocyte or platelet mediators, or changes in bronchomotor tone do not contribute to the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to PAF and that the hindlimb vasodilator response to the phospholipid mediator is dependent in part on the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor.
Role of endothelium and hyperpolarization in CGRP-induced vasodilation of rabbit ophthalmic artery
Authors: Zschauer A. , Uusitalo H. , Brayden J. E.
Published: December 2017

The electromechanical effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on intact and endothelium-denuded rabbit ophthalmic arteries were studied. CGRP inhibited norepinephrine (NE)-induced contractions. In intact arteries after washout of CGRP the contractile sensitivity to NE was increased. Conversely, in endothelium-denuded arteries, the relaxation induced by CGRP was prolonged, and after washout of CGRP the contractile sensitivity to NE was diminished. In intact arteries NE contractions were enhanced by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an inhibitor of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) synthesis, and in the presence of L-NMMA, CGRP-induced relaxations resembled those seen in endothelium-denuded arteries. This result suggests that there is an increased EDRF synthesis in intact arteries during NE stimulation and that CGRP may inhibit either the synthesis or the activity of EDRF. High concentrations of CGRP hyperpolarized the smooth muscle membrane both in intact and endothelium-denuded arteries. Hyperpolarizations were blocked by glibenclamide, indicating that they are mediated by activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels. However, glibenclamide had little effect on the CGRP-induced relaxation. These results suggest that in normal physiological conditions CGRP-induced relaxation of the rabbit ophthalmic artery is mediated mainly by mechanisms other than hyperpolarization.
Control of ventricular fibrillation after coronary artery occlusion via intracerebroventricular injections
Authors: Kirby D. A. , Johnson D. A. , Pinto J. , Zhao S. , Lown B.
Published: December 2017

The central nervous system (CNS) may play a larger role than previously thought in the development of ventricular fibrillation after coronary artery occlusion. The probability of ventricular fibrillation after complete, permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery was 52% in conscious control pigs. After the administration into the lateral cerebral ventricle of tyrosine, the amino acid precursor of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, 100% of the animals developed ventricular fibrillation. After tyrosine plus propranolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, only 9% of pigs developed ventricular fibrillation. Treatment with propranolol alone did not affect the outcome. Catecholamine synthesis in the CNS may be associated with the development of ventricular fibrillation after coronary artery occlusion.
Mechanism of action of cerebral epoxyeicosatrienoic acids on cerebral arterial smooth muscle
Authors: Gebremedhin D. , Ma Y. H. , Falck J. R. , Roman R. J. , VanRollins M. , Harder D. R.
Published: December 2017

Microsomal preparations of cat brain incubated with [14C]arachidonic acid produced epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) that eluted with the same retention times as synthetically prepared 5,6-, 8,9-, and 11,12-EETs. These compounds dilated serotonin-preconstricted, pressurized cat cerebral arteries in a dose-dependent fashion. Epoxide formation was not found in mitochondrial fractions and was dependent on the presence of NADPH. The maximum effects of 8,9-EET and 11,12-EET were greater than those of 5,6-EET. The cellular basis of this vasodilation was further investigated by examining the effects of 8,9-EET and 11,12-EET on K+ channel activity in vascular muscle cells freshly isolated from cat cerebral arteries. Both 8,9-EET and 11,12-EET increased the frequency of opening, mean open time, and open-state probability of a 98-pS K+ channel recorded in the cell-attached mode with 145 mM KCl in the pipette and 4.7 mM KCl in the bath. Blockade of K+ channel activity with tetraethylammonium attenuated the vasodilatory effects of 11,12-EET on serotonin-preconstricted cat cerebral arteries. These results suggest that endogenously formed EETs may participate in local regulation of cerebral blood flow by dilating cerebral arteries through a mechanism that involves activation of K+ channels.
Time-varying wall stress: an index of ventricular vascular coupling
Authors: Dell'Italia L. J. , Blackwell G. G. , Thorn B. T. , Pearce D. J. , Bishop S. P. , Pohost G. M.
Published: December 2017

Previous work in the isolated heart and intact circulation has suggested that the relationship between wall stress and time during left ventricular (LV) ejection is linear and that the slope, which will be referred to as time-varying wall stress, increases in response to augmentation in afterload. However, the etiology of the increase in slope has not been determined in an intact animal. Magnetic resonance imaging coupled with high-fidelity LV pressure measurement using a nonferrous catheter-tip manometer generates a detailed assessment of wall stress in an animal model where the thorax and pericardium have never been disturbed. Accordingly, six anesthetized dogs were studied during autonomic blockade with atropine and propranolol during angiotensin infusion, producing three widely disparate left ventricular systolic pressures (87 +/- 7 vs. 124 +/- 13 vs. 152 +/- 10 mmHg, P less than 0.001). Time-varying wall stress did not change from low to medium load (-42.4 +/- 9.5 to -27.3 +/- 22.3 g.cm-2.ms-1) but increased significantly at high load (-21.7 +/- 14.9 g.cm-2.ms-1, P less than 0.05). Analysis of the relative contribution of pressure, chamber radius, wall thickness, and long-axis dimension to the changes in time-varying wall stress demonstrated only the pressure component to change its relative contribution at medium (P less than 0.001) and high load (P less than 0.001). Therefore, we conclude that the increase in time-varying wall stress results from augmentation of pressure in the latter one-half of systole that is incompletely offset by shortening and wall thickening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Topical arachidonic acid restores pial arteriolar dilation to hypercapnia of postischemic newborn pig brain
Authors: Leffler C. W. , Mirro R. , Armstead W. M. , Shibata M.
Published: December 2017

In the newborn pig, cerebral vasodilator responses to hypercapnia are lost after cerebral ischemia. We examined the effect of topical application of arachidonic acid (30 micrograms/ml, 20 min) to the postischemic piglet brain on subsequent pial arteriolar dilated in response to hypercapnia (10% CO2 ventilation) and topical isoproterenol (10(-6), 10(-7) M). After 20 min cerebral ischemia, pial arterioles did not dilate to hypercapnia but responded to isoproterenol in a fashion similar to before ischemia. Treatment with arachidonic acid after ischemia restored pial arteriolar dilation to hypercapnia. Hypercapnia caused an increase in cortical periarachnoid concentration of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) before but not after ischemia. After postischemic treatment with arachidonic acid, the increase in cortical periarachnoid fluid 6-keto-PGF1 alpha during hypercapnia was restored. Therefore, topical application of arachidonic acid to cerebral vessels restores cerebral prostanoid synthesis and pial arteriolar dilation in response to hypercapnia that has been abolished by ischemia.
Baro- and ventricular reflexes in conscious dogs subjected to chronic tachycardia
Authors: Chen J. S. , Wang W. , Cornish K. G. , Zucker I. H.
Published: December 2017

It has been well documented that the arterial baroreflex is depressed in chronic congestive heart failure. Furthermore, cardiopulmonary reflexes have also been shown to be depressed in heart failure. Because cardiac reflexes can be mediated by both mechanical and chemical stimuli, we undertook the current study to determine whether chemically activated cardiac reflexes (Bezold-Jarisch) are abnormally depressed in dogs with chronic heart failure at a point in time when arterial baroreflexes were clearly depressed. We studied heart rate and arterial pressure responses in 13 conscious instrumented dogs before and after chronic ventricular pacing at 250 beats/min for 4-5 wk. At the time the study was done each dog showed both hemodynamic and clinical signs of congestive heart failure. The arterial baroreflex was evaluated by analyzing the heart rate response to acute injections of phenylephrine and nitroglycerin. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex was assessed in nine dogs by determining the heart rate and blood pressure responses to intracoronary injections of various doses of veratridine. Arterial baroreflex responses were uniformly depressed following ventricular pacing. The phenylephrine slope was reduced by 55.8 +/- 6.9% (P < 0.001), and the nitroglycerin slope was reduced by 67.9 +/- 5.0% (P < 0.0001) in the heart failure state. Significant bradycardia and hypotension were seen at each dose of veratridine given (0.01, 0.1, and 0.4 microgram/kg). When compared with the prepaced control state, the magnitude of the hypotension was no different in the heart failure state in response to any dose of veratridine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Electroporation and recovery of cardiac cell membrane with rectangular voltage pulses
Authors: Tovar O. , Tung L.
Published: December 2017

Electroporation of the cardiac cell membrane may result from intense electric fields applied to cardiac muscle, associated for example with defibrillation and cardioversion. We analyzed the distribution of voltage levels sufficient to cause electroporation in enzymatically isolated frog cardiac cells, using the cell-attached patch-clamp technique with rectangular pulses similar to those used in experimental studies of cardiac defibrillation. Five-millisecond monophasic or ten-millisecond biphasic symmetric (1/1) and asymmetric (1/0.5) rectangular pulses of either polarity were applied to the cell membrane in 100-mV steps from 0.2 to 0.8 V. The membrane conductance was continuously monitored by a low-voltage pulse train. In a total of 77 cells, we observed a step increase in conductance, occurring in 21% of cells at a transmembrane potential of 0.3 V, 52% at 0.4 V, 14% at 0.5 V, and 13% at 0.6-0.8 V. Electroporation occurred with this voltage distribution regardless of pulse shape, polarity, or the presence of all of the following ionic channel blockers: tetrodotoxin, barium, tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, cadmium, nickel, and gadolinium. The time course of membrane recovery was highly variable. The maintenance of a high membrane conductance after the shock pulse was associated with irreversible cell contracture provided that Ca2+ was included in the patch-pipette solution. However, with biphasic asymmetric pulses, the conductance recovered very quickly (< or = 37 ms).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sodium modulates inotropic response to hyperosmolarity in isolated working rat heart
Authors: Ben-Haim S. A. , Edoute Y. , Hayam G. , Better O. S.
Published: December 2017

The present study was designed to examine the effects of acute changes in perfusate Na+ concentrations and osmolarities on left ventricular (LV) mechanics in the isolated working rat heart model. Specifically, we separated the effect of isosmotic perfusates with different Na+ concentrations on LV mechanics. After a control period during which the hearts were perfused in a working mode with a control solution of Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (Na+ of 136 meq/l, Ca2+ of 2.6 mM, and osmolarity of 300 mosM), the hearts were subjected to different perfusates (Na+ of 96-156 meq/l and osmolarity of 240-380 mosM, using different mannitol concentrations) in a semirandom order. Peak LV pressure (PLVP), maximal time derivative of LV pressure (dP/dtmax), and cardiac output (CO) were recorded. Increasing Na+ concentrations from 96 to 156 meq/l, using isosmotic perfusates, decreased PLVP, dP/dtmax, and CO in a dose-dependent manner. The dose-dependent behavior was evident for tonicities of 240, 280, 320, and 360 but not for 380 mosM. Increasing Na+ concentration from 96 to 136 meq/l at constant perfusate tonicity (320 mosM) decreased dP/dtmax from 6,753 +/- 133 to 5,602 +/- 418 mmHg/s (P < 0.001). Rearranging the same results to examine the effect of perfusate tonicity with iso-Na+ concentration demonstrated that increasing perfusate osmolarity had a dose-dependent effect on PLVP, dP/dtmax, and CO. At a constant Na+ concentration of 116 meq/l, increasing perfusate osmolarity from 240 to 320 mosM increased dP/dtmax from 6,116 +/- 132 to 7,274 +/- 594 mmHg/s (P < 0.01). Further increase in perfusate tonicity to 380 mosM decreased dP/dtmax to 2,338 +/- 398 mmHg/s (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Role of myogenic response in enhancing autoregulation of flow during sympathetic nerve stimulation
Authors: Ping P. , Johnson P. C.
Published: December 2017

The effect of sustained sympathetic nerve stimulation on autoregulation of blood flow was examined in the exteriorized cat sartorius muscle using intravital microscopy. Without sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS), second-order arterioles showed insignificant dilation (3%) during arterial pressure reduction from 110 to 60 mmHg; volume flow fell coincident with pressure reduction. During SNS, these arterioles constricted significantly (25%), and their dilation during pressure reduction (20%) was significant and was significantly greater than that without SNS. Volume flow increased significantly (20-60%) during pressure reduction, a phenomenon termed superregulation of flow. Elevation of ambient oxygen in the suffusate from 0 to 20% caused arteriolar constriction but did not abolish arteriolar dilation during pressure reduction under sustained SNS. Arteriolar response to venous pressure elevation was also affected significantly by sustained SNS. Without SNS, third-order arterioles showed slight dilation (4%) when femoral venous pressure was elevated by 10 mmHg. During SNS, these arterioles constricted significantly and constricted further (20%) when venous pressure was elevated. Using a local anesthetic (lidocaine), we determined that a local venous-arteriolar reflex was not involved in the arteriolar constriction. Our data suggest that superregulation of flow during sustained sympathetic nerve stimulation is not due to metabolic factors but rather to an enhanced myogenic response.
Dobutamine improves afterload-induced deterioration of mechanical efficiency toward maximal
Authors: Nozawa T. , Wada O. , Ishizaka S. , Asanoi H. , Fujita M. , Sasayama S.
Published: December 2017

We studied the effect of increased afterload on the ratios of O2 consumption (VO2) to external work (EW), VO2 to the systolic pressure-volume area (PVA), and PVA to EW at control state and with dobutamine in the left ventricles of open-chest dogs. Left ventricular volume was measured with a volumetric conductance catheter and coronary flow with an electromagnetic flowmeter. Hexamethonium bromide and atropine sulfate were administered before changes in end-systolic pressure (Pes) with an infusion of nitroprusside or angiotensin II. Dobutamine enhanced ventricular end-systolic elastance by 100%. In the control, with increases in Pes, EW/VO2 remained unchanged, PVA/VO2 increased by 48%, and EW/PVA decreased by 26%. Dobutamine increased both EW/VO2 and EW/PVA at any given Pes but decreased PVA/VO2. During dobutamine, EW/VO2 increased significantly with increases in Pes. The ratio of measured EW/VO2 to the theoretically predicted maximal EW/VO2 value for a given end-diastolic volume and contractility was 0.83 at a Pes of 70 mmHg, and this ratio decreased by 33% with increases in Pes in the control. During dobutamine, measured EW/VO2 values were almost equal to each corresponding theoretical maximal value, and the average decrease in the ratio with increases in Pes was 7%. Thus the enhanced inotropic state by dobutamine can restore the afterload-induced deterioration of EW/VO2 toward the normal maximal level.
Presence of C-type natriuretic peptide in cultured human endothelial cells and plasma
Authors: Stingo A. J. , Clavell A. L. , Heublein D. M. , Wei C. M. , Pittelkow M. R. , Burnett J. C.
Published: December 2017

The present study was undertaken to investigate the presence of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) immunoreactivity in cultured human vascular endothelial cells and in human plasma. CNP immunoreactivity was present in cultured human aortic endothelial cells by both immunohistochemical staining and by radioimmunoassay. With the utilization of gel permeation chromatography, this immunoreactivity proved to be consistent with the higher molecular weight CNP-53. CNP immunoreactivity was also present in human plasma (n = 22) at low picogram concentrations (6.5 +/- 0.2 pg/ml) by specific radioimmunoassay. This immunoreactivity was consistent with the lower molecular weight CNP-22 by gel permeation chromatography. These findings suggest that the vascular endothelium may be the site of CNP production. The isolation of different molecular forms of CNP in tissue and plasma may be consistent with a storage form of the peptide in endothelial cells CNP-53, while CNP-22 circulates in plasma. In summary, the present study is consistent with CNP being a peptide of endothelial cell origin.
K+ATP-channel activation causes marked vasodilation in the hypertensive neonatal pig lung
Authors: Pinheiro J. M. , Malik A. B.
Published: December 2017

We studied the potential role of ATP-sensitive potassium (K+ATP) channel activation in mediating pulmonary vasodilation in newborn piglets. Piglet lungs (n = 14, ages 1-4 days) were artificially perfused with recirculating Ringer solution containing bovine serum albumin and statistically inflated using 95% O2-5% CO2. We measured pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) and distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance (using double-occlusion method). Under resting conditions (Ppa 13.7 +/- 1.6 cmH2O, mean +/- SE), the K+ATP channel agonist BRL 38227 (lemakalim, 10(-7) and 10(-6) M) caused small dose-dependent pulmonary vasodilation. This response was diminished by the K+ATP-channel blocker glibenclamide (10(-5) M). Pretreatment of lungs with indomethacin (10(-5) M) and N omega-nitro-L-arginine (10(-5) M) to inhibit cyclooxygenase- and nitric oxide (NO)-related vasodilation, respectively, resulted in a marked increase in the baseline Ppa to 85.6 +/- 11.2 cmH2O. Injection of BRL 38227 (10(-7) M and 10(-6) M) in these lungs decreased Ppa to 72.5 +/- 8.5 (P < 0.01) and 19.3 +/- 0.9 cmH2O (P < 0.01), respectively; the corresponding times for half-recovery of Ppa (t1/2R) were 5.7 +/- 4.3 and > 20 min. Glibenclamide (10(-5) M) abolished the response to 10(-7) M BRL 38227 and significantly diminished (P < 0.05) the decreases in Ppa and t1/2R in response to 10(-6) M BRL 38227 but not to acetylcholine (10(-10) M). We conclude that activation of K+ATP channels has a minimal role in maintaining basal pulmonary vasomotor tone but is able to induce marked vasodilation when NO and cyclooxygenase-dependent vasodilatory mechanisms are inhibited.
Blood volume changes in microcirculation of rat intestine caused by carotid sinus baroreceptor reflex
Authors: Haase E. B. , Shoukas A. A.
Published: December 2017

This series of experiments quantified the role of the rat small intestinal arterioles in capacity changes during bilateral carotid occlusion (BCO) and compared them with previous venular studies. We also determined the role of autoregulation in arteriolar constriction during BCO. First-order, second-order, and third-order arteriolar diameter changes were measured during changes in arteriolar pressure and/or sympathetic activity (via BCO). The results indicated that an arteriolar pressure drop caused an immediate significant transient diameter decrease of 14% (P < 0.001), followed by an average steady-state diameter increase of 11% (P < 0.001) over control because of autoregulation. During BCO, the arterioles demonstrated an initial 8–22% decrease in diameter (P < 0.05). The largest first-order vessels were the least responsive to changes in pressure and BCO, while the smallest third-order vessels were the most responsive. Apparently autoregulation, and not sympathetic activity, was responsible for most of the arteriolar constriction during BCO. We also developed an anatomic model of the rat intestinal vasculature which revealed that venules hold 70% of the microcirculatory volume and are responsible for 80% of the total blood shift during BCO. Venular constriction and, to a minor degree, arteriolar constriction result in a 14% decrease in microcirculatory intestinal blood volume during BCO.
Determination of chloride potential in perfused rat hearts by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Ramasamy R. , Zhao P. , Gitomer W. L. , Sherry A. D. , Malloy C. R.
Published: December 2017

Isolated beating rat hearts were perfused with trifluoroacetamide (TFM) and trifluoroacetate (TFA) and monitored by 19F-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The average membrane TFA potential in spontaneously beating rat hearts, calculated according to standard principles assuming that TFA is distributed in its anionic form, was found to be -36.2 +/- 3.2 mV (n = 9) under normoxic conditions. In separate experiments, the chloride and potassium potentials were determined to be -38.5 +/- 3.6 mV (n = 7) and -85.3 +/- 3.3 mV (n = 7), respectively, from freeze-clamped heart tissue. In the presence of the anion-exchange inhibitor, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), TFA uptake into heart was significantly reduced, suggesting that TFA uptake occurs partly via the Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanger. Based on these results and the results of R. E. London and S. A. Gabel (Biochemistry 28: 2378–2382, 1989), we conclude that the distribution of TFA in hearts reflects the chloride potential (ECl) and not the membrane potential. A time-dependent change in the ECl occurs during global ischemia, and changes in ECl were also observed when the hearts were perfused with high concentrations of KCl. These results demonstrate that 19F-NMR may be utilized to monitor the ECl of perfused hearts under a variety of conditions.
Central administration of PD 123319 or EXP-3174 inhibits effects of angiotensin II
Authors: Widdop R. E. , Gardiner S. M. , Kemp P. A. , Bennett T.
Published: December 2017

Cardiovascular responses to intracerebroventricular angiotensin II (ANG II) were measured in conscious rats, chronically instrumented for the measurement of regional hemodynamics, over 4 consecutive days in the absence and presence of either the AT2 receptor antagonist, PD 123319 (experiment 1), or the AT1 receptor antagonist, EXP-3174 (experiment 2). Intracerebroventricular ANG II had pressor and bradycardic effects, which were associated with marked mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstriction, and a small transient renal vasoconstriction. Both PD 123319 and EXP-3174, given intracerebroventricularly, abolished the cardiovascular response to intracerebroventricular ANG II, although the profiles of activity of the compounds were different. PD 123319 caused a slowly developing, but remarkably prolonged (1-2 days) inhibition of the effects of ANG II, whereas EXP-3174 caused an immediate inhibition of the effects of ANG II, although responses to ANG II had returned to control levels by the following day. These data suggest that the hemodynamic effects of ANG II may involve concurrent, and interdependent, activation of AT1 and AT2 receptors or that PD 123319 undergoes a unique biotransformation in the brain to some product(s) with AT1 receptor antagonist activity.
Effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on skinned rat myocardium activated by Ca2+
Authors: Herland J. S. , Julian F. J. , Stephenson D. G.
Published: December 2017

The effects of halothane (1.9 mM, 9.4 mM), enflurane (3.3 mM, 16.5 mM), and isoflurane (1.6 mM, 8.1 mM) on maximal Ca(2+)-activated force and Ca2+ sensitivity were studied in rat myocardial preparations rendered permeable by various methods. In preparations permeabilized either by mild homogenization or by saponin (50 micrograms/ml, 30 min), further disruption of the sarcolemma with 2% Triton X-100 resulted in increased maximal force and Ca2+ sensitivity. When membranes were mechanically disrupted or saponized, each vapor agent caused the myocardium to be more sensitive to Ca2+. In these preparations, maximal force was decreased by halothane but was not affected by enflurane or isoflurane. With cellular membranes completely disrupted by Triton, the previously observed increase in Ca2+ sensitivity caused by enflurane was reduced, whereas that caused by halothane and isoflurane was abolished and maximal force was decreased by halothane and isoflurane but was not affected by enflurane. These results indicate that 1) components associated with the cellular membrane systems normally modulate force in mammalian myocardium, and 2) halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane have complex effects on these components. These results therefore can explain some of the differences in inotropic effects that these agents exert on mammalian myocardium.
Regional variation in resistance artery diameter responses to alpha-adrenergic stimulation during pregnancy
Authors: D'Angelo G. , Osol G.
Published: December 2017

Whole animal pressor responses are blunted during pregnancy; yet, uterine arteries, paradoxically, become significantly more sensitive to the constrictor effects of phenylephrine (PE). The objectives herein were to investigate 1) the regional variation (uterine vs. mesenteric arteries) in dose-lumen diameter relationship to alpha-adrenergic stimulation during pregnancy, and 2) the selectivity of these sensitivity shifts for this pathway (PE vs. KCl). Lumen diameter was measured in isolated, pressurized (50 mmHg) arterial segments from age-matched virgin (nonpregnant; NP) and late pregnant (LP; days 19-20) Sprague-Dawley rats. Uterine arcuate vs. mesenteric arteries from NP rats were equally sensitive to either vasoconstrictor. Arcuate arteries from LP rats, however, were 4.5-fold more sensitive to PE (P < 0.01) compared with those from NP controls. Furthermore, diameter curves became superimposed at [PE] > or = 0.1 microM, even though initial diameter of arcuate arteries from LP rats was significantly larger (P < 0.001). Conversely, mesenteric arteries from LP rats were three-fold less sensitive to PE (P < 0.02), and the diameter curve displayed a corresponding parallel rightward shift. Pregnancy did not affect the sensitivity to KCl depolarization in either arcuate or mesenteric arteries. The percent reduction in lumen diameter to the maximum [KCl] was significantly decreased only in arcuate arteries from LP rats (P < 0.001). Thus, during pregnancy, divergent constrictor responses specific to alpha-adrenergic stimulation occur in resistance arteries from the uterine vs. splanchnic circulations. Consequently, concentrations of PE that are subthreshold in NP uterine arteries can elicit large changes in lumen diameter and thereby have a pronounced effect on uterine vascular resistance in the pregnant state.
Role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the basilar artery
Authors: Faraci F. M. , Heistad D. D.
Published: December 2017

This study examined the hypothesis that activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels produces vasodilation and contributes to dilator responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine in vivo. Diameter of the basilar artery (baseline diam = 245 +/- 14 microns, means +/- SE) was measured through a cranial window in anesthetized rats. RP52891 (1 microM), a direct activator of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, increased the diameter of the basilar artery by 33 +/- 5%. Glibenclamide (1 microM), an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, did not alter baseline diameter but abolished responses of the basilar artery to RP52891. Topical application of acetylcholine (10 microM) for 3 min produced peak dilatation of 33 +/- 6% at 30 s and produced a sustained increase in diameter of 17 +/- 4%. Glibenclamide did not inhibit dilator responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine. Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 and 100 microM), which inhibits synthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), produced concentration-dependent inhibition of dilatation of the basilar artery in response to acetylcholine. Thus ATP-sensitive potassium channels are functional but do not appear to influence basal tone of the basilar artery. Dilator responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine are dependent on formation of EDRF but not dependent on activity of glibenclamide-sensitive potassium channels.
Alpha 1-adrenoceptor and purinoceptor agonists modulate Na-H antiport in single cardiac cells
Authors: Puceat M. , Clement-Chomienne O. , Terzic A. , Vassort G.
Published: December 2017

We investigated the effects of an alpha 1-adrenoceptor (phenylephrine) and a purinoceptor agonist (ATP), both of which accelerate the phosphoinositide turnover, on the Na-H antiport activity of rat single cardiac cells using the pH-sensitive fluorescent indicator seminaphthorhodafluor-1 (SNARF-1). Both phenylephrine, in the presence of a beta-adrenoceptor blocker, and ATP enhanced the ability of the cell to regulate its intracellular pH (pHi) after an imposed acid load. This effect was observed in HCO3-free N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) and prevented by Na-H antiport inhibitors ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA) or amiloride. Similar results were obtained when cells were bathed in an acidic extracellular medium. Hence, the alpha 1-adrenoceptor and purinoceptor agonists activate the Na-H antiport even when it is partially inhibited by extracellular protons. To further evaluate the effects of the two neurohormones, the rate of proton efflux was estimated as a function of the magnitude of the imposed acid load. The results indicate that the agonist-induced modulation of the Na-H antiport is caused by an acceleration of its exchange activity and by a shift of its dependence on pHi toward more alkaline pH values. The agonist-mediated stimulation of the antiport was also observed in partially depolarized cells and was not dependent on intracellular Ca. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was not able to reproduce the effects of the agonists on the Na-H antiport. Conversely, the inhibitors of protein kinase C did not prevent the activation of the antiport by the neurohormones. Thus our data suggest that neither a Ca-calmodulin-dependent kinase nor protein kinase C is responsible for the alpha 1-adrenoceptor- and purinoceptor-mediated stimulation of the antiport.
Sodium-potassium pump and sodium-calcium exchange in adult and neonatal canine cardiac sarcolemma
Authors: Hanson G. L. , Schilling W. P. , Michael L. H.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Na(+)-K+ pump and the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, two systems thought to be important in excitation-contraction coupling in the heart, change during postnatal development. In adult and neonatal canine cardiac sarcolemmal preparations, Na(+)-K(+)-adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase) activity and specific [3H]ouabain binding were found to be higher in the adult compared with the neonate, although Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase turnover numbers were not significantly different. Furthermore, ouabain association and dissociation rate constants, examined under a variety of conditions, were the same for both the neonate and adult preparations. These results suggest that the number of pump units per milligram sarcolemmal protein changes during postnatal development. In contrast, the initial rate of Na(+)-dependent-45Ca2+ influx, an index of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity, was not significantly different in the two age groups. Additionally, the sensitivity of the exchanger to extravesicular Ca2+ and K+ was the same. In summary, during postnatal development sarcolemmal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and [3H]ouabain binding increase from neonate to adult, whereas Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity remains the same. This may result in a greater importance of Ca2+ flux through the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system in the neonate compared with the adult.
Tachyphylaxis to the vasopressor effects of endothelin in rat aortic rings
Authors: Hollenberg S. M. , Shelhamer J. H. , Cunnion R. E.
Published: December 2017

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor peptide released by endothelial cells, binds with high affinity to surface receptors and is highly resistant to dissociation. We observed tachyphylaxis to the pressor effects of a second application of ET-1 in rat aortic rings and investigated the mechanism of this effect. Developed tension increased progressively with doses of ET-1 ranging from 1 to 500 nM (P < 0.001), and tensions with rechallenge were correspondingly decreased (P < 0.001). In response to 500 nM ET-1, tension increased 1,599 +/- 72 (SE) mg/mg ring wt. Rechallenge with 500 nM ET-1 led to contraction of only 33 +/- 40 mg/mg ring wt. Tachyphylaxis was seen up to 6 h after initial challenge. Pretreatment with nicardipine, lidoflazine, nitroglycerin, and sphingosine did not affect tachyphylaxis. Pretreatment with 500 microM dansylcadaverine (an inhibitor of endothelin internalization) markedly inhibited ET-1-induced contraction and also inhibited tachyphylaxis to ET-1. Further studies with radiolabeled ET-1 suggested that subsequent ET-1 binding is markedly decreased after an initial ET-1 challenge. Dansylcadaverine inhibited ET-1 internalization and also inhibited the decreased binding seen with ET-1 rechallenge. Rat aortic rings demonstrate tachyphylaxis to the pressor effect of a second dose of ET-1. The mechanism appears to be related to binding and subsequent internalization of endothelin-receptor complexes. This effect suggests a possible mechanism for sustained decreases in systemic vascular resistance.
Endothelium-dependent response of human internal mammary artery to hypoxia
Authors: Pearson P. J. , Lin P. J. , Evora P. R. , Schaff H. V.
Published: December 2017

To study the effect of hypoxia on vascular tone in human internal mammary artery (IMA), segments of IMA were suspended in organ chambers and contracted with norepinephrine (at a dose producing 30% of maximal contraction). Exposure of IMA segments with endothelium to hypoxia (partial pressure of oxygen, 38 +/- 4 mmHg) resulted in a transient relaxation (47 +/- 6%) followed by constriction (177 +/- 8%) (n = 14). IMA segments without endothelium exhibited a gradual decrease in tension that almost completely counteracted vasoconstriction. The initial transient endothelium-dependent relaxation could be blocked by indomethacin (10(-6)M) and was associated with a 51% increase in 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha production (n = 22, P < 0.05). The endothelium-dependent contraction to hypoxia could be attenuated by indomethacin (n = 6, P < 0.05) or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (10(-5)M; n = 9, P < 0.05) and was completely blocked by combination of these agonists (n = 6, P < 0.05). These experiments indicate that on exposure to hypoxia, the human IMA exhibits an initial prostacyclin-mediated relaxation followed by contraction due to the production of a constrictor prostanoid in addition to the inhibition of basal production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor.