• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.471-477
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• 2000

In the rabbit renal artery, acetylcholine $(ACh,\;1\;nM{\sim}10\;{\mu}M)$ induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of arterial rings precontracted with norepinephrine $(NE,\;1\;{\mu}M)$ in a dose-dependent manner. $N^G-nitro- L-arginine$ (L-NAME, 0.1 mM), an inhibitor of NO synthase, or ODQ $(1\;{\mu}M),$ a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, partially inhibited the ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. The ACh-induced relaxation was abolished in the presence of 25 mM KCl and L-NAME. The cytochrome P450 inhibitors, 7- ethoxyresorufin $(7-ER,\;10\;{\mu}M),$ miconazole $(10\;{\mu}M),$ or 17-octadecynoic acid $(17-ODYA,\;10\;{\mu}M),$ failed to inhibit the ACh-induced relaxation in the presence of L-NAME. 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid $(11,12-EET,\;10\;{\mu}M)$ had no relaxant effect. The ACh-induced relaxation observed in the presence of L-NAME was significantly reduced by a combination of iberiotoxin $(0.3\;{\mu}M)$ and apamin $(1\;{\mu}M),$ and almost completely blocked by 4-aminopyridine (5 mM). The ACh-induced relaxation was antagonized by $P_{2Y}$ receptor antagonist, cibacron blue $(10\;and\;100\;{\mu}M),$ in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, 2-methylthio-ATP (2MeSATP), a potent $P_{2Y}$ agonist, induced the endothelium-dependent relaxation, and this relaxation was markedly reduced by either the combination of iberiotoxin and apamin or by cibacron blue. In conclusion, in renal arteries isolated from rabbit, ACh produced non-NO relaxation that is mediated by an EDHF. The results also suggest that ACh may activate the release of ATP from endothelial cells, which in turn activates $P_{2Y}$ receptor on the endothelial cells. Activation of endothelial $P_{2Y}$ receptors induces a release of EDHF resulting in a vasorelaxation via a mechanism that involves activation of both the voltage-gated $K^+$ channels and the $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K^+\;channels$. The results further suggest that EDHF does not appear to be a cytochrome P450 metabolite.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.146-150
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• 2003

It had been known for a while that Crataegi Fructus(CF; Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge) had only a digestive effect. Recently, it has been demonstrated that CF also has an anti-hypertensive effect. However, its mechanism of relaxant effect has not been investigated yet. This study was examined to investigate the mechanism of vascular relaxation effect of CF in isolated rat thoracic aorta. CF revealed significant relaxation to phenylephrine(PE)-induced arterial contraction but much less to KCI-induced one. When CF was pretreated, it inhibited PE-induced contraction non-competitively. Methylene blue(10/sup -6/M) completely blocked the relaxant effect of CF whereas L-NAME(10/sup -5/M) did almost completely. However, atropine(10/sup -6/M) did not have any influence on vascular relaxation effect of CF. Regarding cNOS activity, CF significantly increased its activity from rat whole brain homogenate in a dose dependent manner which was inhibited by L-NAME(10/sup -5/M). On the other hand, CF did not affect on expression of TNF-α mRNA in RAW 264.7 cells, suggesting that CF is not related to iNOS activity. These results indicate that CF would be effective in relaxing vascular contraction through release of endothelial nitric oxide.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 1994

The contraction of rabbit basilar artery was examined as a function of changes in the $Na^+$ electrochemical gradient in order to determine the contribution of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange to the modulation of contractility. Ouabain $(10^{-5}\;M)$ or $K^+-free$ Tyrode solution caused an increase in tonic tension even in the presence of a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker $(10^{-6}\;M\;verapamil)$ and an ${\alpha}-receptor$ blocker $(10^{-5}\;M\;phentolamine)$. After treatment with ouabain $(10^{-5}\;M)$, contractions were augmented by reduction of external $Na^+$ concentration. The longer the treatment with ouabain $(10^{-5}\;M)$ was, the larger the amplitude of $Na^+-free$ contracture was. $Na^+-free$ contracture wag induced by either substitution of equimolar Tris for $Na^+$ or substitution of equimolar $Li^+\;for\;Na^+$. The competition between $Na^+\;and\;Ca^{2+}$ for the $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange carrier would exist, because it was observed that contractility was dependent on the $Na^+$ electrochemical gradient or the extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration (2 mM, 4 mM). Ryanodine $(10^{-7}\;M)$, the blocker of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, did not suppress the development of $Na^+-free$ contracture. The contractile response to norepinephrine $(10^{-6}\;M)$ was augmented by reducing the extracellular $Na^+$ concentration. The relaxation rate from caffeine-induced contraction was dependent on the extracellular $Na^+$ concentration (0 mM, 140 mM). From the above results, it could be suggested that $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange can move $Ca^{2+}$ either into or out of rabbit basilar arterial smooth muscle. $Ca^{2+}$ entry or extrusion is dependent upon the $Na^+$ electrochemical gradient. $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange plays a significant role in the regulation of contractility in rabbit basilar arterial smooth muscle.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.11.1-11.9
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• 2018

Estrogen has diverse effects on cardiovascular function, including regulation of the contractile response to vasoactive substances such as serotonin. The serotonin system recently emerged as an important player in the regulation of vascular tone in humans. However, hyperreactivity to serotonin appears to be a critical factor for the pathophysiology of hypertension. In this study, we examined the modulatory mechanisms of estrogen in serotonin-induced vasoconstriction by using a combinatory approach of isometric tension measurements, molecular biology, and patch-clamp techniques. $17{\beta}$-Estradiol (E2) elicited a significant and concentration-dependent relaxation of serotonin-induced contraction in deendothelialized aortic strips isolated from male rats. E2 triggered a relaxation of serotonin-induced contraction even in the presence of tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist, suggesting that E2-induced changes are not mediated by estrogen receptor. Patch-clamp studies in rat arterial myocytes showed that E2 prevented Kv channel inhibition induced by serotonin. Serotonin increased Src activation in arterial smooth muscle required for contraction, which was significantly inhibited by E2. The estrogen receptor-independent inhibition of Src by E2 was confirmed in HEK293T cells that do not express estrogen receptor. Taken together, these results suggest that estrogen exerts vasodilatory effects on serotonin-precontracted arteries via Src, implying a critical role for estrogen in the prevention of vascular hyperreactivity to serotonin.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.884-892
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• 1998

Background: The gastroepiploic artery is not only an alternative graft but also may be considered an important primary graft for coronary revascularization. However, the long-term patency of the gastroepiploic arterial graft is yet to be determined and the incidence of perioperative spasm and long-term patency of a coronary graft may be affected by the properties of the graft response to certain vasoactive substances. The reactivity of the gastroepiploic artery to vasoactive substances has not been studied extensively and the results of the studies are contradictory. Material and Method: This study was designed to test the reactivity of human gastroepiploic artery to four constrictors and four relaxants. The middle sections of the human gastroepiploic arteries were collected from the patients undergoing gastrectomy and the arterial rings with intact endothelium were suspended in organ baths for isometric tension recording. Result: Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and potassium chloride induced the maximum constriction to higher forces (7.0$\pm$1.1g, 6.6$\pm$0.9g, and 6.5$\pm$1.1g) than 5-hydroxytryptamine did (3.8$\pm$1.7g, p<0.05). Nitroprusside and histamine induced almost full relaxation in the gastroepiploic arteries preconstricted with norepinephrine. There was no significant difference between two relaxants regarding maximum relaxation force. Acetylcholine induced the maximum relaxation to weaker force when compared with nitroprusside and histamine (p<0.05), and isoproterenol was the weakest of the relaxants (p<0.05 compared with acetylcholine). Conclusion: The gastroepiploic artery has a strong capacity of endothelium-dependent relaxation which could have an important influence on long-term patency. The gastroepiploic artery exhibits a potent contractility to catecholamines and the enhanced contractility may facilitate vasospasm in the presence of high circulating levels of catecholamines. Nitroprusside, a potent relaxant in gastroepiploic artery, might be beneficial for the treatment of gastroepiploic arterial graft spasm. The gastroepiploic arterial graft with intact endothelium may respond weakly to beta-adrenoceptor agonist and 5-hydroxytryptamine.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.313-317
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• 2004

The present study were designed to characterize the action mechanisms of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in arteries precontracted with high $K^+$(70 mM). For this, we simultaneously measured both muscle tension and cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$, using fura-2, in endothelium-intact, rabbit carotid arterial strips. In the artery with endothelium, high $K^+$ increased both $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle tension whereas ACh $(10{\mu}M)$ significantly relaxed the muscle and increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. In the presence of $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME, 0.1 mM), ACh increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ without relaxing the muscle. In the artery without endothelium, high $K^+$ increased both $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle tension although ACh was ineffective. 4-DAMP (10 nM) or atropine $(0.1{\mu}M)$ abolished ACh-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and relaxation. The increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and vasorelaxation by ACh was siginificantly reduced by either $3{\mu}M$ gadolinium, $10{\mu}M$ lanthanum, or by $10{\mu}M$ SKF 96365. These results suggest that in rabbit carotid artery, ACh-evoked relaxation of 70 mM $K^+$-induced contractions appears to be mediated by the release of NO. ACh-evoked vasorelaxation is mediated via the $M_3$ subtype, and activation of the $M_3$ subtype is suggested to stimulate nonselective cation channels, leading to increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in endothelial cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.131-136
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to define the effect of Polygoni cuspidatae Radix on contracted rabbit common carotid artery and its mechanism. In order to investigate the effect of Polygoni cuspidatae Radix on rabbit's contracted vascular ring detached from common carotid artery, vascular ring with intact or damaged endothelium was used for the experiment using organ bath. To analyze the mechanism of Polygoni cuspidatae Radix-induced relaxation, Polygoni cuspidatae Radix extract was infused into contracted vascular ring which had been pretreated by $N{\omega}-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA)$, Methylene blue(MB), and $Ca^{2+}$ was infused into contracted vascular ring induced by NE or KCl after treatment of Polygoni cuspidatae Radix extract in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution. The results were as follows : Polygini cuspidatae Radix had an effective relaxation to the contracted vascular ring by NE in 0.1 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml level. Polygini cuspidatae Radix had an effective relaxation to the intact endothelium vascular ring, but when endothelium was removed, vascular ring did not relax. Polygini cuspidatae Radix-induced relaxation was inhibited by the pretreatment of L-NNA and MB. Pretreatment of Polygini cuspidatae Radix extract inhibit the contraction by influx of $extra-Ca^{2+}$ in contracted vascular ring induced by NE or KCl in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution. As mentioned above, we suggest that Polygini cuspidatae Radix relaxes vascular ring through suppress influx of extra-cellular $Ca^{2+}$ by the action of nitric oxide from endothelium.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.321-326
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• 2002

The effect of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) inhibita, $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester(L-NAME) and prostanoid synthesis inhibiter, indomethacin on the photorelaxation, when was exposed to the long-wave length UV-light, was examined on the precontraction by the phenylephrine in the isolated pig renal artery. 1. UV-light relaxed both with-endothelium and without-endothelium in the pig renal arterial ring contracted by the phenylephrine. The magnitude of photorelaxation was dependent on the exposure time for UV-light. 2. UV-Iight induced relaxation was inhibited by L-NAME and indomethacin on the precontraction by the phenylephrine in the isolated pig renal artery. 3. UV-Iight induced relaxation was inhibited by methylene blue on the precontraction by the phenylephrine in the isolated pig renal artery. These results suggest that UV-light induced photorelaxation may be due to cGMP involved both nitric oxide and prostanoid on the precontraction by the phenylephrine in the isolated pig renal artery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.260-268
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• 2003

Object : This study was undertaken to define the mechanism of GwakHyangJungGiSan-induced relaxation in rabbit common carotid artery contracted by agonists. Method : In order to investigate the effect of GwakHyangJungGiSan on rabbit's contracted vascular ring detached from common carotid artery, vascular ring intact or damaged endothelium was used for the experiment using organ bath. To analyze the mechanism of GwakHyangJungGiSan-induced relaxation, GwakHyangJungGiSan extract was infused into contracted vascular ring which had been pretreated by pretreatment of indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), $N{\omega}-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA)$. Result : GwakHyangJungGiSan blocks an inflow of $Ca^{2+}$ and relaxes vascular ring by the action of Nitric oxide from endothelium. Consequently when GwakHyangJungGiSan is prescribed, a rise in blood pressure by the resistance of peripheral vessel may be controlled to some extent and so it is anticipated that hypertension, a disorder of blood flow from the vascular contraction and vascular disease will be treated well.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.587-595
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate effects of calcium antagonists on endothelial and neuronal dysfunction of right coronary artery (RCA) induced by ischemia- reperfusion in anesthetized, open-chest pigs. After reperfusion, pigs were sacrificed and the RCA was rapidly dissected for in vitro experiments. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups: control (C-RCA), ischemia-reperfusion only (I-RCA), verapamil infusion (VI-RCA) and nifedipine infusion (NI-RCA) group, respectively. The ischemia did not affect hemodynamics, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, LVdP/dtmax, and decreased RCA flow. Arterial pressure and heart rate during ischemia-reperfusion were decreased in VI-RCA and NI-RCA, and RCA flow during reperfusion was increased in NI-RCA. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) produced concentration-dependent contractions in C-RCA. The 5-HT-induced contractions were potentiated in I-RCA and VI-RCA, but not in NI-RCA. Endothelium-dependent relaxation by calcium ionophore A23187 was inhibited in I-RCA and VI-RCA, and recovered in NI-RCA. Cyclic GMP contents were decreased in I-RCA group alone. Electrical field stimulation in C-RCA produced transient and frequency-dependent contractions and at 50 Hz caused biphasic contractions. The transient contractions were not affected by pretreatment with phentolamine and atropine, but the biphasic contraction was altered by the pretreatment. Both contractions were inhibited in I-RCA, and were partially recovered in VI-RCA and NI-RCA. Ischemia-reperfusion of RCA in pigs causes endothelial and neuronal dysfunctions, and calcium antagonists partially prevent both.