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A Mülsch

Publications and source records attributed to A Mülsch.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Vasoconstriction and increased flow: two principal mechanisms of shear stress-dependent endothelial autacoid release.

The mechanisms of which nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) are released from endothelium-intact rabbit femoral arteries under resting conditions and after stimulation by either shear stress or acetylcholine (ACh) were investigated. The concentration of NO in the effluate was determined by monitoring the NO-mediated stimulation of purified soluble guanylyl cyclase, and that of PGI2 was done using a specific radioimmunoassay for its stable hydrolysis product, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, NO release under static (no-flow) conditions and in the absence of a stimulus accounted for 10-15% of the maximum release of NO from luminally perfused segments stimulated with ACh and was attenuated by removal of extracellular Ca2+. A six- to sevenfold increase in shear stress (from 0.15 to 1 dyn/cm2), generated either by vasoconstriction at constant flow or by an increase in flow at constant diameter, elicited a five- to sevenfold increase in NO release, which was correlated with increasing shear stress. The same increase in shear stress also enhanced the release of PGI2 from the femoral artery segments by 11- to 12-fold. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ abolished the shear stress-dependent PGI2 released but did not affect that of NO. In contrast, the ACh-stimulated NO release was strongly inhibited in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (78% inhibition). Charybdotoxin, an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels, and glibenclamide, an inhibitor of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel, had no effect on the shear stress-dependent release of NO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1993

Ca(++)-dependent constitutive nitric oxide synthase is not involved in the cyclic GMP-increasing effects of carbachol in ventricular cardiomyocytes.

We investigated the effects of the M-cholinoceptor agonist carbachol on cyclic GMP (cGMP) content and contractile response in the absence and presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine in guinea-pig isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. Carbachol (10 mumol/l, 10 min) increased basal cGMP content to approximately 200% and contractile response to 118%. Preincubation of the cardiomyocytes with NG-nitro-L-arginine (0.1 mumol/l, 60 min) did not alter the effects of carbachol on neither cGMP content or contractile response. Moreover, nitric oxide synthase activity was undetectable in crude or ADP-agarose purified cytosolic and particulate fractions of homogenized isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin did not affect the carbachol-mediated increase in cGMP content or contractile response. However, methylene blue abolished the elevation in cGMP content by carbachol, without changing contractile response. It is concluded that the carbachol-mediated increase in cGMP content and contractile response in ventricular cardiomyocytes is neither mediated via a nitric oxidebiosynthesis pathway nor via a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. Furthermore, the cGMP increase by carbachol is due to an activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and is dissociated from the contractile response. We therefore assume that carbachol activates two independent effector cascades, one leading to an elevation in cGMP content and the other to an increase in contractile response and that none of the effects are mediated via endogenous nitric oxide formation.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

NO accounts completely for the oxygenated nitrogen species generated by enzymic L-arginine oxygenation.

We have assessed the stoichiometry of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase reaction by using a novel e.p.r. technique. NO generated by crude and partially purified NO synthase from endothelial cells and Escherichia coli-lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages was trapped by a ferrous diethyldithiocarbamate complex dispersed in yeast. The paramagnetic ferrous mononitrosyl dithiocarbamate complex formed exhibited a characteristic e.p.r. signal at g perpendicular = 2.035 and g parallel = 2.02 with a triplet hyperfine structure (hfs) at g perpendicular. NO, 3-morpholinosydnonimine and S-nitroso-L-cysteine, but not nitrite or hydroxylamine, generated a similar e.p.r. signal. NO generated by NO synthase and by SIN-1 accumulated at a constant rate for 1 h, as measured by continuous e.p.r. registration at 37 degrees C. The formation of e.p.r.-detectable NO by NO synthases was inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine. Incubation with [15N]NG-L-arginine caused an e.p.r. signal with doublet hfs, indicating that the nitrosyl nitrogen derived exclusively from the guanidino nitrogen. The amount of NO generated by NO synthase as measured by e.p.r. technique was compared with formation of L-[3H]citrulline from L-[3H]arginine. NO and L-citrulline were detected at a 1:1 ratio with both NO synthase preparations. GSH and thiol depletion did not significantly affect NO synthase activity, excluding S-nitrosothiols as intermediates in the NO synthase reaction. We conclude that NO fully accounts for the immediate oxygenated nitrogen species derived from the enzymic oxygenation of L-arginine.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Induction of nitric oxide synthase in L929 cells by tumour-necrosis factor alpha is prevented by inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

The fibroblast cell line L929 contains a constitutively expressed NO synthase (EC 1.14.29.-) activity, which can be increased about 10-fold by tumour-necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Activities of the constitutive and the inducible enzymes are tetrahydrobiopterin-independent and can be inhibited by L-NG-nitroarginine. Induction of NO synthase by TNF-alpha was prevented by inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, namely nicotinamide, 3-methoxybenzamide and 3-aminobenzamide. TNF-alpha did not lead to an increase in ADP-ribosyltransferase activity nor to a change in the pattern of ADP-ribosylated proteins. The inhibitors were only active during the first 4-5 h after exposure to TNF-alpha and they were found to suppress synthesis of protein, DNA and RNA. These data suggest that the inhibitors prevent induction of NO synthase by interference with RNA and protein synthesis. It is not yet known which reactions of these biosynthetic processes are affected by the inhibitors.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Induction of nitric oxide synthase is a necessary precondition for expression of tumor necrosis factor-independent tumoricidal activity by activated macrophages.

Various bacteria and bacterial products induce in pure, lymphocyte-free bone marrow-derived mononuclear phagocytes (BMMø) the generation of tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide (NO) synthase, NO and nitrite (NO2-), the flow of L-arginine to citrulline, and tumoricidal activity. The flow of L-arginine to citrulline and formation of NO/NO2- on the one hand and expression of tumoricidal activity were not always closely related; however, these parameters were suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by the flavoprotein inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and the L-arginine analogue, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA). The findings support the concept of a central role of the NO synthase pathway in the generation of tumor necrosis factor-independent tumoricidal activity by activated macrophages but the exact conditions which enable the transfer of the lytic principle from the effector to the target cell remain to be elucidated.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Interleukin 1 beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha induce a macrophage-type of nitric oxide synthase in rat renal mesangial cells.

Treatment of mesangial cells with interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) has been shown to increase cGMP formation, most probably due to induction of nitric oxide synthase. Here we report that maximum stimulation of cGMP formation over a 24-h period required the presence of IL-1 beta or TNF alpha during the first 18 h of induction. N4-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) was a potent inhibitor of cytokine-induced cGMP formation while N4-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) was less active. Formation of nitric oxide was detected in the cytosol of cytokine-treated mesangial cells by activation of purified soluble guanylate cyclase and was stimulated by tetrahydrobiopterin, but not by calcium calmodulin. Treatment of cells with IL-1 beta or TNF alpha markedly attenuated the contractile response to a subsequent challenge with angiotensin II. Furthermore, conditioned medium from IL-1 beta-treated cells increased cGMP in untreated control cells.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Mechanisms of interaction between the sulfhydryl precursor L-methionine and glyceryl trinitrate.

BACKGROUND: L-Methionine potentiates systemic hemodynamic effects of intravenous glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in tolerant and nontolerant patients to a similar extent as N-acetylcysteine (NAC). This potentiation of GTN action by L-methionine has been attributed to enhanced intracellular formation of nitrosothiols, known to be potent stimulators of soluble guanylyl cyclase. This study was performed to analyze directly the effects of L-methionine on GTN-induced dilation of large epicardial arteries and the venous capacitance system of the dog in the tolerant and nontolerant states. Cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells and purified guanylyl cyclase were used to study potential intracellular and extracellular mechanisms responsible for this interaction. METHODS AND RESULTS: In awake nontolerant dogs, L-methionine (100 mg/kg) potentiated the tachycardic response to GTN (5.0 and 15 micrograms/kg/min) and enhanced the hypotensive action of GTN (1.5 and 5.0 micrograms/kg/min) in anesthetized, nonreflexic dogs. In nontolerant and tolerant dogs, however, L-methionine did not alter the dose-response of large epicardial artery dilation to intravenous GTN challenges and did not modify nitrate tolerance of the low pressure system of the dog. The infusion of L-methionine (100 mg/kg) significantly increased plasma methionine levels (from 52 +/- 12 to 1,141 +/- 239 microM), cystine levels (from 12 +/- 4 to 26 +/- 7 microM), but not homocystine levels. In vitro, the L-methionine conversion product L-cysteine (0.1-1.0 mM) but not homocysteine significantly enhanced the augmentation of purified guanylyl cyclase activity by GTN (100 microM). Incubation of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells with L-methionine (10 microM or 1 mM) did not result in a significant increase of free intracellular sulfhydryl group content. CONCLUSIONS: The L-methionine conversion product L-cysteine mediates tolerance independent the potentiation of GTN action. This may result from an L-cysteine-induced formation of a vasoactive metabolite of GTN (nitric oxide) or nitrosothiol. This effect occurs primarily in the resistance vessel circulation, not in large epicardial arteries and veins. The lack of effect of L-methionine on sulfhydryl group content in large conductance vessels indicates that hepatic L-methionine metabolism constitutes the significant source of L-cysteine. These findings strongly suggest that administration of sulfhydryl-group precursor L-methionine does not represent a therapeutic alternative to a nitrate-free interval to restore nitrate sensitivity in tolerant large epicardial arteries and veins.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Regulation by prostaglandin E2 of cytokine-elicited nitric oxide synthesis in rat liver macrophages.

Nitric oxide (NO), apart from its properties as a vasodilator, is a cytotoxic agent released from macrophages upon stimulation with immunomodulating agents such as interferon-gamma and endotoxin. In rat Kupffer cells endotoxin causes the release of NO as well as of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). This eicosanoid and its second messenger, cyclic AMP, have been shown to increase nitric oxide formation in Kupffer cells treated with endotoxin (Gaillard et al. (1991) Pathobiology 59, 280-283). But not only added PGE2 but also the prostaglandin produced endogenously upon stimulation with endotoxin increases NO synthesis. Neither tumor necrosis factor-alpha nor interleukin-1 beta stimulate NO synthesis by themselves, but together with PGE2 they are as effective as lipopolysaccharide plus PGE2. To replace PGE2 in the combination with the cytokines, however, dibutyryl cAMP has to be present in higher concentrations than with LPS. Interleukin-6 alone or in combination with PGE2 or dibutyryl cAMP is without any effect. Anti-TNF-alpha as well as anti-PGE2 antibodies reduce the release of NO upon stimulation with LPS. Consequently, the effect of LPS on NO production seems to be in part due to the self-stimulating effect of PGE2 and some cytokines, both produced by Kupffer cells upon LPS stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The potent vasodilating and guanylyl cyclase activating dinitrosyl-iron(II) complex is stored in a protein-bound form in vascular tissue and is released by thiols.

We studied the biological activity, stability and interaction of dinitrosyl-iron(II)-L-cysteine with vascular tissue. Dinitrosyl-iron(II)-L-cysteine was a potent activator of purified soluble guanylyl cyclase (EC50 10 nM with and 100 nM without superoxide dismutase) and relaxed noradrenaline-precontracted segments of endothelium-denuded rabbit femoral artery (EC50 10 nM superoxide dismutase). Pre-incubation (5 min; 310 K) of endothelium-denuded rabbit aortic segments with dinitrosyl-iron(II)-L-cysteine (0.036-3.6 mM) resulted in a concentration-dependent formation of a dinitrosyl-iron(II) complex with protein thiol groups, as detected by ESR spectroscopy. While the complex with proteins was stable for 2 h at 310 K, dinitrosyl-iron(II)-L-cysteine in aqueous solution (36-360 microM) decomposed completely within 15 min, as indicated by disappearance of its isotropic ESR signal at gav = 2.03 (293 K). Aortic segments pre-incubated with dinitrosyl-iron(II)-L-cysteine released a labile vasodilating and guanylyl cyclase activating factor. Perfusion of these segments with N-acetyl-L-cysteine resulted in the generation of a low molecular weight dinitrosyl-iron(II)-dithiolate from the dinitrosyl-iron(II) complex with proteins, as revealed by the shape change of the ESR signal at 293 K. The low molecular weight dinitrosyl-iron(II)-dithiolate accounted for an enhanced guanylyl cyclase activation and vasodilation induced by the aortic effluent. We conclude that nitric oxide (NO) produced by, or acting on vascular cells can be stabilized and stored as a dinitrosyl-iron(II) complex with protein thiols, and can be released from cells in the form of a low molecular weight dinitrosyl-iron(II)-dithiolate by intra- and extracellular thiols.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

On-line detection of nitric oxide formation in liquid aqueous phase by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

A method for the detection of the nitric oxide radical (NO) in oxygen-containing aqueous solution by means of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) is described. NO evolving from the spontaneous decomposition of 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) was trapped by Fe(2+)-diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) complex dissolved in yeast cell membranes. The resulting mononitrosyl-Fe(2+)-(DETC)2 complex was stable and exhibited a characteristic EPR signal at g perpendicular = 2.04 and g parallel = 2.02 with an unresolved triplet hyperfine structure at g perpendicular in frozen solution and an isotropic triplet signal at gav = 2.03 at 37 degrees C. The amount of NO trapped was calculated from the amplitude of one of the triplet lines calibrated by means of a dinitrosyl-Fe(2+)-thiosulfate standard. The lower detection limit of NO was 0.5 nmol/(ml x h) due to a low background NO signal. The upper detection limit was about 10 nmol NO/40 mg traps (DETC-loaded yeast cells), because of saturation of traps. The trapping efficiency approached 60% under anaerobic conditions and with low concentrations of SIN-1, but decreased progressively with higher concentrations and in the presence of oxygen. Nitrite (up to 0.1 mM) did not increase the background NO level. The sensitivity was sufficient to follow the rate of NO release from SIN-1 on-line at 37 degrees C in a flat quartz cuvette. The time course of NO release detected by EPR spectrometry correlated with the time course of nitrite accumulation measured by diazotation. In conclusion, this method will permit the on-line detection of NO formation from endogenous and pharmacological sources in oxygen-containing aqueous media.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed1991

Cellular mechanisms controlling EDRF/NO formation in endothelial cells.

We investigated the molecular mechanisms whereby Ca2+ enters the endothelial cytosol and regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthesis L-arginine-dependent nitric oxide synthesis by isolated endothelial cytosol as quantified by activation of a purified soluble guanylate cyclase was concentration-dependently enhanced by free Ca2+ (EC50 0.3 microM). The Ca(2+)-dependent activation was inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists mastoparan, melittin, and calcineurin (IC50 450, 350, and 60 nM, respectively) in a calmodulin-reversible manner. After removal of endogenous calmodulin the Ca(2+)-dependency of endothelial NO synthase was lost, but could be reconstituted with exogenous calmodulin. The results indicate that Ca(2+)-calmodulin directly activates the endothelial nitric oxide synthase, thereby transducing agonist-induced increases in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration to nitric oxide formation from L-arginine, K(+)-induced depolarization of the endothelial cells markedly inhibited the sustained, but not initial phase of the intracellular Ca2+ response to bradykinin, indicating that K(+)-induced depolarization depresses the transmembrane Ca2+ influx. On the contrary, the K+ channel activator Hoe 234 which elicits hyperpolarization of the endothelial cell membrane, augmented the sustained phase of the agonist-induced intracellular Ca2+ signal, but not the resting intracellular Ca2+ level. The effects of K+ and Hoe 234 on the agonist-induced Ca(2+)-response were reflected by corresponding changes in agonist-induced EDRF/NO release. From these data, we suggest that the endothelial membrane potential may play an important role for the extent of agonist-induced Ca2+ influx and, thereby, the endothelial EDRF/NO synthesis.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1991

Rhythmic smooth muscle activity in hamster aortas is mediated by continuous release of NO from the endothelium.

Hamster aortas display endothelium-dependent, agonist-induced rhythmic contractions. However, the mechanism responsible for these oscillations is not known. Therefore, we investigated the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) on phenylephrine-induced rhythmicity in rings and segments of thoracic aortas of the hamster. We found that hamster aortas release NO, as detected by activation of purified soluble guanylate cyclase. The release of NO was abolished by mechanical removal of the endothelium or by exposure of the vessels to NG-nitro-L-arginine (NAG), a stereospecific selective inhibitor of NO synthesis. Correlated with the tonic release of NO was an elevation in guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) content in the vessels that could also be abolished by removal of the endothelium or treatment with NAG. The same procedures inhibited phenylephrine-induced isometric tension or diameter oscillations. Rhythmicity could be restored by exposure to the nitrovasodilator sodium nitroprusside, which increased cGMP levels in the aortas, or by exposure to the permeant analogue of cGMP, 8-BrcGMP. The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, as well as the cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP, failed to produce rhythmic contractions in either preparation. These data indicate that endothelium-derived NO, which stimulates the production of cGMP in the vascular smooth muscle, is the signal that leads to the observed rhythmic oscillations in smooth muscle mechanical activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of nitric oxide production by stimulated rat Kupffer cells.

Macrophages have been described to release nitric oxide (NO) as a cytotoxic radical. This highly unstable substance is as well known as endothelium-derived relaxing factor produced by vascular endothelial cells. Because of its cytotoxic activity the synthesis of NO by rat Kupffer cells, the liver macrophages, upon stimulation with endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in combination with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and dibutyryl cAMP (dBcAMP) was studied. Kupffer cells were stimulated after 48 h of primary culture. NO was quantified as NO2- in the cell medium 24 h after stimulation. LPS stimulated NO generation 5- to 10-fold over the basal level. This increase could be further enhanced by PGE2 and dBcAMP, especially when added 1 h after LPS. NO generation after stimulation with LPS or LPS + PGE2 depended on the simultaneous production of PGE2 by the stimulated Kupffer cells. It could be partly inhibited by anti-PGE2 antibody or acetylsalicylic acid. While murine TNF-alpha did not stimulate NO synthesis significantly, added PGE2 raised NO synthesis about 6-fold. The addition of dBcAMP to TNF-alpha in the same concentration as with LPS, however, had no effect. Thus, stimulation by LPS + PGE2 equals that of LPS + dBcAMP whereas TNF-alpha + PGE2 does not equal TNF-alpha + dBcAMP, indicating differences in the mode of action of PGE2 on LPS- or TNF-alpha-treated Kupffer cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Induction of nitric oxide synthase by cytokines in vascular smooth muscle cells.

We investigated the mechanisms by which cytokines lead to a diminished responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle to vasoconstrictors. The attenuation of noradrenaline-induced contraction by 6 to 24 h incubations with the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, in endothelium-denuded rabbit aorta was associated with an increase in intracellular cyclic GMP level. This increase was abolished by the stereoselective inhibitor of nitric oxide-synthase, NG-nitro-L-arginine and by cycloheximide. Formation of nitric oxide was detected in the cytosol of cytokine-treated native and cultured smooth muscle cells by activation of purified soluble guanylate cyclase, and depended on tetrahydrobiopterin, but not on Ca2(+)-calmodulin. The results indicate that cytokines induce a nitric oxide-synthase of the macrophage-type in vascular smooth muscle.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗