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Biomedical subjects

J F Giudicelli

Publications and source records attributed to J F Giudicelli.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Comparisons of the effects of nicorandil, pinacidil, nicardipine and nitroglycerin on coronary vessels in the conscious dog: role of the endothelium.

1. The vasodilator properties of nicorandil on large and small coronary arteries were compared to those of nicardipine, pinacidil, nitroglycerin and acetylcholine in six conscious dogs. 2. Intravenous bolus injections of acetylcholine (0.1 micrograms kg-1), nitroglycerin (0.3-3 micrograms kg-1), pinacidil (10-100 micrograms kg-1), nicardipine (3-30 micrograms kg-1) and nicorandil (10-100 micrograms kg-1) dose-dependently increased circumflex coronary artery diameter and decreased coronary vascular resistance, indicating vasodilator effects on both conduit and resistance coronary arteries. 3. Three days after removal of the endothelium of the circumflex coronary artery (balloon angioplasty), pinacidil- and nicardipine-induced dilation of large coronary arteries was greatly reduced (both -76%, P < 0.01) whereas that produced by nitroglycerin and nicorandil was decreased only slightly and to a similar extent for both drugs (-19%, P < 0.01 and -28%, P < 0.05, respectively). 4. Thus in conscious dogs, nicardipine- and pinacidil-induced dilatation of large coronary arteries is endothelium-dependent. In contrast, the vasodilator effects of nitroglycerin and nicorandil on conduit vessels are endothelium-independent. 5. Finally, our results demonstrate that nicorandil dilates the large coronary arteries through its nitrate-like action and that the ATP-potassium channel opening properties of the drug are not involved in this effect in the conscious dog.

Acetylcholine↗

Lack of involvement of bradykinin in the vascular sympathoinhibitory effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of endogenous bradykinin to the vascular sympathoinhibitory effects exerted by angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). 2. Adult SHRs were treated daily for 8 days with either perindopril (3 mg kg-1), or a selective angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan (10 mg kg-1) both given orally--these two doses being equipotent in inhibiting angiotensin I (AI)-induced vascular responses--or distilled water (controls). After pithing, the animals were instrumented for determination of blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, regional (renal, mesenteric, hindlimb) blood flows (pulsed Doppler technique) and corresponding vascular resistances. Afterwards, half of the animals of each group were given the selective bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, icatibant, used in a dose (10 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) that achieved B2 receptor blockade, the other half received saline (10 microliters kg-1, i.v.). Haemodynamic responses to increasing frequencies of spinal cord stimulation were then measured. 3. Pressor and vasoconstrictor responses to AI were significantly and similarly reduced in both perindopril- and losartan-treated groups. Perindopril and losartan both decreased to a similar extent the pressor and vasoconstrictor responses to electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. 4. In the dose used, icatibant did not affect any of the investigated haemodynamic parameters in any of the experimental groups. Furthermore, icatibant did not affect the stimulation frequency-response curves in the control animals and did not modify the vascular sympathoinhibitory effects exerted by perindopril and by losartan. 5 Taken together, these results demonstrate that endogenous bradykinin does not, through B2 receptor activation, contribute to the vascular sympathoinhibitory effects of ACEIs in SHRs.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Coronary and hemodynamic effects of S 16257, a new bradycardic agent, in resting and exercising conscious dogs.

The effects of (7,8-dimethoxy 3-[3-([(1S)-(4,5-dimethoxybenzocyclobutan-1-yl)methyl]methylamino) - propyl]1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2H-benzapin 2-one hydrochloride) (S 16257), a new bradycardic agent acting through inhibition of the hyperpolarization-activated I(f) current in the sino-atrial node, on arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, left ventricular pressure and dP/dt, epicardial coronary artery diameter and coronary blood flow velocity were investigated at graded doses (0.1 to 1 mg/kg) and compared to those of propranolol (1 mg/kg) and saline in chronically instrumented conscious dogs. At rest, S 16257 induced a dose-dependent bradycardia that was significant at 0.5 (-16% +/- 3%) and 1 mg/kg (-23% +/- 3%). At 0.5 mg/kg, S 16257 decreased both resting HR and treadmill exercise-induced tachycardia to a similar extent as propranolol. However, in contrast to propranolol, S 16257 (0.5 mg/kg) did not affect the increase in mean coronary blood flow velocity and the decrease in coronary vascular resistance observed during a control exercise performed under saline. In addition, S 16257 did not affect resting epicardial coronary artery diameter and only attenuated its increase during exercise, whereas propranolol reduced it at rest and maintained a significant constriction of these large vessels throughout the exercise period. Propranolol, but not S 16257, decreased left ventricular dP/dt at each stage of exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Hemodynamic effects of sub-chronic NO synthase inhibition in conscious dogs: role of EDRF/NO in muscular exertion].

Acute and chronic administration of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitors increase mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in rats but their hemodynamic effects in other species remain unknown. Moreover, the role of NO in the control of exercise-induced vasodilation is still debated. To answer these questions, six dogs were instrumented for the continuous measurement of cardiac output (CO, electromagnetic flow probe on the aorta), MAP (aortic catheter) and left ventricular pressure (Konigsberg gauge). Total peripheral resistance (TPR) was calculated as MAP/CO ratio and dP/dt was used as an index of cardiac inotropism. The dogs were treated from day 0 (D0) to 7 (D7) by the NOS inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), 20 mg/kg/day (IV). Such a dose regimen resulted in NOS inhibition evidenced (a) in vivo by a reduction of the hypotensive responses to graded doses of acetylcholine and bradykinin, (b) ex vivo by a decrease in the relaxation of the femoral artery to acetylcholine (EC 50 = 2.2 +/- 0.6 10(-7) M after L-NNA vs 2.2 +/- 0.8 10(-8) M in controls). One month after instrumentation, the dogs being conscious, MAP measured at rest remained unchanged following one week L-NNA treatment (from 90 +/- 2 at D0 to 91 +/- 5 mmHg at D7). However, TPR increased (from 3,600 +/- 290 at D0 to 6,300 +/- 510 dyn.s.cm-5 at D7) and CO decreased (from 2.1 +/- 0.2 at D0 to 1.2 +/- 0.1 l/min at D7) (all p < 0.01), partly as the result of a marked bradycardia (from 100 +/- 7 at D0 to 60 +/- 7 beats/min at D7). L-NNA induced-increase in TPR was completely reversed by a bolus injection of nitroglycerin (10 micrograms/kg). During treadmill exercise (12 km/h), heart rate (251 +/- 9 at D0 vs 226 +/- 11 beats/min at D7), CO (6.3 +/- 0.9 at D0 vs 4.3 +/- 0.7 l/min at D7) and stroke volume remained significantly lower, and TPR significantly higher (1,662 +/- 278 at D0 vs 2,621 +/- 489 dyn.s.cm-5 at D7) after L-NNA than in the control state. Thus, NOS inhibition in resting conscious dogs by L-NNA markedly increases peripheral resistance but does not increase arterial pressure. In addition, L-NNA blunts both exercise-induced peripheral vasodilation and increase in cardiac output, despite metabolic vasodilation.

Acetylcholine↗

Effects of the angiotensin type I receptor antagonist, losartan, on systemic and regional vascular responses to lower body negative pressure in healthy volunteers.

1. The effects of a single oral dose (50 mg) of the angiotensin II AT1-receptor antagonist, losartan, on the systemic and regional vascular responses to simulated orthostatic stress by the lower body negative pressure (LBNP) technique were investigated in nine healthy volunteers, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. 2. Arterial blood pressure remained unchanged throughout the study. Three hours after its administration and before LBNP, losartan selectively increased renal blood flow (PAH clearance) by 8.3% (3.5 to 13.1%, 95% CI) from 1.25 +/- 0.08 l min-1 (P < 0.05) and decreased plasma aldosterone levels by 58% (29 to 87%, 95% CI) from 22 +/- 3 ng 100 ml-1 (P < 0.05). 3. LBNP at -10 and -20 mm Hg induced a progressive and significant decrease in central venous pressure and increases in forearm (plethysmography) and splanchnic (indocyanine green clearance) vascular resistances which were similar after losartan and placebo administrations. Losartan blunted the LBNP-induced increase in renal vascular resistance observed at -20 mm Hg after placebo but a similar increase in glomerular filtration rate (inulin clearance) was observed at LBNP -10 and -20 mm Hg after losartan and placebo. Calculated filtration fraction increased after placebo (LBNP -10 mm Hg) and losartan (LBNP -20 mm Hg). Finally, LBNP-induced changes in biological parameters were similar after losartan and placebo at all levels of LBNP. 4. Thus, losartan does not interfere with the adaptive forearm and splanchnic vascular responses and preserves renal haemodynamics during orthostatic stress simulated by LBNP in healthy volunteers.

Adult↗

ITF 296, a new endothelium-independent vasodilator: comparison with nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate.

The effects of a new nitrate ester derivative, ITF 296, on large conductance and small resistance coronary arteries were investigated and compared with those of nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate in chronically instrumented conscious dogs with an intact or with a deendothelialized large coronary artery. In a wide range of doses, ITF 296 (0.3-3 micrograms/kg), nitroglycerin (0.1-0.3 micrograms/kg), and isosorbide dinitrate (0.3-10 micrograms/kg) induced a highly selective dilatation of the large conductance vessels, an effect that was dose-dependent. At 30-fold higher doses, the three drugs also dilated coronary arterioles, an effect that preceded dilatation of large arteries but was transient. Qualitatively, ITF 296 therefore exhibits the same pattern of coronary effects as nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate. Quantitatively, ITF 296 was 6.6-fold less potent than nitroglycerin at dilating large coronary arteries, but its effects on these vessels were of longer duration. Three days after endothelium removal, the vasodilation observed during reactive hyperemia or induced by acetylcholine were almost completely abolished. In contrast, the vasodilating effects of ITF 296 (30-100 micrograms/kg) and nitroglycerin (1 microgram/kg) were not significantly different from those observed before endothelium removal, thus indicating that these two drugs dilate the large conductance coronary arteries through an endothelium-independent mechanism.

Animals↗

Effects of two K+ channel openers, aprikalim and pinacidil, on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

This study investigated the effects of two K+ channel openers, aprikalim and pinacidil, on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction induced in isolated rat lung perfused at constant flow. In order to evaluate the mechanism of the hypoxic vasoconstriction we also studied the effects of an inhibitor of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 microM), an inhibitor of the guanylate cyclase, methylene blue (30 microM), two K+ channel blockers, glibenclamide (1 microM) and tetraethylammonium (20 mM). In normoxia, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, methylene blue, glibenclamide or tetraethylammonium did not enhance significantly the baseline perfusion pressure, suggesting that neither EDRF nor K+ channels are involved in the modulation of the low basal pulmonary vascular tone. In hypoxia, aprikalim and pinacidil (0.03-3 microM) induced a concentration-dependent decrease of pulmonary pressure, exhibiting their spasmolytic effects in acute hypoxia. The hypoxic pressure response was significantly increased by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, methylene blue and tetraethylammonium, but not by glibenclamide suggesting that EDRF and K+ channels other than ATP-sensitive K+ channels are involved in the modulation of the hypoxic pressure response. The spasmolytic effects of aprikalim and pinacidil (1 microM) were not modified by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, but were partially reduced by tetraethylammonium and completely abolished by glibenclamide, suggesting that these effects are mainly but not exclusively mediated through ATP-sensitive K+ channel opening.

Animals↗

Trandolapril's protective effects in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats persist long after treatment withdrawal.

The effects of long-term oral administration of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor trandolapril (0.01 mg/kg [T0.01] and 1 mg/kg [T1]) on the occurrence of stroke and on mortality were investigated in young salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats during the treatment period (5-20 weeks of age) and up to 8 weeks thereafter. During the treatment period T1, but not T0.01, limited the increase in blood pressure. However, both doses of trandolapril prevented stroke and mortality and strongly opposed (T0.01) or abolished (T1) the increases in saline intake, diuresis, and proteinuria observed in control animals. Simultaneously, trandolapril markedly prevented (T0.01) or abolished (T1) vascular fibrinoid necrosis formation in the brain, kidney, and heart. Finally, trandolapril dose-dependently reduced arterial thickening and glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions in the kidney, as well as arterial thickening, infarction, and fibrosis in the myocardium. At 8 weeks after treatment withdrawal, the antihypertensive effect of T1 had disappeared, but stroke-related mortality and fibrinoid necrosis remained completely suppressed. Further, no additional cerebral, renal, or cardiac lesions developed, and no increase in proteinuria occurred. In the T0.01 group, 17% of the animals died, fibrinoid necrosis tended to develop, organ lesions worsened, and proteinuria strongly increased. We conclude that (1) early ACE inhibition with trandolapril affords a long-lasting protection versus stroke and mortality both during and after the treatment period; and (2) that this beneficial effect is due to the suppression of fibrinoid necrosis formation and not to the drug's antihypertensive action. In contrast, both properties appear to contribute to trandolapril's renal and cardiac protective effects.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Comparison of the effects of dilevalol and propranolol on systemic and regional haemodynamics in healthy volunteers at rest and during exercise.

The effects of single oral doses of dilevalol 400 mg and propranolol 80 mg on systemic and regional haemodynamics at rest and after sub-maximal exercise, were compared, in a placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, crossover study in 6 healthy male volunteers. At rest, as compared to placebo, neither dilevalol nor propranolol significantly affected arterial pressure and heart rate but, whereas propranolol decreased cardiac output (-27% at 2 h) and tended to increase total peripheral resistance, dilevalol tended to increase cardiac output and decreased total peripheral resistance (-7% at 2 h). Neither dilevalol nor propranolol affected brachial artery diameter. Propranolol tended to decrease brachial artery flow (-20% at 2 h) and to increase brachial vascular resistance (+25% at 2 h), but dilevalol did not and the brachial irrigation ratios did not change. Neither of the drugs affected carotid haemodynamics or plasma atrial natriuretic factor. Both drugs tended to decrease plasma renin activity, and dilevalol (+82% at 2 h) increased norepinephrine more than propranolol (+19% at 2 h). After exercise, dilevalol and propranolol produced similar falls in the induced increases in arterial pressure, heart rate and cardiac output, and had the same effects on regional haemodynamics, plasma renin activity and atrial natriuretic factor. Finally, dilevalol greatly increased plasma norepinephrine. We conclude that the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist activity of dilevalol was clearly expressed at rest, thus inducing vasodilation and counteracting the beta-adrenoceptor blockade-induced negative chronotropic and inotropic effects. However, during sub-maximal exercise, only the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist activity of dilevalol was apparent.

Adult↗

Influence of chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on anesthetic induction.

BACKGROUND: Several cases of hypotension have been reported in patients who received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) before a surgical procedure, suggesting that interactions between ACEIs and anesthesia may be neither beneficial nor predictable. To determine if continuation of ACEI therapy until the morning of surgery leads to an unacceptable decrease in blood pressure on induction, we investigated 51 vascular surgical patients that were chronically treated for hypertension with either captopril or enalapril. METHODS: After randomization, ACEI therapy was either continued until the morning of surgery or stopped at the time of the preanesthetic visit, at least 12 h (captopril) or 24 h (enalapril) before surgery. Each patient received a standardized anesthetic induction. If systolic blood pressure (monitored using a radial artery cannula) decreased to less than 90 mmHg in response to induction, ephedrine was administered. RESULTS: A marked decrease in plasma converting-enzyme activity was found in patients who received enalapril until the morning of the surgical procedure, and 100% of them required ephedrine after induction. In patients who received their usual dose of captopril on the morning of surgery, plasma converting-enzyme activity was reduced to a lesser extent (when compared with patients who received enalapril). Finally, in the patients in whom ACEI therapy, either enalapril or captopril, was stopped of the evening before surgery, the incidence of induction-induced hypotension was significantly less when enalapril or captopril therapy has been discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that in hypertensive patients chronically treated with ACEIs, maintenance of therapy until the day of surgery may increase the probability of hypotension at induction.

Anesthesia↗

Noninvasive assessment of regional arteriolar and arterial dilating properties of lisinopril in healthy volunteers.

The effects of single oral doses of lisinopril (5 and 20 mg) on systemic and regional hemodynamics were investigated noninvasively in a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study of 6 healthy male volunteers. Lisinopril induced a dose-dependent (significant after 20 mg) and long-lasting (< or = 8 h) decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP, approximately 11% after 20 mg) that was related to a decrease in total peripheral resistance (TPR), because simultaneously heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO) were unchanged. Brachial artery flow (+42 and +47% after 5 and 20 mg, respectively) and diameter (+8 and +9%) increased significantly, whereas brachial vascular resistance (-31 and -38%) decreased significantly from 2 to 8 h after drug intake. Common carotid artery flow (+20 and +24%) also increased significantly, whereas corresponding resistance (-18 and -26%) decreased significantly during the same period. Finally, CO was significantly redistributed toward the brachial and, to a lesser extent, the carotid vascular beds after both doses of lisinopril. We conclude that in healthy subjects lisinopril, at non- or slightly hypotensive doses, dilates both arterioles and large arteries and that this vasodilation is not homogeneous, affecting preferentially the brachial rather than the carotid vascular bed.

Administration, Oral↗

Systemic, regional and cerebral hemodynamic effects of a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, imidapril, in healthy volunteers.

The effects of two single oral doses (5 mg and 20 mg) of a new angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor, imidapril, on a) systemic hemodynamics (arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output), b) brachial and common carotid arteries' hemodynamics (diameter and blood flow, pulsed Doppler technique), c) cerebral hemodynamics (middle cerebral artery mean blood flow velocity, transcranial Doppler technique), and d) biological parameters (plasma converting enzyme activity, active plasma renin, plasma aldosterone, catecholamines, and atrial natriuretic factor) were investigated and compared with those of a placebo during the 24 h period following administration in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study performed in six healthy volunteers. Imidapril induced a strong, dose-dependent and sustained inhibition of plasma converting enzyme activity and at the 20 mg an increase in active plasma renin. Other investigated biological parameters were not drug-affected. Imidapril, whatever the dose, did not significantly affect systemic hemodynamic parameters. Imidapril, 20 mg, significantly increased common carotid artery blood flow and diameter and brachial artery diameter. Brachial blood flow also tended to increase but this was not significant. The middle cerebral artery mean blood flow velocity investigated in only five volunteers, underwent spontaneous variations after placebo, and these variations were not affected by imidapril, suggesting that imidapril, whatever the dose, does not influence cerebral blood flow. Thus, imidapril's vasodilating properties apparently affect only the muscular (brachial artery) and cutaneous (external carotid artery) territories, but do not influence the cerebral vascular bed.

Administration, Oral↗

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling between pinacidil or pinacidil-N-oxide plasma levels and systemic and regional hemodynamic effects in healthy volunteers.

Pinacidil (P) lowers blood pressure through peripheral vasodilation, but also induces dose-dependent side-effects. In a previous placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind and crossover study, performed in six healthy male volunteers, we investigated the systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of a single oral administration of 25 mg of P (sustained-release form) and measured the plasma concentrations of P and of its active metabolite, pinacidil-N-oxide (PO). In the present study, our goal has been to investigate the relationships between P and/or PO plasma concentrations and P administration effects on systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures (SAP, DAP, MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR), brachial and carotid arteries' diameters (BAD, CAD), flows (BAF, CAF) and vascular resistances (BVR, CVR) which were assessed before and at different time intervals after drug intake. Concentration-effect relationships were investigated using both linear and log-linear multiple regression models with P, PO or both P and PO as independent variables (six models). Significant linear relationships were observed between P and/or PO and SAP, DAP, MAP, TPR, BAD, BAF, BVR, CAD and CVR. For example, TPR (dynes.s/cm5) = 1308-3.031 x P (ng/ml), R = 0.57, P = 0.0037; BVR (mmHg.s/ml) = 58-0.261 x P (ng/ml), R = 0.56, P = 0.0042. Almost similar R values were obtained using P, PO, or both P and PO. The use of log-linear models did not improve the fittings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Lack of importance of NO in beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of large epicardial canine coronary arteries.

This study was designed to test the role of endothelium and the L-arginine/NO pathway in the relaxation of canine large coronary arteries to the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline. Relaxation of left circumflex (LCX) and left anterior descending (LAD) coronary arteries were measured in organ baths after contraction with the thromboxane analogue, U46619, either in absence or in presence of endothelium and in LCX arteries after pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME). LAD arteries with and without endothelium relaxed identically to isoprenaline but their maximal relaxation was smaller than corresponding LCX arteries with endothelium. A slight but non significant difference was observed in LCX arteries with endothelium as compared to rings without endothelium or pretreated with L-NAME. No difference was observed in the relaxation of LCX arteries to forskolin in arteries with or without endothelium. These results suggest that endothelium is not essential and that NO is not directly involved in the relaxation of large coronary arteries induced by isoprenaline.

Animals↗

Role of vascular endothelium in exercise-induced dilation of large epicardial coronary arteries in conscious dogs.

BACKGROUND: The role of vascular endothelium in the control of epicardial coronary artery vasomotion during treadmill exercise remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the consequences of in vivo balloon endothelial denudation on external coronary diameter of the left circumflex artery during exercise in conscious dogs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven dogs instrumented for the measurement of arterial blood pressure, external coronary artery diameter, and coronary blood flow were studied during exercise before and up to 21 days after balloon endothelial denudation of the proximal left circumflex artery. Endothelial denudation was confirmed by abolition of the epicardial coronary artery dilation induced by acetylcholine (0.3 microgram/kg IV) and reactive hyperemia. Epicardial coronary vasodilation was observed in the control state during treadmill exercise (+5.2 +/- 1.0%). In contrast, a marked vasoconstriction was observed 3 (-4.6 +/- 0.6%) and up to 6 days after endothelial denudation. Complete epicardial coronary artery dilation in response to acetylcholine and exercise was restored 9 days after endothelial denudation. In addition, epicardial coronary artery vasomotor responses to acetylcholine and treadmill exercise were closely correlated (r = .82, P < .001). Reactive dilation was not completely restored 21 days after endothelial denudation, but reactive hyperemia and exercise vasomotor responses during the 21 days follow-up were correlated (r = .70, P < .001). Vasodilation induced by nitroglycerin (1 microgram/kg IV) was reduced by 25% (P < .01) 3 days after endothelial denudation and returned to its corresponding control level 3 days later. Prazosin (50 micrograms/kg IV) significantly attenuated the exercise-induced coronary artery constriction after endothelial denudation (+1.5 +/- 1.4% versus -4.6 +/- 1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that endothelium is essential for the mediation of epicardial coronary dilation during exercise and may protect these vessels against the vasoconstrictor effect of endogenous catecholamines.

Acetylcholine↗

Hydralazine dilates large epicardial coronary arteries in conscious dogs through an endothelium-independent mechanism.

In chronically instrumented conscious dogs, hydralazine (30-300 micrograms/kg) and nitroglycerin (NTG 0.03-10 micrograms/kg) dose-dependently dilated large epicardial coronary arteries. Simultaneously, hydralazine also dose-dependently dilated small coronary arteries, whereas a similar effect was observed only after NTG > 0.3 microgram/kg. When large coronary arteries were deendothelialized by a balloon angioplasty catheter, dilation of large coronary arteries in response to acetylcholine (ACh 0.3 microgram/kg) and to reactive hyperemia was reduced by 87 and 95%, respectively. In contrast, vasodilation of large coronary arteries induced by hydralazine and NTG was only minimally and similarly affected (-19% for both drugs). These findings demonstrate that in vivo hydralazine-induced dilation of large coronary arteries is endothelium independent.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Effects of three K+ channel openers on airways and pulmonary circulation in the isolated guinea-pig lung.

The antispasmodic and spasmolytic effects of levcromakalim (BRL 38227), aprikalim (RP 52891) and pinacidil were investigated in airways and pulmonary vessels of the isolated guinea-pig perfused lung. In airways, the three drugs exhibited modest antispasmodic properties, and pinacidil was more potent than levcromakalim and aprikalim against the contractions induced by carbachol (0.001-10 microM) or K+ (5-50 mM). Whereas levcromakalim and aprikalim acted only at low concentrations of K+, the rightward shift of the K+ concentration-effect curve produced by pinacidil was observed at all K+ concentrations (5-50 mM), suggesting that a mechanism of action other than K+ channel opening is involved in the effects of pinacidil. Pinacidil (0.3-100 microM) had the greatest spasmolytic effect in airways precontracted by carbachol (0.3 microM). The three K+ channel openers were equipotent against the sustained contractions of airways induced by 25 or 30 mM K+ and their spasmolytic activity was more marked against contractions induced by low rather low than high K+ concentrations. Levcromakalim and aprikalim were more effective as relaxant than as antispasmodic drugs. In K(+)-precontracted pulmonary vessels, the relaxant activity of pinacidil and levcromakalim was more pronounced than that observed in airways, suggesting a vascular selectivity of these drugs.

Animals↗

Comparison of the hemodynamic effects of hydroxocobalamin and cobalt edetate at equipotent cyanide antidotal doses in conscious dogs.

OBJECTIVES: The hemodynamic effects of two cyanide antidotes, hydroxocobalamin and cobalt edetate were compared. DESIGN: This experimental study was performed in chronically instrumented conscious dogs and at equipotent cyanide antidotal doses (hydroxocobalamin 70 mg.kg-1; cobalt edetate 10.5 mg.kg-1). RESULTS: Peak plasma cobalt concentrations did not differ in the two groups (412 +/- 183 vs 400 +/- 160 mumol.l-1). Hydroxocobalamin induced a slight increase in mean arterial pressure (+17 +/- 9%, p < 0.05) and systemic resistance (+19 +/- 15%, p < 0.05). In contrast, cobalt edetate induced an increase in heart rate (+78 +/- 33%, p < 0.05), in cardiac output (+63 +/- 39%, p < 0.05), and in maximum rise of left ventricular pressure (+33 +/- 15%, p < 0.05), did not modify mean arterial pressure, and decreased systemic resistance (-36 +/- 15%, p < 0.05). These hemodynamic effects were associated with an increase in plasma catecholamine concentrations (epinephrine: 2524 +/- 3025 vs. 58 +/- 37 pg.ml-1, p < 0.05; norepinephrine: 1106 +/- 609 vs. 343 +/- 146 pg.ml-1, p < 0.05), which in contrast remained unchanged after hydroxocobalamin administration. Cobalt edetate also induced an increase in blood glucose concentrations (9.9 +/- 1.9 vs. 6.1 +/- 1.2 mmol.l-1, p < 0.05) and a moderate metabolic acidosis, whereas hydroxocobalamin did not. After adrenergic (alpha 1, beta) and cholinergic receptor blockade, cobalt edetate did not modify heart rate and various indices of cardiac function, suggesting that it has no direct cardiac effects. CONCLUSION: Considering its lack of hemodynamically relevant effects, these results indicate that hydroxocobalamin is potentially a safer cyanide antidote than cobalt edetate.

Animals↗