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Biomedical subjects

N A Flavahan

Publications and source records attributed to N A Flavahan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Loss of endothelial pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein function in atherosclerotic porcine coronary arteries.

Pertussis toxin, an irreversible inhibitor of some G proteins, inhibits endothelium-dependent relaxations to certain agonists in porcine coronary arteries. In the present study, the effects of the toxin were examined on endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations of hypercholesterolemic and atherosclerotic porcine coronary arteries to assess the functional state of the endothelial pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. Male Yorkshire pigs were maintained on either a regular diet (control group, n = 7) or a 2% high-cholesterol diet (cholesterol-fed group, n = 7) for 10 weeks. After the initial 2 weeks of maintenance, animals in both groups underwent balloon catheter removal of the endothelium of the left anterior descending or left circumflex coronary arteries. Endothelium-dependent responses were examined in vitro after 10 weeks of maintenance; at this time, a full lining of endothelial cells in both left coronary arteries was confirmed histologically. In arteries with endothelium of the control group (normal responses), pertussis toxin significantly inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxations to serotonin, UK14304 (a selective alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist), and thrombin but not those to ADP, bradykinin, or the calcium ionophore A23187. In previously denuded arteries of the control group (effects of endothelial regeneration alone) or intact arteries of the cholesterol-fed group (effects of hypercholesterolemia alone), the relaxations to serotonin, UK14304, and thrombin were impaired significantly; those relaxations were impaired further in previously denuded arteries of the cholesterol-fed group (effects of atherosclerosis). The inhibitory effects of pertussis toxin were significantly reduced after endothelial regeneration and in hypercholesterolemia and were almost absent in atherosclerosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Pertussis toxin reduces endothelium-dependent and independent responses to alpha-2- adrenergic stimulation in systemic canine arteries and veins.

A pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) is involved in the signal transduction of certain endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian arteries. To determine whether a similar mechanism mediates endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian veins, rings of canine femoral arteries and veins with and without endothelium were suspended for the measurement of isometric force in organ chambers. In femoral arteries, incubation of the rings with pertussis toxin (from Bordetella pertussis, 100 ng/ml for 2 hr) in the presence of indomethacin and propranolol did not reduce significantly endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine and adenosine diphosphate, thrombin or the calcium ionophore A23187. However, endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist UK 14,304 were blocked by the pertussis toxin. In venous rings, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were reduced by the toxin, whereas the endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by adenosine diphosphate, thrombin and A23187 were not affected. UK 14,304 contracted the veins; these contractions were augmented by removal of the endothelium. Pertussis toxin inhibited contractions to UK 14,304 in venous rings without but not with endothelium. Relaxations of arterial and venous smooth muscle to nitric oxide were unaffected by the toxin. Contractions to phenylephrine were not altered by either removal of the endothelium or the toxin in the arteries or veins. These results suggest that the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in response to stimulation of purine and thrombin receptors probably does not involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in canine femoral arteries or veins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxations by phorbol myristate acetate in canine coronary arteries: role of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.

Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters inhibits the endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by certain stimuli. The release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor can be evoked by a number of distinct subcellular processes, including activation of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein. The aim of the present study was to determine whether or not the inhibitory effect of phorbol esters on endothelial function was associated with inhibition of the pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway. Rings of canine coronary artery were suspended for isometric tension recording in organ chambers filled with modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution, gassed with 95% O2-5% CO2 (37 degrees C). Treatment of arterial rings with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) or with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 10(-8) M) inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxations produced by UK 14,304, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, leukotriene C4 or by NaF, a direct activator of G-proteins, but did not affect the endothelium-dependent relaxations produced by bradykinin or by A23187. If the arterial rings were first treated with pertussis toxin, PMA (10(-8) M) no longer inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxations to NaF. Increasing the concentration of PMA (to 3 X 10(-8) and 10(-7) M) caused inhibition of responses to bradykinin. At higher concentrations, PMA (3 X 10(-7) and 10(-6)) also inhibited the relaxations evoked by A23187. The endothelium-independent relaxations evoked by nitroglycerin were not affected by PMA (10(-8) to 10(-6)).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Pertussis toxin inhibits endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by fluoride.

Fluoride is a direct activator of G-proteins. In isolated rings of canine coronary artery, fluoride caused relaxation of rings with endothelium, but only slight contraction of rings denuded of endothelium. The endothelium-dependent relaxations to fluoride were inhibited by pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G-proteins, or by methylene blue, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase. Therefore, fluoride causes endothelium-dependent relaxations in part by activating a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in the endothelial cells.

Acetylcholine

Differential effects of the antianginal drug nicorandil on canine arteries and veins.

Nicorandil, a potent coronary vasorelaxant used in the treatment of angina, has differential effects on arteries and veins in vivo. To explain this phenomenon, experiments were designed to characterize the relaxant and inhibitory actions of this compound on canine isolated arteries and veins. Paired rings of canine coronary, femoral, and saphenous arteries and saphenous veins were suspended at optimal length for isometric tension recording in organ chambers containing physiologic salt solution at 37 degrees C and gassed with 95% O2-5% CO2. In certain experiments, one ring of each pair was denuded of the endothelium. Removal of the endothelium did not affect nicorandil-induced relaxations of contracted blood vessels. Nicorandil exerted a differential relaxant effect on arteries and veins contracted with KCl (order of potency: saphenous vein greater than coronary artery greater than femoral artery). No difference in sensitivity to nicorandil was observed in arteries and veins contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha. Contractions of saphenous arteries and veins to norepinephrine (NE) were equally sensitive to the inhibitory action of nicorandil. However, contractions of saphenous veins induced by sympathetic nerve stimulation were more sensitive to nicorandil than were contractions of saphenous arteries. Furthermore, nicorandil did not affect contractions to phenylephrine in saphenous veins, although contractions to B-HT 920 were virtually abolished by the compound. Saphenous veins contracted with St 587 were more sensitive to the relaxant action of nicorandil than when contracted with phenylephrine. These results suggest that nicorandil inhibits preferentially contractions of canine arteries and veins mediated by alpha 2- rather than alpha 1-adrenoceptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

Effect of CRL 41034 on the adrenergic neuroeffector interaction in the canine saphenous vein.

Experiments were designed to determine the effect of CRL 41034, a buflomedil analogue, on the adrenergic responsiveness of canine veins. Rings of saphenous vein (without endothelium) were suspended for isometric tension recording in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution at 37 degrees C. CRL 41034 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the contractions evoked by the alpha adrenergic agonists norepinephrine, phenylephrine and UK 14304 which was insensitive to the blockade of neuronal uptake by cocaine. CRL 41034 was more potent in inhibiting the concentration-dependent contractions evoked by UK 14304 than those by phenylephrine and the antagonism it caused against the response to UK 14304 fulfilled the criteria for competitivity. CRL 41034, at 10(-5) M significantly depressed, and at 10(-4) M abolished the contractions induced by electrical stimulation of the adrenergic nerves and those evoked by the indirect sympathomimetic amine tyramine. Strips of canine saphenous vein were superfused after incubation with [3H] norepinephrine. During sympathetic nerve activation, CRL 41304 increased the stimulation-evoked overflow of [3H] norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-dihydroxyphenylglycol; in the presence of rauwolscine the compound only increased the stimulation-evoked overflow of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol. These experiments suggest that the major vascular effects of CRL 41034 in canine veins are blockade of alpha 2-adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle, and inhibition of prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors on adrenergic nerve endings.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

G-proteins and endothelial responses.

G-proteins are transducing proteins that couple a large number of membrane-bound receptors to a variety of intracellular effector systems. Pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylates certain G-proteins causing inhibition of their function. In porcine coronary arteries, pertussis toxin inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by alpha-2-adrenergic or serotonergic receptor stimulation, and by aggregating platelets or thrombin. Relaxations to nitric oxide and endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin, adenosine diphosphate or A23187 were unaffected by the toxin. Therefore, certain endothelium-dependent relaxations are mediated by activation of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in the endothelial cells, most likely Gi-protein. In porcine coronary arteries with regenerated endothelium (following in vivo denudation), the endothelium-dependent relaxations caused by the pertussis toxin-sensitive stimuli were reduced and were not further affected by pertussis toxin. Relaxations to the other stimuli were not altered by the regeneration process and were still not affected by the toxin. In regenerating endothelial cells there may be a selective impairment of the G-protein-dependent mechanism for releasing EDRF, which may predispose the blood vessel to vasospasm or the initiation of vascular disease.

Animals

Electrophysiological analysis of adrenergic neurotransmission and its modulation by chronic denervation in canine saphenous veins.

The present experiments were undertaken to investigate the electrophysiological responses of the canine saphenous vein evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation, norepinephrine or selective alpha adrenergic agonists before and after chronic sympathetic denervation. Unilateral sympathectomy was performed from T12 to L9 in adult female dogs. After 3 to 5 weeks, the denervated saphenous veins were removed. Innervated saphenous veins were obtained from unoperated dogs. In innervated but not in denervated veins, electrical stimulation generated excitatory junction potentials and a slow depolarization. The slow depolarization was inhibited by rauwolscine or phentolamine, but not by prazosin, whereas excitatory junction potentials were not inhibited by alpha adrenergic blockers. Exogenously applied norepinephrine caused a depolarization of the membrane that was inhibited by rauwolscine but not by prazosin. The selective alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine, and the selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, UK 14,304, caused depolarization. In denervated veins, the threshold concentrations of norepinephrine or UK 14,304 required to depolarize the smooth muscle cell membrane were reduced. Responses to phenylephrine were not affected by denervation. These results indicate that in the canine saphenous vein norepinephrine, whether added exogenously or released from sympathetic nerves, causes predominant depolarization by activating alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. Denervation augments selectively the electrical response to alpha-2 adrenergic stimulation.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

Effects of the methyl xanthine S 9795 on isolated bronchi of the dog.

The xanthine derivative 1-methyl 3-isobutyl 8-(2-ethyl[1-(4-diphenylmethyl piperazinyl)])3, 7-dihydro (1H) purine 2, 6-dione (S 9795) is a potent inhibitor of bronchoconstriction in vivo. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of S 9795 in vitro and determine whether S 9795 affects the autonomic nerves, the epithelium or the smooth muscle of the bronchial wall. S 9795 had an inhibitory effect on the contractile responses evoked by acetylcholine and by electrical stimulation of the cholinergic nerves. S 9795 appeared more potent against contractions evoked by nerve stimulation. In addition, S 9795 caused the release of [3H]norepinephrine from the adrenergic nerve endings but did not affect neuronal uptake of the catecholamine. At low concentrations, S 9795 acted as a competitive serotonergic antagonist; at higher concentrations, the compound inhibited noncompetitively the contractions evoked by histamine and acetylcholine. In both second and fourth order bronchi, S 9795 (and theophylline) produced concentration-dependent relaxations that were significantly greater in rings with, compared with rings without, epithelium. The compound also facilitated the epithelium-dependent component of the relaxation response to beta-adrenergic activation. These results suggest that S 9795: 1) causes prejunctional inhibition of the release of acetylcholine, 2) evokes the displacement of stored norepinephrine, 3) exerts a differential inhibitory effect on airway contractions induced by various bronchoconstrictors and 4) augments the release or facilitates the effect of the epithelium-derived relaxing factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine

Pertussis toxin inhibits endothelium-dependent relaxations to certain agonists in porcine coronary arteries.

1. Pertussis toxin inactivates Gi-protein, which mediates the inhibitory effects of receptors on adenylate cyclase. The effects of the toxin on endothelium-dependent and independent relaxations were determined in porcine coronary arteries. 2. Arterial rings (with and without endothelium) were suspended for isometric tension recording in organ chambers filled with modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution (maintained at 37 degrees C, gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2). 3. Incubation of the tissues with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml for 60 min) virtually abolished the endothelium-dependent relaxations produced by the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, UK 14304, and by 5-hydroxytryptamine. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to thrombin and to aggregating platelets were markedly reduced, whereas those produced by bradykinin were only minimally affected. Endothelium-dependent responses produced by the calcium ionophore (A23187) and by adenosine diphosphate were not altered by pertussis toxin. 4. Pertussis toxin did not affect the direct, endothelium-independent relaxations produced by nitric oxide, or by adenosine diphosphate. 5. These experiments demonstrate that pertussis toxin interferes with the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) evoked by certain, but not all, endothelial activators. The release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) may occur through different pathways involving Gi-protein-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin

Canine arteries release two different endothelium-derived relaxing factors.

Experiments were designed to analyze the effects of ouabain on the response of vascular smooth muscle to endothelium-derived relaxing factors released under basal conditions and on stimulation with acetylcholine or bradykinin. Bioassay rings of canine coronary artery (without endothelium) were superfused with perfusate from canine left circumflex coronary arteries with endothelium (donor arteries). During contractions of the bioassay ring evoked by prostaglandin F2 alpha, the relaxations caused by endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s), released under basal conditions or on exposure of the endothelial cells of the donor artery to maximally effective concentrations of acetylcholine, were reduced by incubation of the bioassay ring with ouabain. However, the relaxations evoked by infusion of bradykinin were not altered by incubation of the bioassay rings with ouabain. These experiments demonstrate the release of two endothelium-derived relaxing factors that can be distinguished using ouabain.

Acetylcholine

Muscarinic receptor reserve and beta-adrenergic sensitivity in tracheal smooth muscle.

The possibility that differences in beta-adrenergic sensitivity among canine trachealis muscles contracted with different contractile agonists are related to differences in the receptor-occupancy characteristics of the contractile agonists was investigated. Relaxation to isoproterenol was compared in muscles contracted with the muscarinic agonists McN-A-343 and acetylcholine (ACh). The apparent dissociation constant (pKB) values for the M1-antagonist, pirenzepine, against ACh (6.96 +/- 0.18) and McN-A-343 (6.84 +/- 0.08) were similar. The pKB values for the M3-antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) against ACh (8.76 +/- 0.13) and McN-A-343 (8.71 +/- 0.10) were also similar, suggesting that these agonists were activating the same subtype of muscarinic receptor, probably M3. However, the contractile response to ACh was associated with a greater receptor reserve than that for McN-A-343. Isoproterenol relaxed muscles contracted with McN-A-343 much more effectively than those contracted with an equieffective concentration of ACh. The results suggest that the relative resistance of ACh-induced contractions to relaxation by isoproterenol may not be an inherent quality of muscarinic receptor stimulation. The large receptor reserve available to ACh may act to buffer the contractile response from the inhibitory effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation. Alternatively, ACh may be able to initiate subcellular mechanisms that are unavailable to agonists of lower efficacy.

(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethy

Endothelium-dependent inhibition of ergonovine-induced contraction is impaired in porcine coronary arteries with regenerated endothelium.

The inhibitory effects of the endothelium against ergonovine-induced contraction were examined in isolated porcine coronary arteries under normal conditions and after endothelial regeneration. Endothelium-dependent responses were examined in vitro in normal Yorkshire pigs (n = 16) and in pigs that had undergone balloon endothelium removal of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) 4 weeks before the study (n = 10). The presence of a complete endothelial lining was confirmed histologically. In rings from normal arteries contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha in the presence of indomethacin and ketanserin (a 5-HT2-serotonergic blocker), ergonovine caused endothelium-dependent relaxations. They were attenuated by rauwolscine (an alpha 2-adrenergic blocker), inhibited by methiothepin (a combined 5-HT1- and 5-HT2-serotonergic blocker) or by pertussis toxin (an inhibitor of several G proteins) and abolished by oxyhemoglobin (a selective inactivator of endothelium-derived relaxing factor). In quiescent rings from normal arteries, ergonovine caused contractions that were inhibited by the presence of the endothelium; this endothelium-dependent inhibition was abolished by oxyhemoglobin. The direct contractions were not affected by prazosin (an alpha 1-adrenergic blocker), rauwolscine, 6-hydroxydopamine (an agent causing chemical sympathetectomy), or diphenhydramine (an H1-histaminergic blocker) but were inhibited by ketanserin. In rings with regenerated endothelium contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha, the endothelium-dependent relaxations to ergonovine were reduced significantly and were not inhibited by pertussis toxin. In quiescent rings with regenerated endothelium, the endothelium-dependent inhibition of ergonovine-induced contraction was less.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Natural course of the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations after balloon endothelium removal in porcine coronary arteries. Possible dysfunction of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.

The purposes of the present study were to examine the natural course of the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations during a regeneration and tissue repair process after balloon endothelium removal and to elucidate the cellular mechanism(s) underlying it. Twenty-three male Yorkshire pigs underwent balloon endothelium removal along the proximal portion of either the left anterior descending or circumflex coronary artery and were then maintained on a regular chow for 4, 8, 16, or 24 weeks. Endothelium-dependent responses were examined in vitro in rings taken from the control and previously denuded arteries studied in parallel. Morphometric analysis revealed that intimal thickening developed only at the previously denuded area. In the previously denuded arteries with regenerated endothelium, the endothelium-dependent relaxations to UK 14304 (a selective alpha 2-adrenergic agonist), serotonin, and aggregating platelets were impaired 4 weeks after endothelium removal and remained so throughout the study. The endothelium-dependent relaxations to thrombin and adenosine diphosphate became depressed 8 weeks after endothelium removal and those to bradykinin became depressed 16 weeks after endothelium removal, while those to the calcium ionophore A23187 were maintained throughout the study. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to all vasoactive agents were unaltered in the control arteries. In the control arteries, pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of certain G proteins, markedly inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxations to UK 14304 and serotonin and partially inhibited those to thrombin and aggregating platelets. The responses inhibited by the toxin in control arteries were significantly reduced in the reduced in the previously denuded arteries with regenerated endothelium. The inhibitory effect of pertussis toxin was markedly reduced in those arteries with regenerated endothelium. In quiescent rings, the presence of normal endothelium inhibited the contractions caused by serotonin and aggregating platelets; this endothelium-dependent depression was markedly impaired in the previously denuded arteries throughout the study. Direct relaxation of the coronary smooth muscle to nitric oxide or sodium nitroprusside or direct contraction to KCl or serotonin were comparable between the control and previously denuded arteries. These experiments indicate that endothelium-dependent relaxations progressively worsen after regeneration of the endothelium and that the dysfunction of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein partly account for the endothelial dysfunction in the chronic regenerated state.

Adenosine Diphosphate

Mechanism underlying the inhibitory interaction between the nitrovasodilator SIN-1 and the endothelium.

Experiments were designed to determine the influence of the endothelium on the relaxing potency of the nitrovasodilator SIN-1. Rings of coronary arteries were suspended for isometric-tension recording in organ chambers filled with modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution, aerated with 95% O2-5% CO2 and warmed to 37 degrees C. The experiments were performed in the presence of indomethacin and propranolol in order to inhibit cyclooxygenase and beta-adrenoceptors, respectively. In rings contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha, SIN-1 caused concentration-dependent relaxations that were increased following endothelium removal. In rings denuded of endothelium, the relaxations evoked by SIN-1 were not affected by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, which inhibits the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor), or by superoxide dismutase and catalase (scavengers of oxygen-derived free radicals), or by L-NMMA plus superoxide dismutase and catalase. In rings with endothelium, relaxations evoked by SIN-1 were increased significantly by L-NMMA or by superoxide dismutase and catalase, and were increased further by the combination of L-NMMA plus superoxide dismutase and catalase. The difference in potency of SIN-1 between arterial rings with and without endothelium was reduced by either L-NMMA or by superoxide dismutase and catalase, and was abolished by the combination of L-NMMA plus superoxide dismutase and catalase. Therefore, the inhibitory interaction between SIN-1 and the endothelium may result from an endothelium-dependent production of oxygen-derived free radicals that may inactivate the nitric oxide generated by SIN-1, and from an inhibitory interaction between SIN-1 and endothelium-derived relaxing factor, released under basal conditions.

Analysis of Variance

Prostacyclin releases endothelium-derived relaxing factor and potentiates its action in coronary arteries of the pig.

1. The possible interactions between prostacyclin and endothelium-derived relaxing factor were examined, in isolated coronary arteries of the pig treated with indomethacin (10(-5) M). 2. In organ chamber experiments, prostacyclin caused relaxations, which were potentiated in the presence of the endothelium; the potentiation was abolished by oxyhaemoglobin. 3. In bioassay experiments, prostacyclin caused minimal relaxations of bioassay rings without endothelium; these relaxations were potentiated when the bioassay ring was exposed to basally-released endothelium-derived relaxing factor (interaction between prostacyclin and basal endothelium-derived relaxing factor) and further augmented when the endothelial cells were exposed to the prostanoid (stimulated release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor). The endothelium-dependent, but not the direct effects of prostacyclin were augmented by superoxide dismutase plus catalase and abolished by oxyhaemoglobin. 4. Forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, caused relaxations of rings without endothelium, which were augmented by the presence of the endothelium. 5. The relaxations induced by prostacyclin or forskolin also had an endothelium-dependent component in basilar and femoral arteries and in jugular veins of the pig. 6. The endothelium-dependent actions of prostacyclin probably reflect activation of adenylate cyclase.

Animals