PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Mirro

Publications and source records attributed to R Mirro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects of ischemia/reperfusion on brain tissue prostanoids and leukotrienes in newborn pigs.

We investigated the hypothesis that cerebral prostanoid and peptidoleukotriene (LTs) (LTC4/D4/E4/F4) synthesis are increased during postischemic reperfusion of newborn pig brains. Prostanoids and LTs extracted from brain tissue were determined by RIA in sham-control piglets and at 1h, 3h, or 12h after a 20-min period of total cerebral ischemia. During reperfusion following ischemia, all regional brain tissue (cerebrum, brain stem and cerebellum) prostanoids (6-keto-PGF1 alpha, TXB2, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha) were increased at 1h compared with those in sham-control piglets. Only cerebral and brain stem 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and cerebral TXB2 remained elevated at 3h postischemia and all prostanoids returned to control levels by 12h postischemia. Brain tissue LTs were lower than prostanoids and were not altered 1, 3, or 12h following ischemia. These data indicate that 1) newborn pig brain tissue prostanoids are increased initially, and then returned to control levels at later stages of reperfusion following ischemia; 2) LTs are present in newborn pig brain tissue, but are not increased by ischemia/reperfusion injury and therefore probably do not play a significant role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Opioids and the prostanoid system in the control of cerebral blood flow in hypotensive piglets.

The interaction between opioid and prostanoid mechanisms in the control of cerebral hemodynamics was investigated in the conscious hypotensive piglet. Radiomicrospheres were used to determine regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in piglets pretreated with the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, or its vehicle, saline, during normotension, hypotension, and after the administration of indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, during hypotension. Hemorrhage (30 ml/kg) decreased systemic arterial pressure from 68 +/- 12 to 40 +/- 10 mm Hg but did not decrease blood flow to any brain region. Indomethacin treatment (5 mg/kg) of hypotensive piglets decreased blood flow to all brain regions within 20 min; this decrease in CBF resulted from increases in cerebral vascular resistance of 65 and 281% at 20 and 40 min after treatment, respectively. In hypotensive piglets, cerebral oxygen consumption was reduced from 2.62 +/- 0.71 to 0.53 +/- 0.27 ml 100 g-1 min-1 and to 0.11 +/- 0.04 ml 100 g-1 min-1 at 20 and 40 min following indomethacin, respectively. Treatment with naloxone (1 mg/kg) had no effect on rCBF, calculated cerebral vascular resistance, or cerebral oxygen consumption of normotensive or hypotensive piglets. However, decreases in CBF and oxygen consumption and increases in cerebral vascular resistance upon treatment of hypotensive piglets with indomethacin were attenuated in animals pretreated with naloxone. These data indicate that the removal of prostanoid modulation of an opioid-mediated constrictor influence on the cerebral circulation is a potential mechanism for the increase in cerebral vascular resistance that follows indomethacin treatment of hypotensive piglets.

Animals↗

Activated oxygen species do not mediate hypercapnia-induced cerebral vasodilation in newborn pigs.

In newborn pigs, vasodilation in response to hypercapnia is dependent on prostaglandin (PG) H synthase. We investigated the contribution of activated oxygen by-products to hypercapnia-induced PGH synthase-dependent dilation of pial arteries and arterioles in anesthetized newborn pigs. Activated oxygen species were generated on the cerebral surface using xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine. Catalase, H2O2, and iron or N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG) were used to separate effects of superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical. All the activated oxygen species tested caused vasodilation of both arteries and arterioles. Vasodilation to all activated oxygen species was largely reversible with only the hydroxyl radical encouraging combination of xanthine oxidase, hypoxanthine, H2O2, and FeCl3, causing significant dilation 20 min after removal of treatment. Cotreatment with MPG blocked this residual dilation. Neither pretreatment with the extracellular superoxide anion radical scavenger, superoxide dismutase (SOD), the intracellular superoxide anion radical scavenger, Tiron, the H2O2 scavenger, catalase, nor hydroxyl radical scavengers, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and MPG, altered vasodilation of pial arteries or arterioles in response to hypercapnia. Furthermore, the increase in cerebral prostanoid synthesis in response to hypercapnia was not affected by pretreatment with SOD, Tiron, catalase, DMSO, or MPG. We conclude that the progressively reduced forms of oxygen that would be produced during PGH synthase metabolism of arachidonic acid can dilate pial arteries and arterioles of newborn pigs. However, these activated oxygen species are not responsible for the vasodilation to hypercapnia in the newborn pig, suggesting that eicosanoids cause the dilation.

Animals↗

Positive-pressure ventilation alters blood-to-brain and blood-to-CSF transport in neonatal pigs.

These experiments examine the transfer of sucrose, urea, sodium, and albumin from blood to brain in new-born pigs exposed to an increase in ventilation pressure. We also studied the movement of urea and sodium from blood to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). By use of a standard time-cycled pressure-limited infant respirator, mean airway pressure (Paw) was increased from approximately 3 to 17 cmH2O. Urea and albumin transfer into the brain were unchanged with increased Paw. Sodium transport decreased significantly in all brain regions, while sucrose transfer was increased in the cerebrum [transfer constant (Kin) = 3.5 +/- 0.04 vs. 9.9 +/- 1.0 cm3.g-1.s-1.10(6)] at the increased Paw. Transport of urea nd sodium from blood to CSF decreased to half of control values with increased Paw. Thus, in newborn pigs, increasing Paw selectively alters blood-to-brain transport. In addition, movement of tracers from blood to CSF was severely restricted, possibly by a decrease in CSF production. It appears likely that the increased cerebral venous pressure causes the observed changes in tracer transport. Such altered blood-to-brain transport could adversely affect neuronal function.

Animals↗

Opioids in cerebrospinal fluid in hypotensive newborn pigs.

This study was designed to determine if opioids were detectable in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and if these concentrations were altered by hemorrhagic hypotension. This study was further designed to determine the effects of topically administered opioids on pial arteriolar diameter during normotension and hypotension. Closed cranial windows were used to determine pial arteriolar diameter. Periarachnoid cortical and cisterna magna CSF was collected from piglets during normotension and hypotension (systemic arterial pressure decreased from 63 +/- 1 to 33 +/- 1 mm Hg). Opioid profiles were assessed qualitatively by radioreceptor assay, and individual opioids were measured quantitatively by radioimmunoassay. Periarachnoid cortical and cisterna magna CSF methionine enkephalin-, leucine enkephalin-, dynorphin-, and beta-endorphin-like receptor active values all were increased by hypotension. When quantified by radioimmunoassay, periarachnoid cortical CSF values for methionine enkephalin-like immunoreactivity were 1,167 +/- 58 and 2,975 +/- 139 pg/ml for normotension and hypotension, respectively. Periarachnoid cortical CSF radioimmunoassay values for dynorphin-like immunoreactivity were 15 +/- 2 and 28 +/- 2 pg/ml for normotension and hypotension, respectively. When applied topically to the cortical surface, synthetic methionine enkephalin increased pial arteriolar diameter (134 +/- 4, 158 +/- 4, and 163 +/- 4 microns for control, 574 pg/ml [10(-10) M], and 5,740 pg/ml [10(-9) M], respectively). Similarly, topical synthetic leucine enkephalin and dynorphin elicited pial arteriolar dilation. However, beta-endorphin produced arteriolar constriction. Hypotension attenuated methionine and leucine enkephalin-induced dilation and reversed dynorphin-induced dilation to concentration-dependent constriction. beta-Endorphin-induced constriction was not changed by hypotension. Therefore, opioids could contribute to the control of the cerebral circulation during hypotension.

Animals↗

Blood to brain transport after newborn cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

These experiments examine the transfer of urea, sodium, and sucrose from blood to brain in an animal model of newborn cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Cerebral ischemia (20 min) was produced in anesthetized, ventilated piglets by increasing intracranial pressure above mean arterial blood pressure, thereby reducing cerebral perfusion pressure to zero. The blood to brain transfer of urea, sodium, and sucrose was then measured in sham control piglets and at 30 min and 2 hr of reperfusion following ischemia. At 30 min of reperfusion, urea and sodium transfer were increased while sucrose transfer was unchanged. However, at 2 hr of reperfusion, transfer of all three tracers was elevated. The difference in the time course of increased transport of these substances into the brain following ischemia cannot be explained by size differences, indicating that changes in the blood-brain barrier following ischemia are more complex than merely opening junctions between cells and creating leaky sites. Alterations in blood-brain barrier transport could participate in altered neuronal function after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Increased airway leukotriene levels in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The sulphidopeptide leukotrienes (C4, D4, and E4) are potent airway constrictors that have been detected in the airways of infants with pulmonary hypertension and viral infections. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that leukotrienes in tracheal lavage fluid are elevated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Twenty-six intubated infants (10 with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 9 with hyaline membrane disease, and 7 normal controls) had tracheal lavage leukotriene levels determined by radioimmunoassay. Lavage fluid cell counts (alveolar macrophages) and leukotriene levels were significantly increased in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The increased concentration of leukotrienes seen in the infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia would suggest a possible role for these compounds in the pathophysiology of this disease.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Prostanoid synthesis and vascular responses to exogenous arachidonic acid following cerebral ischemia in piglets.

In newborn pigs, cerebral ischemia abolishes both increased cerebral prostanoid production and cerebral vasodilation in response to hypercapnia and hypotension. Attenuation of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase activity could account for the failure to increase prostanoid synthesis and loss of responses to these stimuli. To test this possibility, arachidonic acid (3, 6, or 30 micrograms/ml) was placed under cranial windows in newborn pigs that had been exposed to 20 min of cerebral ischemia. The conversion to prostanoids and pial arteriolar responses to the arachidonic acid were measured. At all three concentrations, arachidonic acid caused similar increases in pial arteriolar diameter in sham control piglets and piglets 1 hr postischemia. Topical arachidonic acid caused dose-dependent increases of PGE2 in cortical periarachnoid cerebral spinal fluid. 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 only increased at the highest concentration of arachidonic acid (30 micrograms/ml). Cerebral ischemia did not decrease the conversion of any concentration of arachidonic acid to PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, or TXB2. We conclude that ischemia and subsequent reperfusion do not result in inhibition of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase in the newborn pig brain. Therefore, the mechanism for the impaired prostanoid production in response to hypercapnia and hypotension following cerebral ischemia appears to involve reduction in release of free arachidonic acid.

Administration, Topical↗

Vasopressin and prostanoid mechanisms in control of cerebral blood flow in hypotensive newborn pigs.

The interaction between vasopressinergic and prostanoid mechanisms in the control of cerebral hemodynamics in the conscious hypotensive newborn pig was investigated. Indomethacin treatment (5 mg/kg) of hypotensive piglets caused a significant decrease in blood flow to all brain regions within 20 min. This decrease in cerebral blood flow resulted from increased cerebral vascular resistances of 52 and 198% 20 and 40 min after treatment, respectively. Cerebral oxygen consumption was reduced from 2.58 +/- 0.32 ml.100 g-1.min-1 to 1.01 +/- 0.12 and 0.29 +/- 0.08 ml.100 g-1.min-1 20 and 40 min after indomethacin, respectively, in hemorrhaged piglets. Treatment with the putative vascular (V1) receptor antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid-2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]arginine vasopressin (MEAVP) had no effect on regional cerebral blood flow, calculated cerebral vascular resistance, or cerebral metabolic rate either before or during hemorrhagic hypotension. However, decreases in cerebral blood flow and metabolic rate and increases in vascular resistance on treatment with indomethacin were blunted markedly in animals treated with MEAVP. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the prostanoid system contributes to the maintenance of cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate during hypotension in the newborn pig, as reported previously, and implicate removal of vasopressinergic modulation by prostanoids as a potential mechanism for indomethacin-induced cerebral vasoconstriction in hypotensive newborn piglets.

Animals↗

H2O2 effects on cerebral prostanoids and pial arteriolar diameter in piglets.

Effects of topical application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on pial arteriolar diameter and cerebral prostanoid synthesis were examined in newborn pigs. H2O2 (10 mM) caused initial constriction during the 1st min, followed by prolonged (20 min) dilation that was reversed on removal of the H2O2 in piglets treated with deferoxamine. H2O2 also caused an increase in cortical periarachnoid 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane (TX) B2, and prostaglandin (PG) E2. Indomethacin pretreatment or coadministration of SQ 29548 (PGH2/TXA2 receptor antagonist) with H2O2 blocked the constriction due to H2O2 but did not alter the dilation. The constriction, the dilation, and the increased prostanoids caused by H2O2 were not affected by topical and systemic deferoxamine (an iron chelator) or simultaneous application of FeSO4 and FeCl3. Neither prior treatment with H2O2 nor with H2O2 plus FeSO4 and FeCl3 altered pial arteriolar dilation in response to hypercapnia. Therefore the initial constriction caused by H2O2 appears to result from stimulation of prostanoid synthesis and activation of PGH2/TXA2 receptors, whereas the dilation is not caused by prostanoids. H2O2 alone does not produce detectable residual alteration of pial arteriolar responsiveness or cerebral prostanoid synthesis.

Animals↗

Activated oxygen and arachidonate effects on newborn cerebral arterioles.

We have observed that pial arteriolar dilation in response to hypercapnia and hypotension is abolished after cerebral ischemia in newborn pigs. We determined whether direct generation of activated oxygen on the brain surface (OX: xanthine oxidase, hypoxanthine, FeCl3, and FeSO4) or topical arachidonate altered pial arteriolar responsiveness in a manner similarly to cerebral ischemia. OX, which generated more brain surface superoxide than reperfusion after ischemia, dilated pial arterioles. This dilation was reversed within 10 min of the end of exposure. OX produced ultrastructural changes in pial vessel endothelium and appeared to cause intravascular aggregation of granulocytes. After OX, prostanoid-dependent pial arteriolar dilations in response to hypercapnia and hypotension were attenuated, whereas constrictor responses to norepinephrine and acetylcholine and dilator responses to prostaglandin E2 and isoproterenol were not affected. After OX, hypercapnia increased cortical periarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid prostanoids modestly, whereas acetylcholine produced the normal strong stimulation of prostanoid synthesis. Arachidonate (10(-4) M and 7 x 10(-4) M) also caused reversible pial arteriolar dilation but did not alter subsequent pial arteriolar responses. Therefore, although arachidonate did not mimic the effects of ischemia-reperfusion on pial arteriolar reactivity, OX produced alterations that are qualitatively similar, although quantitatively less, than those produced by ischemia.

Animals↗

Pressure ventilation increases brain vascular prostacyclin production in newborn pigs.

Using awake, chronically catheterized newborn pigs, we measured cerebral blood flow (CBF), net cerebral vascular 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha production, and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) during hypercapnia and during hypercapnia at increased mean airway pressure (Paw), both before and after treatment with indomethacin. CBF nearly doubled during hypercapnia. The hypercapnia-induced cerebral hyperemia was maintained when Paw was increased from 3 +/- 2 to 16 +/- 4 cm H2O during hypercapnia. Sagittal sinus pressure increased in proportion to the increase in Paw, and cardiac output was unchanged. Net cerebral production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha increased from 9 +/- 1 to 15 +/- 1 ng/min/100 g tissue during hypercapnia and increased dramatically to 57 +/- 1 ng/min/100 g when hypercapnia was coupled with an increase in Paw. CMRO2 was not changed by either hypercapnia or increased Paw. After indomethacin, CBF decreased and cerebral vasodilation to hypercapnia did not occur. After indomethacin, adding increased Paw during hypercapnia dropped CBF below baseline, adversely affecting CMRO2. These results suggest that cerebral hypercapnia hyperemia requires brain prostanoid production and that when Paw is increased during hypercapnia, the contribution of prostanoids to maintaining CBF is increased. Increasing ventilation pressure during hypercapnia in piglets pretreated with indomethacin compromises CBF sufficiently to reduce CMRO2.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Brain superoxide anion generation during asphyxia and reventilation in newborn pigs.

Superoxide anion generation during severe asphyxia and reventilation was assessed in newborn pigs. Using closed cranial windows over the parietal cortices, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibitable nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was determined during asphyxia/reventilation. Asphyxia was induced by turning off the respirator and occluding the endotracheal tube. In each animal, 2.4 mM NBT dissolved in artificial cerebrospinal fluid was placed under one window and under the opposite window, NBT (2.4 mM) plus SOD (60 U/mL) dissolved in artificial cerebrospinal fluid was used. A significant increase in SOD-inhibitable NBT reduction was observed in asphyxiated piglets (14.67 +/- 4.5 pmol/mm2 x 20 min) when compared with control piglets (2.82 +/- 1.1 pmol/mm2 x 20 min). In another group in which the animals were treated with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) before asphyxia/reventilation, there was minimal SOD-inhibitable NBT reduction. Our results indicate that superoxide anion is generated on the cerebral cortex during asphyxia/reventilation via the prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase pathway.

Animals↗

Prostanoids modulate opioid cerebrovascular responses in newborn pigs.

The influences of opioids on pial arteriolar diameter and cortical periarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid prostanoid concentration were investigated in piglets with closed cranial windows. Methionine enkephalin (10(-12)-10(-6) M) increased pial arteriolar diameter (139 +/- 4, 149 +/- 3, 178 +/- 3 microns, for control, 10(-12), and 10(-6) M, respectively). Leucine enkephalin produced similar pial arteriolar dilation. In contrast, dynorphin elicited dilation during normotension and constriction during hypotension. beta-Endorphin (10(-12)-10(-6) M) decreased pial arteriolar diameter (137 +/- 6, 128 +/- 6, 92 +/- 7 microns, for control, 10(-12) and 10(-6) M, respectively). All four opioids increased cerebrospinal fluid 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F1 alpha, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and thromboxane B2. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) blocked methionine and leucine enkephalin and dynorphin-induced pial arteriolar dilation, but potentiated beta-endorphin-induced constriction and the constriction caused by dynorphin in hypotensive piglets. These data indicate that prostanoids modulate opioid effects on the cerebral vasculature.

Administration, Topical↗

Lumbar CSF eicosanoids in neonates.

Lumbar CSF eicosanoids were measured in 11 neonates with perinatal asphyxia and 12 neonates with suspected sepsis. In the asphyxia group low levels of thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin F2a were detected in five neonates, all of which had had a lumbar puncture prior to 4 hours of age. In the group with suspected sepsis two infants had positive blood cultures and one had strep meningitis. CSF eicosanoids were nondetectable in all patients in this second group with the exception of the infant with meningitis. With meningitis CSF eicosanoids were markedly elevated. These findings suggest that lumbar CSF eicosanoids do not appear to be a clinically useful tool. The data further suggest that eicosanoids are involved in the inflammatory response to meningitis.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗

Cerebral superoxide anion generation during seizures in newborn pigs.

Cerebral superoxide anion generation during bicuculline-induced seizures was measured in newborn pigs. Using two closed cranial windows inserted over the parietal cortices, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibitable nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was determined during 20 min of seizure activity induced by bicuculline, 5 mg/kg i.v. A modest increase in SOD-inhibitable NBT reduction was observed in piglets subjected to bicuculline-induced seizure activity (2.4 +/- 0.6 pmol/mm2 in 20 min) when compared to control piglets (0.4 +/- 0.3 pmol/mm2 in 20 min). Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) reduced SOD-inhibitable NBT reduction during seizures to the control level (0.5 +/- 0.4 pmol/mm2 in 20 min). We conclude that small quantities of superoxide anion radical are produced by newborn pig brain during bicuculline-induced seizures and that cyclooxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid appears to be a major source.

Animals↗

Lipoxins A4 and B4 dilate cerebral arterioles of newborn pigs.

We determined the effects of lipoxins A4 and B4 on the cerebral microcirculation of neonatal pigs and whether vascular responses were modulated by prostanoids. Pial arteriolar diameters were determined using a closed cranial window and intravital microscopy. Before lipoxin A4 application, arteriolar diameter was 143 +/- 6 microns (means +/- SE). Topical application of lipoxin A4 increased the diameter to 160 +/- 7 microns at 0.1 ng/ml, 167 +/- 7 microns at 1 ng/ml, and 173 +/- 7 microns at 10 ng/ml (n = 9). Before application of lipoxin B4, arteriolar diameter was 146 +/- 7 microns. Topical application of lipoxin B4 increased the diameter to 165 +/- 7, 169 +/- 6, and 175 +/- 6 microns at 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/ml (n = 9), respectively. Intravenous injection of indomethacin (5 mg/kg) or vehicle did not affect these responses. Levels of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha in cerebrospinal fluid (measured by radioimmunoassay) did not increase in response to lipoxins. We conclude that lipoxins are dilator stimuli in the cerebral circulation and that prostanoids do not mediate these responses.

Animals↗