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T D Warner

Publications and source records attributed to T D Warner.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Involvement of endothelin in the pressor response following injection of NMDA to the periaqueductal gray area of rats.

Microinjection of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (0.068 to 6.8 nmol) into the periaqueductal gray area (PAG) of anaesthetized rats caused dose-dependent increases in blood pressure. Preinjection (10 min before) of FR 139317 (an ETA receptor selective antagonist; 5 nmol) or SB 209670 (an ETA/ETB receptor non-selective antagonist; 5 nmol) to the PAG reduced the pressor response to NMDA whereas BQ-788 (an ETB receptor selective antagonist; 5 nmol) did not affect the NMDA-induced hypertension. Pretreatment with DL-2-amino-5-phosphono valeric acid (2-APV) (an NMDA receptor selective antagonist, 5 nmol) also abolished the pressor response induced by NMDA. Dose-dependent increases in blood pressure induced by injection of angiotensin II (0.1-10 nmol) to the PAG were unaffected by FR 139317 or SB 209670. Thus, our data indicate that endogenous ET-1, via an action on ETA receptors, contributes to the pressor effects of NMDA within the brain.

Angiotensin II↗

Characterization of endothelin receptors mediating mechanical responses to the endothelins in the isolated stomach strip of the rat.

We have characterized the receptors mediating the mechanical responses of the isolated stomach strip to endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-3 (ET-3) and the ETB-selective receptor agonists sarafotoxin 6c (SX6c) and IRL 1620. As antagonists we used BQ-123 (ETA receptor selective), BQ-788 (ETB receptor selective) and PD 145065 (ETA/ETB receptor nonselective). We have also compared the responses of the mature peptides to their precursors human big ET-1(1-38), porcine big ET-1(1-39) and big ET-3(1-41) amide. ET-1, ET-3, SX6c and IRL 1620 produced equipotent concentration-dependent contractions of the rat stomach strips that were antagonized by PD 145065 (10(-5) M) or BQ-788 (10(-5) M) but not by BQ-123 (10-5 M). This indicates that the ETB receptor mediates contractions to the endothelins in this preparation. In preparations precontracted with PGE2 (3 x 10(-8) M), ET-1, but not SX6c (both 3 x 10(-9) M), caused a transient (< 2 min) relaxation (approx. 40% of the induced tone). This relaxation was antagonized by BQ-123 (10(-5) M) but prolonged by BQ-788, and therefore mediated by ETA receptors. A single administration of 3 x 10(-7) M ET-1, ET-3, SX6c or IRL 1620 produced contractions that reached a maximal response after 1 to 3 min. The contractions were not maintained, although responses to ET-1 or ET-3 lost their tone less rapidly than those to SX6c or IRL 1620.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Inhibition of ETB receptors limits the efficacy of nonselective endothelin antagonists in vivo.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) produces vasoconstriction via activation of ETA and ETB receptors on vascular smooth muscle, and vasodilatation via ETB receptors on endothelial cells. Here we have used the selective ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123, the selective ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 and the nonselective ETA/ETB receptor antagonist PD 145065 to study the role of these receptors in mediating the hemodynamic changes induced by an infusion of ET-1 to the anesthetised, ganglion-blocked rat. ET-1 (10 pmol/kg/min) infused for 70 min induced an increase in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and total peripheral resistance (TPR), as well as a fall in cardiac output (CO). ET-1 also induced a fall in the blood flow to all of the tissues studied except the heart and stomach. BQ-123 (10 nmol/kg/min) attenuated, whereas BQ-788 (10 nmol/kg/min) potentiated, most of these effects of ET-1. PD 145065 (10 nmol/kg/min), a potent antagonist in vitro, was largely without effect in vivo, even though the dose infused was 1,000 times that of ET-1. Therefore, BQ-123 inhibits the vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 more actively than PD 145065. Because BQ-788 potentiates the effects of ET-1 on TPR and generally increases ET-1-induced regional vasoconstriction, this weaker effect of PD 145065 compared to BQ-123 is most likely due to its additional effect on ETB receptors. Therefore, nonselective receptor antagonists may well prove less efficacious in vivo than predicted from in vitro assays because they will reduce the ET-1-limiting processes on vasoconstriction mediated by ETB receptors.

Animals↗

Endothelin-1 mediates coronary vasoconstriction caused by exogenous and endogenous cytokines.

In many pathologic conditions, elevations in the circulating level of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are linked to increased production of cytokines. Therefore, we have investigated the relationship between cytokines and ET-1. Administration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, 4 micrograms/kg) to anesthetized rats caused, within 15 min, a marked elevation in the circulating plasma level of ET-1. This was associated with pronounced coronary vasoconstriction in hearts removed from these animals and perfused in vitro by the Langendorff technique. This coronary vasoconstriction was attenuated by in vivo pretreatment with either ETA receptor antagonists or with an antibody against ET-1 (ET-Ab). Treatment of the anesthetized rats with interleukin-2 (IL-2) to increase the endogenous release of TNF-alpha also elevated the in vitro coronary vascular resistance, an effect that was greatly reduced by administration of an antibody against TNF-alpha (hr-TNF-alpha-Ab) or FR 139317. Finally, in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis, in which the levels of circulating cytokines are greatly elevated, we also found large increases in the ex vivo coronary perfusion pressure. Significantly, these were abolished by in vivo treatment for 2 days with the nonpeptide ET receptor antagonist SB209670. Cytokines cause marked and acute changes in the production of ET-1, leading to pronounced coronary vasoconstriction. Cytokine-driven changes in the production of ET-1 may therefore be key events in the development of vascular pathologies.

Animals↗

Endothelin-1 mediates the increase in ex vivo coronary vascular resistance induced by hemorrhagic shock in the anesthetized rat.

Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), given exogenously or liberated endogenously, cause the release of endothelin (ET) into the circulation. In the rat, increase in ET causes marked ex vivo coronary vasoconstriction. Hemorrhage also increases the circulating levels of cytokines such as TNF-alpha. Here we show that in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock there is a marked increase in ex vivo coronary vascular resistance, which is mediated by ET. Hemorrhagic shock was induced in anesthetized rats by withdrawing sufficient blood to reduce mean arterial blood pressure to 40 mm Hg for a period of 30 min, after which all the withdrawn blood was retransfused over a period of 15 min. Hearts were perfused ex vivo at a constant flow of 10 ml/min according to the Langendorff technique. After 90 min in vitro, the coronary perfusion pressure in hearts removed from control rats was 76 +/- 1 mm Hg (n = 5), whereas in hearts taken from rats after hemorrhage it was 114 +/- 6 mm Hg (n = 5; p < 0.05 from control). After the same time in vitro, the coronary perfusion pressure of hearts from rats treated with TNF-alpha (4 micrograms/kg, i.v.) was 122 +/- 4 mm Hg (n = 4; p < 0.05 from control). The increases in coronary perfusion pressure caused by hemorrhagic shock or TNF-alpha were abolished by pretreating rats with the nonselective ET receptor (ETA/ETB) antagonist SB209670 (3 mg/kg, i.v.) (coronary perfusion pressure at 90 min 80 +/- 1 mm Hg after hemorrhage; 73 +/- 4 mm Hg after TNF-alpha, p < 0.05 compared to hemorrhage or TNF-alpha controls, respectively; n = 3-5). Interestingly, pretreatment with polyclonal antibodies to TNF-alpha (3 mg/kg, i.v.) did not significantly attenuate the rise in coronary perfusion pressure caused by hemorrhage. Therefore, hemorrhage followed by retransfusion causes marked coronary vasoconstriction assessed ex vivo owing to the release of ET by factors including TNF-alpha.

Anesthesia↗

Endothelin-1 release from endothelial cells in culture is elevated both acutely and chronically by short periods of mechanical stretch.

The effects were examined of mechanical stretch on the release of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and prostacyclin (measured as 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha) from cultured endothelial cells. Stretching (0.2 Hz) for 20, 60 or 360 min caused immediate (< or = 20 min) and secondary (up to 360 min) increases in ET-1 release. The secondary but not immediate release of ET-1 was prevented by actinomycin D (8 x 10(-7) M) or cycloheximide (3.6 x 10(-6) M). Neither compound affected the release of ET-1 from unstretched cells over 360 min. Stretching of the endothelial cells increased the accumulation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha at 360 min but not at 20 min, suggesting that stretch does not produce a rapid, non-selective increase in autacoid production from endothelial cells. The intracellular amounts of ET-1 were approximately 20 times greater than those of big ET-1. Thus, endothelial cells contain stores of ET-1 that are released rapidly by stretch.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Comparison of PD 145065 and Ro 46-2005 as antagonists of contractions of guinea-pig airways induced by endothelin-1 or IRL 1620.

Cumulative concentrations of endothelin-1 or IRL 1620 (Suc-[Glu9,Ala11,15]endothelin-1-(8-21)), and endothelin ETB receptor selective agonist were similarly potent in contracting guinea-pig upper bronchi, whereas endothelin-1 was more potent than IRL 1620 in contracting lung parenchymal strips. PD 145065 (10(-5) M and 10(-4) M), a non-selective endothelin ETA/ETB receptor antagonist (Ac-D-Bhg-L-Leu-L-Asp-L-Ile-L-Ile-L-Trp), significantly attenuated the contractions induced by endothelin-1 in either preparation whereas Ro 46-2005 (3 x 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M), a non-peptide non-selective receptor antagonist (4-tert-butyl-N-[6-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-3-methoxy-phenoxy)-4-pyrimidinyl (benzenesulfonamide)), was without effect. PD 145065 (10(-6) M and 10(-5) M) also strongly inhibited contractions induced by IRL 1620, whereas Ro 46-2005 caused much less antagonism. Thus, PD 145065 is a more potent antagonist than Ro 46-2005 of contractions induced by endothelin-1 or IRL 1620 and mediated by endothelin ETB receptors in these guinea-pig airway preparations.

Animals↗

Effects of cyclic GMP on smooth muscle relaxation.

Cyclic GMP levels within smooth muscle are affected then by a number of different pathways. Physiologically NO and ANF are probably the two most important regulators for smooth muscle function, but a variety of other mediators and pharmacological agents may also influence this system. Because of the important role that cyclic GMP plays in the control of smooth muscle tone, which clearly includes vascular smooth muscle, it is now and will continue to be in the future an important physiological and biochemical target for research and a pharmacological target for therapeutic agents.

Animals↗

Reversal of established responses to endothelin-1 in vivo and in vitro by the endothelin receptor antagonists, BQ-123 and PD 145065.

1. Endothelin-1 binds almost irreversibly to its receptors and causes prolonged vasoconstrictions. Here we have studied the reversal of established responses to ET-1 in vivo and in vitro by BQ-123, an ETA receptor-selective antagonist, and/or PD 145065, an ETA/ETB receptor non-selective antagonist. 2. In anaesthetized rats pretreated with hexamethonium, infusion of ET-1 (10(-11) mol kg-1 min-1) increased the mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 93 +/- 1.5 mmHg to 137 +/- 2.4 mmHg after 70 min (n = 29). While the ET-1 infusion was continued an additional infusion of BQ-123 caused a gradual dose-dependent reduction in the pressor effect of ET-1. For instance, after a 60 min infusion of BQ-123 (10(-8) mol kg-1 min-1) the MAP was decreased by 29.3 +/- 4.3 mmHg (n = 4). 3. PD 145065 was a much weaker antagonist of the established pressor effects of ET-1. At 10(-8) mol kg-1 min-1 it had no significant effect and even at 10(-7) mol kg-1 min-1 the elevated blood pressure was only reduced by 11.8 +/- 8.0 mmHg (n = 5) after 60 min. Co-infusion of BQ-123 and PD 145065 caused smaller reductions in the established response to ET-1 than infusion of BQ-123 alone. 4. Sustained contractions of rat aortic rings induced by ET-1 (3 x 10(-9) M) and mediated by ETA receptors were slowly reversed by addition of BQ-123 (10(-5) M) or PD 145065 (10(-5) M). For instance,after 40 min the elevated tone was reduced 85.8 +/- 5.6% (n = 6) by PD 145065, and 77.1 +/- 6.7% (n = 6)by BQ-123. Thus, on the rat aortic rings in vitro both antagonists were equally effective against established responses to ET-1.5. ET-1 increased the perfusion pressure of the rat isolated perfused kidney by 138.1 +/- 7.6 mmHg(n = 14). Subsequent co-infusion of BQ-123 or PD 145065 reversed this increase with PD 145065 being more active. For instance, PD 145065 (10-6 M) reversed the increase in perfusion pressure by 56.9 +/- 8.8% (n = 5) and BQ-123 (10-6 M) reversed it by 22.8 +/- 8.0% (n = 5). This fits well with the vasoconstriction induced by ET-1 in the rat kidney being mediated by ETA and ETB receptors.6. Thus, sustained vasoconstrictions to ET-1 in vitro, mediated by either ETA or ETB receptors, may be reversed slowly by the subsequent application of receptor antagonists. Similarly, endothelin antagonists reverse the pressor effects of ET-1 in vivo although co-antagonism of ETA and ETB receptors or the co-administration of an ETA receptor antagonist, BQ-123, and a mixed antagonist, PD 145065 produces less reversal than the application of an ETA receptor-selective antagonist. This may be because PD 145065 also reduces vasodilatations induced by ET-1 in vivo, or could suggest that because of its peptide structure PD 145065 affects the elimination of ET-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on the plasma fibrinolytic system in septic shock in rats.

1. We have investigated the effect of pretreatment of rats with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in the plasma fibrinolytic system, platelet count, fibrinogen level, as well as in gross and microscopic pathophysiological changes indicative of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in rats. 2. E. coli LPS (6 mg kg-1, i.p.) produced a decrease in the levels of plasma fibrinogen and a drop in the blood platelet count 6 h after administration. The decrease in fibrinogen but not the drop in platelet count was reversed by pretreatment with L-NAME (30 mg kg-1, i.p., 24 h and 15 min before administration of LPS). 3. Pretreatment with L-NAME antagonized the LPS-induced activation of fibrinolysis as measured by changes in the euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) and enhanced the LPS-induced rise in the plasma level of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). In animals pretreated with L-NAME there was also a marked reduction in the histological changes indicative of DIC. 4. We propose that L-NAME can act as a protective agent in LPS-induced DIC, and this protection is due to an increased generation of PAI following inhibition of NO synthase.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Characterization of endothelin (ET) receptors in the isolated gall bladder of the guinea-pig: evidence for an additional ET receptor subtype.

1. We have characterized the receptors mediating contractions induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1), ET-2, ET-3 and the ETB-selective receptor agonists, sarafotoxin 6c (SX6c), IRL 1620, BQ-3020, [Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 and ET (16-21) in strips of the isolated gall bladder of the guinea-pig (GPGB). We used as antagonists BQ-123 (ETA receptor selective) and PD 145065 (ETA/ETB receptor non-selective). 2. ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3 (10(-10) M to 3 x 10(-7) M) caused similar slowly-developing concentration-dependent contractions of the GPGB. Contractile effects induced by ET-1, ET-2 or ET-3 (at 3 x 10(-7) M) were also similar (230 +/- 25, 241 +/- 7 and 287 +/- 37% of that to histamine at 5 x 10(-6) M, n = 7, 6, 12, respectively). However, the threshold concentration for ET-1 or ET-2 was 10(-10) M whereas it was 3 x 10(-9) M for ET-3. 3. SX6c (10(-10) M to 3 x 10(-7) M) also caused slowly-developing concentration-dependent contractions at a threshold concentration of 10(-10) M (n = 16). However, the contraction caused by SX6c at 3 x 10(-7) M was 116 +/- 9% of that to histamine at 5 x 10(-6) M, which was half of that induced by the same concentration of the ET isopeptides. The contraction induced by IRL 1620 at 3 x 10-7 M (n = 9) was 43 +/- 9% of that to histamine at 5 x 10-6 M, which was one fifth of that produced by the same concentration of ET-1. Contractions induced by BQ-3020 or [Ala1,3,11,15]ET-I at 3 x 10-7 M were even less than those produced by IRL 1620. ET (16-21) was inactive up to 10-5 M. Addition of a concentration of 3 x 10-7 M of ET-1 to tissues with developed contractions induced by the bolus addition of 3 x 10-7 M SX6c caused a further contraction of the GPGB to the level observed with ET-1 alone at 3 x 10-7M (n = 8).4. BQ-123 (10-5 M) did not affect the concentration-response curve to ET-1 and the contraction induced by 3 x 10- M was also not affected (n = 5; 239 +/- 19% of histamine at 5 x 10-6 M). PD 145065(10-5 M) shifted the ET-1 concentration-response curve to the right and the contraction induced by ET-1at 3 x 10-7 M was inhibited by 15% (n = 6; NS). A higher concentration of BQ-123 (10-4 M) caused a significant shift to the right of the ET-1 concentration-response curve similar to that caused by PD 145065 (10-s M) and caused a 24% (n = 6; NS) inhibition of the contractions induced by ET-1 at 3 x 10-7 M. PD 145065 (10-4 M) abolished contractions induced by ET-1 (up to 10- M) and inhibited the response to ET-1 at 3 x 10-7 M by 52% (n = 4; P< 0.05).5. Contractions induced by ET-3 were more sensitive to inhibition by the antagonists. BQ-123 (10-6,10-5 or 10-4 M) inhibited responses to 3 x 10-7 M ET-3 by 66, 71 and 83%, respectively (n = 5, 5, 3;P< 0.05). PD 145065 (10-6, 10-5 or 10-4 M) attenuated more strongly than did BQ-123 the contractions induced by ET-3. For instance, the contractions caused by ET-3 at 3 x 10-7 M were decreased by 73 and 80% (n = 5, 5; P<0.05) in the presence of PD 145065 (10-6 or 10-5 M, respectively). PD 145065(10-4 M) completely abolished contractions to ET-3 (n = 4; up to 3 x 10-7M).6. Contractions induced by SX6c, especially those observed at concentrations lower than 10-8 M, were attenuated by BQ-123 (up to 10-4 M). PD 145065 (10-5M) shifted to the right the concentration response curve to SX6c and inhibited by 38% (P<0.05) the contractions induced by 3 x 10-7M.However, the contractions induced by a bolus addition of a high concentration of SX6c (3 x 10-7 M)and the subsequent addition of an identical concentration of ET-1 on top of SX6c were not affected byBQ-123 (10-6 or 10-5 M).7. These results suggest that ETB receptors are involved in the contractions induced by endothelins in the GPGB. However, SX6c and other selective ETB agonists produced only half or less than half of the contractile response induced by non-selective agonists. In addition, the responses to ET-1 but not to ET-3, were insensitive to the antagonist action of BQ-123 at 10-5 M whereas BQ-123 or PD 145065 at 10-5 M strongly antagonized contractions induced by ET-3. Finally, BQ-123 at 10-4 M inhibited contractions to ET-1 and SX6c. Thus, within the GPGB there may well be additional ET receptor(s) not conforming to the established ETA/ETB receptor subtype classification, as well as ETB receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

5-HT3 receptors do not mediate vagally-induced relaxation or contraction of the isolated stomach of the guinea-pig.

1. We have tested whether 5-HT3 receptors mediate vagally-induced relaxation or contraction of the isolated stomach of the guinea-pig. 2. The antagonists of 5-HT3 receptors, ondansetron (1-10 microM) or metoclopramide (1-30 microM) did not inhibit vagally-induced relaxations at low concentrations but partially inhibited them at 30 microM or 60 microM, respectively. These higher concentrations of ondansetron and metoclopramide also inhibited relaxations induced by 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (30 microM) but did not affect those induced by glyceryl trinitrate (0.7-1.1 microM). 3. Desensitization to 5-HT (100 microM) or 2-Me-5-HT (100 microM) did not affect relaxations or contractions induced by vagal stimulation. 4. Ondansetron (30 microM) or metoclopramide (60 microM) did not inhibit vagally-induced gastric contraction. 5. Thus, 5-HT3 receptors do not mediate vagally-induced relaxation or contraction in the guinea-pig stomach.

Animals↗

Evidence from receptor antagonists of an important role for ETB receptor-mediated vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin-1 in the rat kidney.

1. To characterize the receptor subtype(s) mediating the renal vasoconstrictor effects of the endothelin (ET) and sarafotoxin (SX) peptides in the isolated perfused kidney of the rat, we have examined the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1), sarafotoxin 6b (SX6b) and sarafotoxin 6c (SX6c) as agonists, BQ-123 and FR 139317 as selective ETA receptor antagonists, and PD 145065 as a non-selective (ETA and ETB) receptor antagonist. We have also compared in the anaesthetized rat the systemic pressor and renal vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 and SX6c alone or after pretreatment with PD 145065. 2. In the isolated perfused kidney, ET-1, SX6b and SX6c all gave similar concentration-dependent increases in perfusion pressure. The ETA receptor selective antagonists, BQ-123 and FR 139317, both partially blocked the increase in perfusion pressure induced by ET-1. In contrast, PD 145065 completely blocked the increase in perfusion pressure caused by ET-1. 3. Indomethacin (10 microM) had no effect on the ET-1-induced increases in perfusion pressure but significantly reduced the vasoconstriction induced by low concentrations of SX6c, without affecting responses to high concentrations. In the anaesthetized rat, indomethacin (5 mg kg-1) did not modify the systemic pressor or renal vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 or SX6c. 4. In anaesthetized rats, bolus intravenous injections of ET-1 or SX6c (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 nmol kg-1) produced initial transient depressor responses followed by sustained and dose-dependent increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Both peptides caused an equipotent fall in renal blood flow (RBF).PD 145065 (5 mg kg-1) partially antagonized the systemic pressor effects of ET-1 and SX6c but completely blocked the fall in RBF and rise in renal vascular resistance (RVR) induced by ET-1 and SX6c. PD 145065 also antagonized the transient depressor effect following the bolus administration of either ET-1 or SX6c.5. These results indicate that ET/SX induced renal vasoconstriction is mediated via ETA and ETB-like receptors with ETB receptors having a predominant role in vivo. This may be of therapeutic relevance for an ETA receptor-selective antagonist may offer only limited protection against the deleterious renal effects of endogenous ETs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of ETB receptors mediating contractions induced by endothelin-1 or IRL 1620 in guinea-pig isolated airways: effects of BQ-123, FR139317 or PD 145065.

1. We have characterized the receptors mediating contractions to endothelin-1 (ET-1) or IRL 1620, an ETB receptor selective agonist, in isolated strips of tissue prepared from different parts of the guinea-pig airways. We used as antagonists BQ-123 and FR139317 (ETA receptor-selective) and PD 145065 (ETA/ETB receptor non-selective). 2. ET-1 and IRL 1620 (10(-10) M to 10(-6) M) caused similar concentration-dependent contractions of strips of guinea-pig trachea and upper bronchus. In the guinea-pig trachea without epithelium or lung parenchyma, IRL 1620 was less potent than ET-1. 3. In the trachea, contraction to ET-1 (< 10(-8) M) was preceded by a transient relaxation which was inhibited by BQ-123 (10(-5) M) or FR 139317 (10(-5) M) or by the removal of the epithelium. The concentration-response curve to ET-1 in the trachea was shifted to the right by PD 145065 (10(-5) M to 10(-4) M). PD 145065 (10(-4) M) also inhibited the response to ET-1 (3 x 10(-7) M) by 55%. Contractions induced by IRL 1620 were not affected by BQ-123 (10(-6) M) or FR139317 (10(-6) M) but were significantly attenuated by 10(-5) M of either antagonist. PD 145065 at 10(-6) M strongly attenuated and at 10(-5) M abolished contractions induced by IRL 1620. 4. In the trachea, removal of the epithelium potentiated the effects of both agonists. BQ-123 (10-5 M)had no effect on contractions of the trachea without epithelium induced by ET-1, but FR139317 (10-5 M)caused a significant inhibition. PD 145065 (10-5 M to 10-4 M) caused a shift to the right of the ET-1 concentration-response curve without affecting the contractile effect at 3 x 10-7 M. All three antagonists inhibited contractions induced by IRL 1620.5. In the upper bronchus, BQ-123 (10-5 M) did not affect contractions induced by ET-1, whileFR139317 (10-5 M) attenuated (20-26%) only contractions induced by 1-3 x 10-7 M ET-1. PD 145065(10-5 M to 10-4 M) caused a shift to the right of the ET-1 concentration-response curve. The contractions induced by IRL 1620 were inhibited by BQ-123 or FR139317 (10-5M to 10-4 M). PD 145065(10-6 M) strongly inhibited contractions induced by IRL 1620 and PD 145065 (10-5 M) totally abolished them.6. The contractile action of ET-1 in the lung parenchyma was significantly and similarly attenuated by BQ-123 (10-5 M) or indomethacin (10-5 M), while FRI39317 (10-5 M) was less effective. PD 145065(10-6 to 10-5 M) inhibited contractions to ET-1. IRL 1620, which is less potent than ET-1 in this preparation, was antagonized by PD 145065 (10-5 to 10-6 M) but unaffected by BQ-123 (10-6 M to10-5M) or FR139317 (10-6 M).7. Thus, ETB receptors mediate contractions to ET-1 in all four guinea-pig airway preparations. In addition, contractions to ET-1 in the trachea and lung parenchyma are mediated in part by ETA receptors. In the latter tissue, these ETA receptors mediate contraction through the release of cyclooxygenase metabolites. Similarly, ETA receptors located on the epithelial cells also mediate the release of prostanoids in the trachea with epithelium but they are responsible for transient relaxations. Interestingly,contractions induced by IRL 1620 were more susceptible to inhibition by the different antagonists,most probably because it binds to the endothelin receptors in a reversible manner. High concentrations(10-5 M) of ETA-selective antagonists also inhibit responses to IRL 1620, most probably by an effect at ETB receptors in both the trachea and the upper bronchus.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide, and not vasoactive intestinal peptide, as the main neurotransmitter of vagally induced relaxation of the guinea pig stomach.

1. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was localized in the guinea pig stomach by immunocytochemistry. In vitro experiments were carried out on the isolated stomach of the guinea pig to study any possible links between nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in mediating relaxations induced by vagal stimulation. 2. NOS was localized to nerve cell bodies and nerve fibre varicosities of the myenteric plexus in wholemounts of the longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus of the stomach fundus. The NOS-positive cells had a Dogiel type I morphology characteristic of motor neurones. 3. The cross-sections of the stomach wall showed NOS-positive neurones mainly in the myenteric plexus ganglia and NOS-positive nerve fibre varicosities in the circular muscle layer. 4. Relaxations induced by vagal stimulation were almost completely prevented by L-NAME with an IC50 value of 5.5 x 10(-6) M. This inhibition was reversed by L-arginine (2 mM). 5. VIP (100 nM) induced reproducible relaxations of the stomach. These were unaffected by tetrodotoxin (2 microM) or N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM). 6. Desensitization to the relaxant effect of VIP partially reduced relaxations induced by vagal stimulation, glyceryl trinitrate or sodium nitroprusside but not noradrenaline. 7. These results show that NO has a neuronal origin in the guinea pig stomach, and support NO, and not VIP, as the major neurotransmitter of vagally induced gastric relaxation in the guinea pig.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Endothelin ETA and ETB receptors mediate vasoconstriction and prostanoid release in the isolated kidney of the rat.

Endothelin-1 or sarafotoxin 6c (10(-12) to 10(-9) M) induced concentration-dependent increases in perfusion pressure in the isolated perfused kidney of the rat, and increased the release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha. The pressor effects of endothelin-1 were partially antagonised by BQ-123 (10(-6) M) and more strongly so by the endothelin ETA/B receptor non-selective antagonist PD 145065 (10(-6) M). PD 145065, but not BQ-123, also completely blocked the pressor effects of sarafotoxin 6c. The releases of prostanoids induced by endothelin-1 were greatly reduced by infusion of either BQ-123 or PD 145065, whereas PD 145065, but not BQ-123, strongly antagonised the releases induced by sarafotoxin 6c. These results indicate that the vasoconstrictions and the prostanoid releases induced by the endothelin/sarafotoxin peptides are mediated by the activation of both endothelin ETA and endothelin ETB receptors in the isolated perfused kidney of the rat.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗