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We have previously demonstrated that endothelium-derived hydrogen peroxide ([H.sub.2][O.sub.2]) plays an important role in the canine coronary microcirculation as an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in vivo. However, it remains to be examined whether endogenous [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] is involved in the dilatation of coronary collaterals during myocardial ischemia in vivo and, if so, whether erythropoietin (EPO) enhances the responses. Canine subepicardial native collateral small arteries (CSA; [greater than or equal to] 100 [micro]m) and arterioles (CA; < 100 [micro]m) were observed using an intravital microscope. Experiments were performed after left anterior descending coronary artery ischemia (90 min) under the following eight conditions (n = 5 each): control, EPO, EPO+catalase, EPO+N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), EPO+L-NMMA+catalase, EPO+L-NMMA+ iberiotoxin [[Ca.sup.2+]-activated [K.sup.+] ([K.sub.Ca]) channel blocker], EPO+L-NMMA+apamin+charybdotoxin ([K.sub.Ca] channel blocker), and EPO+wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor). Myocardial ischemia caused significant vasodilatation in CA but not in CSA under control conditions, which was significantly decreased by catalase in CA. After EPO, the vasodilatation was significantly increased in both sizes of arteries and was significantly decreased by catalase. The enhancing effect of EPO was reduced by L-NMMA but not by catalase in CSA and was reduced by L-NMMA+catalase in CA, where the greater inhibitory effects were noted with L-NMMA+catalase, L-NMMA+iberiotoxin, L-NMMA+apamin+charybdotoxin, or wortmannin. EPO significantly ameliorated ischemia-induced impairment of myocardial Akt phosphorylation, which was abolished by L-NMMA+catalase or wortmannin. EPO also ameliorated oxidative stress and myocardial injury, as assessed by plasma 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and troponin-T, respectively. These results indicate that EPO enhances [H.sub.2][O.sub.2]-mediated dilatation of coronary collateral arterioles during myocardial ischemia in dogs in vivo. coronary microcirculation; endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00331.2010.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a powerful phenomenon that provides potent cardioprotection in mammalian hearts; however, the role of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS)-mediated NO in this process remains highly controversial. Questions also remain regarding this pathway as a function of sex and ischemic duration. Therefore, we performed extensive experiments in wild-type (WT) and eNOS knockout ([eNOS.sup.-/-]) mice to evaluate whether the infarct-limiting effect of IPC depends on eNOS, ischemic periods, and sex. Classical IPC was induced by three cycles of 5 min of regional coronary ischemia separated by 5 min of reperfusion and was followed by 30 or 60 min of sustained ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. The control ischemia-reperfusion protocol had 30 or 60 min of ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Protection was evaluated by measuring the myocardial infarct size as a percentage of the area at risk. The major findings were that regardless of sex, WT mice exhibited robust IPC with significantly smaller myocardial infarction, whereas [eNOS.sup.-/-] mice did not. IPC-induced cardiac protection was absent in [eNOS.sup.-/-] mice of both Jackson and Harvard origin. In general, female WT mice had smaller infarctions compared with male WT mice. Although prolonged ischemia caused significantly larger infarctions in WT mice of both sexes, they were consistently protected by IPC. Importantly, prolonged myocardial ischemia was associated with increased mortality in [eNOS.sup.-/-] mice, and the survival rate was higher in female [eNOS.sup.-/-] mice compared with male [eNOS.sup.-/-] mice. In conclusion, IPC protects WT mice against in vivo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury regardless of sex and ischemic duration, but the deletion of eNOS abolishes the cardioprotective effect of classical IPC. endothelial nitric oxide synthase; cardioprotection; ischemic periods; gender; mortality doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00384.2010.

We have recently demonstrated that endothelium-derived hydrogen peroxide ([H.sub.2][O.sub.2]) is an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and that endothelial Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in the synthesis of endogenous [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] in both animals and humans. We examined whether SOD plays a role in the synthesis of endogenous [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] during in vivo reactive hyperemia (RH), an important regulatory mechanism. Mesenteric arterioles from wild-type and Cu,Zn-[SOD.sup.-/-]/mice were continuously observed by a pencil-type charge-coupled device (CCD) intravital microscope during RH (reperfusion after 20 and 60 s of mesenteric artery occlusion) in the cyclooxygenase blockade under the following four conditions: control, catalase alone, [N.sup.G]-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) alone, and L-NMMA + catalase. Vasodilatation during RH was significantly decreased by catalase or L-NMMA alone and was almost completely inhibited by L-NMMA + catalase in wild-type mice, whereas it was inhibited by L-NMMA and L-NMMA + catalase in the Cu,Zn-[SOD.sup.-/-] mice. RH-induced increase in blood flow after L-NMMA was significantly increased in the wild-type mice, whereas it was significantly reduced in the Cu,Zn-[SOD.sup.-/-] mice. In mesenteric arterioles of the Cu,Zn-[SOD.sup.-/-] mice, Tempol, an SOD mimetic, significantly increased the ACh-induced vasodilatation, and the enhancing effect of Tempol was decreased by catalase. Vascular [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] production by fluorescent microscopy in mesenteric arterioles after RH was significantly increased in response to ACh in wild-type mice but markedly impaired in Cu,Zn-[SOD.sup.-/-] mice. Endothelial Cu,Zn-SOD plays an important role in the synthesis of endogenous [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] that contributes to RH in mouse mesenteric smaller arterioles. nitric oxide; endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor; arteriole; vasodilatation

Myogenic tone is intrinsic to vascular tissue and plays an important role in determining basal coronary resistance. However, the effect of the beating heart on myogenic tone is unknown. We investigated the effects of myocardium-derived vasoactive factors on the myogenic tone of coronary microvessels in the resting condition and during increased metabolism. Pressurized isolated coronary vessels (detector vessel, DV) of rabbits (n = 33, maximal inner diameter 201 [+ or -] 8 [micro]m) were gently placed on beating hearts of anesthetized dogs and observed with an intravital microscope equipped with a floating objective. To shut off the myocardium-derived vasoactive signals, we placed plastic film between DV and the heart. The intravascular pressure was changed from 120 to 60 cm[H.sub.2]O, and pressure-diameter curves were obtained with and without the contact of DV and the myocardium. The direct contact shifted the pressure-diameter curve upward (P < 0.05 vs. without contact), and myogenic tone was reduced by ~40%. When endothelium of DV was denuded, the shift persisted, but the degree of shift was reduced to 10% (P < 0.05 vs. with endothelium). The shift was abolished by glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium ([K.sub.ATP]) channel blocker. A similar upward shift was induced by rapid pacing, but the shift was not blocked by glibenclamide. We conclude that the beating myocardium counteracts myogenic tone by releasing transferable vasoactive signals that affect the endothelium and the vascular smooth muscle, and that the signals are solely mediated by the activation of [K.sub.ATP] channels, unlike the rapid pacing-induced vasoactive factors. coronary microcirculation; vasomotor signals; vasodilation; myocardial metabolism; endothelium

We have recently demonstrated that endogenous [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] plays an important role in coronary autoregulation in vivo. However, the role of [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] during coronary ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury remains to be examined. In this study, we examined whether endogenous [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] also plays a protective role in coronary I/R injury in dogs in vivo. Canine subepicardial small coronary arteries ([greater than or equal to]100 [micro]m) and arterioles (< 100 [micro]m) were continuously observed by an intravital microscope during coronary I/R (90/60 min) under cyclooxygenase blockade (n = 50). Coronary vascular responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators (ACh) were examined before and after I/R under the following seven conditions: control, nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor [N.sup.G]-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), catalase (a decomposer of [H.sub.2][O.sub.2]), 8-sulfophenyltheophylline (8-SPT, an adenosine receptor blocker), L-NMMA + catalase, L-NMMA + tetraethylammonium (TEA, an inhibitor of large-conductance [Ca.sup.2+]-sensitive potassium channels), and L-NMMA + catalase + 8-SPY. Coronary I/R significantly impaired the coronary vasodilatation to ACh in both sized arteries (both P < 0.01); L-NMMA reduced the small arterial vasodilatation (both P < 0.01), whereas it increased (P < 0.05) the ACh-induced coronary arteriolar vasodilatation associated with fluorescent [H.sub.2][O.sub.2] production after I/R. Catalase increased the small arterial vasodilatation (P < 0.01) associated with fluorescent NO production and increased endothelial NOS expression, whereas it decreased the arteriolar response after I/R (P < 0.01). L-NMMA + catalase, L-NMMA + TEA, or L-NMMA + catalase + 8-SPT further decreased the coronary vasodilatation in both sized arteries (both, P < 0.01). L-NMMA + catalase, L-NMMA + TEA, and L-NMMA + catalase + 8-SPT significantly increased myocardial infarct area compared with the other four groups (control, L-NMMA, catalase, and 8-SPT; all, P < 0.01). These results indicate that endogenous [H.sub.2][O.sub.2], in cooperation with NO, plays an important cardioprotective role in coronary I/R injury in vivo. endothelium-derived relaxing factor; myocardial infarction; vascular endothelial function doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00187.2006

Reduced nitric oxide (NO) in the brain might contribute to enhanced sympathetic drive in heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to determine whether increased NO production induced by local overexpression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the brain stem reduces the enhanced sympathetic drive in mice with HF. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in mice by ligating the left coronary artery. MI mice exhibited left ventricular dilatation and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Urinary norepinephrine excretion in MI mice was greater than that in sham-operated mice, indicating that sympathetic drive was enhanced in this model. Thus this model has features that are typical of HF. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining for neuronal NOS (nNOS) indicated that nNOS protein expression was significantly reduced in the brain stem of MI mice. MI mice had a significantly smaller increase in blood pressure evoked by intracisternal injection of [N.sup.G]-monomethyl-L-arginine than sham-operated mice. Adenoviral vectors encoding either eNOS (AdeNOS) or [beta]-galactosidase (Ad[beta]gal) were transfected into the NTS to examine the effect of increased NO production in the NTS on the enhanced sympathetic drive in HF. After the gene transfer, urinary norepinephrine excretion was reduced in AdeNOS-transfected MI mice but not in Ad[beta]gal-transfected MI mice. These results indicate that nNOS expression in the brain stem, especially in the NTS, is reduced in the MI mouse model of HF, and increased NO production induced by overexpression of eNOS in the NTS attenuates the enhanced sympathetic drive in this model. nitric oxide; heart failure; brain; sympathetic; genes

We previously demonstrated that sustained disturbance of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and poor distal runoff in ischemic limbs were critical factors affecting the neointimal development of autologous vein grafts (VGs). Also, we recently showed the superior therapeutic potential of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF-2) boosted by the recombinant Sendal virus (SeV) for severe limb ischemia compared with that of vascular endothelial growth factor. Here, the effect of FGF-2 on neointimal hyperplasia of VGs was examined in a rabbit model of poor-runoff limbs. Two weeks after initial surgery for the induction of poor-runoff, SeV-expressing human FGF-2 (SeV-hFGF2) or that encoding frefly luciferase ([10.sup.9] plaque-forming units/head) was injected into the thigh and calf muscle. At that time, the femoral vein was implanted in the femoral artery in an end-to-end manner in some groups. FGF-2 gene-transferred limbs demonstrated significantly increased blood flow assessed not only by laser Doppler flow image but also by ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter (USTF). USTF also showed a significant increase in the blood flow ratio of the deep femoral artery to external iliac artery, indicating that collateral flow was significantly restored in the thigh muscles (P < 0.01). Reduction of neointimal hyperplasia was also observed in the VGs treated by SeV-hFGF2; these grafts demonstrated significant restoration of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. These findings thus extend the indications of therapeutic angiogenesis using SeV-hFGF2 to include not only limb salvage but also prevention of late graft failure. fibroblast growth factor-2; vein graft; vasorelaxation

Transgenic (TG) mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] develop congestive heart failure with myocardial inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] on reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this mouse model of cardiomyopathy. Myocardial production of hydroxyl radical detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy was significantly increased in TG. Myocardial expression of Mn-SOD was significantly decreased in TG, whereas that of Cu,Zn-SOD was unaltered. Myocardial expression of catalase was unchanged, whereas that of glutathione peroxidase was significantly increased, in TG. Histological analysis revealed that macrophages and CD4-positive lymphocytes were increased in TG myocardium. To investigate whether these infiltrating inflammatory cells were the source of ROS, we treated TG mice with cyclophosphamide for 7 days. Although cyclophosphamide significantly suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells, it did not diminish the production of hydroxyl radical in TG myocardium. Damaged myocytes, but not infiltrating inflammatory cells, may be the source of ROS in TG. cytokine; heart failure; reactive oxygen species

Transgenic (TG) mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha] develop dilated cardiomyopathy with myocardial inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in this mouse model of cardiomyopathy. Female TG and wild-type mice at the age of 10 wk were studied. The expression and activity of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were significantly increased in the TG myocardium, whereas those of endothelial NOS were not altered. The majority of the iNOS protein was isolated in the interstitial cells. The selective iNOS inhibitor (1S,5S,6R,7R)-7-chloro-3-imino-5-methyl-2-azabicyclo [4.1.0]heptane hydrochloride (ONO-1714) was used to examine the effects of iNOS induction on myocardial contractility. Echocardiography and left ventricular pressure measurements were performed. Both fractional shortening and the maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure were significantly suppressed in TG mice. Although ONO-1714 did not change hemodynamic parameters or contractility at baseline, it significantly improved [beta]-adrenergic inotropic responsiveness in TG mice. These results indicate that induction of iNOS may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction in this mouse model of cytokine-induced cardiomyopathy. cytokine; heart failure; transgenic mice

Reduced activity of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in thrombus formation on atherosclerotic plaques, a major cause of acute coronary syndrome. However, mechanisms of such increase in arterial thrombogenecity have not been fully understood. We previously reported that long-term inhibition of NO synthesis by administration of [N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) causes hypertension and activates vascular tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. We used this model to investigate the mechanism by which long-term impairment of NO activity increases arterial thrombogenecity. We observed cyclic flow variations (CFVs), a reliable marker of platelet thrombi, after the production of stenosis of the carotid artery in rats treated with L-NAME for 4 wk. The thrombin antagonist argatroban suppressed the CFVs. The CFVs were detected in rats receiving L-NAME plus hydralazine but not in rats receiving L-NAME plus an ACE inhibitor (imidapril). Treatment with the ACE inhibitor imidapril, but not with hydralazine, prevented L-NAME-induced increases in carotid arterial ACE activity and attenuated tissue factor expression. These results suggest that long-term inhibition of endothelial NO synthesis may increase arterial thrombogenecity at least in part through angiotensin II-induced induction of tissue factor and the resultant thrombin generation. These data provide a new insight as to how 6ndothelial NO exhibits antithrombogenic properties of the endothelium. thrombosis; angiotensin-converting enzyme; tissue factor; thrombin

Nakamura, Ryo, Kensuke Egashira, Kenichi Arimura, Youji Machida, Tomomi Ide, Hiroyuki Tsutsui, Hiroaki Shimokawa, and Akira Takeshita. Increased inactivation of nitric oxide is involved in impaired coronary flow reserve in heart failure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 281: H2619-H2625, 2001.--Recent evidence suggests that increased inactivation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) by oxygen free radical (OFR) formation is involved in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in heart failure (HF). However, it is unclear whether increased OFR limits coronary flow reserve in HF. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of antioxidant therapy on coronary flow reserve in a canine model of tachycardia-induced HF. The flow reserve (percent increase in coronary blood flow) to adenosine or to 20-s ischemia was less and OFR formation (electron-spin resonance spectroscopy) in myocardial tissues was greater in HF dogs than in controls. Immunohistochemical staining of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, an OFR-induced lipid peroxide, was detected in coronary microvessels of HF dogs. Intracoronary infusion of a cell-permeable OFR scavenger, tiron, suppressed OFR formation and improved the vasodilating capacity to adenosine or brief ischemia in HF dogs but not in controls. A NO synthesis inhibitor, [N.sup.G]-monomethyl-Larginine (L-NMMA), diminished the beneficial effects of tiron in HF dogs. Vasodilation to sodium nitroprusside was similar between control and HF dogs, and no change in its response was noted with tiron or tiron + L-NMMA in either group. In summary, antioxidant treatment with tiron improved coronary flow reserve by increasing NO bioactivity in HF dogs. Thus increased OFR formation may impair coronary flow reserve in HF by reducing NO bioactivity. oxygen free radicals; endothelium-derived factors Received 17 April 2001; accepted in final form 13 August 2001

The ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener pinacidil increases myocardial perfusion during metabolic stress related to activation of beta(sub 1)-adrenoceptor. In anesthetized dogs, pinacidil increases the higher coronary blood flow (CBF) induced by a beta(sub 1)-adrenoceptor agonist, denopamine. It fails to affect the denopamine-activated increase in myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). It also fails to affect CBF or MVO2 increases due to isoproterenol or nitroglycerin. It selectively increases coronary vasodilation mediated by beta(sub 1)-adrenoceptor.

The activation of protein kinase C (PKC) increases the levels of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EPRF). This reaction prevents endothelial irregularities during acute blood deprivation in the myocardium. The infusion of a PKC activator decreases endothelium-regulated vasodilation which promotes myocardial blood deprivation. The infusion of staurosporine PKC inhibitor increases the stimulus response to acetylcholine and bradykinin. These neurotransmitters enhance endothelial vasodilation which prevents the dysfunction of the inner arterial walls.

Increased inactivation of nitric oxide is involved in coronary endothelial dysfunction in heart failure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 280: H68-H75, 2001.--Recent evidence suggests the possibility that enhanced inactivation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) by oxygen free radical (OFR) may cause endothelial dysfunction in heart failure (HF). To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of antioxidant therapy on endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the coronary circulation in a canine model of tachycardia-induced HF. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was less than that in controls, and OFR formation in coronary arterial and myocardial tissues was greater in HF dogs than those in controls. The immunohistochemical staining of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, OFR-induced lipid peroxides was detected in coronary microvessels of HF dogs. Intracoronary infusion of the cell-permeable OFR scavenger Tiron inhibited OFR formation and improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation in HF dogs but not in controls. The NO synthesis inhibitor [N.sup.G]-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) diminished the beneficial effect of Tiron in HF dogs. Endothelium-independent vasodilation was similar between control and HF dogs, and no change in its response was noted by Tiron or Tiron plus L-NMMA in either group. In summary, antioxidant treatment with Tiron improved coronary vascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation by increasing NO activity in tachycardia-induced HF. Thus coronary endothelial dysfunction in HF may be, at least in part, due to increased inactivation of NO by OFR. endothelium-derived factors; free radicals

Eto, Yasuhiro, Hiroaki Shimokawa, Kunio Morishige, Junko Hiroki, Tadashi Kandabashi, Yasuharu Matsumoto, Mutsuki Amano, Masahiko Hoshijima, Kozo Kaibuchi, and Akira Takeshita. Gene transfer of dominant negative Rho kinase suppresses neointimal formation after balloon injury in pigs. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 278: H1744-H1750, 2000.--Restenosis after angioplasty still remains a major problem for which neointimal formation appears to play an important role. Recent studies in vitro suggested that Rho kinase, a target protein of Rho, is important in various cellular functions. We thus examined whether Rho kinase is involved in the restenotic changes after balloon injury. In vivo gene transfer was performed immediately after balloon injury in both sides of the porcine femoral arteries with adenoviral vector encoding either a dominant negative form of Rho kinase (AdDNRhoK) or [Beta]-galactosidase (AdLacZ) as a control. One week after the transfer, immunohistochemistry confirmed the successful gene expression in the vessel wall, whereas 2 wk after the transfer, Western blotting showed the functional upregulation of Rho kinase at the AdLacZ site and its suppression at the AdDNRhoK site. Angiography showed the development of a stenotic lesion at the AdLacZ site where histological neointimal formation was noted, whereas those changes were significantly suppressed at the AdDNRhoK site. These results indicate that Rho kinase is involved in the pathogenesis of neointimal formation after balloon injury in vivo. restenosis; signal transduction; small guanosine 5'triphosphate-binding protein; vascular smooth muscle

Studies the effects of sodium othovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, on the endothelial nitric oxide pathway. Strip preparations; Experimental protocol; Radioimmunoassay of guanosine monophosphate; Data analysis.

Tests the hypothesis that the L-arginine analogues elicit the release of vasoconstrictor substances(s) from the endothelium and/or vascular smooth muscle. Physiological effect of L-arginine analogues and vasoconstrictors; Endothelium-dependent contraction; Prostaglandins.

Although increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, the importance of physiological ROS has also been emerging. We have previously demonstrated that endothelium-derived H 2 O 2 is an endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) factor and that loss of endothelial caveolin-1 reduces EDH/H 2 O 2 in the microcirculation. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a scaffolding/regulatory protein that interacts with diverse signaling pathways, including angiogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether endothelial Cav-1 plays a role in ischemic angiogenesis by modulating EDH/H 2 O 2 . In the present study, we thus addressed this issue in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia using male endothelium-specific Cav-1 (eCav-1) knockout (KO) mice. In isometric tension experiments with femoral arteries from eCav-1-KO mice, reduced EDH-mediated relaxations to acetylcholine and desensitization of sodium nitroprusside-mediated endothelium-independent relaxations were noted ( n = 4~6). An ex vivo aortic ring assay also showed that the extent of microvessel sprouting was significantly reduced in eCav-1-KO mice compared with wild-type (WT) littermates ( n = 12 each). Blood flow recovery at 4 wk assessed with a laser speckle flowmeter after femoral artery ligation was significantly impaired in eCav-1-KO mice compared with WT littermates ( n = 10 each) and was associated with reduced capillary density and muscle fibrosis in the legs ( n = 6 each). Importantly, posttranslational protein modifications by reactive nitrogen species and ROS, as evaluated by thiol glutathione adducts and nitrotyrosine, respectively, were both increased in eCav-1-KO mice ( n = 6~7 each). These results indicate that endothelial Cav-1 plays an important role in EDH-mediated vasodilatation and ischemic angiogenesis through posttranslational protein modifications by nitrooxidative stress in mice in vivo. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, the importance of physiological ROS has also been emerging. The present study provides a line of novel evidence that endothelial caveolin-1 plays important roles in endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and ischemic angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia in mice through posttranslational protein modifications by reactive nitrogen species and ROS in mice in vivo.

Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) plays important roles in the systemic circulation, whereas its role in the pulmonary circulation remains largely unknown. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension (PH) also remain to be elucidated. We thus aimed to elucidate the role of EDH in pulmonary circulation in general and in PH in particular. In isolated perfused lung and using male wild-type mice, endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin (BK) was significantly reduced in the presence of N ω -nitro-l-arginine by ~50% compared with those in the presence of indomethacin, and the combination of apamin plus charybdotoxin abolished the residual relaxation, showing the comparable contributions of nitric oxide (NO) and EDH in the pulmonary microcirculation under physiological conditions. Catalase markedly inhibited EDH-mediated relaxation, indicating the predominant contribution of endothelium-derived H 2 O 2 . BK-mediated relaxation was significantly reduced at day 1 of hypoxia, whereas it thereafter remained unchanged until day 28. EDH-mediated relaxation was diminished at day 2 of hypoxia, indicating a transition from EDH to NO in BK-mediated relaxation before the development of hypoxia-induced PH. Mechanistically, chronic hypoxia enhanced endothelial NO synthase expression and activity associated with downregulation of caveolin-1. Nitrotyrosine levels were significantly higher in vascular smooth muscle of pulmonary microvessels under chronic hypoxia than under normoxia. A similar transition of the mediators in BK-mediated relaxation was also noted in the Sugen hypoxia mouse model. These results indicate that EDH plays important roles in the pulmonary microcirculation in addition to NO under normoxic conditions and that impaired EDH-mediated relaxation and subsequent nitrosative stress may be potential triggers of the onset of PH. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides novel evidence that both endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and nitric oxide play important roles in endothelium-dependent relaxation in the pulmonary microcirculation under physiological conditions in mice and that hypoxia first impairs endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization-mediated relaxation, with compensatory upregulation of nitric oxide, before the development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.

The specific roles of nitric oxide (NO) synthases (NOSs) in bladder smooth muscle remain to be elucidated. We examined the roles of NOSs in β-adrenoceptor (AR)-mediated bladder relaxation. Male mice (C57BL6) deficient of neuronal NOS [nNOS-knockout (KO)], endothelial NOS (eNOS-KO), neuronal/endothelial NOS (n/eNOS-KO), neuronal/endothelial/inducible NOS (n/e/iNOS-KO), and their controls [wild-type (WT)] were used. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed in the bladder. Then the responses to relaxing agents and the effects of several inhibitors on the relaxing responses were examined in bladder strips precontracted with carbachol. Immunofluorescence staining showed expressions of nNOS and eNOS in the urothelium and smooth muscle of the bladder. Isoproterenol-induced relaxations were significantly reduced in nNOS-KO mice and were further reduced in n/eNOS-KO and n/e/iNOS-KO mice compared with WT mice. The relaxation in n/e/iNOS-KO mice was almost the same as in n/eNOS-KO mice. Inhibition of Ca 2+ -activated K + (K Ca ) channel with charybdotoxin and apamin abolished isoproterenol-induced bladder relaxation in WT mice. Moreover, direct activation of K Ca channel with NS1619 caused comparable extent of relaxations among WT, nNOS-KO, and n/eNOS-KO mice. In contrast, NONOate (a NO donor) or hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) (another possible relaxing factor from eNOS) caused minimal relaxations, and catalase (H 2 O 2 scavenger) had no inhibitory effects on isoproterenol-induced relaxations. These results indicate that both nNOS and eNOS are substantially involved in β-AR-mediated bladder relaxations in a NO- or H 2 O 2 -independent manner through activation of K Ca channels., (Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.)

We have previously demonstrated that low-energy extracorporeal cardiac shock wave (SW) therapy improves myocardial ischemia through enhanced myocardial angiogenesis in a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia and in patients with refractory angina pectoris. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms for the SW-induced angiogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we thus examined the effects of SW irradiation on intracellular signaling pathways in vitro. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 800 shots of low-energy SW (1 Hz at an energy level of 0.03 mJ/mm(2)). The SW therapy significantly upregulated mRNA expression and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The SW therapy also enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and Akt. Furthermore, the SW therapy enhanced phosphorylation of caveolin-1 and the expression of HUTS-4 that represents β1-integrin activity. These results suggest that caveolin-1 and β1-integrin are involved in the SW-induced activation of angiogenic signaling pathways. To further examine the signaling pathways involved in the SW-induced angiogenesis, HUVECs were transfected with siRNA of either β1-integrin or caveolin-1. Knockdown of either caveolin-1 or β1-integrin suppressed the SW-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt and upregulation of VEGF and eNOS. Knockdown of either caveolin-1 or β1-integrin also suppressed SW-induced enhancement of HUVEC migration in scratch assay. These results suggest that activation of mechanosensors on cell membranes, such as caveolin-1 and β1-integrin, and subsequent phosphorylation of Erk and Akt may play pivotal roles in the SW-induced angiogenesis., (Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.)

Rho-kinase (ROCKs) belongs to the family of serine/threonine kinases and is an important downstream effector of the small GTP-binding protein RhoA. There are two isoforms of Rho-kinase, ROCK1 and ROCK2, and they have different functions with ROCK1 for circulating inflammatory cells and ROCK2 for vascular smooth muscle cells. It has been demonstrated that the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway plays an important role in various fundamental cellular functions, including contraction, motility, proliferation, and apoptosis, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease. The important role of Rho-kinase in vivo has been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of vasospasm, arteriosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, stroke, and heart failure. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of fasudil, a selective Rho-kinase inhibitor, have been demonstrated for the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases in humans. Thus the Rho-kinase pathway is an important new therapeutic target in cardiovascular medicine.