Search

The synthesis and characterization of the full family of 11 pyrazoles were performed by means of UV–Vis, FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, two-dimensional NMR experiments and DFT simulations. As pyrazoles are known for showing diverse biological actions, they were also tested in the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel, showing moderate to good activity against different cell lines. Furthermore, the anti-proinflammatory activity test of a set of pyrazoles of the form (E)-4-((4-bromophenyl)diazenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1-R-phenyl-1H-pyrazole was performed, this is based on the study of the blockage of the increase in intracellular [Ca2+] observed in response to platelet-activating factor (PAF) treatment of four pyrazoles (i.e. 6, 8, 9 and 10), which successfully displayed [Ca2+] channel inhibition. Therefore, the obtained intracellular [Ca2+] signal results indicate that the pyrazole family characterized in this study, in particular compounds 6 and 10, are potent blockers of the PAF-initiated Ca2+ signaling that mediates the hyperpermeability typically observed during the development of inflammation., FONDECYT 1201880, 1171118, 1180565. Millennium Science Initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, Chile, grant Nuclei on Catalytic Processes towards Sustainable Chemistry (CSC). ANID/FONDAP/15110019. Universidad del Atlántico (primera convocatoria interna, que otorga apoyo económico para el desarrollo de trabajos de grado en investigación formativa – nivel pregrado y postgrado).

Blood flow distribution relies on precise coordinated control of vasomotor tone of resistance arteries by complex signalling interactions between perivascular nerves and endothelial cells. Sympathetic nerves are vasoconstrictors, whereas endothelium-dependent NO production provides a vasodilator component. In addition, resistance vessels are also innervated by sensory nerves, which are activated during inflammation and cause vasodilation by the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Inflammation leads to superoxide anion (O2• −) formation and endothelial dysfunction, but the involvement of CGRP in this process has not been evaluated. Here we show a novel mechanistic relation between perivascular sensory nerve-derived CGRP and the development of endothelial dysfunction. CGRP receptor stimulation leads to pannexin-1-formed channel opening and the subsequent O2• −-dependent connexin-based hemichannel activation in endothelial cells. The prolonged opening of these channels results in a progressive inhibition of NO production. These findings provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of the inflammation-initiated endothelial dysfunction.

Neuronal activity must be tightly coordinated with blood flow to keep proper brain function, which is achieved by a mechanism known as neurovascular coupling. Then, an increase in synaptic activity leads to a dilation of local parenchymal arterioles that matches the enhanced metabolic demand. Neurovascular coupling is orchestrated by astrocytes. These glial cells are located between neurons and the microvasculature, with the astrocytic endfeet ensheathing the vessels, which allows fine intercellular communication. The neurotransmitters released during neuronal activity reach astrocytic receptors and trigger a Ca(2+) signaling that propagates to the endfeet, activating the release of vasoactive factors and arteriolar dilation. The astrocyte Ca(2+) signaling is coordinated by gap junction channels and hemichannels formed by connexins (Cx43 and Cx30) and channels formed by pannexins (Panx-1). The neuronal activity-initiated Ca(2+) waves are propagated among neighboring astrocytes directly via gap junctions or through ATP release via connexin hemichannels or pannexin channels. In addition, Ca(2+) entry via connexin hemichannels or pannexin channels may participate in the regulation of the astrocyte signaling-mediated neurovascular coupling. Interestingly, nitric oxide (NO) can activate connexin hemichannel by S-nitrosylation and the Ca(2+)-dependent NO-synthesizing enzymes endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) are expressed in astrocytes. Therefore, the astrocytic Ca(2+) signaling triggered in neurovascular coupling may activate NO production, which, in turn, may lead to Ca(2+) influx through hemichannel activation. Furthermore, NO release from the hemichannels located at astrocytic endfeet may contribute to the vasodilation of parenchymal arterioles. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the astrocytic Ca(2+) signaling that mediates neurovascular coupling, with a special emphasis in the possible participation of NO in this process.

Endothelial cells control vascular tone by releasing vasoactive substances in response to physical and chemical signals. Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as the most notable endothelium-derived vasodilator. Elegant pharmacological studies, in isolated or in situ arteries and arterioles, have documented the pivotal role of NO in the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation induced by several humoral agents and shear stress (Ishii et al. 1990; Koller & Kaley, 1991; Kuo et al. 1991; Moncada et al. 1991). On the other hand, the mechanisms triggering NO release by the activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) have been studied mainly in cultured endothelial cells derived from large vessels, or in transfected non-endothelial cells (Michel et al. 1993, 1997a; Venema et al. 1996; Garcia-Cardena et al. 1997; Feron et al. 1998). While a few recent reports address this subject in vitro in endothelial cells of microvascular origin (Thuringer et al. 2000; Kawanaka et al. 2002), much less is known about the mechanisms of eNOS activation in vivo. In cultured cells, eNOS is targeted primarily to and anchored to the plasma membrane by dual acylation with myristate and palmitate (Busconi & Michel, 1993; Robinson & Michel, 1995; Sowa et al. 1999). In the membrane, the enzyme is found mainly in an inhibitory association with caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a structural protein of caveolae (Feron et al. 1996; Garcia-Cardena et al. 1997; Ju et al. 1997). Furthermore, it has been proposed that following a rise in intracellular calcium, eNOS dissociates from Cav-1, allowing activation of the enzyme. This hypothesis is supported by reports that an increase in intracellular calcium is associated with a rise in NO production (Blatter et al. 1995; Kanai et al. 1995), as the interaction of eNOS with calcium- calmodulin dissociates the eNOS-Cav-1 complex (Garcia-Cardena et al. 1997; Michel et al. 1997a,b; Feron et al. 1998). A role for tonic Cav-1 inhibition of eNOS activity in vivo is supported by the recent observation that the aortic rings of Cav-1-null mice present enhanced NOS-dependent relaxation in response to ACh (Drab et al. 2001; Razani et al. 2001). In addition, eNOS translocation from the membrane to the cytosol and/or perinuclear compartments has been observed following stimulation with calcium-mobilising agonists (Michel et al. 1993; Prabhakar et al. 1998; Goetz et al. 1999), possibly via enzyme de-palmitoylation (Robinson et al. 1995; Yeh et al. 1999). Translocation was presumed to be an inactivation mechanism of eNOS because it was a relatively slow process compared to the rapid transient NO signal reported in aortic endothelial cells (Malinski & Taha, 1992). This interpretation is questionable because the time course of NO production was not analysed together with eNOS translocation. To what extent the mechanisms determined separately in cultured cells occur and are relevant in vivo has not been thoroughly investigated. It is conceivable that the dynamic environment in the intact circulation resulting in tonic eNOS activation may influence the kinetics and functional relevance of processes determined in tissue culture. To resolve whether eNOS translocation corresponds to activation or inactivation of the enzyme, this process should be analysed along with the time course of NO production. Furthermore, the functional relevance of such an event should be assessed in intact preparations or in vivo. Therefore, in the work presented here, we tested the hypothesis that agonist-induced NO production and NO-dependent vasodilatation is associated with eNOS translocation from the cell membrane in microvascular endothelium in vivo. We decided to investigate this hypothesis in the hamster cheek pouch because this experimental model allows the direct visualisation and quantification of blood flow in the microcirculatory bed with minimal surgical trauma, as well as detection of NO production and eNOS subcellular distribution in a single preparation (Duran et al. 2000; Figueroa et al. 2001a). We chose ACh as the test agonist because it is a recognised calcium-mobilising endothelium-dependent vasodilator. We compared eNOS fractional distribution at rest and at several times during ACh-induced vasodilatation. We report data on the correspondence between the time course of the rise in blood flow and microvessel diameter with NO production and the reduction of microsomal eNOS content. Our data support the hypothesis that translocation from the membrane represents eNOS activation in vivo.

Pannexin-1 (Panx1) is expressed in smooth muscle and endothelial cells of resistance arteries. In smooth muscle, Panx1-formed channels mediate the α1-adrenergic receptor-initiated constriction, but...

1. To assess the involvement of endothelial alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in the clonidine-induced vasodilatation, the mesenteric artery of Sprague Dawley rats was cannulated and perfused with Tyrode solution (2 ml min(-1)). We measured perfusion pressure, nitric oxide (NO) in the perfusate using chemiluminescence, and tissue cyclic GMP by RIA. 2. In phenylephrine-precontracted mesenteries, clonidine elicited concentration-dependent vasodilatations associated to a rise in luminal NO. One hundred nM rauwolscine or 100 microM L(omega)-nitro-L-arginine antagonized the clonidine-induced vasodilatation. Guanabenz, guanfacine, and oxymetazoline mimicked the clonidine-induced vasorelaxation. 3. In non-contracted mesenteries, 100 nM clonidine elicited a maximal rise of NO (123+/-13 pmol); associated to a peak in tissue cyclic GMP. Endothelium removal, L(omega)-nitro-L-arginine, or rauwolscine ablated the rise in NO. One hundred nM aminoclonidine, guanfacine, guanabenz, UK14,304 and oxymetazoline mimicked the clonidine-induced surge of NO. Ten microM ODQ obliterated the clonidine-induced vasorelaxation and the associated tissue cyclic GMP accumulation; 10 - 100 nM sildenafil increased tissue cyclic GMP accumulation without altering the clonidine-induced NO release. 4. alpha(2)-Adrenergic blockers antagonized the clonidine-induced rise in NO. Consistent with a preferential alpha(2D)-adrenoceptor activation, the K(B)s for yohimbine, rauwolscine, phentolamine, WB-4101, and prazosin were: 6.8, 24, 19, 165, and 1489 nM, respectively. 5. Rat pretreatment with 100 mg kg(-1) 6-hydroxydopamine reduced 95% tissue noradrenaline and 60% neuropeptide Y. In these preparations, 100 nM clonidine elicited a rise of 91.9+/-15.5 pmol NO. Perfusion with 1 microM guanethidine or 1 microM guanethidine plus 1 microM atropine did not modify the NO surge evoked by 100 nM clonidine. 6. Clonidine and congeners activate endothelial alpha(2D)-adrenoceptors coupled to the L-arginine pathway, suggesting that the antihypertensive action of clonidine involves an endothelial vasorelaxation mediated by NO release, in addition to presynaptic mechanisms.

Abstract —We have shown previously that the kininogen-derived peptides bradykinin, prokinins, and PU-D1, given intravenously or into the duodenal lumen, block the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-induced diuretic-natriuretic effect in fasting, anesthetized rats infused with isotonic glucose. HOE-140, an inhibitor of bradykinin B2 receptors, completely suppresses this ANP blockade. When intravenous glucose infusion is omitted, the above-described inhibition of ANP does not take place. Therefore, to clarify the role of glucose and/or feeding in this phenomenon, we used fasted, anesthetized rats to test how the ANP excretory response was affected by (1) short-term feeding before anesthesia, (2) 1 mL of isotonic glucose introduced into the stomach, and (3) the interaction of HOE-140 with these treatments. In addition, we tested the effects of 1 mL of intragastric glucose administration and HOE-140 on urinary excretion in awake rats. In anesthetized rats, both glucose administration and feeding significantly inhibited the diuretic-natriuretic effect of ANP for up to 90 minutes. Similarly, intragastric glucose delayed spontaneous sodium and water excretion for 90 minutes in awake rats. In all 3 cases, pretreatment with HOE-140 (2.5 μg IV) fully prevented the inhibition of ANP excretory action, ruling out osmotic effects as the cause of reduced diuresis. These results indicate that the presence of glucose in the digestive tract triggers an inhibitory effect on ANP renal actions that requires activation of kinin B2 receptors, providing strong support to our hypothesis that during the early prandial period, gastrointestinal signals elicit a transient blockade of renal excretion with a mechanism involving the kallikrein-kinin system.

Endothelial dysfunction is crucial in endotoxaemia-derived sepsis syndrome pathogenesis. It is well accepted that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces endothelial dysfunction through immune system activation. However, LPS can also directly generate actions in endothelial cells (ECs) in the absence of participation by immune cells. Although interactions between LPS and ECs evoke endothelial death, a significant portion of ECs are resistant to LPS challenge. However, the mechanism that confers endothelial resistance to LPS is not known. LPS-resistant ECs exhibit a fibroblast-like morphology, suggesting that these ECs enter a fibrotic programme in response to LPS. Thus, our aim was to investigate whether LPS is able to induce endothelial fibrosis in the absence of immune cells and explore the underlying mechanism. Using primary cultures of ECs and culturing intact blood vessels, we demonstrated that LPS is a crucial factor to induce endothelial fibrosis. We demonstrated that LPS was able and sufficient to promote endothelial fibrosis, in the absence of immune cells through an activin receptor–like kinase 5 (ALK5) activity–dependent mechanism. LPS-challenged ECs showed an up-regulation of both fibroblast-specific protein expression and extracellular matrix proteins secretion, as well as a down-regulation of endothelial markers. These results demonstrate that LPS is a crucial factor in inducing endothelial fibrosis in the absence of immune cells through an ALK5-dependent mechanism. It is noteworthy that LPS-induced endothelial fibrosis perpetuates endothelial dysfunction as a maladaptive process rather than a survival mechanism for protection against LPS. These findings are useful in improving current treatment against endotoxaemia-derived sepsis syndrome and other inflammatory diseases.

Background/Aims: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is associated with caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in plasma membrane. We tested the hypothesis that eNOS activation by shear stress in resistance vessels depends on synchronized phosphorylation, dissociation from Cav-1 and translocation of the membrane-bound enzyme to Golgi and cytosol. Methods: In isolated, perfused rat arterial mesenteric beds, we evaluated the effect of changes in flow rate (2-10 ml/min) on nitric oxide (NO) production, eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177, eNOS subcellular distribution and co-immunoprecipitation with Cav-1, in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. Results: Increases in flow induced a biphasic rise in NO production: a rapid transient phase (3-5-min) that peaked during the first 15 s, followed by a sustained phase, which lasted until the end of stimulation. Concomitantly, flow caused a rapid translocation of eNOS from the microsomal compartment to the cytosol and Golgi, paralleled by an increase in eNOS phosphorylation and a reduction in eNOS-Cav-1 association. Transient NO production, eNOS translocation and dissociation from Cav-1 depended on extracellular Ca2+, while sustained NO production was abolished by the PI3K-Akt blocker wortmannin. Conclusions: In intact resistance vessels, changes in flow induce NO production by transient Ca2+-dependent eNOS translocation from membrane to intracellular compartments and sustained Ca2+-independent PI3K-Akt-mediated phosphorylation.

Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (K(Ca)) and NO play a central role in the endothelium-dependent control of vasomotor tone. We evaluated the interaction of K(Ca) with NO production in isolated arterial mesenteric beds of the rat. In phenylephrine-contracted mesenteries, acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasodilation was reduced by NO synthase (NOS) inhibition with N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), but in the presence of tetraethylammonium, L-NA did not further affect the response. In KCl-contracted mesenteries, the relaxation elicited by 100 nM ACh or 1 μM ionomycin was abolished by L-NA, tetraethylammonium, or simultaneous blockade of small-conductance K(Ca) (SK(Ca)) channels with apamin and intermediate-conductance K(Ca) (IK(Ca)) channels with triarylmethane-34 (TRAM-34). Apamin-TRAM-34 treatment also abolished 100 nM ACh-activated NO production, which was associated with an increase in superoxide formation. Endothelial cell Ca(2+) buffering with BAPTA elicited a similar increment in superoxide. Apamin-TRAM-34 treatment increased endothelial NOS phosphorylation at threonine 495 (P-eNOS(Thr495)). Blockade of NAD(P)H oxidase with apocynin or superoxide dismutation with PEG-SOD prevented the increment in superoxide and changes in P-eNOS(Thr495) observed during apamin and TRAM-34 application. Our results indicate that blockade of SK(Ca) and IK(Ca) activates NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent superoxide formation, which leads to inhibition of NO release through P-eNOS(Thr495). These findings disclose a novel mechanism involved in the control of NO production.

Epinephrine plays a key role in the control of vasomotor tone; however, the participation of the NO/cGMP pathway in response to β-adrenoceptor activation remains controversial. To evaluate the involvement of the endothelium in the vascular response to epinephrine, we assessed NO production, endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation, and tissue accumulation of cGMP in the perfused arterial mesenteric bed of rat. Epinephrine elicited a concentration-dependent increase in NO (EC50 of 45.7 pM), which was coupled to cGMP tissue accumulation. Both NO and cGMP production were blocked by either endothelium removal (saponin) or NO synthase inhibition ( Nω-nitro-l-arginine). Blockade of β1- and β2-adrenoceptors with 1 μM propranolol or β3-adrenoceptor with 10 nM SR 59230A displaced rightward the concentration-NO production curve evoked by epinephrine. Selective stimulation of β1-, β2-, or β3-adrenoceptors also resulted in NO and cGMP production. Propranolol (1 μM) inhibited the rise in NO induced by isoproterenol or the β2-adrenoceptor agonists salbutamol, terbutaline, or fenoterol. Likewise, 10 nM SR 59230A reduced the effects of the β3-adrenoceptor agonists BRL 37344, CGP 12177, SR 595611A, or pindolol. The NO production induced by epinephrine and BRL 37344 was associated with the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway and phosphorylation of eNOS in serine 1177. In addition, in anaesthetized rats, bolus administration of isoproterenol, salbutamol, or BRL 37344 produced NO-dependent reductions in systolic blood pressure. These findings indicate that β1-, β2-, and β3-adrenoceptors are coupled to the NO/cGMP pathway, highlighting the role of the endothelium in the vasomotor action elicited by epinephrine and related β-adrenoceptor agonists.

Conduction of changes in diameter plays an important role in the coordination of peripheral vascular resistance and, thereby, in the control of arterial blood pressure. It is thought that conduction of vasomotor signals relies on the electrotonic spread of changes in membrane potential from a site of stimulation through gap junctions connecting the cells of the vessel wall. To explore this idea, we stimulated a short segment of mouse cremasteric arterioles with an application, via micropipette, of ACh, an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, or pinacidil, an ATP-sensitive K+channel opener. Vasodilations were evaluated at the stimulation site (local) and at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 μm upstream. The vasodilator response evoked by direct arteriolar hyperpolarization induced by pinacidil decayed rapidly with distance, as expected for the passive spread of an electrical signal. Deletion of the gap junction proteins connexin37 or connexin40 did not alter the conduction of pinacidil-induced vasodilation. In contrast to pinacidil, the vasodilator response activated by ACh spread along the entire vessel without decrement. Although the ACh-induced conducted vasodilation was similar in wild-type and connexin37 knockout mice, deletion of connexin40 converted the nondecremental conducted response activated by ACh into one similar to that of pinacidil, with a decline in magnitude along the vessel length. These results suggest that ACh activates a mechanism of regenerative conduction of vasodilator responses. Connexin40 is essential for the ACh-activated regenerative vasodilator mechanism. However, neither connexin40 nor connexin37 is indispensable for the electrotonic spread of hyperpolarizing signals.

The regulation of gap junctional communication by histamine was studied in primary cultures of human tonsil high endothelial cells (HUTECs). We evaluated intercellular communication, levels, state of phosphorylation, and cellular distribution of gap junction protein subunits, mainly connexin (Cx)43. Histamine induced a time-dependent reduction in dye coupling (Lucifer yellow) associated with reduction in connexin43 localized at cell-cell appositions (immunofluorescence), without changes in levels and phosphorylation state of connexin43 (immunoblots). These effects were prevented with chlorpheniramine, an H1 receptor blocker; indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase blocker; or GF109203X, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Treatment with phorbol myristate acetate, a protein kinase C activator, and 4bromo (4Br)-A23187, a calcium ionophore, mimicked the histamine-induced effects on dye coupling. 8Bromo-cAMP doubled the dye coupling extent and prevented the histamine-induced reduction in incidence of dye coupling. After 24-h histamine treatment, known to desensitize H1 receptors, reapplication of histamine increased cell coupling in a way prevented by ranitidine, an H2 receptor blocker. Thus, activation of H1 and H2 receptors, which increase intracellular levels of free Ca2+ and cAMP, respectively, may affect gap junctional communication in opposite ways. Stabilization of actin filaments with phalloidine diminished but did not totally prevent histamine-induced cell shape changes and reduction in dye coupling. Hence, the histamine-induced reduction in gap junctional communication between HUTEC is mediated by cytoskeleton-dependent and -independent mechanisms and might contribute to modulate endothelial function in lymphoid tissue.

When a short segment of arteriole is stimulated, vasomotor responses spread bidirectionally along the vessel axis purportedly via gap junctions. We used connexin40 knockout (Cx40 −/− ) mice to study vasomotor responses induced by 10-second trains of electrical stimulation (30 Hz, 1 ms, 30 to 50 V) in 2nd or 3rd order arterioles of the cremaster muscle. Measurements were made at the stimulation site (local) and at conducted sites (500, 1000, and 2000 μm upstream). In wild-type (Cx40 +/+ ) animals, electrical stimulation evoked a local vasoconstriction and a conducted vasodilation that spread very rapidly along the vessel length without detectable decay. In Cx40 −/− mice, the conducted dilation was converted into either vasoconstriction or a slowly developing vasodilation that decayed along the vessel length. Tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 μmol/L) had no effect on the local vasoconstriction in either Cx40 +/+ or Cx40 −/− mice, but enhanced the conducted vasodilation in Cx40 +/+ animals. In Cx40 −/− mice, TTX abolished the conducted vasoconstriction when present and revealed a small vasodilation that decayed with distance. In the group of Cx40 −/− mice in which electrical stimulation elicited a conducted vasodilation, TTX had no effect. Immunocytochemistry revealed Cx40 only in the endothelial layer of arterioles from Cx40 +/+ mice and complete elimination of this connexin in the Cx40 −/− animals. These results indicate that focal current stimulation causes vasoconstriction by a combination of perivascular nerve stimulation and smooth muscle activation. Moreover, electrical stimulation activates a nonneuronal, Cx40-dependent vasodilator response that spreads along the vessel length without decay.

To assess the hypothesis that microvascular nitric oxide (NO) is critical to maintain blood flow and solute exchange, we quantified NO production in the hamster cheek pouch in vivo, correlating it with vascular dynamics. Hamsters (100–120 g) were anesthetized and prepared for measurement of microvessel diameters by intravital microscopy, of plasma flow by isotopic sodium clearance, and of NO production by chemiluminescence. Analysis of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) location by immunocytochemistry and subcellular fractionation revealed that eNOS was present in arterioles and venules and was 67 ± 7% membrane bound. Basal NO release was 60.1 ± 5.1 pM/min ( n = 35), and plasma flow was 2.95 ± 0.27 μl/min ( n = 29). Local NO synthase inhibition with 30 μM N ω-nitro-l-arginine reduced NO production to 8.6 ± 2.6 pmol/min (−83 ± 5%, n = 9) and plasma flow to 1.95 ± 0.15 μl/min (−28 ± 12%, n = 17) within 30–45 min, in parallel with constriction of arterioles (9–14%) and venules (19–25%). The effects of N ω-nitro-l-arginine (10–30 μM) were proportional to basal microvascular conductance ( r = 0.7, P < 0.05) and fully prevented by 1 mM l-arginine. We conclude that in this tissue, NO production contributes to 35–50% of resting microvascular conductance and plasma-tissue exchange.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in microvascular permeability is controversial, in part because the regulation of its endothelial constitutive synthase, eNOS, has been studied in vitro but not in vivo. Our study was designed to detect the morphologic and functional presence of eNOS and to test whether eNOS could be phosphorylated by platelet-activating factor (PAF), an agent that induces hyperpermeability. Immunocytochemistry was applied using human anti-eNOS antibodies in the hamster cheek pouch (hcp). The hcp microvessels demonstrated positive reaction products in the endothelium. The functional presence of eNOS in hcp was investigated by topical application of 10(-7) M PAF to the hcp and by measuring NO production by chemiluminescence. The mean baseline value of NO release was 63.3 +/- 6.9 pmol/ml (mean +/- SE). Application of PAF led to an increase in mean NO release to 120.8 +/- 31.2 pmol/ml (P0.05). In another series of experiments, 10(-7) M PAF was applied topically to hcp preincubated with [(32)P]orthophosphoric acid. Immunoprecipitation and Western blots detected (32)P-labeled bands that migrated with the mobility of positive eNOS indicating phosphorylated eNOS protein. The intensity of the radioactive bands was evaluated by computer-assisted image analysis. Comparison of the net band intensities yielded a mean PAF-treated/control ratio of 1.6 +/- 0.1. Our data demonstrate the morphologic and functional presence of eNOS in the microcirculation. The data also provide evidence that the function of microvascular eNOS is subject to regulation by phosphorylation.

Abstract A 20–amino acid peptide, KYEIKEGDCPVQSGKTWQDC (PU-D1), released by pepsin hydrolysis of LMW kininogen domain 1 was tested for its ability to antagonize the diuretic and natriuretic effect of ANP 103-125 in anesthetized rats. A single dose of 10.8 or 21.6 pmol (25 or 50 ng) PU-D1 given intravenously or into the duodenal lumen suppressed the diuresis-natriuresis induced by 209 pmol (500 ng) ANP by 43% to 59% and 69% to 96%, respectively. None of the doses tested (2.16 to 432 pmol, 5 ng to 1 μg) modified systemic blood pressure. Strikingly, a single IV dose of 10.8 pmol PU-D1 blocked the action of ANP for more than 3 hours. ANP blockade by PU-D1 was annulled completely by the bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor inhibitor Hoe 140. On a molar basis, PU-D1 is more effective than BK and kinins of 15, 16, and 18 amino acids for blocking the ANP-mediated diuresis-natriuresis. As with BK and other kinins, the inhibitory effect of Pu-D1 on ANP is obtained only within a small range of picomol doses. A single dose of 2.16 or 4.32 pmol PU-D1 or 47 pmol (50 ng) BK is ineffective against ANP if injected alone. However, when both substances are administered concomitantly at these subthreshold doses, they totally suppress ANP-induced diuresis-natriuresis. These results raise the question of whether PU-D1, released from kininogen domain 1, either alone or associated with BK, may interact with ANP in the regulation of urinary water and electrolyte excretion in physiological and pathological conditions.

A synthetic 15 aminoacids kinin, named PU-15, is able to block the diuretic natriuretic action of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP). The structure of PU-15 is Met-Lys-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg-Ser-Ser-Arg-Iso, having the aminoacid sequence of a fragment of human kininogens. The increase in the urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, and water, elicited by a bolus of 0.5 microg of ANP in anesthetized rats, is blocked by PU-15 (100-150 ng) given either intravenously 3 min before ANP injection, or injected intraperitoneally or in the duodenal lumen, 40 min before ANP. This ANP blockade, which mimics the action of pepsanurin, is only obtained with doses of PU-15 in a narrow range around 100 picomol/rat, and do not modify blood pressure. Larger doses, 2- to 8-fold the effective dose, either do not change the response to ANP or raise the excretion of sodium and water. The administration of HOE-140, a bradykinin B2 receptor blocker, prior to PU-15, completely abolishes the anti-ANP action of PU-15. These findings lend support to the proposal that kinins released from the intestinal tract during prandial period can modulate renal excretory function.

To evaluate whether sympathetic activity induces nitric oxide (NO) production, we perfused the rat arterial mesenteric bed and measured luminally accessible norepinephrine (NE), NO, and cGMP before, during, and after stimulation of perivascular nerves. Electrical stimulation (1 min, 30 Hz) raised perfusion pressure by 97 ± 7 mmHg, accompanied by peaks of 23 ± 3 pmol NE, 445 ± 48 pmol NO, and 1 pmol cGMP. Likewise, perfusion with 10 μM NE induced vasoconstriction coupled to increased NO and cGMP release. Electrically elicited NO release depended on stimulus frequency and duration. Endothelium denudation with saponin abolished the NO peak without changing NE release. Inhibition of NO synthase with 100 μM N ω-nitro-l-arginine reduced basal NO and cGMP release and blocked the electrically stimulated and exogenous NE-stimulated NO peak while enhancing vasoconstriction. Blocking either sympathetic exocytosis with 1 μM guanethidine or α1-adrenoceptors with 30 nM prazosin abolished the electrically evoked vasoconstriction and NO release. α2-Adrenoceptor blockade with 1 μM yohimbine reduced both vasoconstriction and NO peak while increasing NE release. In summary, sympathetically released NE induces vasoconstriction, which triggers a secondary release of endothelial NO coupled to cGMP production.