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Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is characterized by febrile illness, severe joint pain, myalgia, and cardiovascular complications. Given that CHIKV stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, events that disrupt vascular homeostasis, we hypothesized that CHIKV induces arterial dysfunction by directly impacting redox-related mechanisms in vascular cells. Wild-type (WT) and iNOS knockout (iNOS -/- ) mice were administered either CHIKV (1.0 × 10 6 PFU/µL) or Mock vehicle via the intracaudal route. In vivo, CHIKV infection induced vascular dysfunction (assessed by a wire myograph), decreased systolic blood pressure (tail-cuff plethysmography), increased IL-6 and IFN-γ, but not TNF-α levels (determined by ELISA), and increased protein content by Western blot. Marked contractile hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine was observed 48 h post-infection, which was restored by endothelium removal. L-NAME, 1400W, Tiron, and iNOS gene deletion prevented phenylephrine hyporesponsiveness. CHIKV infection increased vascular nitrite concentration (Griess reaction) and superoxide anion (O 2 •- ) generation (lucigenin chemiluminescence), and decreased hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 , by Amplex Red) levels 48 h post-infection, alongside increased TBARS levels. In vitro, CHIKV infected endothelial cells (EA.hy926) and upregulated ICAM-1 and iNOS protein expression (determined by Western blot). These data support the conclusion that CHIKV-induced alterations in vascular ROS/NF-kB/iNOS/NO signaling potentially contribute to cardiovascular events associated with Chikungunya infection.

Nitrites have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases, alongside nitrates. While chronic use of organic nitrates is well recognized to lead to vascular tolerance, the tolerance associated with nitrite therapy remains incompletely understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate vascular tolerance to sodium nitrite and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Endothelium-denuded aortic rings isolated from male Balb/C mice were incubated with either the EC 50 (10 -4  mol/L) or EC 100 (10 -2  mol/L) concentration of sodium nitrite for 15 min to induce tolerance. The EC 100 concentration of sodium nitrite induced vascular tolerance. Pre-incubation with captopril and losartan effectively reversed sodium nitrite-induced tolerance. Similarly, pre-incubation with L-NAME and L-arginine prevented sodium nitrite-induced tolerance. Increased levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) were observed in tolerant aortas. Increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased catalase activity were also verified in tolerant aortas. Both captopril and L-NAME prevented the increased levels of ROS observed in tolerant aortas. Furthermore, pre-incubation with catalase effectively prevented sodium nitrite-induced tolerance. Our findings suggest that sodium nitrite induces vascular tolerance through a signaling pathway involving the renin-angiotensin system, nitric oxide synthase, and ROS. This study contributes to the understanding of the interaction between nitrites and vascular tolerance and highlights potential targets to overcome or prevent this phenomenon., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no competing interests associated with the publication., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective and Design: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol exposure on epigenetic markers in bone marrow (BM) and their impact on inflammatory response during Aspergillus fumigatus infection., Results: Chronic ethanol exposure decreased H3K27me3 enrichment in the Il6 promoter region while increased H3K4me3 enrichment in Tnf. Chimeric mice were generated by transplanting BM from mice exposed to ethanol or water. Infection of ethanol-chimeric mice culminated in higher clinical scores, although there was no effect on mortality. However, previous chronic exposure to ethanol affects persistently the inflammatory response in lung tissue, demonstrated by increased lung damage, neutrophil accumulation and IL-6, TNF and CXCL2 production in ethanol-chimeric mice, resulting in a decreased neutrophil infiltration into the alveolar space. Neutrophil killing and phagocytosis were also significantly lower. Moreover, BM derived macrophages (BMDM) from ethanol-chimeric mice stimulated with A. fumigatus conidia exhibited higher levels of TNF, CXCL2 and IL-6 release and a higher killing activity. The Il6 promoter of BMDM from ethanol-chimeric mice exhibited a reduction in H3K27me3 enrichment, a finding also observed in BM donors exposed to ethanol., Conclusions: These evidences demonstrate that prior chronic alcohol exposure of bone-marrow modify immune effector cells functions impairing the inflammatory response during A. fumigatus infection. These findings highlight the persistent impact of chronic ethanol exposure on infectious disease outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Aims: The consumption of highly refined carbohydrates increases systemic inflammatory markers, but its potential to exert direct myocardial inflammation is uncertain. Herein, we addressed the impact of a high-refined carbohydrate (HC) diet on mice heart and local inflammation over time., Main Methods: BALB/c mice were fed with a standard chow (control) or an isocaloric HC diet for 2, 4, or 8 weeks (HC groups), in which the morphometry of heart sections and contractile analyses by invasive catheterization and Langendorff-perfused hearts were assessed. Cytokines levels by ELISA, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity by zymography, in situ reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining and lipid peroxidation-induced TBARS levels, were also determined., Key Findings: HC diet fed mice displayed left ventricular hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis in all times analyzed, which was confirmed by echocardiographic analyses of 8HC group. Impaired contractility indices of HC groups were observed by left ventricular catheterization, whereas ex vivo and in vitro indices of contraction under isoprenaline-stimulation were higher in HC-fed mice compared with controls. Peak levels of TNF-α, TGF-β, ROS, TBARS, and MMP-2 occur independently of HC diet time. However, a long-lasting local reduction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was found, which was linearly correlated to the decline of systolic function in vivo., Significance: Altogether, the results indicate that short-term consumption of HC diet negatively impacts the balance of anti-inflammatory defenses and proinflammatory/profibrotic mediators in the heart, which can contribute to HC diet-induced morphofunctional cardiac alterations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Obesity can lead to the loss of the anticontractile properties of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). Given that cafeteria (CAF) diet reflects the variety of highly calorie and easily accessible foods in Western societies, contributing to obesity and metabolic disorders, we sought to investigate the impact of CAF diet on PVAT vasoactive profile and the involvement of renin-angiotensin system, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase pathway., Main Methods: Male Balb/c mice received standard or CAF diet for 4 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests were performed, and fasting serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride parameters were determined. Vascular reactivity, fluorescence and immunofluorescence analyzes were carried out in intact thoracic aorta in the presence or absence of PVAT., Key Findings: CAF diet was effective in inducing obesity and metabolic disorders, as demonstrated by increased body weight gain and adiposity index, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity. Importantly, CAF diet led to a significant decrease in aortic contractility which was restored in the presence of PVAT, exhibiting therefore a contractile profile. The contractile effect of PVAT was associated with the activation of AT 1 receptor, reactive oxygen species, cyclooxygenase-1, thromboxane A 2 and prostaglandin E 2 receptors., Significance: These findings suggest that the contractile profile of PVAT involving the renin-angiotensin system activation, reactive oxygen species and cyclooxygenase-1 metabolites may be a protective compensatory adaptive response during early stage of CAF diet-induced obesity as an attempt to restore the impaired vascular contraction observed in the absence of PVAT, contributing to the maintenance of vascular tone., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Vascular dysfunction induced by angiotensin-II can result from direct effects on vascular and inflammatory cells and indirect hemodynamic effects. Using isolated and functional cultured aortas, we aimed to identify the effects of angiotensin-II on cyclooxygenase (COX) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and evaluate their impact on vascular reactivity. Aortic rings from mice were incubated overnight in culture medium containing angiotensin-II (100 nmol/L) or vehicle to induce vascular disfunction. Vascular reactivity of cultured arteries was evaluated in a bath chamber. Immunofluorescence staining for COX-1 and COX-2 was performed. Nitric oxide (NO) formation was approached by the levels of nitrite, a NO end product, and using a fluorescent probe (DAF). Oxidative and nitrosative stress were determined by DHE fluorescence and nitrotyrosine staining, respectively. Arteries cultured with angiotensin-II showed impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation, which was reversed by the AT 1 receptor antagonist. Inhibition of COX and iNOS restored vascular relaxation, suggesting a common pathway in which angiotensin-II triggers COX and iNOS, leading to vasoconstrictor receptors activation. Moreover, using selective antagonists, TP and EP were identified as the receptors involved in this response. Endothelium-dependent contractions of angiotensin-II-cultured aortas were blunted by ibuprofen, and increased COX-2 immunostaining was found in the arteries, indicating endothelium release of vasoconstrictor prostanoids. Angiotensin-II induced increased reactive oxygen species and NO production. An iNOS inhibitor prevented NO enhancement and nitrotyrosine accumulation in arteries stimulated with angiotensin-II. These results confirm that angiotensin-II causes vascular inflammation that culminates in endothelial dysfunction in an iNOS and COX codependent manner., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Dengue fever is one of the most important arboviral diseases in the world, and its severe forms are characterised by a broad spectrum of systemic and cardiovascular hallmarks. However, much remains to be elucidated regarding the pathogenesis triggered by Dengue virus (DENV) in the heart. Herein, we evaluated the cardiac outcomes unleashed by DENV infection and the possible mechanisms associated with these effects., Methods: A model of an adapted DENV-3 strain was used to infect male BALB/c mice to assess haemodynamic measurements and the functional, electrophysiological, inflammatory and oxidative parameters in the heart., Results: DENV-3 infection resulted in increased systemic inflammation and vascular permeability with consequent reduction of systolic blood pressure and increase in heart rate. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in the cardiac output and stroke volume, with a reduction trend in the left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters and volumes. Also, there was a reduction trend in the calcium current density in the ventricular cardiomyocytes of DENV-3 infected mice. Indeed, DENV-3 infection led to leucocyte infiltration and production of inflammatory mediators in the heart, causing pericarditis and myocarditis. Moreover, increased reactive oxygen species generation and lipoperoxidation were also verified in the cardiac tissue of DENV-3 infected mice., Conclusions: DENV-3 infection induced a marked cardiac dysfunction, which may be associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and electrophysiological changes in the heart. These findings provide new cardiac insights into the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis triggered by DENV, contributing to the research of new therapeutic targets for clinical practice., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has recently entered in the realm of cardiovascular diseases as a putative target for intervention. Notwithstanding its relevance, there is still a long way before the role of PVAT in physiology and pathology is fully understood. The general idea that PVAT anti-contractile effect is beneficial and its pro-contractile effect is harmful is being questioned by several reports. The role of some PVAT important products or systems such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and RAS may vary depending on the context, disease, place of production, etc., which adds doubts on how mediators of PVAT anti- and pro-contractile effects are called to action and their final result. This short review will address some points regarding NO, ROS, and RAS in the beneficial and harmful roles of PVAT., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Barp, Bonaventura and Assreuy.)

The perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is an active endocrine organ responsible for release several substances that influence on vascular tone. Increasing evidence suggest that hyperactivation of the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the PVAT plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases. However, the local RAS contribution to the PVAT control of vascular tone during obesity is still not clear. Since the consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet (HC diet) contributes to obesity inducing a rapid and sustained increase in adiposity, so that the functional activity of PVAT could be modulated, we aimed to evaluate the effect of HC diet on the PVAT control of vascular tone and verify the involvement of RAS in this effect. For that, male Balb/c mice were fed standard or HC diet for 4 weeks. Vascular reactivity, histology, fluorescence, and immunofluorescence analysis were performed in intact thoracic aorta in the presence or absence of PVAT. The results showed that HC diet caused an increase in visceral adiposity and also in the PVAT area. Phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction was significantly reduced in the HC group only in the presence of PVAT. The anticontractile effect of PVAT induced by HC diet was lost when aortic rings were previously incubated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, Mas, and AT 2 receptors antagonists, PI3K, nNOS, and iNOS inhibitors, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) decomposing enzyme or non-selective potassium channels blocker. Immunofluorescence assays showed that both Mas and AT 2 receptors as well as nNOS and iNOS isoforms were markedly expressed in the PVAT of the HC group. Furthermore, the PVAT from HC group also exhibited higher nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide bioavailability. Taken together, these findings suggest that the anticontractile effect of PVAT induced by HC diet involves the signaling cascade triggered by the renin-angiotensin system through the activation of Mas and AT 2 receptors, PI3K, nNOS, and iNOS, leading to increased production of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, and subsequently opening of potassium channels. The contribution of PVAT during HC diet-induced obesity could be a compensatory adaptive characteristic in order to preserve the vascular function., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Reis Costa, Silveira, Campos, Nóbrega, de Araújo, de Figueiredo Borges, dos Santos Aggum Capettini, Ferreira and Bonaventura.)

Endothelial dysfunction and consequent vasoconstriction are a common condition in patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial cells produce and release vasodilator substances that play a pivotal role in normal vascular tone. The mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction are multifactorial. However, enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and consequent vasoconstriction instead of endothelium-derived relaxant generation and consequent vasodilatation contribute to this dysfunction considerably. The main targets of the drugs that are currently used to treat vascular diseases concerning enzyme activities and protein functions that are impaired by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and ROS production. Nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability can decrease due to deficient NO production by eNOS and/or NO release to vascular smooth muscle cells, which impairs endothelial function. Considering the NO cellular mechanisms, tackling the issue of eNOS uncoupling could avoid endothelial dysfunction: provision of the enzyme cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) should elicit NO release from NO donors, to activate soluble guanylyl cyclase. This should increase cyclic guanosine-monophosphate (cGMP) generation and inhibit phosphodiesterases (especially PDE5) that selectively degrade cGMP. Consequently, protein kinase-G should be activated, and K+ channels should be phosphorylated and activated, which is crucial for cell membrane hyperpolarization and vasodilation and/or inhibition of ROS production. The present review summarizes the current concepts about the vascular cellular mechanisms that underlie endothelial dysfunction and which could be the target of drugs for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors commensal microorganisms as well as invasive bacteria, toxins and other pathogens and, therefore, plays a pivotal barrier and immunological role against pathogenic agents. The vagus nerve is an important regulator of the GI tract-associated immune system, having profound effects on inflammatory responses. Among GI tract organs, the liver is a key site of immune surveillance, as it has a large population of resident macrophages and receives the blood drained from the guts through the hepatic portal circulation. Although it is widely accepted that the hepatic tissue is a major target for vagus nerve fibers, the role of this neural circuit in liver immune functions is still poorly understood. Herein we used in vivo imaging techniques, including confocal microscopy and scintigraphy, to show that vagus nerve stimulation increases the phagocytosis activity by resident macrophages in the liver, even on the absence of an immune challenge. The activation of this neural circuit in a non-lethal model of sepsis optimized the removal of bacteria in the liver and resulted in the production of anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative cytokines. Our findings provide new insights into the neural regulation of the immune system in the liver., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A cryogenic hydrogen cluster-jet target is described which has been used for laser-plasma interaction studies. Major advantages of the cluster-jet are, on the one hand, the compatibility to pulsed high repetition lasers as the target is operated continuously and, on the other hand, the absence of target debris. The cluster-jet target was characterized using the Mie-scattering technique allowing to determine the cluster size and to compare the measurements with an empirical formula. In addition, an estimation of the cluster beam density was performed. The system was implemented at the high power laser system ARCTURUS, and the measurements show the acceleration of protons after irradiation of the cluster target by high intensity laser pulses with a repetition rate of 5 Hz.

The perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is located around the adventitia, composed primarily by adipocytes, stromal cells, leukocytes, fibroblasts and capillaries. It is well described that PVAT is an important modulator of the vascular tone being considered a biologically active tissue, releasing both vasoconstrictor and vasodilators factors. The literature shows that the anti-contractile effect induced by PVAT may be due to activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)., Aim: Investigate whether the renin-angiotensin system participates in the effect exerted by perivascular adipose tissue on the vascular tone., Methods and Results: For this study we used thoracic aorta from Balb/c mice and performed vascular reactivity, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide quantification using selective probes and fluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence to locate receptors and enzymes involved in this response. Our results demonstrated that perivascular adipose tissue induces an anti-contractile effect in endothelium-independent manner and involves Mas and AT 2 receptors participation with subsequent PI3K/Akt pathway activation. This pathway culminated with nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production by neuronal nitric oxide synthase, being hydrogen peroxide most relevant for the anti-contractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue., Conclusion: For the first time in the literature, our results show the presence of Mas and AT 2 receptors, as well as, nitric oxide synthase on perivascular adipose tissue. Furthermore, our results show the involvement of Mas and AT 2 receptors and consequently nitric oxide synthase activation in the anti-contractile effect exerted by perivascular adipose tissue., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To determine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced tolerance. Additionally, we evaluated the role of ROS on NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines production during SNP-induced tolerance., Main Methods: To induce in vitro tolerance, endothelium-intact or -denuded aortic rings isolated from male Balb-c mice were incubated for 15, 30, 45 or 60min with SNP (10nmol/L)., Key Findings: Tolerance to SNP was observed after incubation of endothelium-denuded, but not endothelium-intact aortas for 60min with this inorganic nitrate. Pre-incubation of denuded rings with tiron (superoxide anion (O 2 - ) scavenger), and the NADPH oxidase inhibitors apocynin and atorvastatin reversed SNP-induced tolerance. l-NAME (non-selective NOS inhibitor) and l-arginine (NOS substrate) also prevented SNP-induced tolerance. Similarly, ibuprofen (non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor), nimesulide (selective COX-2 inhibitor), AH6809 (prostaglandin PGF 2 α receptor antagonist) or SQ29584 [PGH 2 /thromboxane TXA 2 receptor antagonist] reversed SNP-induced tolerance. Increased ROS generation was detected in tolerant arteries and both tiron and atorvastatin reversed this response. Tiron prevented tolerance-induced increase on O 2 - and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) levels. The increase onp65/NF-κB expression and TNF-α production in tolerant arteries was prevented by tiron. The major new finding of our study is that SNP-induced tolerance is mediated by NADPH-oxidase derived ROS and vasoconstrictor prostanoids derived from COX-2, which are capable of reducing the vasorelaxation induced by SNP. Additionally, we found that ROS mediate the activation of NF-κB and the production of TNF-α in tolerant arteries., Significance: These findings identify putative molecular mechanisms whereby SNP induces tolerance in the vasculature., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the modulation of nitric oxide/reactive oxygen species in sodium nitroprusside relaxation in mice aorta. Sodium nitroprusside induced relaxation in endothelium-intact (e+) and endothelium-denuded (e-) aortas with greater potency in e+ than in e-. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor did not alter the sodium nitroprusside relaxation in both e+ and e- aortas. However, the superoxide anion scavenger abolished the difference in sodium nitroprusside potency between e+ and e-. Sodium nitroprusside reduced dihydroethidium-derived fluorescent products in both groups; however, the difference between intact and denuded mice aorta remains. The glutathione levels and basal antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase were reduced in e- aorta when compared with e+, and these values were not altered by sodium nitroprusside. Confirming these results, the levels of lipid peroxidation in e+ were significantly lower when compared to e-, and these values were not altered by sodium nitroprusside. The sodium nitroprusside potency in the presence of a nonselective COX inhibitor or the EP/DP prostaglandin receptor antagonist in endothelium denuded was similar to that in intact mice aorta. Based on these results, we performed the COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA level studies, and in denuded mice aorta, there was an upregulation in COX-1 mRNA levels. Taken together, our findings show that in the absence of endothelium, there is an enhancement of superoxide levels, leading to GSH consumption and higher levels of lipid peroxidation, showing an intense redox status. Furthermore, in denuded mice aorta, there was an upregulation of COX-1 mRNA expression, leading to vasoconstrictor prostanoids synthesis. The interaction of vasoconstrictor prostanoids with its receptors EP/DP negatively modulates the vascular relaxation induced by SNP in denuded mice aorta., (© 2015 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.)

Infection with Plasmodium falciparum may result in severe disease affecting various organs, including liver, spleen, and brain, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Plasmodium berghei Anka infection of mice recapitulates many features of severe human malaria. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an intracellular receptor activated by ligands important in the modulation of the inflammatory response. We found that AhR-knockout (KO) mice infected with P. berghei Anka displayed increased parasitemia, earlier mortality, enhanced leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in the brain microvasculature, and increased inflammation in brain (interleukin-17 [IL-17] and IL-6) and liver (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) compared to infected wild-type (WT) mice. Infected AhR-KO mice also displayed a reduction in cytokines required for host resistance, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, in the brain and spleen. Infection of AhR-KO mice resulted in an increase in T regulatory cells and transforming growth factor β, IL-6, and IL-17 in the brain. AhR modulated the basal expression of SOCS3 in spleen and brain, and P. berghei Anka infection resulted in enhanced expression of SOCS3 in brain, which was absent in infected AhR-KO mice. These data suggest that AhR-mediated control of SOCS3 expression is probably involved in the phenotype seen in infected AhR-KO mice. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of a role for AhR in the pathogenesis of malaria., (Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by one of four serotypes of Dengue virus (DENV-1-4). Epidemiologic and observational studies demonstrate that the majority of severe dengue cases, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), occurs predominantly in either individuals with cross-reactive immunity following a secondary heterologous infection or in infants with primary DENV infections born from dengue-immune mothers, suggesting that B-cell-mediated and antibody responses impact on disease evolution. We demonstrate here that B cells play a pivotal role in host responses against primary DENV infection in mice. After infection, μMT(-/-) mice showed increased viral loads followed by severe disease manifestation characterized by intense thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, cytokine production and massive liver damage that culminated in death. In addition, we show that poly and monoclonal anti-DENV-specific antibodies can sufficiently increase viral replication through a suppression of early innate antiviral responses and enhance disease manifestation, so that a mostly non-lethal illness becomes a fatal disease resembling human DHF/DSS. Finally, treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin containing anti-DENV antibodies confirmed the potential enhancing capacity of subneutralizing antibodies to mediate virus infection and replication and induce severe disease manifestation of DENV-infected mice. Thus, our results show that humoral responses unleashed during DENV infections can exert protective or pathological outcomes and provide insight into the pathogenesis of this important human pathogen.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been pointed out as being the main mediator involved in the hypotension and tissue injury taking place during sepsis. This study aimed to investigate the cellular mechanisms implicated in the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation detected in aortic rings isolated from rats submitted to cecal ligation and perforation (CLP group), 6h post-CLP. The mean arterial pressure was recorded, and the concentration-effect curves for ACh were constructed for endothelium-intact aortic rings in the absence (control) or after incubation with one of the following NO synthase inhibitors: L-NAME (non-selective), L-NNA (more selective for eNOS), 7-nitroindazole (more selective for nNOS), or 1400W (selective for iNOS). The NO concentration was determined by using confocal microscopy. The protein expression of the NOS isoforms was quantified by Western blot analysis. The prostacyclin concentration was indirectly analyzed on the basis of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) (6-keto-PGF(1α)) levels measured by enzyme immunoassay. There were no differences between Sham- and CLP-operated rats in terms of the relaxation induced by acetylcholine. However, the NOS inhibitors reduced this relaxation in both groups, but this effect remained more pronounced in the CLP group as compared to the Sham group. The acetylcholine-induced NO production was higher in the rat aortic endothelial cells of the CLP group than in those of the Sham group. eNOS protein expression was larger in the CLP group, but the iNOS protein was not verified in any of the groups. The basal 6-keto-PGF(1α) levels were higher in the CLP group, but the acetylcholine-stimulated levels did not increase in CLP as much as they did in the Sham group. Taken together, our results show that the augmented NO production in sepsis syndrome elicited by cecal ligation and perforation is due to eNOS up-regulation and not to iNOS., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

There are few animal models of dengue infection, especially in immunocompetent mice. Here, we describe alterations found in adult immunocompetent mice inoculated with an adapted Dengue virus (DENV-3) strain. Infection of mice with the adapted DENV-3 caused inoculum-dependent lethality that was preceded by several hematological and biochemical changes and increased virus dissemination, features consistent with severe disease manifestation in humans. IFN-γ expression increased after DENV-3 infection of WT mice and this was preceded by increase in expression of IL-12 and IL-18. In DENV-3-inoculated IFN-γ(-/-) mice, there was enhanced lethality, which was preceded by severe disease manifestation and virus replication. Lack of IFN-γ production was associated with diminished NO-synthase 2 (NOS2) expression and higher susceptibility of NOS2(-/-) mice to DENV-3 infection. Therefore, mechanisms of protection to DENV-3 infection rely on IFN-γ-NOS2-NO-dependent control of viral replication and of disease severity, a pathway showed to be relevant for resistance to DENV infection in other experimental and clinical settings. Thus, the model of DENV-3 infection in immunocompetent mice described here represents a significant advance in animal models of severe dengue disease and may provide an important tool to the elucidation of immunopathogenesis of disease and of protective mechanisms associated with infection.

Aims: To examine the vasodilatation induce by the NO donors, [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO](3+) (TERPY) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and to compare their effects in aortic rings from hypertensive 2K-1C and normotensive 2K rats., Main Methods: Vascular reactivity was performed in aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (Phe 100nM). We have analyzed the maximal relaxation (Emax) and potency (pD(2)) of NO donors., Key Findings: Potency of SNP was greater than TERPY in both arterial groups. The vasodilatation induced by TERPY was greater in 2K than in 2K-1C, and it was inhibited by sGC inhibitor ODQ in 2K and in 2K-1C aortic rings. ODQ did not alter the efficacy to SNP, but it reduced its potency in 2K and 2K-1C. The blockade of K(+) channels reduced the potency of TERPY only in aortic rings of 2K. On the other hand, the potency of SNP was reduced in both 2K and 2K-1C. The combination of ODQ and TEA reduced the relaxation induced by TERPY and SNP in 2K and reduced the efficacy to SNP in 2K-1C aortic rings but it had no additional effect on the TERPY relaxation in 2K-1C aortas. The production of cGMP induced by TERPY was greater than that produced by SNP, which was similarly increased in 2K and 2K-1C. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase inhibition only impaired the relaxation induced by SNP in 2K aortic rings., Significance: Taken together, our results provide evidences that in this model of hypertension, impaired K(+) channels activation by TERPY and SERCA activation by SNP may contribute to decreased vasodilatation., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present work investigates the mechanisms involved in the vasorelaxant effect of ent-16α-methoxykauran-19-oic acid (KA-OCH3), a semi-synthetic derivative obtained from the kaurane-type diterpene ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid). Vascular reactivity experiments were performed in aortic rings isolated from male Wistar rats using standard muscle bath procedures. The cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) was measured by confocal microscopy using the fluorescent probe Fluo-3 AM. Blood pressure measurements were performed in conscious rats. KA-OCH3 (10, 50 and 100 μmol/l) inhibited phenylephrine-induced contraction in either endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings. KA-OCH3 also reduced CaCl2-induced contraction in a Ca2+-free solution containing KCl (30 mmol/l) or phenylephrine (0.1 μmol/l). KA-OCH3 (0.1-300 μmol/l) concentration-dependently relaxed endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortas pre-contracted with either phenylephrine or KCl, to a greater extent than kaurenoic acid. Moreover, a Ca2+ mobilisation study showed that KA-OCH3 (100 μmol/l) inhibited the increase in Ca2+ concentration in smooth muscle and endothelial cells induced by phenylephrine or KCl. Pre-incubation of intact or denuded aortic rings with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 μmol/l), 7-nitroindazole (100 μmol/l), wortmannin (0.5 μmol/l) and 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 1 μmol/l) produced a rightward displacement of the KA-OCH3 concentration-response curve. Intravenous administration of KA-OCH3 (1-10 mg/kg) reduced mean arterial blood pressure in normotensive rats. Collectively, our results show that KA-OCH3 induces vascular relaxation and hypotension. The mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular actions of KA-OCH3 involve blockade of Ca2+ influx and activation of the NO-cGMP pathway., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nitric oxide has been pointed out as the main agent involved in the vasodilatation, which is the major symptom of septic shock. However, there must be another mediator contributing to the circulatory failure observed in sepsis. This study aimed to investigate the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine and the factors involved in this relaxation, using aortic rings isolated from rats submitted to cecal ligation and perforation (CLP), 2h after induction of sepsis, which characterizes the hyperdynamic phase of sepsis. Under inhibition of constitutive NO-synthases (cNOS), the relaxation induced by acetylcholine was greater in the aortic rings of rats submitted to CLP compared with sham-operated rat aortic rings. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin normalized this response, and the concentration of the stable metabolite of prostacyclin in the aorta of CLP rats increased in basal conditions and after stimulation with acetylcholine. Acetylcholine-induced NO production was lower in the endothelial cells from the aorta of CLP rats compared with sham rat aorta, but the protein expression of the cNOS was not altered. Moreover, iNOS protein expression could not be detected. Therefore, prostacyclin, and not only nitric oxide, is a mediator of the vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine in aortas from rats submitted to CLP., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nitrosyl ruthenium complexes have been characterized as nitric oxide (NO) donors that induce relaxation in the denuded rat aorta. There are some differences in their vascular relaxation mechanisms compared with sodium nitroprusside. This study investigates whether the endothelium could interfere with the [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO](3+)-TERPY-induced vascular relaxation, by analyzing the maximal relaxation (Emax) and potency (pD(2)) of TERPY. Vascular reactivity experiments showed that the endothelium negatively modulates (pD(2): 6.17+/-0.07) the TERPY relaxation in intact rat aortic rings compared with the denuded rat aorta (pD(2): 6.65+/-0.07). This effect is abolished by a non-selective NO-synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME (pD(2): 6.46+/-0.10), by the superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) scavenger TIRON (pD(2): 6.49+/-0.08), and by an NOS cofactor BH(4) (pD(2): 6.80+/-0.10). The selective dye for O(2)(-) (DHE) shows that TERPY enhances O(2)(-) concentration in isolated endothelial cells (intensity of fluorescence (IF):11258.00+/-317.75) compared with the basal concentration (IF: 7760.67+/-381.50), and this enhancement is blocked by L-NAME (IF: 8892.33+/-1074.41). Similar results were observed in vascular smooth muscle cells (concentration of superoxide after TERPY: 2.63+/-0.17% and after TERPY+L-NAME: -4.63+/-0.14%). Considering that TERPY could induce uncoupling NOS, thus producing O(2)(-), we have also investigated the involvement of prostanoids in the negative modulation of the endothelium. The non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin and the selective tromboxane (TXA(2)) receptor antagonist SQ29548 reduce the effect of the endothelium on TERPY relaxation (pD(2) INDO: 6.80+/-0.17 and SQ29548: 6.85+/-0.15, respectively). However, a selective prostaglandin F(2alpha) receptor antagonist (AH6809) does not change the endothelium effect. Moreover, TERPY enhances the concentration of TXA(2) stable metabolite (TXB(2)), but this effect is blocked by L-NAME and TIRON. The present findings indicate that TERPY induces uncoupling of eNOS, enhancing O(2)(-) concentration. This enhancement in O(2)(-) concentration induces COX activation, producing TXA(2), which negatively modulates the rat aorta relaxation induced by the NO donor TERPY.

This study investigates the effects of chronic methionine intake on bradykinin (BK)-relaxation. Vascular reactivity experiments were performed on carotid rings from male Wistar rats. Treatment with methionine (0.1, 1 or 2 g kg(-1) per day) for 8 and 16 weeks, but not for 2 and 4 weeks, reduced the relaxation induced by BK. Indomethacin, a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, and SQ29548, a selective thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2))/prostaglandin H(2) (PGH(2)) receptor antagonist prevented the reduction in BK-relaxation observed in the carotid from methionine-treated rats. Conversely, AH6809, a selective prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) receptor antagonist did not alter BK-relaxation in the carotid from methionine-treated rats. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors L-NAME, L-NNA and 7-nitroindazole reduced the relaxation induced by BK in carotids from control and methionine-treated rats. In summary, we found that chronic methionine intake impairs the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by BK and this effect is due to an increased production of endothelial vasoconstrictor prostanoids (possibly TXA(2)) that counteracts the relaxant action displayed by the peptide.

Pimarane-type diterpenes were described to exert antispasmodic and relaxant activities. Based on this observation we hypothesized that the diterpene ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3beta-ol (PA-3beta-ol) induced vascular relaxation. With this purpose, the present work investigates the mechanisms involved in the vasorelaxant effect of the pimarane-type diterpene PA-3beta-ol. Vascular reactivity experiments, using standard muscle bath procedures, were performed in isolated aortic rings from male Wistar rats. Cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]c) was measured by confocal microscopy using the fluorescent probe Fluo-3AM. PA-3beta-ol (10, 50 and 100 micromol/l) inhibited phenylephrine and KCl-induced contraction in either endothelium-intact or denuded rat aortic rings. PA-3beta-ol also reduced CaCl(2)-induced contraction in Ca(2+)-free solution containing KCl (30 mmol/l) or phenylephrine (0.1 micromol/l). PA-3beta-ol (1-300 micromol/l) concentration dependently relaxed phenylephrine-pre-contracted rings with intact or denuded endothelium. The diterpene also relaxed KCl-pre-contracted rings with intact or denuded endothelium. Moreover, Ca(2+) mobilization study showed that PA-3beta-ol (100 micromol/l) and verapamil (1 micromol/l) inhibited the increase in Ca(2+)-concentration in smooth muscle and endothelial cells induced by phenylephrine (10 micromol/l) or KCl (60 mmol/l). Pre-incubation of intact or denuded aortic rings with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 micromol/l) and 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 1 micromol/l) produced a rightward displacement of the PA-3beta-ol concentration-response curves. On the other hand, 7-nitroindazole (100 micromol/l), 1400 W (1 micromol/l), indomethacin (10 micromol/l) and tetraethylammonium (1 mmol/l) did not affect PA-3beta-ol-induced relaxation. Collectively, our results provide evidence that the effects elicited by PA-3beta-ol involve extracellular Ca(2+) influx blockade. Its effects are also partly mediated by the activation of NO-cGMP pathway.

The carotid artery has a pivotal role in the body since it supplies the head and neck with oxygenated blood. Alterations in the functional and structural integrity of these vessels can decrease blood flow to the brain. For this reason, it is important to understand how the carotid artery responds to various stimuli. The organ bath is a traditional experimental set-up that has been used extensively to investigate the (patho)physiology and pharmacology of in vitro tissue preparations including the rat carotid artery. Molecular biology developed from related fields such as biochemistry, genetics and biophysics is now considered an important tool for understanding physiological pathways in a variety of tissues. Several local and systemic factors regulate carotid reactivity, including vaso-active peptides, such as endothelin 1 (ET-1), angiotensin II (Ang II) and bradykinin (BK). These vaso-active peptides play a fundamental role in controlling the functional and structural integrity of the arterial wall and may be important in physiological processes and in pathological mechanisms underlying vascular diseases. In the rat carotid, these peptides induce vasoconstriction or relaxation by the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors, such as nitric oxide and prostacyclin. Identification of such signal transduction processes is essential for understanding the mechanisms that regulate vascular smooth muscle cell function, both physiologically and pathophysiologically. The present review discusses the mechanisms of action, distribution of ET-1, Ang II and BK and their receptors in the rat carotid. With this purpose, data obtained in functional studies using classical pharmacological approaches as well as data obtained in molecular biology experiments are discussed.

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is an endothelium-independent relaxant agent and its effect is attributed to its direct action on the vascular smooth muscle (VSM). Endothelium modulates the vascular tone through the release of vasoactive agents, such as NO. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of the endothelium on SNP vasorelaxation, NO release and Ca2+ mobilization. Vascular reactivity experiments showed that endothelium potentiates the SNP-relaxation in rat aortic rings and this effect was abolished by l-NAME. SNP-relaxation in intact endothelium aorta was inhibited by NOS inhibitors for the constitutive isoforms (cNOS). Furthermore, endogenous NO is involved on the SNP-effect and this endogenous NO is released by cNOS. Moreover, Ca2+ mobilization study shows that l-NAME inhibited the reduction of Ca2+-concentration in VSM cells and reduced the increase in Ca2+-concentration in endothelial cells induced by SNP. This enhancement in Ca2+-concentration in the endothelial cells is due to a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels activation. The present findings indicate that the relaxation and [Ca2+]i decrease induced by SNP in VSM cells is potentiated by endothelial production of NO by cNOS-activation in rat aorta.

The present investigation was designed to investigate the effect of the diterpene ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (pimaradienoic acid, PA) on smooth muscle extracellular Ca(2+) influx. To this end, the effect of PA on phenylephrine- and KCl-induced increases in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)), measured by the variation in the ratio of fluorescence intensities (R340/380 nm) of Fura-2, was analysed. Whether bolus injection of PA could induce hypotensive responses in conscious normotensive rats was also evaluated. PA inhibited the contraction induced by phenylephrine (0.03 or 10 micromol L(-1)) and KCl (30 or 90 mmol L(-1)) in endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings in a concentration dependent manner. Pre-treatment with PA (10, 100, 200 micromol L(-1)) attenuated the contraction induced by CaCl(2) (0.5 nmol L(-1) or 2.5 mmol L(-1)) in denuded rat aorta exposed to Ca(2+)-free medium containing phenylephrine (0.1 micro mol L(-1)) or KCl (30 mmol L(-1)). Interestingly, the inhibitory effect displayed by PA on CaCl(2)-induced contraction was more pronounced when KCl was used as the stimulant. Phenylephrine- and KCl-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](c) were inhibited by PA. Similarly, verapamil, a Ca(2+)-channel blocker, also inhibited the increase in [Ca(2+)](c) induced by either phenylephrine or KCl. Finally, bolus injection of PA (1-15 mg kg(-1)) produced a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure in conscious normotensive rats. The results provide the first direct evidence that PA reduces vascular contractility by reducing extracellular Ca(2+) influx through smooth muscle cellular membrane, a mechanism that could mediate the hypotensive response induced by this diterpene in normotensive rats.

Background and Purpose: Epidemiological data suggest that the risk of ethanol-associated cardiovascular disease is greater in men than in women. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying gender-specific vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption in rats., Experimental Approach: Vascular reactivity experiments using standard muscle bath procedures were performed on isolated thoracic aortae from rats. mRNA and protein for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and for endothelial NOS (eNOS) was assessed by RT-PCR or western blotting, respectively., Key Results: In male rats, chronic ethanol consumption enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction in both endothelium-intact and denuded aortic rings. However, in female rats, chronic ethanol consumption enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction only in endothelium denuded aortic rings. After pre-incubation of endothelium-intact rings with L-NAME, both male and female ethanol-treated rats showed larger phenylephrine-induced contractions in aortic rings, compared to the control group. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not affected by ethanol consumption. The effects of ethanol on responses to phenylephrine were similar in ovariectomized (OVX) and intact (non-OVX) female rats. In the presence of aminoguanidine, but not 7-nitroindazole, the contractions to phenylephrine in rings from ethanol-treated female rats were greater than that found in control tissues in the presence of the inhibitors. mRNA levels for eNOS and iNOS were not altered by ethanol consumption. Ethanol intake reduced eNOS protein levels and increased iNOS protein levels in aorta from female rats., Conclusions and Implications: Gender differences in the vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption were not related to ovarian hormones but seemed to involve the upregulation of iNOS.

The aim of the investigation was to study the possible effects of in vivo infusion of nitric oxide (NO) blockers upon the in vitro endothelium-dependent femoral reactivity. The experimental model tested herein was the inferior canine hindlimb global ischemia induced by infrarenal abdominal aortic cross-clamping followed by reperfusion. The NO blockers employed in the tests were N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine (AMG), and methylene blue (MB), which were infused immediately after the anesthesia induction. The research protocol was standardized in two main experimental groups, control and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, randomized in eight subgroups including controls and NO blockers. The femoral artery vascular reactivity was studied in vitro with the aid of a setup consisting of eight organ chambers, where segments of 4-5 mm were suspended and connected to force transducers in the presence of indomethacin to block the cyclooxygenase pathway. The NO-release pathway was evaluated by using specific pharmacological agonists in the in vitro experiments. The L-NAME in vivo infusion led to in vitro endothelium dysfunction in both groups and was associated with high mortality in the animals submitted to I/R. AMG and MB, two clinically used drugs, did not cause in vitro endothelium dysfunction in either of the two groups, which gives evidence that these drugs are not deleterious in the milieu of I/R injury. Nitrite/nitrate plasma levels were not significant except for the L-NAME groups, which presented significant NO decrease.

This work aimed to functionally characterize the mechanisms underlying the relaxation induced by bradykinin (BK) in the rat carotid artery. Vascular reactivity experiments, using standard muscle bath procedures, showed that BK (0.1 nmol/L-3 mumol/L) induced relaxation of phenylephrine-pre-contracted rings in a concentration-dependent manner. Endothelial removal strongly attenuated BK-induced relaxation. HOE-140, the selective antagonist of bradykinin B(2) receptors concentration-dependently reduced the relaxation induced by BK. Pre-incubation of endothelium-intact rings with L-NAME (100 micromol/L), a non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME (100 micromol/L), a selective inhibitor of the eNOS or 7-nitroindazole (100 micromol/L), the selective inhibitor of nNOS, reduced BK-induced relaxation. Conversely, 1400 W (10 nmol/L), a selective inhibitor of iNOS, did not alter the relaxation induced by BK. Surprisingly, indomethacin (10 micromol/L) a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX) increased BK-induced relaxation in endothelium-intact but not denuded rings. Neither SQ29548 (3 micromol/L), a competitive antagonist of PGH(2)/TXA(2) receptors nor AH6809 (10 micromol/L), an antagonist of PGF(2alpha) receptors significantly altered the relaxation induced by BK in endothelium-intact rings. The combination of SQ29548 and AH6809 increased BK-induced relaxation. The present study shows that the vasorelaxant action displayed by BK in the rat carotid is mediated by endothelial B(2) receptors and the activation of the NO pathway. The major finding of this work is that it demonstrated functionally that endothelial-derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids (probably PGH(2), TXA(2) and PGF(2alpha)) counteract the vasorelaxant action displayed by BK.

We studied the mechanisms involved in the relaxation induced by nitric oxide (NO) donors, ruthenium complex ([Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+)-TERPY) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in denuded rat aorta. Both NO donors induced vascular relaxation independent of the agonist used in the pre-contraction. [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+) and SNP activated guanylyl cyclase (GC) and K(+) channels. The production of cGMP induced by [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+) - was higher than that obtained with SNP. The combination of GC inhibitor with K(+)channels blocker almost abolished the relaxation induced by the NO donors. The extracellular NO scavenger oxyhemoglobin reduced the potency without changing the maximum effect (Emax) of both NO donors. By using specific NO species scavengers, hydroxocobalamin and l-cysteine, we have identified the contribution of free radical NO (NO()) and nytroxil anion (NO(-)), respectively, to the rat aorta relaxation induced by both NO donors. The selective scavengers for NO() and NO(-) reduced the potency but not the Emax of [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+). However, the NO(-) scavenger had no effect on the relaxation induced by SNP and NO() scavenger reduced only the potency to SNP. The inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase reduced only the potency of SNP without effect on the relaxation induced by [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+). Our results demonstrate that both NO donors induce relaxation by activating the GC and K(+) channels. The NO() is the unique NO specie involved in the SNP-relaxation. On the other hand, the relaxant effect of [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+) involves both NO() and NO(-), that produce higher concentration of cGMP. The inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase reduces the relaxation induced by SNP but it did not alter the relaxation induced by [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+).

Irradiation of trans-[RuCl(cyclam)(NO)](2+), cyclam is 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, at pHs 1-7.4, with near UV light results in the release of NO and formation of trans-[Ru(III)Cl(OH)(cyclam)](+) with pH dependent quantum yields (from approximately 0.01 to 0.16 mol Einstein(-1)) lower than that for trans-[RuCl([15]aneN(4))(NO)](2+), [15]aneN(4) is 1,4,8,12-tetaazacyclopentadecane, (0.61 mol Einstein(-1)). After irradiation with 355 nm light, the trans-[RuCl([15]aneN(4))(NO)](2+) induces relaxation of the aortic ring, whereas the trans-[RuCl(cyclam)(NO)](2+) complex does not. The relaxation observed with trans-[RuCl([15]aneN(4))(NO)](2+) is consistent with a larger quantum yield of release of NO from this complex.