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Colle I, Geerts AM, Van Steenkiste C, Van Vlierberghe H. Hemodynamic changes in splanchnic blood vessels in portal hypertension. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2008; 291:699-713. [PMID: 18484617 DOI: 10.1002/ar.20667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PHT) is associated with a hyperdynamic state characterized by a high cardiac output, increased total blood volume, and a decreased splanchnic vascular resistance. This splanchnic vasodilation is a result of an important increase in local and systemic vasodilators (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, prostacyclin, endocannabinoids, and so on), the presence of a splanchnic vascular hyporesponsiveness toward vasoconstrictors, and the development of mesenteric angiogenesis. All these mechanisms will be discussed in this review. To decompress the portal circulation in PHT, portosystemic collaterals will develop. The presence of these portosystemic shunts are responsible for major complications of PHT, namely bleeding from gastrointestinal varices, encephalopathy, and sepsis. Until recently, it was accepted that the formation of collaterals was due to opening of preexisting vascular channels, however, recent data suggest also the role of vascular remodeling and angiogenesis. These points are also discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Colle
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
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Cardenas A, Lowe R, Oh S, Bodkin S, Kenney T, Lamorte WW, Afdhal NH. Hemodynamic effects of substance P and its receptor antagonist RP67580 in anesthetized rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis. Scand J Gastroenterol 2008; 43:328-33. [PMID: 18938661 DOI: 10.1080/00365520701685691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Substance P (SP) is a vasodilator that may contribute to systemic and splanchnic vasodilatation in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of SP (dose--13 pg/kg) and its specific inhibitor, RP67580 (dose--300 microg/kg) on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and portal pressure (PP) in cirrhotic rats and controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS MAP and PP were measured before and after administering SP and RP67580. Additionally, a small group of cirrhotic rats were pretreated with L-NAME to block the effects of nitric oxide (NO) before measurements. RESULTS SP produced transient systemic hypotension in both groups. SP caused a significant increase in PP in cirrhotic rats and a decrease in PP in controls. RP67580 reduced the hypotensive effect of SP, but not completely. RP67580 decreased PP in the cirrhotic group but not in controls. In cirrhotic rats pretreated with L-NAME, SP administration caused a significant decrease in MAP but no significant change in PP. CONCLUSIONS Exogenous SP increases PP and decreases MAP in cirrhotic rats. RP687580 decreases PP and reduces SP-induced hypotension in cirrhotic rats. NO blockade abolishes the effect of SP on PP. SP contributes to splanchnic vasodilatation in cirrhosis and this effect may be mediated by NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Cardenas
- Liver Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Ghasemi M, Sadeghipour H, Shafaroodi H, Nezami BG, Gholipour T, Hajrasouliha AR, Tavakoli S, Nobakht M, Moore KP, Mani AR, Dehpour AR. Role of the nitric oxide pathway and the endocannabinoid system in neurogenic relaxation of corpus cavernosum from biliary cirrhotic rats. Br J Pharmacol 2007; 151:591-601. [PMID: 17486141 PMCID: PMC2013996 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0707279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Relaxation of corpus cavernosum, which is mediated by nitric oxide (NO) released from non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) neurotransmission, is critical for inducing penile erection and can be affected by many pathophysiological conditions. However, the peripheral effect of liver cirrhosis on erectile function is as yet unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of biliary cirrhosis on NANC-mediated relaxation of rat corpus cavernosum and the possible roles of endocannabinoid and nitric oxide systems in this model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation. Controls underwent sham operation. Four weeks later, strips of corpus cavernosum were mounted in a standard organ bath and NANC-mediated relaxations were obtained by applying electrical field stimulation. KEY RESULTS The NANC-mediated relaxation was enhanced in corporal strips from cirrhotic animals. Anandamide potentiated the relaxations in both groups. Either AM251 (CB(1) antagonist) or capsazepine (vanilloid VR(1) antagonist), but not AM630 (CB(2) antagonist), prevented the enhanced relaxations of cirrhotic strips. Either the non-selective NOS inhibitor L-NAME or the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor L-NPA inhibited relaxations in both groups, but cirrhotic groups were more resistant to the inhibitory effects of these agents. Relaxations to sodium nitroprusside (NO donor) were similar in tissues from the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Cirrhosis potentiates the neurogenic relaxation of rat corpus cavernosum probably via the NO pathway and involving cannabinoid CB(1) and vanilloid VR(1) receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ghasemi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran Tehran, Iran
- The UCL Institute of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, UCL London, UK
| | - H Sadeghipour
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran Tehran, Iran
| | - H Shafaroodi
- Department of Pharmacology, Tehran Medical Unit, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran
| | - B G Nezami
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran Tehran, Iran
| | - T Gholipour
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran Tehran, Iran
| | - A R Hajrasouliha
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran Tehran, Iran
| | - S Tavakoli
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran Tehran, Iran
| | - M Nobakht
- Department of Histology, Medical School, Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran
| | - K P Moore
- The UCL Institute of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, UCL London, UK
| | - A R Mani
- The UCL Institute of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, UCL London, UK
| | - A R Dehpour
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran Tehran, Iran
- Author for correspondence:
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Colle IO, De Vriese AS, Van Vlierberghe HR, Lameire NH, De Vos MM. Vascular hyporesponsiveness in the mesenteric artery of anaesthetized rats with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: an in-vivo study. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2004; 16:139-45. [PMID: 15075986 DOI: 10.1097/00042737-200402000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cirrhosis is complicated by splanchnic vasodilation. Nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin contribute to this. Vascular hyporesponsiveness has been reported, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. OBJECTIVE This in-vivo study examined the contribution of NO and prostacyclin to the development of vascular hyporesponsiveness in the mesenteric circulation of animals with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. METHODS Rats underwent common bile duct ligation (CBDL) (n = 11), partial portal vein ligation (PPVL) (n = 12) and sham-operation (sham) (n = 11). Blood flow in the mesenteric artery (MBF) was measured during intramesenteric infusion of endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine) and endothelium-independent vasodilators (deta-NONOate, pinacidil) and a vasoconstrictor (L-phenylephrine). The measurements were repeated after systemic infusion of L-NAME (NO synthase inhibition) and indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase inhibition). RESULTS The MBF response to acetylcholine was significantly lower in CBDL and tended to be lower in PPVL than in sham. L-NAME and indomethacin significantly decreased the MBF response to acetylcholine in all groups. The hyporeactivity to acetylcholine in CBDL and PPVL was maintained after L-NAME and indomethacin. The MBF response to pinacidil, deta-NONOate and phenylephrine, before and after NO synthase and cyclo-oxygenase inhibition, was lower in CBDL and PPVL than in sham. CONCLUSION This is the first in-vivo study demonstrating an impaired response to endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilators as well as vasoconstrictors in the mesenteric artery of animals with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The generalised hyporeactivity suggests an abnormality on the vascular smooth muscle cell level. The hyporesponsiveness persisted after combined NO synthase and cyclo-oxygenase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle O Colle
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
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Ji H, Jiang JY, Xu Z, Kroeger EA, Lee SS, Liu H, Shen H, Zhang M, Minuk GY, Choy PC, Gong Y. Change in lipid profile and impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels in rats after bile duct ligation. Life Sci 2003; 73:1253-63. [PMID: 12850241 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(03)00423-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia, a condition normally observed in cholestatic liver disease, is also a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The relationship between the elevation of lipoproteins in cholestatic liver diseases and atherosclerosis formation has not been elucidated. In this study, we propose that the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) of blood vessels in cholestatic liver diseases may lead to the development of atherosclerosis. Using bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats as a model, we examined the liver function, serum lipid profile, EDR and morphologic change of the aorta from both sham operated and BDL rats. Significant increases in liver and spleen weights, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities and the bilirubin level were observed in BDL rats. Upon bile duct ligation, the total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased but the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced. Less contractility and lowered response to acetylcholine-induced relaxation were found in aorta segments. In addition, the acetylcholine-induced relaxation was blocked by both L-NAME and 15 mM KCl. Our results suggest that both nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor are important elements for the impairment of the EDR in BDL rats. In addition, a mild atrophy of the media of the aorta was detected in BDL rats. We conclude that the alterations of lipid profile and the mild atrophy of the media may lead to the impairment of EDR in the aorta in BDL rats, and these factors may potentiate the development of atherosclerosis.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/pharmacology
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology
- Arteriosclerosis/etiology
- Arteriosclerosis/metabolism
- Bile Ducts/surgery
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Antagonism
- Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects
- Endothelium, Vascular/pathology
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology
- Ligation
- Lipids/blood
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/blood
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/complications
- Male
- Muscle Relaxation/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology
- NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology
- Organ Size
- Potassium Chloride/pharmacology
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Vasodilation/drug effects
- Vasodilation/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Ji
- Department of Internal Medicine, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, A108 Chown Building, 753 McDermot Avenue, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada R3E 0W3
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Abstract
Altered regulation of receptors on the vascular smooth muscle has been proposed as one of the mechanisms that may account for the vascular abnormalities in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Impaired contractility and down-regulation of contractile receptors have been demonstrated in cirrhotic patients and animal models, although interpretation of the literature is hampered by methodological variation and conflicting results. There is little evidence, however, that receptor down-regulation is the cause of contractile dysfunction in either patients or animal models. Receptor desensitisation may contribute to impaired contraction in human arteries, but further investigation is required to confirm this possibility.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Calcium/chemistry
- Calcium/metabolism
- Down-Regulation
- Humans
- Liver Cirrhosis/physiopathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2
- Receptors, Angiotensin/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Cell Surface/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Cell Surface/drug effects
- Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology
- Second Messenger Systems/physiology
- Signal Transduction
- Vasoconstriction/drug effects
- Vasoconstriction/physiology
- Vasodilation/drug effects
- Vasodilation/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Hadoke
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, Scotland, UK.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS In patients with cirrhosis, the systemic circulation is hyperdynamic with low arterial blood pressure and reduced systemic vascular resistance. The present study was undertaken to estimate the compliance of the arterial tree in relation to severity of cirrhosis, circulating level of the vasodilator, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). METHODS Arterial compliance (COMPart=deltaV/deltaP) was determined as the stroke volume relative to pulse pressure (i.e. systolic minus diastolic blood pressure) during a haemodynamic evaluation of portal hypertension in patients with biopsy-verified cirrhosis (Child-Turcotte classes A/B/C=10/15/6). RESULTS COMPart was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients (n=31) than in controls (n=10) (1.44 vs 1.00 x 10(-3) l/mmHg, p<0.01). It increased significantly through the Child-Turcotte classes A, B, and C (1.02, 1.47, and 2.1 x 10(-3) l/mmHg, respectively, p=0.03). The stroke volume did not change significantly with the severity of the disease, but pulse pressure decreased through class A, B, and C (79, 65, and 50 mmHg, respectively, p<0.01). COMPart was slightly, but significantly correlated to the circulating level of CGRP (r=0.34, p<0.05), and a substantial but inverse correlation was present to MAP (r= -0.63, p<0.002). CONCLUSIONS Elevated arterial compliance in cirrhosis is directly related to the severity of the disease and to the elevated level of circulating vasodilator peptide CGRP, and inversely related to the level of arterial blood pressure. The altered static and dynamic functions of the arterial wall in cirrhosis may have implications for the circulatory and homoeostatic derangement, and potentially for therapy with vasoactive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Henriksen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark
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Abstract
Cirrhosis is associated with several circulatory abnormalities. These include hyperkinetic systemic and splanchnic circulation, hepatopulmonary syndromes including pulmonary hypertension, and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Hepatopulmonary syndrome generally refers to hypoxaemia seen in patients with chronic liver disease and appears to be relatively common, although often subclinical. However, significant pulmonary hypertension occurs in 0.2-0.7% of cirrhotic patients. Nitric oxide and/or other vasodilators appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome through induction of pulmonary capillary dilatation which increases the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy refers to abnormal left ventricular function which is manifested under conditions of physiological or pharmacological stress. The emergence of liver transplantation as an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease has led to recognition of previously subclinical cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure accounts for significant morbidity and mortality after this procedure. Diminished myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor function has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of this condition. The contributions of other factors including nitric oxide, catecholamines and membrane fluidity changes are under investigation. Cirrhotic patients also have an increased incidence of other cardiac abnormalities, such as endocarditis and pericardial effusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Liu
- Liver Unit, Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Kossakowska AE, Edwards DR, Lee SS, Urbanski LS, Stabbler AL, Zhang CL, Phillips BW, Zhang Y, Urbanski SJ. Altered balance between matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in experimental biliary fibrosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 1998; 153:1895-902. [PMID: 9846979 PMCID: PMC1866318 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)65703-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A rat model of common bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced hepatic fibrosis was used to assess the expression and activities of collagen-degrading proteinases and their inhibitors during the progression of fibrosis. Expression of four members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family (MMP-2/gelatinase A, MMP-3, MMP-9/gelatinase B, and MMP-13) and three tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1, -2, and -3 (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3) were evaluated by Northern blot analysis of RNA from liver tissue isolated at 0, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 days after either a BDL or sham operation. In addition, we analyzed free gelatinase and TIMP activities by zymography and reverse zymography, respectively. We found that the proteolytic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased by 2 days after ligation, reached maximal levels at day 10, and remained high through the study period, whereas the gelatinolytic activities in plasma were unchanged. The increase in gelatinase activities was accompanied by an increase in the TIMP mRNA transcripts. TIMP-1 transcripts appeared at day 2, increased until day 10, and remained elevated throughout the study period. TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 transcripts become detectable on day 10 and remained stable afterwards. No corresponding increase in TIMP protein activity was detected by reverse zymography. This appears to result from the formation of TIMP/MMP complexes. These findings indicate a likely surplus in the BDL model of fibrosis of free gelatinases as compared with the TIMPs. Thus, excessive TIMP production is not a sufficient explanation for the observed extracellular matrix accumulation, but complex changes in the local MMP/TIMP balance may underlie the pathomechanisms of fibrosis.
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