Platelet-activating factor-induced loss of vascular responsiveness to noradrenaline in pithed rats: involvement of nitric oxide

The effects of isoflurane on adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses in pithed rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Adrenomedullin is a potent vasodilatory peptide. The mechanisms of adrenomedullin-induced responses are via guanine nucleotide guanosine 5'-triphosphate-binding protein (G-protein)-coupled receptor activation and are similar to those of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Previously, we reported that sevoflurane and isoflurane inhibit CGRP-induced haemodynamic responses. The effects of volatile anaesthetics on adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses, however, are unclear. We hypothesized that the volatile anaesthetic isoflurane inhibits adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses. We studied the effects of isoflurane on adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses in pithed rats, which enables us to evaluate the direct cardiovascular effects of drugs without interference from centrally mediated circulatory reflexes.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were pithed by inserting a stainless-steel rod into the spinal cord. Following median sternotomy, a flow probe was placed around the ascending aorta to measure aortic blood flow. Mean arterial pressure and cardiac output were maintained at approximately 100 mmHg and 50 mL min-1, respectively, with continuous infusion of norepinephrine. After 30 min inhalation of isoflurane (1%, or 2%) in oxygen, or only oxygen, adrenomedullin (1, 3, 10 or 30 microg kg-1) was administered intravenously.

RESULTS

Adrenomedullin administration induced a transient increase followed by a persistent decrease in mean arterial pressure and cardiac output. Isoflurane (2%) significantly inhibited the initial increase in mean arterial pressure and the later decrease in mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance.

CONCLUSION

Isoflurane inhibits adrenomedullin-induced vasodilation and positive inotropic effect in pithed rats. Isoflurane might inhibit the adrenomedullin receptor-mediated response, which is a common pathway for both actions.

Volatile anesthetics inhibit calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor-mediated responses in pithed rats and human neuroblastoma cells

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has a potent vasodilatory effect that is mediated by specific receptors predominantly coupled to the activation of adenylate cyclase. The effects of volatile anesthetics on CGRP-induced vasodilation are unclear. We studied the effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane on CGRP-induced vasodilation in pithed rats and CGRP receptor-mediated responses in SK-N-MC cells, which are used as a model system to study the CGRP receptor and its downstream pathways. Male Wistar rats were pithed by inserting a stainless steel rod into the spinal cord. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output were maintained at approximately 100 mmHg and 50 ml.min(-1), respectively, with continuous infusion of noradrenaline. After 30 min of inhalation of anesthetics, CGRP (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 microg/kg) was administered intravenously. In SK-N-MC cells, CGRP-, forskolin-, or cholera toxin-induced cAMP production was measured with or without anesthetics using radioimmunoassays. CGRP receptor binding density and affinity for the agonist were determined with (2-[125I]iodohystidyl10) CGRP with or without the anesthetics. Sevoflurane (4%) and isoflurane (2%) significantly inhibited the decrease in MAP and systemic vascular resistance. Furthermore, both anesthetics significantly inhibited CGRP- but not forskolin-induced cAMP production. Sevoflurane (4%) and isoflurane (4%) significantly inhibited cholera toxin-induced cAMP production. Both anesthetics did not affect ligand binding. These data suggest that sevoflurane and isoflurane inhibit CGRP-induced vasodilation at the site between the CGRP receptor and adenylate cyclase activation. The inhibitory site of volatile anesthetics on the CGRP receptor-mediated response involves Gs protein.

G-protein coupled receptor kinase 2 is altered during septic shock in rats

BACKGROUND

One of the key mechanisms leading to beta-adrenergic receptor-specific desensitization is the phosphorylation of agonist-occupied receptors by the specific beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (GRK2). The present study examines whether GRK2 is altered during septic shock in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats (7 weeks) weighing between 250 and 300 g were anesthetized with pentobarbital (10 mg/kg ip). Escherichia coli endotoxin (10 mg/kg in 0.3 mL of saline) or saline (0.3 ml) was injected intravenously via the dorsal vein. Hemodynamic parameters and humoral mediators were measured at 2 h after the administration of endotoxin. The hearts were immediately excised to examine beta-adrenergic receptor density and GRK2 level. We also studied the inotropic response to isoproterenol at the same time in other animals.

RESULTS

Myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor density in the membrane fraction was decreased after an intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg LPS (LPS group: baseline value; 82 +/- 11 fmol/mg protein; 120 min after LPS; 58 +/- 11 fmol/mg protein, P < 0.05). GRK2 levels in the membrane and cytosolic fraction of the control group did not change. In the LPS group, GRK2 levels in the membrane fraction were increased at 60 and 120 min after the treatment (60 min; control, 4.5 +/- 0.4; pithed control, 4.4 +/- 0.6; LPS group, 6.2 +/- 0.3; pithed LPS group, 5.5 +/- 0.4; 120 min: control, 4.4 +/- 0.3; pithed control, 4.9 +/- 0.7; LPS group, 7.1 +/- 0.3; pithed LPS group, 5.9 +/- 0.4; densitometric unit, respectively: P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

GRK2 levels in the membrane fraction are increased during septic shock in rats. GRK2 might play a role in the impairment of the beta-adrenergic receptor signal transduction system.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor and genetically engineered PAF receptor mutant mice

Platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a biologically active phospholipid mediator. Although PAF was initially recognized for its potential to induce platelet aggregation and secretion, intense investigations have elucidated potent biological actions of PAF in a broad range of cell types and tissues, many of which also produce the molecule. PAF acts by binding to a unique G-protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptor. PAF receptor is linked to intracellular signal transduction pathways, including turnover of phosphatidylinositol, elevation in intracellular calcium concentration, and activation of kinases, resulting in versatile bioactions. On the basis of numerous pharmacological reports, PAF is thought to have many pathophysiological and physiological functions. Recently advanced molecular technics enable us not only to clone PAF receptor cDNAs and genes, but also generate PAF receptor mutant animals, i.e., PAF receptor-overexpressing mouse and PAF receptor-deficient mouse. These mutant mice gave us a novel and specific approach for identifying the pathophysiological and physiological functions of PAF. This review also describes the phenotypes of these mutant mice and discusses them by referring to previously reported pharmacological and genetical data.

Platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist attenuates endotoxin-induced vascular hyporeactivity in the pithed rat

The role of platelet activating factor (PAF) and nitric oxide (NO) in the endotoxin-induced hyporeactivity to noradrenaline was studied in the pithed rat. Pressor dose-response curves to noradrenaline (0.01-10 microg/kg, i.v.) were made starting 1 h after the administration of endotoxin (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) to the rats. Saline was administered to the control rats. The PAF receptor antagonist, TCV-309 (3-bromo-5-[N-phenyl-N-[2-[[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-isoquinolylcarbon yloxy)ethyl]carbamoyl]ethy]carbamoyl]-1-propylpyridinium nitrate, 100 microg/kg, i.v.), or the NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 30 mg/kg, i.v.), was administered to the endotoxin-treated rats 20 or 10 min before the noradrenaline challenge. L-NMMA reversed endotoxin-induced hyporeactivity completely. TCV-309 produced a significant, but partial attenuation of the hyporeactivity to noradrenaline (P < 0.01). There was still significant hyporeactivity when compared with the control rats (P < 0.01) and the L-NMMA-treated endotoxin-administered rats (P < 0.05). These data suggest that endogenous PAF contributes to the vascular hyporeactivity to noradrenaline induced by endotoxin and that NO plays a major role in the endotoxin-induced hyporeactivity.