Homocysteine-induced changes in vascular reactivity of guinea-pig pulmonary arteries: role of the oxidative stress and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activation

Vascular endothelium dysfunction: a conservative target in metabolic disorders

AIM

Vascular endothelium plays a role in capillary transport of nutrients and drugs and regulates angiogenesis, homeostasis, as well as vascular tone and permeability as a major regulator of local vascular homeostasis. The present study has been designed to investigate the role of endothelium in metabolic disorders.

METHODS

The endothelium maintains the balance between vasodilatation and vasoconstriction, procoagulant and anticoagulant, prothrombotic and antithrombotic mechanisms.

RESULTS

Diabetes mellitus causes the activation of aldose reductase, polyol pathway and advanced glycation-end-product formation that collectively affect the phosphorylation status and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthatase (eNOS) and causes vascular endothelium dysfunction. Elevated homocysteine levels have been associated with increase in LDL oxidation, generation of hydrogen peroxides, superoxide anions that increased oxidative degradation of nitric oxide. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been reported to increase the endogenous competitive inhibitors of eNOS viz L-N-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) that may contribute to vascular endothelial dysfunction. Hypercholesterolemia stimulates oxidation of LDL cholesterol, release of endothelins, and generation of ROS. The increased cholesterol and triglyceride level and decreased protective HDL level, decreases the activity and expression of eNOS and disrupts the integrity of vascular endothelium, due to oxidative stress. Hypertension also stimulates release of endothelins, vasoconstrictor prostanoids, angiotensin II, inflammatory cytokines, xanthine oxidase and, thereby, reduces bioavailability of nitric oxide.

CONCLUSION

Thus, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes mellitus, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypercholesterolemia hypertension and hyperuricemia leads to an imbalance of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation status of lipid and protein kinase that cause modulation of vascular endothelial L-arginine/nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS), to produce vascular endothelium dysfunction.

Alamandine reverses hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular dysfunction via PKA-dependent mechanisms

INTRODUCTION

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) impairs nitric oxide endothelium-dependent vasodilation, consequently leading to atherosclerosis, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Novel treatments for HHcy are necessary.

AIM

We tested the hypothesis that alamandine, a vasoactive peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), could reverse HHcy-induced vascular dysfunction through the MrgD receptor and that this is mediated by the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Furthermore, we sought to determine a putative binding model of alamandine to the MrgD receptor through docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

METHOD

The abdominal aorta was excised from New Zealand white rabbits (n = 15) and incubated with 3 mmol/L Hcy (to mimic HHcy) to induce vascular dysfunction in vitro. Vascular function was assessed by vasodilatory responses to cumulative doses of acetylcholine.

RESULT

Vasodilation was significantly impaired in HHcy-incubated aortic rings while alamandine reversed this effect (control, 74.2 ± 5.0%; Hcy, 30.3 ± 9.8%; alamandine + Hcy, 59.7 ± 4.8%, P < .0001). KT5720 (PKA inhibitor) significantly inhibited the ability of alamandine to attenuate the impaired vasodilation caused by HHcy (KT5720 + Hcy + alamandine, 27.1 ± 24.1, P < .01). Following immunohistochemistry analysis, the MrgD receptor was highly expressed within the media and endothelial layer of aortic rings in HHcy compared to control (media: 0.23 ± 0.003 vs control 0.16 ± 0.01, P < .05 and endothelium: 0.68 ± 0.07 vs control 0.13 ± 0.02, P < .01, in PA/I (A.U) units). Computational studies also propose certain interactions of alamandine within the MrgD transmembrane domain.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that alamandine is effective in reversing HHcy-induced vascular dysfunction, possibly through the PKA signaling pathway via MrgD. Our results indicate a therapeutic potential of alamandine in reversing the detrimental effects of HHcy.

[Metabolic changes in pulmonary mitochondria of rats with experimental hyperhomocysteinemia]

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for many human diseases, including pulmonary pathologies. In this context much interest attracts secondary mitochondrial dysfunction, which is an important link in pathogenesis of diseases associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. The study was conducted using male Wistar rats. It was found that under conditions of severe hyperhomocysteinemia caused by administration of methionine, homocysteine was accumulated in lung mitochondria thus suggesting a direct toxic effect on these organelles. However, we have not observed any significant changes in the activity of mitochondrial enzymes involved in tissue respiration (succinate dehydrogenase) and oxidative phosphorylation (H+-ATPase) and of cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase. Also there was no accumulation of lactic acid in the cytoplasm. Animals with severe hyperhomocysteinemia had higher levels of lung mitochondrial protein carbonylation, decreased reserve-adaptive capacity, and increased superoxide dismutase activity. These results indicate that severe hyperhomocysteinemia causes development of oxidative stress in lung mitochondria, which is compensated by activation of antioxidant protection. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of mitochondrial nitric oxide metabolites. Introduction to animals a nonselective NO-synthase inhibitor L-NAME caused similar enhancement of mitochondrial protein carbonylation. It demonstrates importance of reducing bioavailability of nitric oxide, which is an antioxidant in physiological concentrations, in the development of oxidative stress in lung mitochondria during hyperhomocysteinemia. Key words: hyperhomocysteinemia, nitric oxide, lung, oxidative stress, mitochondria.

Value of homocysteine levels, troponin I, and score for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension II as early predictors of morbidity

BACKGROUND

Although the effects of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) have been documented in infants, the associations among the value of maternal and cord blood total homocysteine (Hcy) levels, cord blood cTnI and the score for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension II (SNAPPE-II) values in infants have not been documented. The aim of this study was to determine the value of maternal total Hcy (mtHcy) and cord blood total Hcy (ctHcy) levels, cTnI and SNAPPE-IIas predictive factors of morbidity in newborns.

METHODS

Maternal and cord blood samples were routinely collected for analysis from all prospective participating volunteers. In this case–control study, both hospitalized (n = 71) and non-hospitalized (n = 148) newborns were identified and followed until discharge.

RESULTS

Regression analysis revealed that pre-eclampsia, gestational age, mtHcy and SNAPPE-II values were significantly and independently associated with morbidity. Cord blood pH, ctHcy levels, SNAPPE-II values, and pre-eclampsia were associated with mtHcy levels. A similar association was found among cTnI, cord blood pH, mtHcy levels and ctHcy levels. The specificity and sensitivity values of mtHcy in predicting newborn morbidity were 62% and 78%, respectively,while the specificity and sensitivity values of SNAPPE-II in predicting newborn morbidity were 96% and 97%,respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated mtHcy levels were associated with cTnI, SNAPPE-II values, cord blood gas, and neonatal morbidities. These results suggest that SNAPPE-II may be an early predictor of morbidity after delivery and that elevated mtHcy levels may be an early prenatal biomarker of morbidity in newborns.

Effects of cigarette smoke on endothelial function of pulmonary arteries in the guinea pig

Background

Cigarette smoking may contribute to pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by altering the structure and function of pulmonary vessels at early disease stages. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to cigarette smoke on endothelial function and smooth muscle-cell proliferation in pulmonary arteries of guinea pigs.

Methods

19 male Hartley guinea pigs were exposed to the smoke of 7 cigarettes/day, 5 days/week, for 3 and 6 months. 17 control guinea pigs were sham-exposed for the same periods. Endothelial function was evaluated in rings of pulmonary artery and aorta as the relaxation induced by ADP. The proliferation of smooth muscle cells and their phenotype in small pulmonary vessels were evaluated by immunohistochemical expression of α-actin and desmin. Vessel wall thickness, arteriolar muscularization and emphysema were assessed morphometrically. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was evaluated by Real Time-PCR.

Results

Exposure to cigarette smoke reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in pulmonary arteries (ANOVA p < 0.05) but not in the aorta. Endothelial dysfunction was apparent at 3 months of exposure and did not increase further after 6 months of exposure. Smoke-exposed animals showed proliferation of poorly differentiated smooth muscle cells in small vessels (p < 0.05) after 3 months of exposure. Prolonged exposure resulted in full muscularization of small pulmonary vessels (p < 0.05), wall thickening (p < 0.01) and increased contractility of the main pulmonary artery (p < 0.05), and enlargement of the alveolar spaces. Lung expression of eNOS was decreased in animals exposed to cigarette smoke.

Conclusion

In the guinea pig, exposure to cigarette smoke induces selective endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary arteries, smooth muscle cell proliferation in small pulmonary vessels and reduced lung expression of eNOS. These changes appear after 3 months of exposure and precede the development of pulmonary emphysema.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and Endothelial Dysfunction

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a significant and independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is the earliest indicator of atherosclerosis and vascular diseases. We and others have shown that HHcy induced ED in human and in animal models of HHcy induced by either high-methionine load or genetic deficiency. Six mechanisms have been suggested explaining HHcy-induced ED. These include 1) nitric oxide inhibition, 2) prostanoids regulation, 3) endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors suppression, 4) angiotensin II receptor-1 activation, 5) endothelin-1 induction, and 6) oxidative stress. The goal of this review is to elaborate these mechanisms and to discuss biological and molecular events related to HHcy-induced ED.

Effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on non-adrenergic non-cholinergic relaxation in isolated rat duodenum

The effect of hyperhomocysteinemia induced by pretreatment with methionine 12 weeks prior to the study on the responses induced by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), electrical field stimulation (EFS), and ATP have been evaluated in isolated rat duodenum. In the presence of adrenergic and cholinergic blockade, EFS (60 V, 1 ms, 1-3 Hz) induced frequency-dependent relaxations of the preparation. GABA and ATP also caused submaximal relaxation of the rat duodenum. The relaxations induced by GABA, EFS, and ATP were not significantly changed in duodenal tissues from hyperhomocysteinemic rats compared with control rats. GABA- and EFS-induced relaxations were inhibited by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 3 x 10(-4) M) in both hyperhomocysteinemic and control rats. On the other hand, L-NAME incubation did not affect ATP-induced relaxation. These results suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia does not cause an important impairment on non-adrenergic non-cholinergic innervation of the rat duodenum.

Role of redox reactions in the vascular phenotype of hyperhomocysteinemic animals

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and thrombosis. Several animal models of hyperhomocysteinemia have been developed by using both dietary and genetic approaches. These animal models have provided considerable insight into the mechanisms underlying the adverse vascular effects of hyperhomocysteinemia. Accumulating evidence suggests a significant role of altered cellular redox reactions in the vascular phenotype of hyperhomocysteinemia. Redox effects of hyperhomocysteinemia are particularly important in mediating the adverse effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on the endothelium, leading to loss of endothelium-derived nitric oxide and vasomotor dysfunction. Redox reactions also may be key factors in the development of vascular hypertrophy, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis in hyperhomocysteinemic animals. In this review, we summarize the metabolic relations between homocysteine and the cellular redox state, the vascular phenotypes that have been observed in hyperhomocysteinemic animals, the evidence for altered redox reactions in vascular tissue, and the specific redox reactions that may mediate the vascular effects of hyperhomocysteinemia.

Importance of the trans-sulfuration pathway in cancer prevention and promotion

The trans-sulfuration pathway is a biochemical mechanism that links methionine metabolism to the biosynthesis of cellular redox-controlling molecules, like cysteine, glutathione, and taurine. While there is some knowledge about the metabolic intermediates and enzymes that participate in trans-sulfuration, little is known about the physiological importance of this mechanism. Deficiencies within the trans-sulfuration pathway induces (i) the generation of reactive species of oxygen (ROS) and halogens (RHS), (ii) homocyst(e)ine accumulation, and (iii) the synthesis of proinflammatory molecules by macrophages, and contribute to humans pathologies like atherosclerosis and tumor development. In this review we outline the role of this biochemical pathway in tumor development and analyze current findings on the role of trans-sulfuration in mammalian physiology. The potential relationship between chronic inflammation, and tumor and atherosclerotic development are discussed.