Arginine vasopressin, via activation of post-junctional V1 receptors, induces contractile effects in mouse distal colon

Vasopressin augments TNBS-induced colitis through enteric neuronal V1a receptor-mediated COX-2-dependent prostaglandin release from mast cells in mice

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a functional disorder with chronic and relapsing clinical features. Vasopressin (VP) is a hormone responsible for water and stress homeostasis and also regulates gastrointestinal inflammation and motility. We explored whether VP was related to IBD pathogenesis and its possible pathway.

METHODS

Colitis was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice. The disease activity and colonic damage were evaluated through a scoring system. Locations of the V_1a receptor were revealed by immunochemistry method in colon. Ussing chamber technique was performed for the electrophysiological characterization by using rat ileum. The (Arg⁸ )-Vasopressin (AVP)-evoked short-circuit current (Isc) was recorded in the presence of conivaptan (V_1a and V₂ receptor antagonist), tolvaptan (V_1b receptor antagonist), tetrodotoxin (TTX), atropine, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors (indomethacin, nonspecific COX antagonist; SC560, COX-1 antagonist; NS560, COX-2 antagonist), and a stabilizer of mast cell (cromolyn sodium), respectively.

KEY RESULTS

TNBS resulted in the obvious loss of body weight and tissue damages in mice. AVP significantly aggravated the TNBS-induced colitis, which was attenuated by conivaptan but not tolvaptan. V_1a receptors were found immunopositive in neurons among the enteric nervous system. AVP evoked a pulsatile response in Isc. Its amplitude, frequency, and cycle duration were around 8-15 µA/cm² , 10-11 mHz, and 1.5 minutes, respectively. Notably, the AVP-evoked change in Isc was abolished by TTX, atropine, conivaptan, indomethacin, NS560, and cromolyn sodium, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

VP-V_1a receptor played the proinflammatory role in TNBS-induced colitis by promoting COX-2-dependent prostaglandin release from mucosal mast cells, which was mediated by the cholinergic pathway.

Angiotensin II type II receptors and colonic dysmotility in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), has been suggested to be involved in inflammatory bowel diseases. Since RAS has emerged as gut motility regulator, and dysmotility is associated with intestinal inflammation, our objective was to investigate in rat 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis the functionality of RAS and its contribution to colonic motor alterations.

METHODS

The effects of Ang II on the longitudinal colonic muscular contractility of control and DNBS-treated rats were characterized in vitro. Transcripts encoding for Ang II receptors were investigated by RT-PCR.

KEY RESULTS

Inflamed preparations showed a longitudinal muscle marked hypocontractility. Angiotensin II caused contractile effects in both preparations, but the responses in DNBS preparations were reduced compared to controls. In both preparations, Losartan, AT₁ receptor antagonist, reduced Ang II effects. PD123319, AT₂ receptor antagonist, enhanced Ang II responses only in DNBS rats, as well as N^ω -Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, or tetrodotoxin (TTX), neural toxin. The co-administration of PD123319 and TTX or L-NNA produced no additive effects. PD123319 per se improved colonic contractility in inflamed tissues. The effect was reduced in the presence of L-NNA or TTX. All Ang II receptor subtypes were expressed in both preparations.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

AT₁ receptors mediate Ang II contractile responses in rat colon. During inflammation a recruitment of Ang II AT₂ receptors would counteract AT₁ -contractile activity. A tonic activation of AT₂ receptors would contribute to the general reduction in muscle contractility during experimental inflammation. A role for enteric neurons and NO is also suggested.

Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE

To review the human and veterinary literature regarding gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility disorders in respect to pathogenesis, patient risk factors, and treatment options in critically ill dogs and cats.

ETIOLOGY

GI dysmotility is a common sequela of critical illness in people and small animals. The most common GI motility disorders in critically ill people and small animals include esophageal dysmotility, delayed gastric emptying, functional intestinal obstruction (ie, ileus), and colonic motility abnormalities. Medical conditions associated with the highest risk of GI dysmotility include mechanical ventilation, sepsis, shock, trauma, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and multiple organ failure. The incidence and pathophysiology of GI dysmotility in critically ill small animals is incompletely understood.

DIAGNOSIS

A presumptive diagnosis of GI dysmotility is often made in high-risk patient populations following detection of persistent regurgitation, vomiting, lack of tolerance of enteral nutrition, abdominal pain, and constipation. Definitive diagnosis is established via radioscintigraphy; however, this diagnostic tool is not readily available and is difficult to perform on small animals. Other diagnostic modalities that have been evaluated include abdominal ultrasonography, radiographic contrast, and tracer studies.

THERAPY

Therapy is centered at optimizing GI perfusion, enhancement of GI motility, and early enteral nutrition. Pharmacological interventions are instituted to promote gastric emptying and effective intestinal motility and prevention of complications. Promotility agents, including ranitidine/nizatidine, metoclopramide, erythromycin, and cisapride are the mainstays of therapy in small animals.

PROGNOSIS

The development of complications related to GI dysmotility (eg, gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration) have been associated with increased mortality risk. Institution of prophylaxic therapy is recommended in high-risk patients, however, no consensus exists regarding optimal timing of initiating prophylaxic measures, preference of treatment, or duration of therapy. The prognosis for affected small animal patients remains unknown.

Activation of angiotensin II type 1 receptors and contractile activity in human sigmoid colon in vitro

AIM

To analyse the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the contractility of human sigmoid colon, and to characterize the subtype(s) of receptor(s) involved and the related action mechanism.

METHODS

The contractility of sigmoid colon circular muscle strips was recorded isometrically. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to reveal the eventual existence of a local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the distribution of Ang II receptors.

RESULTS

Transcripts encoding for the Ang II type 1 (AT1 ) and the Ang II type 2 (AT2 ) receptor subtypes and for the angiotensin-converting enzyme in the whole-thickness muscular wall were observed. Ang II caused a concentration-dependent contractile response, which is antagonized by losartan, AT1 receptor antagonist, but not by PD123319, AT2 receptor antagonist. The joint application of losartan and PD123319 did not produce any additive effect. The contractile response to Ang II was partially reduced by tetrodotoxin, Na(+) voltage-gated neural channel blocker, and to some extent by SR48968, tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist. However, hexamethonium, nicotinic receptor antagonist, atropine, cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist and SR140333, tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, were ineffective. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that AT1 receptors were expressed on the smooth muscle layers and myenteric plexus.

CONCLUSION

Ang II positively modulates the spontaneous contractile activity of human sigmoid colon via activation of post-junctional and pre-junctional AT1 receptors, the latter located on the enteric nerves that modulate the release of tachykinins. The presence of the components of RAS in the human colon suggests that Ang II can be also locally generated to control colonic motility.

Vasopressin-induced mouse urethral contraction is modulated by caveolin-1

Caveolae are 50-100nm large invaginations in the cell membrane that are considered to play roles in receptor signaling. Here we aimed to investigate the expression and distribution of the arginine-vasopressin (AVP) V1a receptor and its functional dependence on caveolin-1 (Cav1) in the mouse urethra. Female Cav1 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice were used, and urethral preparations were micro-dissected for mechanical experiments. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (mβcd) was used to deplete cholesterol and to disrupt caveolae. Protein expression and localization was determined using immunofluorescence and western blotting and transcript expression was determined by qRT-PCR. We found that Cav1 and AVP V1a receptors were expressed in urethral smooth muscle cells with apparent co-localization at the cell membrane. AVP caused urethral contraction that was inhibited by the V1a receptor antagonist SR49059. Concentration-response curves for AVP were right-shifted and maximal contraction was reduced in Cav1 KO mice and after mβcd treatment. In addition to caveolin-1 we also detected caveolin-2, cavin-1 and cavin-3 in the mouse urethra by western blotting. Caveolin-2, cavin-1 and cavin-3 as well as V1a receptor expression was reduced in KO urethra. We conclude that AVP regulates urethral contractility via the V1a receptor through a Cav1-dependent mechanism involving, in part, altered V1a receptor expression.

Vasopressin regulation of epithelial colonic proliferation and permeability is mediated by pericryptal platelet-derived growth factor A

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has trophic effects on the rat distal colon, increasing the growth of pericryptal myofibroblasts and reducing the colonic crypt wall permeability. This study aimed to reproduce in vitro the effects of AVP observed in vivo using cultures of human CCD-18Co myofibroblasts and T84 colonic epithelial cells. Proliferation of myofibroblasts was quantified by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation; the expression of platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGFA), platelet-derived growth factor B, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-β and vascular endothelial growth factor was measured by PCR and the expression of epithelial junction proteins by Western blot. Arginine vasopressin stimulated myofibroblast proliferation and the expression of PDGFA without affecting the expression of platelet-derived growth factor B, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-β or vascular endothelial growth factor. These effects were prevented when AVP receptor inhibitors were present in the medium. Pre-incubation of CCD-18Co cells with anti-PDGF antibody or with an inhibitor of the PDGF receptor abolished the effects of AVP. When colonocytes were incubated with medium obtained from myofibroblasts incubated with AVP, both cell proliferation and the expression of epithelial junction proteins increased; however, direct incubation of colonocytes with AVP did not modify these variables. These results demonstrate that AVP stimulates myofibroblast proliferation and induces PDGFA secretion, implying that PDGFA mediates local myofibroblast proliferation by an autocrine feedback loop and regulates epithelial proliferation and permeability by a paracrine mechanism.