Failure of L-nitroarginine, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, to affect hypotension and plasma protein extravasation produced by tachykinin NK-1 receptor activation in rats

Effect of peripheral axotomy on pain-related behavior and dorsal root ganglion neurons excitability in NPY transgenic rats

In order to clarify the physiologic role of NPY in sensory processing, we obtained intracellular recordings of DRG neurons from wild type (WT) and NPY overexpressing transgenic rats (NPY-TG) before and after injury. We investigated medium and large diameter DRG neurons since upregulation of NPY peptide following the nerve injury occurs primarily in those cells. Neurons were classified as Aalpha/beta and Adelta using conduction velocity and action potential duration. Prior to the injury, Aalpha/beta neurons of NPY-TG rats conducted more slowly and had a more brief AHP than similar cells from the WT group. Adelta neurons at baseline conducted faster in TG animals compared to WT. Ligation of the 5th lumbar spinal nerve (SNL) produced certain changes in Aalpha/beta cells that were evident only in the TG group. These include increased refractory period, increased input resistance, AHP prolongation and a depolarizing shift in threshold for AP initiation. The expected injury-induced CV slowing was not seen in NPY-TG Aalpha/beta cells. In the Adelta cell group, injury produced a depolarizing shift in the resting membrane potential, an increase in AP duration and decrease in AHP and refractory period duration only in WT rats, while NPY-TG cells lacked these injury-induced changes. Behavior tests showed diminished sensory response to nerve injury in NPY-TG rats, i.e., shorter duration of enhanced pain-related behavior and attenuation of contralateral effect. In conclusion, our observations suggest that NPY overexpression leads to reduced neuronal activity following nerve injury in a cell-specific manner.

Nitric oxide donor-induced increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier

The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of nitric oxide (NO) donors on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in vivo. We examined the pial microcirculation in rats using intravital fluorescence microscopy. Permeability of the blood-brain barrier was quantitated by calculating the clearance of fluorescent-labeled dextran (M(w)=10000 Da; FITC-dextran-10K) during suffusion with vehicle, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 100 microM) and 3-morpholinosydnonimin (SIN-1; 100 microM). In addition, we examined changes in arteriolar diameter during suffusion with vehicle, SNAP and SIN-1. During suffusion with vehicle, clearance of FITC-dextran-10K from pial vessels and diameter of pial arterioles remained relatively constant during the experimental period. In contrast, suffusion with SNAP or SIN-1 markedly increased clearance of FITC-dextran-10K from the cerebral microcirculation and produced a rapid, sustained dilatation of pial arterioles. Thus, NO donors increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and produce pronounced dilatation of cerebral arterioles. In light of evidence suggesting that NO donors may produce their effect by the simultaneous release of NO and superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite, we elected to examine the role of superoxide anion in increases in permeability of the blood-brain barrier in response to SNAP and SIN-1. We found that suffusion with tiron (1 mM) did not alter basal permeability of the blood-brain barrier, but significantly inhibited increases in permeability of the blood-brain barrier in response to SNAP and SIN-1. In addition, tiron did not alter baseline diameter of cerebral arterioles, or SNAP- and SIN-1-induced cerebrovasodilatation. The findings of the present study suggest that NO donors produce an increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier which appears to be related to the presence of NO and superoxide anion, to presumably form peroxynitrite. We suggest that increases in NO formation observed during brain trauma may contribute to disruption of the blood-brain barrier.

Multiple nitric oxide sources in neurogenic plasma extravasation in rat hindpaw skin

The contribution of nitric oxide (NO) to capsaicin-evoked plasma extravasation was studied in rat hindpaw skin. Two inhibitors of NO synthase were used: 7-nitroindazole, with a selectivity for nerve-derived NO, and the L-arginine derivative, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG), which is a non-selective inhibitor. Plasma extravasation was induced by intraplantar injection of 5 microg/50 microl capsaicin and measured by the Evans blue leakage technique. Both acute and chronic administration of 7-nitroindazole significantly reduced capsaicin-evoked plasma extravasation in rat hind-paw skin, whereas L-NOARG enhanced it. This enhancement was abolished non-stereospecifically by either L- or D-arginine. Our results suggest that NO production from different sources yields a complex action in maintaining the endothelial integrity in neurogenic plasma extravasation.

The tachykinin NK1 receptor. Part II: Distribution and pathophysiological roles

The tachykinin NK1 receptor is widely distributed in both the central and peripheral nervous system. In the CNS, NK1 receptors have been implicated in various behavioural responses and in regulating neuronal survival and degeneration. Moreover, central NK1 receptors regulate cardiovascular and respiratory function and are involved in activating the emetic reflex. At the spinal cord level, NK1 receptors are activated during the synaptic transmission, especially in response to noxious stimuli applied at the receptive field of primary afferent neurons. Both neurophysiological and behavioural evidences support a role of spinal NK1 receptors in pain transmission. Spinal NK1 receptors also modulate autonomic reflexes, including the micturition reflex. In the peripheral nervous system, tachykinin NK1 receptors are widely expressed in the respiratory, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts and are also expressed by several types of inflammatory and immune cells. In the cardiovascular system, NK1 receptors mediate endothelium-dependent vasodilation and plasma protein extravasation. At respiratory level, NK1 receptors mediate neurogenic inflammation which is especially evident upon exposure of the airways to irritants. In the carotid body, NK1 receptors mediate the ventilatory response to hypoxia. In the gastrointestinal system, NK1 receptors mediate smooth muscle contraction, regulate water and ion secretion and mediate neuro-neuronal communication. In the genitourinary tract, NK1 receptors are widely distributed in the renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra and mediate smooth muscle contraction and inflammation in response to noxious stimuli. Based on the knowledge of distribution and pathophysiological roles of NK1 receptors, it has been anticipated that NK1 receptor antagonists may have several therapeutic applications at central and peripheral level. At central level, it is speculated that NK1 receptor antagonists could be used to produce analgesia, as antiemetics and for treatment of certain forms of urinary incontinence due to detrusor hyperreflexia. In the peripheral nervous system, tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists could be used in several inflammatory diseases including arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases and cystitis. Several potent tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists are now under evaluation in the clinical setting, and more information on their usefulness in treatment of human diseases will be available in the next few years.

Sensory neuropeptides: their role in inflammation and wound healing

Vasoactive neuropeptides including substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are localised in sensory nerves which innervate blood vessels. These are the major vasoactive neuropeptides released from sensory nerve endings and both have been suggested to have roles in inflammatory and cardiovascular disease. The neuropeptides have potent effects on microvascular tone and permeability, which are seen soon after release from perivascular nerves. There is also evidence that neuropeptides can affect various activities of inflammatory cells and that sensory nerves play a role in the recovery of the healthy microcirculation during wound healing phases. This review concentrates on evidence that the neuropeptides substance P, acting via tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptors, and CGRP, acting via CGRP1 receptors, play a pro-inflammatory role in disease and a beneficial role in wound healing. In addition, results from clinical trials of recently developed neuropeptide antagonists are discussed.

Nitric oxide contributes to substance P-induced increases in lung rapidly adapting receptor activity in guinea-pigs

1. Substance P induces fluid flux via nitric oxide, and fluid flux stimulates lung rapidly adapting receptors (RARs). We therefore proposed that nitric oxide contributes to substance P-evoked increases in RAR activity. Since substance P decreases dynamic compliance (Cdyn), which can stimulate RARs, we also determined whether nitric oxide contributed to substance P-induced effects on pulmonary function. 2. In anaesthetized guinea-pigs, the effects of substance P on RAR activity, Cdyn, pulmonary resistance (RL), and arterial blood pressure were measured before and after i.v. infusion of NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), or L-NMMA followed by L-arginine (a nitric oxide precursor which reverses the effects of L-NMMA). 3. Substance P-evoked increases in RAR activity were blunted by L-NMMA (P = 0.006) but not by L-NMMA-L-arginine (P = 0.42). 4. Substance P-evoked decreases in Cdyn were slightly inhibited by L-NMMA (P = 0.02) and slightly enhanced by L-NMMA-L-arginine (P = 0.004). However, at the time at which L-NMMA maximally reduced substance P-induced RAR stimulation (the first 30 s), it did not change substance P-induced decreases in Cdyn. 5. Substance P-evoked increases in RL were not changed by L-NMMA (P = 0.10) and were enhanced by L-NMMA-L-arginine (P = 0.03). 6. L-NMMA-evoked increases in mean arterial blood pressure were reversed by L-arginine. Substance P-evoked decreases in mean arterial blood pressure were not changed by L-NMMA or by L-NMMA-L-arginine. 7. We conclude that nitric oxide contributes to substance P-evoked increases in RAR activity and that the increases are most probably independent of decreases in Cdyn.

Demonstration of a 'septide-sensitive' inflammatory response in rat skin

1. Measurement of plasma protein extravasation induced by the natural tachykinins following intradermal administration in rat skin indicated equipotency between substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB). The selective NK1 receptor agonist, [Sar9]SP sulphone was 10-100 times more potent than SP. The synthetic hexapeptide, septide, [pGlu6, Pro9]SP-(6-11), which has been proposed to act on a distinct NK1 receptor subtype/binding site was equipotent with [Sar9]SP sulphone. 2. The selective NK2 receptor agonist [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) (0.1-1 nmol) and the selective NK3 receptor agonist, senktide (0.1-1 nmol) were both ineffective in producing oedema. The selective NK2 receptor antagonist, SR 48, 968 (0.3 mumol kg-1) had no significant inhibitory effects upon oedema induced by approximately equiactive doses of SP (0.2 nmol), septide (0.002 nmol), [Sar9]SP sulphone (0.002 nmol), or NKB (0.3 nmol). These results together suggest that neither NK2 nor NK3 receptors are involved in oedema formation in rat skin. 3. The non-peptide tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, RP 67,580 (1-3 mumol kg-1), inhibited plasma protein extravasation induced by septide (0.002 nmol) to a greater extent than that to SP (0.2 nmol). RP 67,580 (1 mumol kg-1) produced a significant inhibition of approximately 66% of the response to septide (0.002 nmol) only. Increasing the dose of RP 67,580 3 fold resulted in inhibition of the response to SP (0.2 nmol) and [Sar9]SP sulphone (0.002 nmol) by approximately 66% and 64% respectively with the response to septide being inhibited by approximately 70%. 4. Co-administration of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)(0.1 micromol) with the relevant tachykinin, resulted in a significant attenuation of the oedemaresponse to septide (0.1 nmol) producing only an approximate 56% inhibition of the response. The response to 0.2 nmol SP was unaffected whereas the response to a higher dose of 1 nmol was lowered byL-NAME but this did not reach significance.5. Degranulation of mast cells, achieved by pretreatment with compound 48/80 (5 mg kg-1) for 3 consecutive days, significantly inhibited the oedema responses to only high dose SP (1 nmol) and[Sar9SP sulphone (0.002 nmol). SP (0.2 nmol), septide (0.002 nmol), NKA (0.2 nmol) and NKB(0.3 nmol) were unaffected by this treatment.6. RP 67,580 (0.3-3 microM kg-1) inhibited oedema induced by both 0.002 nmol and 0.1 nmol of septide.When using equiactive doses of SP only the response to the lower dose of 0.2 nmol SP was significantly inhibited, while RP 67,580 (3 micromol kg1) did not affect the response to 1 nmol SP.7 These results suggest distinct mechanisms of action for SP and septide in producing plasma protein extravasation in rat skin. The response induced by septide is blocked by RP 67,580 and is both NO dependent and mast-cell independent. In contrast the response to SP is only partially blocked by RP67,580 and is NO-independent. These data support the existence of a distinct 'septide-sensitive' receptor/binding site and suggest that this site is involved in tachykinin-induced oedema formation in rat skin.

Tachykinin NK1 receptors mediate both vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses in the rabbit isolated jugular vein

We have characterized the receptor(s) mediating contraction and relaxation produced by tachykinins in the rabbit isolated jugular vein. The tachykinin NK1 receptor-selective agonists septide and [Pro9]substance P produced concentration-dependent contractions which were potentiated by either the removal of the vascular endothelium (Emax = +106% and +72%, respectively) or by pretreatment with L-nitroarginine (100 microM; 60 min before) (Emax = +123% and +71%, respectively). The tachykinin NK1 receptor-selective antagonist, (+/-)-CP-96,345 ([2-(diphenylmethyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)-methyl]-1- azabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-3-amine]) (10-300 nM) competitively antagonized septide (pKB = 9.0) with 10-fold greater potency than [Pro9]substance P (pKB = 8.0). In preparations with intact endothelium both septide and [Pro9]substance P (from 0.1 to 100 nM) relaxed the noradrenaline-(10 microM) induced tone, and their effects were markedly reduced by (+/-)-CP-96,345 (100 nM). In noradrenaline-precontracted veins L-nitroarginine (100 microM) reversed the tachykinin-induced vasodilation into a contraction, providing evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide in this response. The tachykinin NK3 and NK2 receptor-selective agonists senktide and [beta Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10) were either ineffective, or produced small effects antagonized by (+/-)-CP-96,345 (100 nM), respectively. In conclusion, tachykinin NK1 receptors mediate both tachykinin-induced contraction and relaxation in the rabbit jugular vein. This preparation, deprived of the endothelium or pretreated with L-nitroarginine, is suitable for evaluating tachykinin agonists or antagonists.

Essential role for nitric oxide in neurogenic inflammation in rat cutaneous microcirculation. Evidence for an endothelium-independent mechanism

The possible modulatory role of nitric oxide (NO) in neurogenic edema formation in rat paw skin, induced by electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve, was investigated by using two NO synthase inhibitors, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI). Both L-NAME (100 mg/kg IV, P < .05) and 7-NI (10 mg/kg IV, P < .05) caused an L-arginine (100 mg/kg IV, P < .01)-reversible inhibition of neurogenic edema as measured by 125I-albumin accumulation, whereas D-NAME (inactive enantiomer of L-NAME) and 6-aminoindazole (structurally similar to 7-NI) were without inhibitory effect. L-NAME produced the predicted vasopressor effect (before, 115 +/- 18 mm Hg; 5 minutes after, 174 +/- 18 mm Hg; n = 6; P < .05), whereas 7-NI showed no significant increase in blood pressure (before, 96 +/- 9 mm Hg; 5 minutes after, 102 +/- 10 mm Hg; n = 6), and neither L-NAME nor 7-NI had any effect on basal or vasodilator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, 10 pmol per site)-stimulated local blood flow in rat skin, as measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Furthermore, systemic and local 7-NI had no effect on edema formation induced by local administration of substance P (with or without CGRP) and histamine (with or without CGRP) in rat skin. Since 7-NI blocks edema produced by stimulation of the saphenous nerve, it is suggested that release of NO is involved in neurogenic edema formation, but the vasodilator action of NO is unimportant in this context.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cutaneous vasodilatation induced by nitric oxide-evoked stimulation of afferent nerves in the rat

1. The site of action at which nitric oxide (NO) may contribute to neurogenic vasodilatation in the hindpaw skin of urethane-anaesthetized rats was examined by the use of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthase. 2. Skin blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, and neurogenic vasodilatation was evoked either by topical application of mustard oil (5%) or antidromic electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve (antidromic vasodilatation). 3. L-NAME (60 mumol kg-1, i.v.) attenuated the hyperaemia evoked by mustard oil in an enantiomer-specific manner but failed to reduce antidromic vasodilatation and the vasodilatation due to i.v. injected calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (0.1-1 nmol kg-1 each), two proposed mediators of neurogenic vasodilatation. 4. Pretreatment of rats with capsaicin (125 mg kg-1, s.c. 2 weeks beforehand), to defunctionalize afferent neurones, reduced the hyperaemic response to mustard oil and prevented L-NAME from further decreasing the vasodilatation evoked by mustard oil. 5. Intraplantar infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 0.15 nmol in 1 min), a donor of NO, induced hyperaemia which was significantly diminished by the CGRP antagonist CGRP8-37 (50 nmol kg-1, i.v.) and by capsaicin pretreatment. The ability of CGRP8-37 to inhibit the vasodilator response to SNP was lost in capsaicin-pretreated rats. 6. Taken together, these data indicate that NO does not play a vasorelaxant messenger role in neurogenic vasodilatation but can contribute to activation of, and/or transmitter release from, afferent nerve fibres in response to irritant chemicals.

Characterization of the capsaicin-sensitive component of cyclophosphamide-induced inflammation in the rat urinary bladder

1. Cyclophosphamide (CYP) (150 mg kg-1, i.p. 0.5-48 h before) caused a time-dependent plasma protein extravasation in the rat urinary bladder with the maximal extravasation occurring at between 2 and 4 h after administration of the drug. 2. Prior capsaicin desensitization of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent neurones (CSPANs) (50 mg kg-1, s.c., 4 days before) resulted in approximately 50% inhibition of the magnitude of the extravasation response at the 2 h time-point. 3. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, RP 67,580 (0.44 mg kg-1) or the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, Hoe 140 (0.13 mg kg-1) had significant inhibitory effects, giving responses of 56 +/- 6% and 39 +/- 4% of the control extravasation response to CYP treatment after 2 h. Pretreatment with the tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist, SR 48,968 (0.3 mg kg-1, i.p.), the histamine H1 receptor blocker, chlorpheniramine (10 mg kg-1, i.p.), the 5-HT receptor blocker, methysergide (6 mg kg-1, i.p.) or the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 mg kg-1, i.p.) had no significant effect upon the development of the extravasation response at this same time-point. 4. In rat isolated urinary bladder strips, the active metabolite of CYP, acrolein (1-300 microM) produced a concentration-dependent contraction that was significantly reduced by in vitro capsaicin desensitization (10 microM for 15 min) indicating direct stimulation of CSPANs. CYP was without appreciable effect. 5. The effect of acrolein in vitro was significantly reduced by pretreatment of the bladder with a combination of tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptor antagonists, RP 67,580 (3 microM) and SR 48,968 (1 microM). The dose-response curve to acrolein was also significantly inhibited by treatment with indomethacin (10 microM) and slightly affected by Hoe 140 (1 microM). 6. These findings demonstrate the contribution of CSPANs to the development of CYP-induced cystitis.Plasma protein extravasation involves activation of tachykinin NKI and bradykinin B2 receptors.Activation of CSPANs in the urinary bladder is likely to be due to the conversion of CYP into its active metabolite, acrolein, and not to a direct effect of CYP upon these nerve-endings.