Effects of amosulalol on the electrical responses of guinea-pig vascular smooth muscle to adrenoceptor activation

Beta1-adrenergic receptor-mediated dilation of rat cerebral artery requires Shaker-type KV1 channels on PSD95 scaffold

Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95) is a scaffolding protein in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells (cVSMCs), which binds to Shaker-type K(+) (KV1) channels and facilitates channel opening through phosphorylation by protein kinase A. β1-Adrenergic receptors (β1ARs) also have a binding motif for PSD95. Functional association of β1AR with KV1 channels through PSD95 may represent a novel vasodilator complex in cerebral arteries (CA). We explored whether a β1AR-PSD95-KV1 complex is a determinant of rat CA dilation. RT-PCR and western blots revealed expression of β1AR in CA. Isoproterenol induced a concentration-dependent dilation of isolated, pressurized rat CA that was blocked by the β1AR blocker CGP20712. Cranial window imaging of middle cerebral arterioles in situ showed isoproterenol- and norepinephrine-induced dilation that was blunted by β1AR blockade. Isoproterenol-induced hyperpolarization of cVSMCs in pressurized CA was blocked by CGP20712. Confocal images of cVSMCs immunostained with antibodies against β1AR and PSD95 indicated strong colocalization, and PSD95 co-immunoprecipitated with β1AR in CA lysate. Blockade of KV1 channels, β1AR or disruption of PSD95-KV1 interaction produced similar blunting of isoproterenol-induced dilation in pressurized CA. These findings suggest that PSD95 mediates a vasodilator complex with β1AR and KV1 channels in cVSMCs. This complex may be critical for proper vasodilation in rat CA.

The purinergic neurotransmitter revisited: a single substance or multiple players?

The past half century has witnessed tremendous advances in our understanding of extracellular purinergic signaling pathways. Purinergic neurotransmission, in particular, has emerged as a key contributor in the efficient control mechanisms in the nervous system. The identity of the purine neurotransmitter, however, remains controversial. Identifying it is difficult because purines are present in all cell types, have a large variety of cell sources, and are released via numerous pathways. Moreover, studies on purinergic neurotransmission have relied heavily on indirect measurements of integrated postjunctional responses that do not provide direct information for neurotransmitter identity. This paper discusses experimental support for adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) as a neurotransmitter and recent evidence for possible contribution of other purines, in addition to or instead of ATP, in chemical neurotransmission in the peripheral, enteric and central nervous systems. Sites of release and action of purines in model systems such as vas deferens, blood vessels, urinary bladder and chromaffin cells are discussed. This is preceded by a brief discussion of studies demonstrating storage of purines in synaptic vesicles. We examine recent evidence for cell type targets (e.g., smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells, neurons and glia) for purine neurotransmitters in different systems. This is followed by brief discussion of mechanisms of terminating the action of purine neurotransmitters, including extracellular nucleotide hydrolysis and possible salvage and reuptake in the cell. The significance of direct neurotransmitter release measurements is highlighted. Possibilities for involvement of multiple purines (e.g., ATP, ADP, NAD(+), ADP-ribose, adenosine, and diadenosine polyphosphates) in neurotransmission are considered throughout.

Mechanisms of inhibitory noradrenergic transmission in the rabbit facial vein

In isolated buccal segment of the rabbit facial vein, electrical responses produced by perivascular nerve stimulation and exogenously applied noradrenaline (NA) were recorded from the smooth muscle cells using microelectrode. Perivascular nerve stimulation hyperpolarized the smooth muscle cell membrane. The hyperpolarization was converted to depolarization after application of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, and the depolarization was blocked by alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists, yohimbine. These responses elicited by nerve stimulation were blocked by tetrodotoxin or guanethidine, but not by atropine. Exogenously applied NA mimicked the responses elicited by nerve stimulation. The amplitude of the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated hyperpolarization was increased in low potassium solution, decreased in high potassium solution, but unaltered by low sodium or low chloride solution, i.e., the hyperpolarization may be generated by an increase in potassium conductance of the membrane. An involvement of the apamin-sensitive (Ca-dependent) potassium channel or sodium-potassium ATPase in the hyperpolarization was ruled out.

Effects of bunazosin on electrical responses of smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig mesenteric artery and vein to perivascular nerve stimulation and to noradrenaline

The noradrenaline-induced depolarization of smooth muscle cell membrane was blocked by bunazosin in the mesenteric artery but not in the mesenteric vein. Bunazosin enhanced the excitatory junction potential (e.j.p.) evoked in the mesenteric artery but did not modulate the slow depolarization evoked in the mesenteric vein. Application of noradrenaline decreased the amplitude of e.j.p. enhanced by bunazosin but not by yohimbine. It was concluded that bunazosin is a highly selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker in vascular tissues.

Adrenoceptor blocking and cardiovascular effects of the optical isomers of amosulalol (YM-09538), a combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, and the corresponding desoxy derivative (YM-11133) in rats

The pharmacological activities of the enantiomers of amosulalol (YM-09538), a combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, and the corresponding desoxy derivative (YM-11133) were investigated in the cardiovascular system of rats. The optical isomers of amosulalol and YM-11133 antagonized the vasopressor effect of phenylephrine and the positive chronotropic effect of isoproterenol in normotensive pithed rats. Based on DR2 values (micrograms/kg, i.v.) obtained from Schild plots, (+)-amosulalol and YM-11133 (DR2 = 30) were approximately 10 times more potent than (-)-amosulalol (DR2 = 324) in blocking alpha 1-adrenoceptors. For beta 1-adrenoceptors, in contrast, (-)-amosulalol (DR2 = 107) was approximately 60 times more potent than (+)-amosulalol (DR2 = 6460), which was almost equipotent with YM-11133 (DR2 = 3250). The results indicate that the optical isomers of amosulalol interact differently with alpha 1- and beta 1-adrenoceptors. The effects of these phenethylamines on blood pressure and heart rate were studied in urethane-anesthetized rats (i.v.). The rank order of hypotensive potency in anesthetized rats [+)- = desoxy greater than (-)-form) was consistent with the rank order of alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonism in pithed rats. In contrast, (-)-amosulalol having a more potent beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist activity than (+)-amosulalol and YM-11133 only produced dose-dependent bradycardia at the hypotensive doses. The results indicate that the vascular alpha 1- and cardiac beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking activities of the optical isomers of amosulalol contribute to their hypotensive and bradycardia, respectively. Thus, the racemate of amosulalol appears to exert an overall activity reflecting the activities of the individual isomers.