In vitro denervation of the rat vas deferens through hypothermic storage

Bupropion treatment increases epididymal contractility and impairs sperm quality with no effects on the epididymal sperm transit time of male rats

Bupropion is a dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor used as smoking cessation and antidepressant drug with a lower incidence of male sexual dysfunction. We showed previously that sibutramine, a norepinephrine/serotonine reuptake inhibitor, reduced male rat fertility. As there are no studies evaluating the impact of bupropion treatment on spermatic parameters and male fertility, we evaluated the effects of bupropion treatment (15 and 30 mg kg(-1), 30 days) on sexual behavior, spermatic parameters and fertility of male Wistar rats and on the epididymal duct in vitro contractility. Bupropion 15 mg kg(-1) increased the serum luteinizing hormone level and the epididymal duct contractility, but the sperm quality was not affected. At 30 mg kg(-1) bupropion impaired sperm quality increasing the incidence of non-progressive sperm. The male sexual behavior and fertility were not modified at both bupropion doses. These results, in rats, suggest the importance of studies evaluating the effects of bupropion on the human male sperm quality.

Slimmer or fertile? Pharmacological mechanisms involved in reduced sperm quality and fertility in rats exposed to the anorexigen sibutramine

Sperm acquire motility and fertility capacity during epididymal transit, under the control of androgens and sympathetic innervations. It is already known that the acceleration of epididymal sperm transit time can lead to lower sperm quality. In a previous work we showed that rats exposed to the anorexigen sibutramine, a non-selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, presented faster sperm transit time, lower epididymal sperm reserves and potentiation of the tension of epididymal duct to norepinephrine exposed acutely in vitro to sibutramine. In the present work we aimed to further investigate pharmacological mechanisms involved in these alterations and the impact on rat sperm quality. For this, adult male Wistar rats were treated with sibutramine (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 30 days. Sibutramine decreased final body, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and epididymal weights, as well as sperm transit time in the epididymal cauda. On the contrary of the in vitro pharmacological assays, in which sibutramine was added directly to the bath containing strips of distal epididymal cauda, the ductal tension was not altered after in vivo sub-chronic exposure to sibutramine. However, there is pharmacological evidence that the endogenous epididymal norepinephrine reserves were reduced in these animals. It was also shown that the decrease in prostate weight can be related to increased tension developed of the gland, due to sibutramine sympathomimetic effects. In addition, our results showed reduced sperm quality after in utero artificial insemination, a more sensitive procedure to assess fertility in rodents. The epididymal norepinephrine depletion exerted by sibutramine, associated with decreases in sperm transit time, quantity and quality, leading to reduced fertility in this experimental model, reinforces the concerns about the possible impact on fertility of man taking sibutramine as well as other non-selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, especially considering the lower reproductive efficiency of humans compared to males of other species.

Functionomics: the analysis of a postgenomic concept on the basis of pregenomic pharmacological studies in smooth muscle

The term functionomics (Amin 2003, Neumann et al. 2004) refers to a postgenomic integrated Systems Biology (Attur et al. 2002) using a multidimensional approach for cells, tissues and organs. It considers current or future involvement among genomics, proteomics or metabolomics, including the main factors that cause biological responses and modulation under different conditions. Our objective in the present review is to summarize the contemporary understanding of functionomics of smooth muscle pharmacology, based on the results obtained on the pregenomic era during several years in our laboratory. The present approach is based on the knowledge of the dynamics of the receptor system, which comprises a cascade of phenomena, leading from the drug administration to the final biological response. We will describe several conditions in which the final effect is modified, based on perturbations induced on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, interaction with receptors and mobilization of second messengers, as well as by interactions with a second receptor system. We will also discuss the gaps that need to be fulfilled in order to obtain a clear and better understanding of the receptor system in smooth muscle, and to narrow the bridge between ourknowledge of the function of biological systems, genomics, and other recently introduced areas.

Mechanisms of adaptive supersensitivity in vas deferens

Adaptive supersensitivity is a phenomenon characteristic of excitable tissues and discloses as a compensatory adjustment of tissue's response to unrelated stimulatory endogenous and exogenous substances after chronic interruption of excitatory neurotransmission. The mechanisms underlying such higher postjunctional sensitivity have been postulated for a variety of cell types. In smooth muscles, especially the vas deferens with its rich sympathetic innervation, the mechanisms responsible for supersensitivity are partly understood and appear to be different from one species to another. The present review provides a general understanding of adaptive supersensitivity and emphasizes early and recent information about the putative mechanisms involved in this phenomenon in rodent vas deferens.

Atenolol Attenuates Autonomic Dysfunction of Rat Jejunum Submitted to Cold Ischemic Preservation

In vitro studies have demonstrated that cold ischemic preservation (CIP) employed in small bowel transplantation produces loss of intestinal motility due to severe lesions of autonomic enteric nerves and that this autonomic dysfunction is attenuated by antioxidant agents. In this work, we investigated whether preservation with atenolol attenuated autonomic dysfunction of rat jejunum submitted to long-term CIP. Jejunal segments (2 cm) of Wistar rats (12 to 16 weeks old) were surgically isolated and preserved at 4 degrees C in Ringer's lactate solution without (-) or with (+) 1 mumol/L atenolol (AT). After preservation for 12 hours, AT+ and AT- preparations were mounted in parallel in isolated organ baths containing 10 mL Tyrode's solution at 37 degrees C for the study of neurogenic contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS; 10 to 30 Hz, 1-ms duration, 60 V) or by stimulation with nicotinic (nicotine, NIC) or muscarinic (carbachol, CCh) cholinoceptor agents as well as nicotine (hexamethonium, HEX) and muscarinic (atropine, ATR) antagonists. Contractions induced by EFS (30 Hz) were 46% higher in AT+ (0.38 +/- 0.02 g) than AT- (0.26 +/- 0.01 g), while contractions induced by NIC (1 mmol/L) were 84% higher in AT+ (0.46 +/- 0.03 g) than in AT- (0.25 +/- 0.02 g). In addition, contractions induced by CCh (1 mmol/L) were 34% higher in AT+ (0.87 +/- 0.06 g) than in AT- (0.65 +/- 0.08 g). EFS-, NIC-, and CCh-induced contractions were inhibited by pretreatment of jejunum with HEX or ATR (1 mumol/30 min), in AT+ and AT-. These results suggest that addition of atenolol in the preservation solution attenuated autonomic dysfunction of rat jejunum submitted to long-term CIP.

Autonomic Dysfunction of Rat Jejunum Submitted to Cold Ischemic Preservation Is Prevented by Heparin

Previous studies suggest that cold ischemic preservation (CIP) employed in small bowel transplantation promotes loss of intestinal motility due to severe lesions in autonomic enteric nerves. This autonomic dysfunction may be prevented by antioxidant agents. In this work, we investigated whether preservation with heparin prevented autonomic dysfunction of rat jejunum submitted to CIP for a long time. Jejunal segments (2 cm) of Wistar rats (12 to 16 weeks old) were preserved at 4 degrees C in Ringer's lactate solution without (-) or with (+) 100 UI/mL heparin (H). After preservation for 12 hours, H+ and H- preparations were mounted in parallel in isolated organ baths containing 10 mL Tyrode's solution at 37 degrees C for the study of neurogenic contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS; 10-30 Hz, 1-ms duration, 60 V) or by stimulation of nicotinic (NIC) or muscarinic (carbachol, CCh) cholinoceptors. The effects of NIC (hexamethonium, HEX) and muscarinic (atropine, ATR) antagonists were studied on these contractions. Contractions induced by EFS (30 Hz) were four times greater in H+ (1.02 +/- 0.12 g) versus H- (0.26 +/- 0.07 g), while contractions induced by NIC (1 mmol/L) were also four times higher in H+ (1.07 +/- 0.10 g) than H- (0.25 +/- 0.09 g) preparations. In addition, contractions induced by CCh (1 mmol/L) were two times higher in H+ (1.21 +/- 0.13 g) than in H- (0.65 +/- 0.10 g). EFS, NIC, and CCh contractions were inhibited by pretreatment of jejunum with HEX or ATR (1 mumol/L/30 min), in H+ and H-. These results indicated that addition of heparin to a preservation solution attenuated the autonomic dysfunction of rat jejunum submitted to CIP for a long time.

Adaptive expression pattern of different proteins involved in cellular calcium homeostasis in denervated rat vas deferens

The activity and protein expression of plasma membrane and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (Ca2+-Mg2+)ATPases and ryanodine receptors were investigated in surgically denervated rat vas deferens. The function of thapsigargin-sensitive but not thapsigargin-resistant (Ca2+-Mg2+)ATPase (from sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum and plasma membrane, respectively), evidenced by enzyme activity and Ca2+ uptake experiments, was significantly depressed by 30-50% when compared to innervated vas. Western blots showed that such reduction in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (Ca2+-Mg2+)ATPase performance was accompanied by a decrement of similar magnitude in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (Ca2+-Mg2+)ATPase type 2 protein expression, without any significant change in plasma membrane (Ca2+-Mg2+)ATPase expression. Finally, [3H]ryanodine binding revealed that the density of ryanodine binding sites was reduced by 45% after denervation without modification in affinity. The present findings demonstrate that sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum proteins involved in intracellular calcium homeostasis are clearly down-regulated and brings further evidence of a modified calcium translocation in denervated rat vas deferens.

Mechanisms of release of ATP from vascular purinergic nerves

1. The vasoconstrictor response to periarterial nerve electrical stimulation (PNS) and neurotransmission by ATP are discussed and illustrated, using canine isolated and perfused splenic arterial preparations. 2. The conditions for appearance of dominant purinergic constrictor response to PNS are discussed. 3. Modulation of the purinergic vasoconstrictor responses to PNS by several kinds of presynaptic receptor agonists and antagonists is reviewed. 4. Influences of purinergic responses to PNS by guanethidine, reserpine, tetrodotoxin (TTX) or omega-conotoxin GVIA (omegaCTX) are also reviewed. 5. Effects of imipramine and removal of the endothelium are discussed. 6. Evidence is presented for selective inhibition of purinergic responses to PNS by an adequate cold storage of the vessel. 7. The roles of ATP released by PNS in isolated canine splenic arteries are proposed.

Role of noradrenaline on the expression of the Na+/K+-ATPase alpha2 isoform and the contractility of cultured rat vas deferens

Rat vasa deferentia were cultured for 3 days in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium in the absence or presence of 1 microM noradrenaline (NA) to investigate if the lack of NA release is the key factor to explain the selective reduction of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha(2) isoform previously observed after in vivo denervation of this organ (Quintas et al., Biochem Pharmacol 2000;60:741-7). The lack of effects of the indirect sympathomimetic tyramine and the neuronal amine uptake blocker cocaine on NA curves indicated that cultured organs were denervated completely. Organ culture induced supersensitivity, expressed as a 6.3-fold increase of pD(2) and a 42% elevation of maximal contraction for NA but not for Ba(2+). Western blotting indicated that the level of the alpha(1) isoform of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase was unchanged after organ culture, but the alpha(2) isoform was down-regulated drastically to levels that were barely detectable. The addition of NA to the culture medium did not prevent the reduction of alpha(2) expression although it did impede NA supersensitivity (in fact a 4-fold decrease of pD(2) and a 32% reduction of maximal response were observed after incubation in the presence of NA). A striking reduction of L-type Ca(2+) channel expression also was observed, indicated by an 85% decrease of [3H]isradipine binding sites. These data suggest that NA is a trophic factor relevant to the control of muscle contraction, mediated by alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, but not to the expression of either Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase or the L-type Ca(2+) channel.

Down-regulation of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha(2) isoform in denervated rat vas deferens

In the rat vas deferens, an organ richly innervated by peripheral sympathetic neurons, we have demonstrated recently the expression of alpha(1) and alpha(2), but not alpha(3) isoforms of the alpha subunit of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37), a membrane-bound enzyme of vital function for living cells (Noël et al., Biochem Pharmacol 55: 1531-1535, 1998). In the present work, we characterized, qualitatively and quantitatively, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha isoforms in denervated rat vasa deferentia. [(3)H]Ouabain binding at concentrations defined for high-affinity isoforms (alpha(2) and/or alpha(3)) detected only one class of specific binding sites in control (C) and denervated (D) vas deferens. Although the dissociation constant was similar for both groups [K(d) = 138 +/- 14 nM (C) and 125 +/- 8 nM (D)], a marked decrease in density was observed after denervation [716 +/- 81 fmol.mg protein(-1) (C) and 445 +/- 34 fmol.mg protein(-1) (D), P < 0.05]. In addition, western blotting revealed that denervated vasa deferentia produce the alpha(1) and alpha(2) isoforms but not alpha(3), just as we reported for the controls previously (Noël et al., Biochem Pharmacol 55: 1531-1535, 1998). Densitometric analysis showed a decrease of the alpha(2) isoform by about 40% in denervated organs, in very good agreement with what was shown with the [(3)H]ouabain binding technique, but no significant change in alpha(1) isoform density. Truncated alpha(1) (alpha(1)T), an isoform suggested to exist in the guinea pig vas deferens, was not detected. Altogether, our results demonstrated that Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha(2) is down-regulated after sympathetic denervation of the rat vas deferens.

Capsaicin-induced nitric-oxide-dependent relaxation in isolated dog urethra

Capsaicin (5 x 10[-8] to 5 x 10[-5] M) produced a non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic phasic relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner in isolated dog urethral preparations precontracted by noradrenaline. The mode of action of capsaicin was investigated with special reference to the possible involvement of endogenous nitric oxide (NO). A marked tachyphylaxis was observed in the responses to capsaicin. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) prevented or markedly reduced the inhibitory effect of L-NAME. Methylene blue inhibited the capsaicin-induced relaxation. In preparations stored at 4 degrees C for 72 h, the reduction in the capsaicin-induced relaxation was significantly greater than that in the relaxation induced by either electrical field stimulation or by sodium nitroprusside. We conclude that capsaicin produces an endogenous-NO-dependent relaxation in the isolated dog urethra via mechanisms that deteriorate during cold storage of the preparations.

Disruption of the rat mesenteric arterial bed endothelial function by air perfusion

The impact of air perfusion on the endothelial function of the rat mesenteric arterial bed (MAB; perfused with Krebs' bicarbonate plus indomethacin) was compared to that of the NO synthase inhibitor, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Air shifted the dose-response curve for the alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, norepinephrine (NE) to the left (ED50%: 2.9+/-0.7 to 0.9+/-0.7 microg, P < 0.05); maximal vasoconstriction did not change. L-NAME produced a similar increase in midrange sensitivity (ED50% 1.4+/-0.7 microg, P < 0.05) and a 20% increase in maximum (152+/-6 to 183+/-7 mmHg, P < 0.05). Electromechanical stimulation with potassium chloride (KCl) was not modified by reserpine. Neither air nor L-NAME modified midrange sensitivity to KCl. L-NAME produced a 17% increase in maximum (91+/-4 to 107+/-5 mmHg, P < 0.05); reserpine abolished the latter effect. Air and L-NAME diminished endothelium-dependent vasodilation elicited by carbachol. Air did not modify endothelium-dependent vasodilation elicited by sodium nitroprusside; this response was potentiated by L-NAME. In summary, air and L-NAME produced similar effects on receptor-dependent activation of the endothelial L-arginine nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Potentiation by L-NAME of the maximal electromechanical response suggests the existence of a tone-dependent NO system. Abolition of the latter response by reserpine suggests that this system is of sympathetic origin.

Functional properties of agmatine in rat vas deferens

Experiments were performed with rat vas deferens to verify whether agmatine, an endogenous ligand for adrenoceptors and imidazoline receptors, can influence sympathetic neurotransmission, with respect to contractions induced by transmural nerve stimulation, contractions induced by exogenous noradrenaline, and overflow of endogenous noradrenaline. It was shown that agmatine (a) caused a dose-dependent potentiation of electrically induced twitches, up to about 70% in relation to controls, (b) shifted to the right the inhibitory concentration-response curves for clonidine on electrically induced twitches, indicating competitive antagonism at presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors, with a pA2 value of 4.12 +/- 0.10, (c) shifted to the right the concentration-response curves for noradrenaline-induced contractions, indicating competitive antagonism at postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors as well, with a pA2 value of 4.03 +/- 0.10, and (d) caused a dose-dependent increase of KCI-induced overflow of noradrenaline, up to about 90% in relation to controls. It is concluded that agmatine has multiple effects on sympathetic neurotransmission in rat vas deferens.

Decreased density of binding sites for the Ca2+ channel antagonist [3H]isradipine after denervation of rat vas deferens

Radioligand binding assays were performed with the selective antagonist of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels [3H]PN200-110 (isradipine) in rat vas deferens, before and 7 days after denervation, and data were compared with those obtained for K(+)-induced contractions, which are Ca(2+)-dependent. The density (Bmax) of dihydropyridine binding sites was decreased to almost one-third of its normal value after denervation. The respective affinity (KD) was not significantly changed. In addition, it was observed that the K(+)-induced tonic contraction, which corresponded to 55 +/- 2% of the respective phasic contraction, was decreased to 41 +/- 3% after denervation. It is assumed that the decreased density of Ca2+ channels causes a decrease in K(+)-induced influx of Ca2+ and consequently of the corresponding tonic contraction. These results indicate that autonomic innervation can regulate the density of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the rat vas deferens.

The effects of perfusion rate and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on cirazoline- and KCl-induced responses in the perfused mesenteric arterial bed of rats

1. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the perfusion rate/pressure relations, and on the pressor responses induced to cirazoline and KCl in isolated, perfused mesenteric arterial beds from normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats. 2. The basal perfusion pressure of arterial beds perfused with either physiological salt solution (PSS) or PSS containing 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone increased as the perfusion rate increased. L-NAME, in concentrations up to 100 microM, failed to alter the basal pressure regardless of the perfusion rate and viscosity; however, at 5 microM, it potentiated cirazoline-induced vasoconstriction at each of the perfusion rates. 3. L-NAME but not D-NAME caused a leftward shift of cirazoline concentration-response curves with a marked increase in the maximal response. The potentiating action of L-NAME was abolished in arterial beds perfused with a Ca(2+)-free physiological salt solution and also in beds denuded of endothelium by an infusion of distilled water for 5 min. 4. In endothelium-intact and -denuded preparations, L-NAME potentiated KCl pressor responses; the endothelium-independent potentiation of KCl pressor activity was stereospecific, time-independent and was not prevented by the presence of dexamethasone (0.5 microM) in the perfusion medium. However, L-NAME failed to potentiate vasoconstriction obtained to KCl in arterial beds denervated by cold storage (4-5 degrees C) for 2 days. 5. The absence of K+ in the perfusate did not inhibit the ability of L-NAME to potentiate alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated pressor responses, and nor did L-NAME inhibit KCl-induced vasodilatation in preconstricted arteries. It was thus concluded that L-NAME does not affect Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. 6. No differences in the potentiating ability of L-NAME on either cirazoline- or KCl-mediated pressor responses were apparent between normotensive Sprague Dawley (SD), Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats.7. Our data thus provide evidence that: the presence of a vasoconstrictor is required for basal nitricoxide (NO) release in the mesenteric arterial bed from either normotensive or spontaneously hypertensive rats; L-NAME causes potentiation of cirazoline- and KCl-induced vasoconstriction respectively by inhibiting endothelial and neuronal NO synthase(s). Furthermore, our data indicate that NO synthase activity is not impaired in the mesenteric arterial bed of spontaneously hypertensive rats.