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Zatz R, De Nucci G. Endothelium-Derived Dopamine and 6-Nitrodopamine in the Cardiovascular System. Physiology (Bethesda) 2024; 39:44-59. [PMID: 37874898 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00020.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The review deals with the release of endothelium-derived dopamine and 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND) and its effects on isolated vascular tissues and isolated hearts. Basal release of both dopamine and 6-ND is present in human isolated umbilical cord vessels, human popliteal vessels, nonhuman primate vessels, and reptilia aortas. The 6-ND basal release was significantly reduced when the tissues were treated with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and virtually abolished when the endothelium was mechanically removed. 6-Nitrodopamine is a potent vasodilator, and the mechanism of action responsible for this effect is the antagonism of dopamine D2-like receptors. As a vasodilator, 6-ND constitutes a novel mechanism by which nitric oxide modulates vascular tone. The basal release of 6-ND was substantially decreased in endothelial nitric oxide synthase knockout (eNOS-/-) mice and not altered in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout (nNOS-/-) mice, indicating a nonneurogenic source for 6-ND in the heart. Indeed, in rat isolated right atrium, the release of 6-ND was not affected when the atria were treated with tetrodotoxin. In the rat isolated right atrium, 6-ND is the most potent endogenous positive chronotropic agent, and in Langendorff's heart preparation, it is the most potent endogenous positive inotropic agent. The positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of 6-ND are antagonized by β1-adrenoceptor antagonists at concentrations that do not affect the effects induced by noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, indicating that blockade of the 6-ND receptor is the major modulator of heart chronotropism and inotropism. The review proposes that endothelium-derived catecholamines may constitute a major mechanism for control of vascular tone and heart functions, in contrast to the overrated role attributed to the autonomic nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zatz
- Renal Division, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gilberto De Nucci
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Metropolitan University of Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
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Enteric neuroanatomy and smooth muscle activity in the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox). Front Zool 2023; 20:8. [PMID: 36759847 PMCID: PMC9909958 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-023-00484-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) functions are controlled by the enteric nervous system (ENS) in vertebrates, but data on snakes are scarce, as most studies were done in mammals. However, the feeding of many snakes, including Crotalus atrox, is in strong contrast with mammals, as it consumes an immense, intact prey that is forwarded, stored, and processed by the GI tract. We performed immunohistochemistry in different regions of the GI tract to assess the neuronal density and to quantify cholinergic, nitrergic, and VIPergic enteric neurons. We recorded motility patterns and determined the role of different neurotransmitters in the control of motility. Neuroimaging experiments complemented motility findings. RESULTS A well-developed ganglionated myenteric plexus (MP) was found in the oesophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. In the submucous plexus (SMP) most neurons were scattered individually without forming ganglia. The lowest number of neurons was present in the SMP of the proximal colon, while the highest was in the MP of the oesophagus. The total number of neurons in the ENS was estimated to be approx. 1.5 million. In all regions of the SMP except for the oesophagus more nitric oxide synthase+ than choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT)+ neurons were counted, while in the MP ChAT+ neurons dominated. In the SMP most nerve cells were VIP+, contrary to the MP, where numerous VIP+ nerve fibers but hardly any VIP+ neuronal cell bodies were seen. Regular contractions were observed in muscle strips from the distal stomach, but not from the proximal stomach or the colon. We identified acetylcholine as the main excitatory and nitric oxide as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Furthermore, 5-HT and dopamine stimulated, while VIP and the ß-receptor-agonist isoproterenol inhibited motility. ATP had only a minor inhibitory effect. Nerve-evoked contractile responses were sodium-dependent, insensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX), but sensitive to lidocaine, supported by neuroimaging experiments. CONCLUSIONS The structure of the ENS, and patterns of gastric and colonic contractile activity of Crotalus atrox are strikingly different from mammalian models. However, the main excitatory and inhibitory pathways appear to be conserved. Future studies have to explore how the observed differences are an adaptation to the particular feeding strategy of the snake.
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Filogonio R, Sartori MR, Morgensen S, Tavares D, Campos R, Abe AS, Taylor EW, Rodrigues GJ, De Nucci G, Simonsen U, Leite CAC, Wang T. Cholinergic regulation along the pulmonary arterial tree of the South American rattlesnake: vascular reactivity, muscarinic receptors, and vagal innervation. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2020; 319:R156-R170. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00310.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Vascular tone in the reptilian pulmonary vasculature is primarily under cholinergic, muscarinic control exerted via the vagus nerve. This control has been ascribed to a sphincter located at the arterial outflow, but we speculated whether the vascular control in the pulmonary artery is more widespread, such that responses to acetylcholine and electrical stimulation, as well as the expression of muscarinic receptors, are prevalent along its length. Working on the South American rattlesnake ( Crotalus durissus), we studied four different portions of the pulmonary artery (truncus, proximal, distal, and branches). Acetylcholine elicited robust vasoconstriction in the proximal, distal, and branch portions, but the truncus vasodilated. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) caused contractions in all segments, an effect partially blocked by atropine. We identified all five subtypes of muscarinic receptors (M1–M5). The expression of the M1 receptor was largest in the distal end and branches of the pulmonary artery, whereas expression of the muscarinic M3 receptor was markedly larger in the truncus of the pulmonary artery. Application of the neural tracer 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindo-carbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) revealed widespread innervation along the whole pulmonary artery, and retrograde transport of the same tracer indicated two separate locations in the brainstem providing vagal innervation of the pulmonary artery, the medial dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and a ventro-lateral location, possibly constituting a nucleus ambiguus. These results revealed parasympathetic innervation of a large portion of the pulmonary artery, which is responsible for regulation of vascular conductance in C. durissus, and implied its integration with cardiorespiratory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Filogonio
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Marina R. Sartori
- Department of Zoology, State University of São Paulo, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Susie Morgensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Pulmonary, and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Driele Tavares
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Rafael Campos
- Superior Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Augusto S. Abe
- Department of Zoology, State University of São Paulo, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edwin W. Taylor
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gerson J. Rodrigues
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Gilberto De Nucci
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ulf Simonsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Pulmonary, and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cléo A. C. Leite
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Tobias Wang
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Cesarini V, Guida E, Campolo F, Crescioli C, Di Baldassarre A, Pisano C, Balistreri CR, Ruvolo G, Jannini EA, Dolci S. Type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) and the vascular tree: From embryogenesis to aging and disease. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 190:111311. [PMID: 32628940 PMCID: PMC7333613 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vascular development depends on the timely differentiation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Vascular aging and vascular disease are influenced by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell compartments. A survey of the literature on the role of PDE5 in vascular development, aging and disease is reported. The role of PDE5 on vascular development, aging and disease needs to be further investigated by its genetic ablation.
Vascular tree development depends on the timely differentiation of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. These latter are key players in the formation of the vascular scaffold that offers resistance to the blood flow. This review aims at providing an overview on the role of PDE5, the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase that historically attracted much attention for its involvement in male impotence, in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell function. The overall goal is to underscore the importance of PDE5 expression and activity in this cell type in the context of the organs where its function has been extensively studied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugenia Guida
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Campolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Crescioli
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Calogera Pisano
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Department of Bio-Medicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ruvolo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Susanna Dolci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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Campos R, Justo AFO, Jacintho FF, Mónica FZ, Rojas-Moscoso JA, Moreno RA, Napolitano M, Cogo JC, De Nucci G. Pharmacological and transcriptomic characterization of the nitric oxide pathway in aortic rings isolated from the tortoise Chelonoidis carbonaria. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 222:82-89. [PMID: 31028932 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this study the nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) pathway was characterized in tortoise Chelonoidis carbonaria aorta. Concentration response curves (CCR) to ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine and histamine were performed in the presence and absence of L-NAME in aorta pre-contracted with ACh (3 μM). CCR to SNP, BAY 41-2272 (sGC stimulator), BAY 60-2770 (sGC activator) and tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) were constructed in the presence and absence of ODQ (10 μM). ATP (pEC50 6.1 ± 0.1), ADP (pEC50 6.0 ± 0.2), AMP (pEC50 6.8 ± 0.1) and histamine (pEC50 6.8 ± 0.12) relaxed Chelonoidis aorta and the addition of L-NAME reduced their efficacy (p < .05). Adenosine effects (pEC50 6.6 ± 0.1) were not changed in the presence of L-NAME. SNP (pEC50 7.5 ± 0.7; Emax 102.2 ± 2.5%), BAY 41-2272 (pEC50 7.3 ± 0.2; Emax 130.3 ± 10.2%), BAY 60-2770 (pEC50 11.4 ± 0.1; Emax 130.3 ± 6.5%) and tadalafil (pEC50 6.7 ± 0.3; Emax 121.3 ± 15.3%) relaxed Chelonoidis aorta. The addition of ODQ reduced the SNP and tadalafil maximum response (p < .05) and promoted 63 fold right shift on BAY 41-2272 curve. In contrast, no alteration was observed on BAY 60-2770 response. Transcriptomic analysis for eNOS and sGC were found in aorta and brain libraries with high homology when compared with human transcripts. The NO-sGC-PDE-5 is functionally present in Chelonoidis aorta with a functional and genomic similarity to mammalian vessels. Unlike most of mammalian vessels, ACh did not cause endothelium-dependent relaxation in Chelonoidis carbonaria aortic rings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Campos
- Superior Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Ceará State University (UECE), Fortaleza, Brazil; Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.
| | | | - Felipe Fernandes Jacintho
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Z Mónica
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Ronilson Agnaldo Moreno
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Mauro Napolitano
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Carlos Cogo
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Brazil University, Itaquera, Brazil
| | - Gilberto De Nucci
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Campos R, Mónica FZ, Justo AFO, Cogo JC, Oliveira EDT, Moreno RA, Antunes E, De Nucci G. Electrical field stimulation-induced contractions on Pantherophis guttatus corpora cavernosa and aortae. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196123. [PMID: 29672643 PMCID: PMC5908133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant mechanism is responsible for the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contractions and relaxations of Crotalus durissus terrificus corpora cavernosa. Here it was investigated whether this mechanism also occurs in corpora cavernosa and aortae of the non-venomous snake Pantherophis guttatus corpora cavernosa and aortae. Corpora cavernosa and aortic rings isolated from Pantherophis guttatus snake were mounted in organ bath system for isometric tension recording. EFS-induced contractions in both tissues were performed in the presence and absence of guanethidine (30 μM), phentolamine (10 μM) and tetrodotoxin (1 μM). In another set of experiments, the endothelium was removed from aortic rings and EFS-induced contractions were performed in the denuded rings. Electrical field stimulation-induced contractions were frequency-dependent in Pantherophis guttatus corpora cavernosa and aortic rings. The contractions were significantly reduced in the presence of guanethidine (30 μM) or phentolamine (10 μM). Pre-treatment with tetrodotoxin had no effect on the EFS-induced contractions of either corpora cavernosa or aortic rings. Surprisingly, the EFS-induced contractions of aortic rings denuded of endothelium were almost abolished. These results indicate that the TTX-resistant mechanism is present in EFS-induced contractions of Pantherophis guttatus corpora cavernosa and aortae. The experiments performed in the aorta indicate that the endothelium is the main source for the release of catecholamines induced by EFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Campos
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas, (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Fabíola Z. Mónica
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas, (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - José Carlos Cogo
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Brazil University, Itaquera—São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ronilson Agnaldo Moreno
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas, (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Edson Antunes
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas, (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Gilberto De Nucci
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas, (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
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7
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Campos R, Mónica FZ, Rodrigues RL, Rojas-Moscoso JA, Moreno RA, Cogo JC, de Oliveira MA, Antunes E, De Nucci G. Tetrodotoxin-insensitive electrical field stimulation-induced contractions on Crotalus durissus terrificus corpus cavernosum. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183766. [PMID: 28837636 PMCID: PMC5570490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptiles are the first amniotes to develop an intromitent penis, however until now the mechanisms involved in the electrical field stimulation-induced contraction on corpora cavernosa isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus were not investigated. Crotalus and rabbit corpora cavernosa were mounted in 10 mL organ baths for isometric tension recording. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contractions were performed in presence/absence of phentolamine (10 μM), guanethidine (30 μM), tetrodotoxin (1 μM and 1mM), A-803467 (10 μM), 3-iodo-L-Tyrosine (1 mM), salsolinol (3 μM) and a modified Krebs solution (equimolar substitution of NaCl by N-methyl-D-glucamine). Immuno-histochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase was also performed. Electrical field stimulation (EFS; 8 Hz and 16 Hz) caused contractions in both Crotalus and rabbit corpora cavernosa. The contractions were abolished by previous incubation with either phentolamine or guanethidine. Tetrodotoxin (1 μM) also abolished the EFS-induced contractions of rabbit CC, but did not affect EFS-induced contractions of Crotalus CC. Addition of A-803467 (10 μM) did not change the EFS-induced contractions of Crotalus CC but abolished rabbit CC contractions. 3-iodo-L-Tyrosine and salsolinol had no effect on EFS-induced contractions of Crotalus CC and Rabbit CC. Replacement of NaCl by N- Methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) abolished EFS-induced contractions of rabbit CC, but did not affect Crotalus CC. The presence of tyrosine hydroxylase was identified in endothelial cells only of Crotalus CC. Since the EFS-induced contractions of Crotalus CC is dependent on catecholamine release, insensitive to TTX, insensitive to A803467 and to NaCl replacement, it indicates that the source of cathecolamine is unlikely to be from adrenergic terminals. The finding that tyrosine hydroxylase is present in endothelial cells suggests that these cells can modulate Crotalus CC tone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Campos
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Fabíola Z. Mónica
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Renata Lopes Rodrigues
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | - José Carlos Cogo
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Brazil University, Fernandópolis, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio de Oliveira
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Edson Antunes
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Gilberto De Nucci
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Brazil University, Fernandópolis, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Gredler ML. Developmental and Evolutionary Origins of the Amniote Phallus. Integr Comp Biol 2016; 56:694-704. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icw102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Lee JH, Chae MR, Sung HH, Ko M, Kang SJ, Lee SW. Endothelium‐Independent Relaxant Effect of Rubus Coreanus Extracts in Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle. J Sex Med 2013; 10:1720-9. [DOI: 10.1111/jsm.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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10
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Porto M, de Oliveira MA, Pissinatti L, Rodrigues RL, Rojas-Moscoso JA, Cogo JC, Metze K, Antunes E, Nahoum C, Mónica FZ, De Nucci G. The Evolutionary Implications of Hemipenial Morphology of Rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus (Laurent, 1768) (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae). PLoS One 2013; 8:e66903. [PMID: 23840551 PMCID: PMC3694123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Most amniotes vertebrates have an intromittent organ to deliver semen. The reptile Sphenodon and most birds lost the ancestral penis and developed a cloaca-cloaca mating. Known as hemipenises, the copulatory organ of Squamata shows unique features between the amniotes intromittent organ. They are the only paired intromittent organs across amniotes and are fully inverted and encapsulated in the tail when not in use. The histology and ultrastructure of the hemipenes of Crotalus durissus rattlesnake is described as the evolutionary implications of the main features discussed. The organization of hemipenis of Crotalus durissus terrificus in two concentric corpora cavernosa is similar to other Squamata but differ markedly from the organization of the penis found in crocodilians, testudinata, birds and mammals. Based on the available data, the penis of the ancestral amniotes was made of connective tissue and the incorporation of smooth muscle in the framework of the sinusoids occurred independently in mammals and Crotalus durissus. The propulsor action of the muscle retractor penis basalis was confirmed and therefore the named should be changed to musculus hemipenis propulsor.The retractor penis magnus found in Squamata has no homology to the retractor penis of mammals, although both are responsible for the retraction of the copulatory organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcovan Porto
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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11
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Nunes KP, Toque HA, Borges MH, Richardson M, Webb RC, de Lima ME. Erectile function is improved in aged rats by PnTx2-6, a toxin from Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom. J Sex Med 2012; 9:2574-81. [PMID: 22925420 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02878.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Age-associated erectile dysfunction (ED) involves a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) availability and impaired relaxation. PnTx2-6, a toxin from the Phoneutria nigriventer spider, has been demonstrated to improve erectile function via NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. This spider's venom is characterized by several symptoms, including erection. PnTx2-6 has been implicated in this phenomenon. Animal venoms have been postulated as potential drugs to treat ED. AIM PnTx2-6 toxin improves erectile function in aged rats via NO/cGMP. We investigated the effect of PnTx2-6 in the erectile function of aged rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ED was evaluated through changes in intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio during electrical field stimulation (EFS) of the pelvic ganglion of aged and adult rats (70 vs. 14 weeks). In functional studies, EFS-induced relaxation of corpus cavernosum (CC) strips were performed with or without PnTx2-6 (10-8M). RESULTS The decrease in erectile function associated with age was partially restored 15-20 minutes after injection of PnTx2-6 and further improved by sildenafil. PnTx2-6 enhanced EFS-induced relaxation, as well as cGMP levels in CC, from young and aged rats. Relaxation due to PnTx2-6 was further increased after 30 minutes incubation with Y-27632, a Rho-kinase inhibitor (10-6 M), in aging CC. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in aged and young cavernosal tissue was increased by incubation with PnTx2-6 (10 minutes). However, this toxin did not modify NOS expression. CONCLUSION PnTx2-6 improves penile relaxation in aged rats, via increased NOS activity and NO release, resulting in enhanced cGMP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenia P Nunes
- Department of Physiology, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA, USA.
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12
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Mónica FZ, Rojas-Moscoso J, Porto M, Schenka AA, Antunes E, Cogo JC, De Nucci G. Immunohistochemical and functional characterization of nitric oxide signaling pathway in isolated aorta from Crotalus durissus terrificus. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2012; 155:433-9. [PMID: 22134054 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2011.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We characterized the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) pathway in Crotalus durissus terrificus aorta. Concentration responses curves to acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), BAY41-2272 (soluble guanylyl cyclase [sGC] stimulator), BAY60-2770 (sGC activator) and tadalafil (PDE5 inhibitor) were constructed in phenylephrine (10 μM)-precontracted tissues with intact (E(+)) or denuded (E(-)) endothelium. ACh (0.0001-10 μM) and SNP (0.0001-10 μM) relaxed aorta, which were reduced by the NO synthase (L-NAME,100 μM) or the sGC inhibitors (ODQ, 10 μM). Tadalafil (0.0001-10 μM) relaxed E(+) rings with potency (pEC(50)) and maximal response (E(max)) values of 7.34±0.02 and 105±8%, respectively. E(-) or ODQ treatment significantly (P<0.05) reduced tadalafil relaxations (66±18% and 71±7%, respectively). BAY41-2272 (0.0001-300 nM) produced concentration-dependent relaxations in E(+) rings, which were reduced by addition of either ODQ or L-NAME (16.0- and 5.2-fold rightward shifts, respectively). The relaxation of BAY60-2770 was markedly potentiated by ODQ and L-NAME (41.0- and 9.7-fold leftward shifts, respectively), whereas in E(-) the pEC(50) values were shifted by 7-fold to the right. Immunohistochemistry, followed validation by transcriptomic analysis, revealed the presence of eNOS in endothelium, whereas nNOS was observed only in perivascular nerves. sGC and PDE5 were expressed in smooth muscle. Thus, NO-sGC-PDE5 pathway is evolutionarily present in Crotalus sp. vessels, and has a remarkable degree of functional similarity to mammalian vessels.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/pharmacology
- Animals
- Aorta/cytology
- Aorta/drug effects
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/physiology
- Carbolines/pharmacology
- Crotalus/genetics
- Crotalus/metabolism
- Crotalus/physiology
- Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5/metabolism
- Endothelium, Vascular/cytology
- Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiology
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Guanylate Cyclase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Guanylate Cyclase/metabolism
- Immunohistochemistry/methods
- In Vitro Techniques
- Male
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiology
- NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/genetics
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism
- Nitroprusside/pharmacology
- Phenylephrine/pharmacology
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase
- Tadalafil
- Vasodilation
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabíola Z Mónica
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil.
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