Role of acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine in blood pressure regulation in rats

Impaired anaphylactic responses with intact sensitivity to endotoxin in mice lacking a platelet-activating factor receptor

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent phospholipid mediator with diverse biological activities in addition to its well-known ability to stimulate platelet aggregation. Pharmacologic studies had suggested a role for PAF in pregnancy, neuronal cell migration, anaphylaxis, and endotoxic shock. Here we show that disruption of the PAF receptor gene in mice caused a marked reduction in systemic anaphylactic symptoms. Unexpectedly, however, the PAF receptor-deficient mice developed normally, were fertile, and remained sensitive to bacterial endotoxin. These mutant mice clearly show that PAF plays a dominant role in eliciting anaphylaxis, but that it is not essential for reproduction, brain development, or endotoxic shock.

The acute increases in vasomotor tone and blood pressure induced by carotid artery occlusion are modulated by platelet-activating factor (PAF) independently of nitric oxide release

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the modulatory role of platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine), a vasoactive phospholipid mediator synthesized by endothelial cells, on the vascular tone and arterial blood pressure. In pentobarbitone-anaesthetized rabbits, unloading of the carotid sinus baroreceptors by a bilateral carotid artery occlusion elicited a reflex rise in systemic vascular resistance, which was markedly potentiated by pretreating the animals with the PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 ([3-4-(2-chlorphenyl-)-9-methyl-6H-thieno-3,2-f-1,2,4-triazolo-4,3 -alpha-1,4 -diazepin-2-yl-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone]; 5 mg/kg, i.v.). In contrast, the inhibition of the biosynthesis of NO via NO synthase using N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) neither affected the systemic vasoconstriction induced by carotid artery occlusion nor modified the potentiating effect of WEB 2086. The haemodynamic alterations induced by L-NAME administration were corrected by continuous infusions of the directly-acting vasodilators sodium nitroprusside or diazoxide. The results of the present study confirm previous studies from our group suggesting the involvement of PAF in a negative feedback mechanism effective in the local regulation of vasomotor tone in anaesthetized rabbits, but exclude the participation of NO in this process.

Role of platelet-activating factor in two-kidney, one-clip hypertension

BACKGROUND

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a bioactive phospholipid which is a potent hypotensive agent. To investigate the role of PAF in renovascular hypertension, we determined the PAF concentration and its production level assessed by the activity of cholinephosphotransferase (CPT) in renal tissue and examined the effect of a PAF antagonist on the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in control and two-kidney with one clipped (2K1C) hypertensive rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The concentration of PAF and CPT in the renal medulla and cortex were determined by radioassay. Also, the effect of a PAF antagonist, CV-6209, on MAP was also examined in both 2K1C hypertensive and normal control rats.

RESULTS

The PAF concentration and CPT activity were significantly higher in the medulla than in the cortex in both 2K1C hypertensive and normal control rats, and both values in the medulla were also significantly higher in the clipped kidney than in the contralateral unclipped kidney or in control rat kidneys. We also observed a significant negative correlation between the PAF concentration in the medulla, and the medulla weight in the clipped kidney of 2K1C hypertensive rats. Infusion of the PAF antagonist, CV-6209, did not affect MAP in 2K1C hypertensive rats, but was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in control rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that PAF, whose production is induced by renal ischemia due to renal artery stenosis, plays an important role in the renomedullary vasodepressor system, but the effect of PAF as a vasodilator in the peripheral vessels is limited in 2K1C hypertension.

Mechanisms of desensitization of vasodilatation induced by platelet-activating factor in hypertensive rats

We found that vasodilator effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the mesenteric arterial bed of the rat were significantly attenuated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and renal hypertensive rats (RHR). Perfusion of the mesentery with acetylcholine and PAF caused endothelium-dependent vasodilatation accompanied by an increase in cyclic GMP levels in the mesentery from normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Acetylcholine caused a significant increase in cyclic GMP levels in the effluent in both SHR and RHR, whereas PAF could not increase cyclic GMP levels in SHR and slightly increased cyclic GMP in RHR. Incubating the mesentery with PAF markedly inhibited the vasodilatation induced by PAF, but not acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside. The cyclic GMP accumulation in the effluent was impaired in the mesenteric arterial bed pretreated with PAF and in that obtained from rats given islet-activating protein (IAP). The PAF-induced vasodilatation was completely reversed by the PAF receptor antagonist, CV-6209 (2-[N-acetyl-N-(2-methyl-3-octadecylcarbamoyl-oxypropoxycarbony l) aminomethyl]-1-ethylpyridinium chloride). These results suggest that (1) attenuated vasodilator effects of PAF and decreased cyclic GMP levels in the mesentery from SHR and RHR are due to desensitization but not to impairment of the endothelium; (2) GTP-binding protein, which is IAP-sensitive, may be involved in PAF-induced vasodilatation and cyclic GMP accumulation; (3) desensitization of the mesentery to PAF in SHR and RHR may be due to PAF receptor and GTP-binding protein uncoupling.

Characteristics of vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine and platelet-activating factor in the rat mesenteric arterial bed

We examined the nature of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator effects of acetylcholine and platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the perfused mesenteric arterial bed of the rat. Acetylcholine-induced concentration-dependent vasodilatation of the mesentery was not affected by pretreatment with 10(-4) M NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), indomethacin, ouabain, or glibenclamide, whereas pretreatment with 10(-5) M oxyhemoglobin, 10(-5) M methylene blue, or 10 mM tetraethylammonium shifted the concentration-response curves to the right. PAF-induced concentration-dependent vasodilatation of the mesentery was inhibited by pretreatment with L-NMMA, oxyhemoglobin, or methylene blue, and slightly but significantly inhibited by tetraethylammonium, whereas indomethacin, glibenclamide, and ouabain had no inhibitory effects. PAF-induced vasodilatation of the mesentery was more sensitive to nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway inhibitors (a combined application of L-NMMA, oxyhemoglobin, and methylene blue) than was the vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine. Perfusion of the mesentery preparations with acetylcholine or PAF increased the levels of cyclic GMP in the effluent. These effects were completely inhibited by L-NMMA or oxyhemoglobin. These results suggest that the endothelium-dependent vasodilator effects of PAF are primarily mediated by endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) and those of acetylcholine are mediated by both NO and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF).

Effects of PAF on cardiac function and eicosanoid release in the isolated perfused rat heart: comparison between normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

The aim of this study was (a) in isolated perfused rat heart to characterize the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on coronary flow, ventricular contractility, and eicosanoid release and (b) to determine whether PAF effects are altered in hearts from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). PAF (10(-10)-10(-7) mol) dose-dependently decreased coronary flow and ventricular contractility; concomitantly, coronary effluent concentrations of thromboxane (TX)B2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) were elevated but not those of prostacyclin. The PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 (10(-7)-10(-5) mol/l) concentration-dependently antagonized these PAF effects. In addition; the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 x 10(-5) mol/l) prevented PAF (10(-9)-10(-7) mol) induced eicosanoid release; in the presence of indomethacin PAF caused coronary constriction and ventricular depression only at the highest dose (10(-7) mol) but had no effect at 10(-9) or 10(-8) mol. Moreover, the TXA2 antagonist SQ29,548 (10(-6) mol/l) completely inhibited 10(-8) mol PAF induced ventricular depression but did not effect coronary constriction. In SHR PAF (10(-9)-10(-7) mol) evoked decreases in coronary flow and ventricular contractility did not differ from those in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats while PAF induced TXA2 and PGF2 alpha release was markedly enhanced. In addition, decreases in coronary flow and ventricular contractility induced by the TXA2 agonist U 46619 (10(-7) mol/l) were markedly depressed in SHR. We conclude that in isolated perfused rat heart PAF causes coronary constriction and depression of ventricular function mainly indirectly through released TXA2 and/or PGF2 alpha. Moreover, the fact that in SHR the PAF effects on coronary flow and ventricular function are not altered despite markedly enhanced TXA2 and PGF2 alpha release supports the view that in the SHR the receptors mediating TXA2 and/or PGF2 alpha effects are desensitized.

Decrease in vasodilator effects of platelet-activating factor in resistance vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats

We studied the endothelium-dependent vasodilator effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the mesenteric arterial bed of Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and found that vasodilation induced by PAF was significantly attenuated in SHRs. We discovered no significant differences in reactivity or sensitivity of the mesentery to acetylcholine between WKYs and SHRs. Our results strongly suggest that the attenuated vasodilator effects of PAF on the SHR mesenteric arterial bed may be due in part to desensitization rather than impairment of the endothelium.

WEB-2086 and indomethacin do not modify blood pressure fall on unclipping hypertensive rats

1. Pretreatment with intravenous WEB-2086 (0.5 mg/kg; an antagonist of the actions of platelet activating factor; PAF) with or without indomethacin (2 mg/kg) failed to prevent or modify the fall in blood pressure following unclipping of the renal artery of anaesthetized two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats. 2. The same medications given to two other groups of rats 60 min after unclipping when the blood pressure had fallen to stable levels failed to reverse the fall. 3. Despite evidence that both prostanoids and PAF can be detected in increased amounts in renal venous blood after unclipping, they do not appear to mediate the reduction in blood pressure in this model of reversible hypertension.

Inhalation of platelet-activating factor increases respiratory resistance in rats: determination by means of an astograph under nonanesthetized conditions

Intratracheal administration of platelet-activating factor (PAF) to dogs, baboons, and humans has been shown to induce hyperreactivity of the airways and contraction of the smooth muscle. However, it has not yet been reported whether intratracheal administration of PAF to rats induces hyperreactivity. In the present study, the authors estimated the respiratory resistance of rats during intratracheal administration of PAF in order to evaluate the reactivity of the airways to PAF. In both the nonsensitized group and the sensitized group of rats, intratracheal administration of PAF induced an increase in respiratory resistance. The results obtained clarify that responsiveness to PAF exists in the airways of rats.

Pathophysiology of renovascular hypertension

Renovascular hypertension has its experimental counterpart in the two-kidney, one clip model (Goldblatt hypertension). From the study of this model, a general pathophysiological scheme has evolved suggesting that temporal stages in the development and maintenance of hypertension are regulated by complicated hormonal and neural interrelations. The central roles played by the renin-angiotensin system and the renal nerves is discussed as they relate to other hormones. In addition, the possible contribution of converting enzyme inhibitors to understanding the pathophysiology of this condition is discussed.

Decreased cytosolic calcium and prostaglandin synthesis in prehypertensive rats

The capacity of cultured renal medullary interstitial cells derived from Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats to synthesize prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was compared. Basal and arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced PGE2 production by interstitial cells from salt-resistant rats was fourfold to fivefold higher than corresponding values of those from the salt-sensitive rats. Similarly, basal and AVP-responsive release of [3H]arachidonate were twofold higher by interstitial cells from salt-resistant compared with salt-sensitive rats. Differences in PGE2 production were abolished by the calcium inophore A23187 or the addition of exogenous arachidonate. The latter findings suggested a role for altered availability of endogenous arachidonate, possibly mediated by reduced calcium-responsive lipase activity. Basal and AVP-induced increases in cytosolic free calcium concentration, assessed by the aequorin method, were significantly lower in interstitial cells from salt-sensitive versus salt-resistant rats, further supporting a possible role for altered cellular calcium homeostasis. Studies of the potential contribution of various phospholipases and of triglyceride lipase to the release of arachidonate for PGE2 synthesis in interstitial cells implicated phospholipase A2 activity as a major pathway. When assessed in vitro in cell cytosolic fractions at identical calcium concentration, phospholipase A2 activity was lower in interstitial cells from salt-sensitive versus salt-resistant rats. Thus, both reduced cytosolic free calcium and phospholipase A2 activity of interstitial cells from salt-sensitive rats may contribute to the diminished capacity of these cells to liberate endogenous arachidonate for PGE2 synthesis.

Inhibition of vasoconstriction by platelet activating factor in the in situ blood perfused rat mesentery

1. Perfusion pressure was measured in the in situ mesentery of anaesthetized rats perfused with blood at a constant 2 mL/min. 2. Increases in perfusion pressure were produced by mesenteric peri-arterial nerve stimulation at 10 Hz for 5 s at 2 min intervals and by bolus intra-arterial injections of the vasoconstrictors noradrenaline, angiotensin II and 5-hydroxytryptamine. 3. The intra-arterial infusion of platelet-activating factor (PAF) to produce a blood concentration of 3 X 10(-10) mol/L inhibited all responses to a similar extent. Intra-arterial prazosin (1-5 X 10(-9) mol/L), however, preferentially reduced responses to nerve stimulation and noradrenaline. 4. PAF at concentrations from 3 X 10(-11) to 10(-9) mol/L produced increasing inhibition of vasoconstrictor responses to nerve stimulation. The dose-response to PAF was shifted to the right by the concomitant intra-arterial infusion of the PAF antagonist SRI 63-441. 5. PAF at very low concentrations in vivo inhibits mesenteric vasoconstriction, produced by sympathetic nerve stimulation or various agonists, by a PAF-receptor mediated vasodilatation of the mesenteric vasculature.

Renal vasodepressor mechanism: characterization by chemical medullectomy

The features of hypertension produced in the rat by chemical medullectomy with 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide are described. This procedure partially prevents the fall in blood pressure that occurs when the constriction is removed from the renal artery of rats with two-kidney one-clip Goldblatt hypertension. In normal rats, chemical medullectomy causes a moderate but consistent blood pressure elevation that is dose related and associated with elevation of peripheral resistance; the venous side of the circulation is normal. The hypertension is not associated with sodium retention or with activation of the renin angiotensin system. Although vasopressin levels are elevated, the rise is only modest, and blood pressure is not reduced by a vascular AVP antagonist. It is concluded that chemical medullectomy removes the source of a humoral substance that has been shown by other workers to carry out a vasodepressor role. The chemical medullectomy model therefore offers new insights into the renomedullary vasodepressor system.

Antagonism of the vasodilator effects of a platelet activating factor precursor in anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats

The hemodynamic effects of platelet activating factor (PAF), PAF antagonists and a precursor of PAF, 1-palmityl-2-acetyl-glycerol (PAG), were examined in pentobarbital-anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats to determine whether functionally significant amounts of PAF are produced via the cholinephosphotransferase pathway of PAF synthesis in vivo. Intravenous bolus doses of PAF, PAG and nitroprusside elicited hypotension and active mesenteric vasodilatation. Responses to PAG were slower in onset and longer in duration than those of PAF and nitroprusside. The specific PAF antagonists, CV-3988 and SRI 63-675, attenuated PAG- and PAF-, but not nitroprusside-induced changes in blood pressure and mesenteric flow/resistance. In contrast, captopril, which blocked the effects of angiotensin I, did not influence the hypotension caused by PAG, PAF and nitroprusside. The results suggest that the vasodilator effects of PAG are attributable to PAF produced from this alkylacetylglycerol, and the renin-angiotensin system does not appear to influence the biotransformation of PAG to PAF or the hypotensive action of PAF.

Endogenous platelet-activating factor and anti-platelet-activating factor in patients with renovascular hypertension

Renovascular hypertension is relieved by percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty. In four patients with renovascular hypertension, platelet-activating factor (PAF) was found to be released into the ipsilateral renal venous blood after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty, but was not found in the contralateral renal venous blood following this procedure. Anti-platelet-activating factor with a lipid-like property was also found, and its polarity was slightly lower than that of PAF judging by its behavior on thin layer chromatography. Anti-platelet-activating factor completely blocked the aggregation of rabbit platelets induced by PAF, ADP or arachidonic acid. These results indicate that PAF and anti-platelet-activating factor are released into renal venous blood following percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in patients with renovascular hypertension.

Structure and function of the arteries in hypertension

Like tissues in other parts of the body, those of the heart and blood vessels can rapidly adapt their design. The principles of these differentiated structural changes in response to altered functional demands will be outlined in this report. With respect to arterial resistance vessels in hypertension, any sustained arterial pressure elevation leads to wall (w) hypertrophy, whereas the average inner radius (ri) decreases. The reverse occurs at sustained pressure reductions, and this process is aptly termed "structural autoregulation." By means of this structural autoregulation, wall tension per unit layer (T) remains largely constant when pressure (P) increases (decreases), according to Laplace's law: T = P X r/w. Furthermore, this structural w/ri increase, because it is a local vascular response although it is often considerably modified by neurohormonal "trophic" influences, results in a geometrically based vascular hyperreactivity affecting the systemic precapillary resistance vessels, whereas the structural ri reduction leads to an upward resetting of systemic resistance to flow which is present even at maximal vasodilation (Rmin). Because of this "structural amplifier" principle, an increased systemic resistance can be maintained even at normal vascular smooth muscle activity, and smooth muscle activations may then lead to exaggerated resistance elevations. Thus, a most important positive-feedback interaction is created between even mild functional "pressor" influences, if adequately sustained, and this normal process of structural adaptation. This positive-feedback interaction therefore gradually tends to accentuate the latter element until it entirely dominates the hemodynamics of established hypertension. As the process is induced early and established rapidly, and in primary hypertension often even seems to be genetically reinforced in various ways, it becomes of utmost pathogenetic significance. With respect to the aorta-large conduit arteries, their "Windkessel function" becomes reduced by the same process of adaptive wall thickening. This increases the pulse amplitude and thereby accentuates the systolic afterload of the left heart, the load of which is raised also because of the upward structural resetting of systemic precapillary resistance. Furthermore, the same type of structural adaptation also contributes to the upward resetting of the cardiac, arterial, and renal "barostat" mechanisms, as cardiac and arterial walls become thicker and stiffer, whereas renal preglomerular resistance vessels participate in the upward structural autoregulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The hypotensive effect of captopril is not mediated by renal medullary lipids

The role of renomedullary lipids in the hypotensive effect of captopril was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats, one-kidney, one clip hypertensive rats and two-kidney, one clip hypertensive rats using inhibitors of acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine and prostaglandins, and chemical medullectomy. Our experiments indicate that it is unlikely that renomedullary lipids contribute to the hypotensive action of captopril.

PAF antagonists: different effects on platelets, neutrophils, guinea pig ileum and PAF-induced vasodilation in isolated rat lung

The effects of structurally different PAF receptor blockers were investigated in platelets, neutrophils, guinea pig ileum, rat isolated lung and rat isolated pulmonary artery. PAF caused serotonin release from platelets and a characteristic shape change and adhesion of neutrophils. The antagonists (CV 3988, alprazolam, 48740 RP and Merck-Sharp and Dohme L-652, 731) inhibited platelet serotonin release but not neutrophil shape change adhesion or lysosomal enzyme release. The antagonists in high concentrations (10(-5)-10(-4)M) inhibited nonspecifically the PAF-induced (10(-8)M) guinea pig ileum contraction, but were ineffective at concentrations which inhibited platelet responses. In the rat lung the compounds, in high concentrations, partially inhibited the low dose PAF-induced pulmonary vasodilation and the high dose PAF induced pulmonary vasoconstriction and edema. Our data indicate that some platelet PAF antagonists may be ineffective in blocking the action of PAF on neutrophils and smooth muscle preparations and suggest either PAF-receptor independent actions of PAF or different classes of PAF receptors.