Histamine elicits competing endothelium-dependent constriction and endothelium-independent dilation in vivo in mouse cerebral arterioles

Endothelium-dependent responses in the microcirculation observed in vivo

Endothelium-dependent responses were first demonstrated 40 years ago in the aorta. Since then, extensive research has been conducted in vitro using conductance vessels and materials derived from them. However, the microcirculation controls blood flow to vital organs and has been the focus of in vivo studies of endothelium-dependent dilation beginning immediately after the first in vitro report. Initial in vivo studies employed a light/dye technique for selectively damaging the endothelium to unequivocally prove, in vivo, the existence of endothelium-dependent dilation and in the microvasculature. Endothelium-dependent constriction was similarly proven. Endothelium-dependent agonists include acetylcholine (ACh), bradykinin, arachidonic acid, calcium ionophore A-23187, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), serotonin, histamine and endothelin-1. Normal and disease states have been studied. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase and cytochrome P450 have been shown to generate the mediators of the responses. Some of the key enzyme systems generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) like superoxide which may prevent EDR. However, one ROS, namely H₂ O₂ , is one of a number of hyperpolarizing factors that cause dilation initiated by endothelium. Depending upon microvascular bed, a single agonist may use different pathways to elicit an endothelium-dependent response. Interpretation of studies using inhibitors of eNOS is complicated by the fact that these inhibitors may also inhibit ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Other in vivo observations of brain arterioles failed to establish nitric oxide as the mediator of responses elicited by CGRP or by ACh and suggest that a nitrosothiol may be a better fit for the latter.

Antipsychotic medications and stroke in schizophrenia: A case-crossover study

BACKGROUND

The association between antipsychotic use and the risk of stroke in schizophrenic patients is controversial. We sought to study the association in a nationwide cohort with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Using a retrospective cohort of patients with schizophrenia (N = 31,976) derived from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 802 new-onset cases of stroke were identified within 10 years of follow-up (from 2000 through 2010). We designed a case-crossover study using 14-day windows to explore the risk factors of stroke and the association between antipsychotic drugs and the risk of stroke. We analyzed the risks of individual antipsychotics on various subgroups of stroke including ischemic, hemorrhagic, and other strokes, and the risks based on the antipsychotic receptor-binding profile of each drug.

RESULTS

Use of any second-generation antipsychotic was associated with an increased risk of stroke (adjusted risk ratio = 1.45, P = .009) within 14 days while the use of any first-generation antipsychotic was not. Intriguingly, the use of any second-generation antipsychotic was associated with ischemic stroke but not hemorrhagic stroke. The antipsychotic receptor-binding profile analysis showed that the antihistamine 1 receptor was significantly associated with ischemic stroke (adjusted risk ratio = 1.72, P = .037), and the sensitivity analysis based on the 7-day window of exposure validated the association (adjusted risk ratio = 1.87, P = .015).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs appeared to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in the patients studied, possibly mediated by high affinity for histamine-1 receptor blockade. Further research regarding the underlying biological mechanism and drug safety is suggested.

P2Y₂ receptor activation decreases blood pressure via intermediate conductance potassium channels and connexin 37

AIMS

Nucleotides are important paracrine regulators of vascular tone. We previously demonstrated that activation of P2Y₂ receptors causes an acute, NO-independent decrease in blood pressure, indicating this signalling pathway requires an endothelial-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) response. To define the mechanisms by which activation of P2Y₂ receptors initiates EDH and vasodilation, we studied intermediate-conductance (KCa3.1, expressed in endothelial cells) and big-conductance potassium channels (KCa1.1, expressed in smooth muscle cells) as well as components of the myoendothelial gap junction, connexins 37 and 40 (Cx37, Cx40), all hypothesized to be part of the EDH response.

METHODS

We compared the effects of a P2Y₂/₄ receptor agonist in wild-type (WT) mice and in mice lacking KCa3.1, KCa1.1, Cx37 or Cx40 under anaesthesia, while monitoring intra-arterial blood pressure and heart rate.

RESULTS

Acute activation of P2Y₂/₄ receptors (0.01-3 mg kg(-1) body weight i.v.) caused a biphasic blood pressure response characterized by a dose-dependent and rapid decrease in blood pressure in WT (maximal response % of baseline at 3 mg kg(-1) : -38 ± 1%) followed by a consecutive increase in blood pressure (+44 ± 11%). The maximal responses in KCa3.1(-/-) and Cx37(-/-) were impaired (-13 ± 5, +17 ± 7 and -27 ± 1, +13 ± 3% respectively), whereas the maximal blood pressure decrease in response to acetylcholine at 3 μg kg(-1) was not significantly different (WT: -53 ± 3%; KCa3.1(-/-) : -52 ± 3; Cx37(-/-) : -53 ± 3%). KCa1.1(-/-) and Cx40(-/-) showed an identical biphasic response to P2Y2/4 receptor activation compared to WT.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that the P2Y2/4 receptor activation elicits blood pressure responses via distinct mechanisms involving KCa3.1 and Cx37.

P2Y₂ receptor activation decreases blood pressure and increases renal Na⁺ excretion

ATP and UTP are endogenous agonists of P2Y(2/4) receptors. To define the in vivo effects of P2Y(2) receptor activation on blood pressure and urinary excretion, we compared the response to INS45973, a P2Y(2/4) receptor agonist and UTP analog, in wild-type (WT) and P2Y(2) receptor knockout (P2Y(2)-/-) mice. INS45973 was administered intravenously as a bolus injection or continuous infusion to determine effects on blood pressure and renal function, respectively. Within seconds, bolus application of INS45973 (0.1 to 3 mg/kg body wt) dose-dependently decreased blood pressure in WT (maximum response -35 ± 2 mmHg) and to a similar extent in endothelial nitric oxide synthase knockout mice. By contrast, blood pressure increased in P2Y(2)-/- (maximum response +18 ± 1 mmHg) but returned to basal levels within 60 s. Continuous infusion of INS45973 (25 to 750 μg·min(-1)·kg(-1) body wt) dose-dependently increased urinary excretion of Na(+) in WT (maximum response +46 ± 15%) but reduced Na(+) excretion in P2Y(2)-/- (maximum responses of -45 ± 15%) mice. In renal clearance experiments, INS45973 did not affect glomerular filtration rate but lowered blood pressure and increased fractional excretion of fluid, Na(+), and K(+) in WT relative to P2Y(2)-/- mice. The blood pressure responses to INS45973 are consistent with P2Y(2) receptor-mediated NO-independent vasodilation and implicate responses to endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, and P2Y(2) receptor-independent vasoconstriction, probably via activation of P2Y(4) receptors on smooth muscle. Systemic activation of P2Y(2) receptors thus lowers blood pressure and inhibits renal Na(+) reabsorption, effects suggesting the potential utility of P2Y(2) agonism in the treatment of hypertension.

Myogenic tone and reactivity of cerebral arteries in type II diabetic BBZDR/Wor rat

BBZDR/Wor rat is a new model of type II diabetes with spontaneous obesity and clinical characteristics close to human diabetes. In this study the time-course of cerebroarterial dysfunction was characterized. Posterior cerebral arteries from BBZDR/Wor rats and their age-matched lean controls were pressurized to 70 mm Hg in an arteriograph. Effects of intraluminal pressure and different pharmacological agents on myogenic tone were evaluated. Pressure-myogenic tone curves in diabetic arteries were similar to that in non-diabetic arteries at pre-diabetic age, showed leftward shift at 4 weeks and were significantly different with higher myogenic tone at 5 and 8 months of diabetes. Age-dependent decrease in myogenic tone was observed in non-diabetic arteries. Dilation to histamine was similar to that in non-diabetic arteries at pre-diabetic and at 4 weeks but significantly reduced at 5 and 8 months of diabetes. Bradykinin-mediated dilation was significantly reduced in early and chronic diabetes, whereas (+/-)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)-mediated dilation was decreased modestly at 8 months of diabetes. Sensitivity and constriction to 5-hydroxytryptamine were increased in early and chronic diabetes. Responses to bradykinin and 5-hydroxytryptamine were decreased and increased, respectively. Myogenic tone was significantly less sensitive to (lower pIC(50)) U-73122 than normal arteries at 4 weeks and 8 months of diabetes suggesting an increased activation of phospholipase C (PLC). This study shows that pressure-mediated autoregulation of cerebral arteries in type II diabetes operates at higher resistance. Endothelium-dependent dilation was decreased with chronic diabetes with increased sensitivity to constrictor agonist. Endothelium-independent dilation was modestly affected. Arterial hyper-reactivity to pressure and constrictor agonist were likely due to increased PLC activation.

Functional serotonin and histamine receptor subtypes in porcine ciliary artery in comparison with middle cerebral artery

Functional serotonin (5-HT) and histamine receptor subtypes were investigated in porcine middle cerebral and ciliary arteries. An H(1) antagonist, mepyramine, antagonized histamine-induced responses with pK(B) values of 8.91-9.10. In the presence of 1 muM mepyramine, however, histamine caused dilation through H(2) receptors in the middle cerebral but not in the ciliary artery. A 5-HT(2A) antagonist, ketanserin, antagonized 5-HT-induced responses, causing rightward shifts in the concentration-response curves with pK(B) values of 8.52-8.71. A 5-HT(1B) antagonist, SB224289, produced rightward shifts of the concentration-response curves to sumatriptan with pK(B) values (6.66) only in the middle cerebral artery. In contrast, a 5-HT(1D) antagonist, BRL15572, had no effect in either artery. An RT-PCR study demonstrated the gene expression of the mRNAs of all three receptors (5HT(1B), 5HT(1D) and 5HT(2A)) in both arteries. These results suggest that histamine-induced contraction is mediated only through functional H(1) receptor in these arteries. Interestingly, there are functional 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor subtypes in the middle cerebral artery, whereas the only functional receptor is 5-HT(2A) in the ciliary artery. The difference may be important for treatment with 5-HT(1B/1D) agonists (e.g. for migraine) without ocular side effect.

Histamine decreases myogenic tone in rat cerebral arteries by H2-receptor-mediated KV channel activation, independent of endothelium and cyclic AMP

The effect of histamine on the pressure-induced constriction was characterized in rat cerebral arteries and mechanisms were investigated. Rat cerebral arteries were pressurized to 70 mm Hg in an arteriograph and the effect of histamine on myogenic tone was studied. Histamine and amthamine, a selective histamine H(2)-receptor agonist, concentration-dependently decreased myogenic tone, which was unchanged in the absence of endothelium. 2-(2-aminoethyl) pyridine, a selective histamine H(1)-receptor agonist, produced concentration-dependent constriction of arteries that was significantly increased in the absence of endothelium. Imetit, a selective histamine H(3)-receptor agonist, has no effect on myogenic tone. The dilation to histamine was antagonized by tiotidine, a selective antagonist of histamine H(2)-receptor subtype, giving a pK(B) of 7.86 that was not altered in the absence of endothelium. The histamine-mediated dilation was significantly antagonized by NF 449, a reversible inhibitor of Gs-protein activation but was not affected by ODQ and SQ 22536. Dilations to histamine and amthamine were accompanied by a decrease in arterial wall calcium measured by fura-2 ratios. The dilation to histamine was significantly reduced by partial depolarization of smooth muscle by 25 mM KCl (control 91+/-5%, 25 mM KCl 53+/-5%, P<0.002) and was not observed in the presence of strongly depolarizing 60 mM KCl. The histamine dilation was not affected by iberiotoxin, barium chloride and glibenclamide but was strongly antagonized by 4-aminopyridine (0.3 mM) and tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mM) (pEC(50): control: 5.6+/-0.1, 4-aminopyridine: 4.1+/-0.1 (P<0.001); tetraethylammonium chloride: 3.2+/-0.2 (P<0.0001)). These results suggest that histamine-mediated reversal of myogenic tone in rat cerebral arteries is endothelium-independent, mediated by histamine H(2)-receptor subtype with no involvement of guanylyl cyclase or adenylyl cyclase activation and most likely involves activation of K(V) potassium channels.

Analysis of purine- and pyrimidine-induced vascular responses in the isolated rat cerebral arteriole

Effects of extraluminal UTP were studied and compared with vascular responses to ATP and its analogs in rat cerebral-penetrating arterioles. UTP, UDP, 2-methylthio-ATP, and alpha,beta-methylene-ATP dilated arterioles at the lowest concentration and constricted them at high concentrations. Low concentrations of ATP dilated the vessels; high concentrations caused a biphasic response, with transient constriction followed by dilation. Endothelial impairment inhibited ATP- and UTP-mediated dilation and potentiated constriction to UTP but not to ATP. ATP- and 2-methylthio-ATP- but not UTP-mediated constrictions were inhibited by desensitization with 10(-6) M alpha,beta-methylene-ATP or 3 x 10(-6) M pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS). PPADS at 10(-4) M abolished the UTP-mediated constriction and induced vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner but did not affect the dilation to ATP. These results suggest that in rat cerebral microvessels 1) ATP and 2-methylthio-ATP induce transient constriction via smooth muscle P(2X1) receptors in the cerebral arteriole, 2) UTP stimulates two different classes of P(2Y) receptors, resulting in constriction (smooth muscle P(2Y4)) and dilation (possibly endothelial P(2Y2)), and 3) ATP and UTP produce dilation by stimulation of a single receptor (P(2Y2)).

Histamine H1 and H3 vasodilator mechanisms in the guinea pig ileum

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Histamine dilates gastrointestinal blood vessels. Whether this is caused by direct activation of vascular histamine receptors or by activation of enteric neurons is not known. The aim of this study was to determine which of these pathways is activated by histamine and to examine the cellular mechanisms involved.

METHODS

The effects of histamine were studied in in vitro submucosal preparations from the guinea pig ileum using videomicroscopy to monitor changes in submucosal arteriolar diameter.

RESULTS

Histamine caused a tetrodotoxin-insensitive dose-dependent dilation (median effective concentration [EC50], 1 mumol/L), showing direct activation of vascular histamine receptors. The H1 antagonist pyrilamine, but not the H2 blocker ranitidine, competitively inhibited the histamine dilatation. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) inhibited histamine vasodilations by 66%. Indomethacin alone did not alter histamine vasodilations but, when combined with L-NMMA, caused a significantly greater inhibition of the histamine response compared with L-NMMA alone. L-Arginine prevented the actions of L-NMMA. In the presence of both H1 and H2 antagonists, periarteriolar stimulation of sympathetic nerves evoked a tetrodotoxin-sensitive vasoconstriction, which was inhibited by histamine (EC50, 0.8 mumol/L). This histamine action was blocked by the H3 antagonist thioperamide.

CONCLUSIONS

Histamine can produce vasodilation of submucosal arterioles by two distinct mechanisms: activation of vascular H1 receptors resulting in release of nitric oxide from endothelium and activation of H3 receptors on sympathetic nerve terminals resulting in presynaptic inhibition of vasoconstrictor tone.

Effect of the histamine antagonist cimetidine on infarct size in the rat

We determined whether the histamine H2 antagonist cimetidine would reduce infarct volume in a model of photochemically-induced thrombotic infarction. Rats were pretreated with either vehicle (n = 6), 5.0 mg/kg cimetidine (n = 6), or 20.0 mg/kg (n = 6) cimetidine 30.0 min prior to infarct formation. Cortical infarction was produced by irradiating the brain with green light (560 nm) through the intact skull for 4 min following the systemic injection of rose bengal. Five days after infarct induction, rats were perfusion-fixed and processed for routine histopathologic analysis. With computer-assisted planimetry, infarct areas and volumes were determined using multiple coronal sections spanning the anterior-posterior extent of the infarct. Morphologic analyses of infarct volume demonstrated no differences between the vehicle (56.0 +/- 6 mm3), 5.0 mg/kg cimetidine (50.0 +/- 8 mm3), or 20.0 mg/kg cimetidine (53.0 +/- 7 mm3) treated groups. In this cortical infarct model, pretreatment with a histamine antagonist fails to reduce infarct size. It is concluded that photochemically-induced microvascular thrombosis results in too severe an insult for cimetidine to chronically protect.

Histamine modulates heat stress-induced changes in blood-brain barrier permeability, cerebral blood flow, brain oedema and serotonin levels: an experimental study in conscious young rats

The possibility that endogenous histamine plays an important role in modulating the pathophysiology of heat stress was examined in young rats using a pharmacological approach. Subjection of young animals (six to seven weeks old) to heat stress at 38 degrees C for 4 h in a biological oxygen demand incubator (relative humidity 47-50%, wind velocity 20-25 cm/s) resulted in a profound increase in blood-brain barrier permeability to Evans Blue albumin (whole brain 375%) and [131I]sodium (whole brain 478%) along with a significant reduction in the cerebral blood flow (mean 34%). The water content of the whole brain was elevated by 4.5% (about 19% volume swelling) from the control. At this time-period, the plasma and whole brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels were elevated by 656% and 328%, respectively, from the control group. Pretreatment with cimetidine (a histamine H2 receptor antagonist) significantly thwarted the increases in the brain water content and the blood-brain barrier permeability. In cimetidine-pretreated animals, the cerebral blood flow was significantly elevated and the plasma and brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) levels were slightly but significantly reduced as compared with the untreated stressed group. However, prior treatment with mepyramine (a histamine H1 receptor antagonist) neither attenuated the changes in water content and the blood-brain barrier permeability nor altered the cerebral blood flow and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels. In fact, there was a significantly higher permeation of the tracers across the cerebral vessels in these drug-treated animals along with a greater accumulation of the brain water content as compared with the untreated stressed group. The cerebral blood flow and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels showed only minor changes from the untreated stressed group. These results show, probably for the first time, that (i) the endogenous histamine plays an important role in the pathophysiology of heat stress, and (ii) this effect appears to be mediated via specific histamine H2 receptors.

The endothelium-dependent effects of thimerosal on mouse pial arterioles in vivo: evidence for control of microvascular events by EDRF as well as prostaglandins

Thimerosal causes synthesis and/or release of both endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and prostaglandins from conductance vessels in vitro. We tested its effects and mechanism of action on mouse pial arterioles in vivo using intravital microscopic techniques. Topical thimerosal dilated pial arterioles. This effect was eliminated by endothelial injury produced by a laser/Evans blue technique. Dilation was also eliminated by topical L-NMMA, a reported inhibitor of EDRF synthesis. Topical thimerosal also reduced the incidence of platelet adhesion/aggregation ("capture") at a site of minimal endothelial damage. This effect was eliminated by L-NMMA pretreatment. The ability of thimerosal to dilate arterioles was eliminated not only by treatments thought to eliminate synthesis/release of EDRF, but also by cyclooxygenase inhibitors. However, inhibition of platelet adhesion/aggregation was not affected by cyclooxygenase inhibition. Thimerosal significantly increased production of prostaglandin E2 recovered from a closed cranial window. We conclude that the dilating effects of thimerosal on diameter require two endothelium-derived agents: EDRF and one or more prostaglandins acting in concert. However, the inhibiting effect of thimerosal on local platelet adhesion/aggregation appears to be caused only by an increase in EDRF at the injured site.

Direct and neuromodulatory effects of histamine on isolated goat cerebral arteries

1. The effects of histamine on isolated goat middle cerebral artery were examined using two experimental approaches: recording of isometric tension and measurement of [3H]-noradrenaline efflux. 2. Cumulative addition of histamine (10(-7)-3 x 10(-2)M) and 2-pyridylethylamine (2-PEA, 10(-6)-3 x 10(-2)M) produced concentration-dependent contractile responses. Preincubation with diphenhydramine (10(-7), 10(-6)M) or cimetidine (10(-7), 10(-6)M) competitively inhibited the histamine-induced contractile response. 3. Endothelium denudation enhanced the contractile effects of histamine. 4. Transmural electrical stimulation elicited contractions which were enhanced by histamine (10(-7)M), 2-PEA (10(-6)M) and dimaprit (10(-4)M). Diphenhydramine (10(-5)M) inhibited the action of histamine, but cimetidine did not. 5. Noradrenaline (10(-8)-10(-4)M) elicited concentration-dependent contractions which were unaffected by histamine (10(-7)M). 6. In arteries preloaded with [3H]-noradrenaline, transmural electrical stimulation induced an increase in the tritium efflux, which was enhanced in the presence of histamine (10(-7)M). 7. Therefore, histamine contracts cerebral arteries via specific non-endothelial H1-receptors, and enhances perivascular adrenergic neurotransmission through specific presynaptic H1-receptors by a mechanism involving increases in noradrenaline release.

Effect of histamine and antagonists on electrical resistance across the blood-brain barrier in rat brain-surface microvessels

The effect of histamine on blood-brain barrier permeability was investigated using in situ measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance in brain-surface microvessels of anaesthetized rats. Mean resistance of vessels superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid was 1500 omega.cm2, indicating a tight barrier with low ion permeability. The addition of 10(-4) M histamine resulted in a 75% decrease in resistance, in both arterial and venous vessels, indicating a marked increase in barrier permeability. To determine the nature of the response to histamine, rats were given presurgical intraperitoneal injections of promethazine (H1 receptor antagonist), cimetidine (H2 receptor antagonist) or indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor), singularly and in combinations. Cimetidine completely blocked the histamine-mediated increase in barrier permeability whereas promethazine only had a small effect and indomethacin was ineffective. In addition, cimetidine treatment resulted in a 100% increase in basal resistance in both arterial and venous vessels, suggesting endogenous histamine was acting to increase blood-brain barrier permeability. It is concluded that histamine causes an increase in blood-brain barrier permeability which is mediated via endothelial H2 receptors, and that the electrical resistance in cimetidine-treated rats most closely represents the true permeability of the blood-brain barrier.