scholarly journals Acute Effects of Vardenafil on Pulmonary Artery Responsiveness in Pulmonary Hypertension

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edibe Karasu-Minareci ◽  
Irem Hicran Ozbudak ◽  
Gulay Ozbilim ◽  
Gulay Sadan

Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are novel and important options for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Therefore, we aimed to examine effects of vardenafil, a PDE-5 inhibitor, on the pulmonary arteries isolated from rats with monocrotaline- (MCT-) induced pulmonary hypertension. MCT (60 mg/kg) or its vehicle was administered by a single intraperitoneal injection to 6-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were sacrificed 21 days after MCT injection, and the main pulmonary arteries were isolated and then mounted in 20 mL organ baths. Concentration-response curves for vardenafil (10−10–10−5 M) were constructed in phenylephrine- (Phe-) precontracted rings. PAH caused marked rightward shift in the curves to vardenafil whereas maximal responses were not affected. Inhibition of NO synthase (L-NAME, 10−4 M) or guanylyl cyclase (ODQ, 10−5 M) caused similar attenuation in responses evoked by vardenafil. Moreover, contraction responses induced by CaCl2(3×10−5–3×10−2 M) were significantly reduced in concentration-dependent manner by vardenafil. In conclusion, vardenafil induced pulmonary vasodilatation via inhibition of extracellular calcium entry in addition to NO-cGMP pathway activation. These results provide evidence that impaired arterial relaxation in PAH can be prevented by vardenafil. Thus, vardenafil represents a valuable therapeutic approach in PAH besides other PDE-5 inhibitors.

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 204589401881629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Zhang ◽  
Wande Yu ◽  
Juan Zhang ◽  
Dujiang Xie ◽  
Yue Gu ◽  
...  

This study aimed to determine the benefits and correlated mechanisms of pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) for heart failure (HF) pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH secondary to HF is associated with poor clinical outcomes because there is no proper therapy for it. PADN showed improved outcomes for patients with HF-PH. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Supracoronary aortic banding (SAB) was used to create HF-PH models. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control, SAB, sham, SAB with PADN, and SAB without PADN groups. Surgical (longitudinally damaging vessel nerves) and chemical (10% phenol applied to the surface of nerves) PADN was performed for animals in the SAB with PADN group. Morphological, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and protein expression changes were measured four weeks thereafter. Adrenergic receptor (AR) expressions of pulmonary arteries from four HF-PH patients and four patients without PH were measured. Ten HF-PH patients who underwent PADN were followed-up for six months. SAB-induced HF-PH was achieved by 50% of animals. Surgical and chemical PADN was associated with significant improvements in pulmonary artery muscularization, hemodynamics, and right ventricular functions. In pulmonary arterial specimens from HF-PH patients, β2-AR and α1A/B-AR, as well as eNOS, were downregulated and α1D-AR was upregulated compared to those from patients without PH. PADN led to a mean increase of 84 m during the 6-min walk distance for HF-PH patients at six-month follow-up. HF-PH was characterized by downregulated β2-AR, α1A-AR, and α1B-AR and by upregulated α1D-AR. PADN is associated with significant improvements in hemodynamics and pulmonary artery remodeling.


2003 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 1813-1820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Terada ◽  
Isao Muraoka ◽  
Izumi Tabata

The purpose of the present investigation was to establish a method for estimating intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in isolated rat epitrochlearis muscles. Epitrochlearis muscles excised from 4-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were loaded with a fluorescent Ca2+indicator, fura 2-AM, for 60–90 min at 35°C in oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer. After fura 2 loading and subsequent 20-min incubation, the intensities of 500-nm fluorescence, induced by 340- and 380-nm excitation lights (Ftotal340 and Ftotal380), were measured. The fluorescences specific to fura-2 (Ffura 2340 and Ffura 2380) were calculated by subtracting the non-fura 2-specific component from Ftotal340 and Ftotal380, respectively. The ratio of Ffura 2340 to Ffura 2380 was calculated as R, and the change in the ratio from the baseline value (ΔR) was used as an index of the change in [Ca2+]i. In resting muscle, ΔR was stable for 60 min. Incubation for 20 min with caffeine (3–10 mM) significantly increased ΔR in a concentration-dependent manner. Incubation with hypoxic Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 10–60 min significantly elevated ΔR, depending on the duration of the incubation. Incubation with 50 μM N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide for 20 min significantly elevated ΔR ( P < 0.05). No significant increases in ΔR were observed during incubation for 20 min with 2 mM 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside or with 2 mU/ml insulin. These results demonstrated that, by using the fura 2-AM fluorescence method, the changes in [Ca2+]i can be monitored in the rat epitrochlearis muscle and suggest that the method can be utilized to observe quantitative information regarding [Ca2+]i that may be involved in contraction- and hypoxia-stimulated glucose transport activity in skeletal muscle.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (3) ◽  
pp. H1435-H1443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Morin ◽  
Christelle Guibert ◽  
Marco Sirois ◽  
Vincent Echave ◽  
Marcio M. Gomes ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to provide a mechanistic insight into how 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) relaxes distal human pulmonary arteries (HPAs). This compound is produced by ω-hydroxylase from free arachidonic acid. Tension measurements, performed on either fresh or 1 day-cultured pulmonary arteries, revealed that the contractile responses to 1 μM 5-hydroxytryptamine were largely relaxed by 20-HETE in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01–10 μM). Iberiotoxin pretreatments (10 nM) partially decreased 20-HETE-induced relaxations. However, 10 μM indomethacin and 3 μM SC-560 pretreatments significantly reduced the relaxations to 20-HETE in these tissues. The relaxing responses induced by the eicosanoid were likely related to a reduced Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilaments since free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+])-response curves performed on β-escin-permeabilized cultured explants were shifted toward higher [Ca2+]. 20-HETE also abolished the tonic responses induced by phorbol-ester-dibutyrate (a PKC-sensitizing agent). Western blot analyses, using two specific primary antibodies against the PKC-potentiated inhibitory protein CPI-17 and its PKC-dependent phosphorylated isoform pCPI-17, confirmed that 20-HETE interferes with this intracellular process. We also investigated the effect of 20-HETE on the activation of Rho-kinase pathway-induced Ca2+ sensitivity. The data demonstrated that 20-HETE decreased U-46619-induced Ca2+ sensitivity on arteries. Hence, this observation was correlated with an increased staining of p116Rip, a RhoA-binding protein. Together, these results strongly suggest that the 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid derivative is a potent modulator of tone in HPAs in vitro.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (6) ◽  
pp. H2246-H2253 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tjen-A-Looi ◽  
R. Ekman ◽  
J. Osborn ◽  
I. Keith

The role of endothelin (ET)-1 in pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) homeostasis and hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension was examined. ET-1 was chronically infused (2 and 4 pmol.kg-1.min-1) into the pulmonary circulation of male Sprague-Dawley rats for 3, 7, and 14 days while they were exposed to normoxia or hypobaric hypoxia (inspired O2 fraction 10%). The role of endogenous ET was examined by infusion of ET antiserum (ET-AS; 0.25 and 0.5 microliter.rat-1.h-1; cross-reacting with ET-1, -2, and -3) or the ETA-receptor blocker BQ-123 (10 pmol.kg-1.min-1). ET-1 (4 pmol) increased Ppa at 3 and 7 days in normoxia and hypoxia and was ineffective at 14 days, probably from ETA-receptor downregulation. BQ-123 blunted the hypoxic Ppa rise at all times, confirming a role for ETA receptors. ET-AS (0.5 microliter) was mostly ineffective but exacerbated hypoxic Ppa at 14 days, in contrast to BQ-123, suggesting that a different ET receptor could be involved. ET-1 infusion (2 pmol) caused right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) in normoxia and exacerbated RVH in hypoxia, whereas BQ-123 and ET-AS (0.25 microliter) reduced hypoxic RVH. In conclusion, endogenous ET-1 plays a role in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and RVH by augmenting the level of hypoxic response. ET-1 also affects hematocrit and may reduce blood levels of the vasodilator calcitonin gene-related peptide.


PPAR Research ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahan Liu ◽  
Xiao Yu Tian ◽  
Yu Huang ◽  
Nanping Wang

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary arterial pressure leading to right ventricular failure and death. Activation of the endothelin (ET)-1 system has been demonstrated in plasma and lung tissue of PAH patients as well as in animal models of PAH. Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ) agonists have been shown to ameliorate PAH. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism for the antivasoconstrictive effects of rosiglitazone in response to ET-1 in PAH. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to chronic hypoxia (10% oxygen) for 3 weeks. Pulmonary arteries from PAH rats showed an enhanced vasoconstriction in response to ET-1. Treatment with PPARγagonist rosiglitazone (20 mg/kg per day) with oral gavage for 3 days attenuated the vasocontractive effect of ET-1. The effect of rosiglitazone was lost in the presence ofL-NAME, indicating a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Western blotting revealed that rosiglitazone increasedETBRbut decreasedETARlevel in pulmonary arteries from PAH rats.ETBRantagonist A192621 diminished the effect of rosiglitazone on ET-1-induced contraction. These results demonstrated that rosiglitazone attenuated ET-1-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in PAH through differential regulation of the subtypes of ET-1 receptors and, thus, provided a new mechanism for the therapeutic use of PPARγagonists in PAH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Jing Chen ◽  
Wen Jiang ◽  
Fei Zhu ◽  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Haiyan Yang ◽  
...  

Objective. To investigate the role of curcumin in regulating pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) derived from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) model. Methods. Male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with monocrotaline (MCT) to establish the PAH experimental model. The rats were divided into control group, MCT group, and curcumin group. At the end of the study, hemodynamic data were measured to determine pulmonary hypertension. Proliferation ability of PASMCs, a remodeling indicator of pulmonary artery and right ventricle, was detected. In addition, the morphology and function of mitochondria, antiglycolysis and antiproliferation pathways, and genes were also analyzed. Results. Curcumin may function by reversing MCT-mediated pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats. Curcumin effectively improved pulmonary vascular remodeling, promoted PASMC apoptosis, and protected mitochondrial function. In addition, curcumin treatment suppressed the PI3K/AKT pathway in PASMCs and regulated the expression of antiproliferative genes. Conclusion. Curcumin can improve energy metabolism and reverse the process of PAHS. However, there were side effects of curcumin in MCT-induced rats, suggesting that the dosage should be treated with caution and its toxicological mechanism should be further studied and evaluated.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zetty Zulikha Hafiz ◽  
Muhammad ‘Afif Mohd Amin ◽  
Richard Muhammad Johari James ◽  
Lay Kek Teh ◽  
Mohd Zaki Salleh ◽  
...  

Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) is one of the medicinal plants that has been reported to exert comprehensive neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo. In view of this, the present study was performed to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of C. asiatica, designated as raw-extract of C. asiatica (RECA) in reducing the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), inflammations, and oxidative stress activities via both in vitro (SH-SY5Y and RAW 264.7 cells) and in vivo (Sprague Dawley rats). Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography analysis reveals that RECA contains a significantly high proportion of glycosides than the aglycones with madecassoside as the highest component, followed by asiaticoside. Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with RECA significantly reduced the AChE activity in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 31.09 ± 10.07 µg/mL. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of RECA were evaluated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Our results elucidated that treatment with RECA significantly suppressed the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine/mediators and oxidative stress released in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, these patterns of inhibition were consistent as observed in the LPS-induced neuroinflammation Sprague Dawley rats’ model. The highest concentration used in the two models presented the most significant results. Herein, our findings strongly suggest that RECA may offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease through inhibiting the AChE, inflammation, and oxidative stress activities.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 799-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yixiao Xu ◽  
Lina Lin ◽  
Lanlan Tang ◽  
Mengxiao Zheng ◽  
Yingchun Ma ◽  
...  

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease of the small pulmonary arteries characterized by increased vascular resistance. Pulmonary vasoconstriction has been proven to play a pivotal role in PAH. We have previously hypothesized that Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) might attenuate hypoxia–hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. The specific objective of the present study was to investigate the role of notoginsenoside R1, a main ingredient of PNS, in this process and the possible underlying mechanism. The third order pulmonary rings from the Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with different concentrations of notoginsenoside R1 (8, 40, and 100 mg/L, respectively) both before and during the conditions of hypercapnia and hypoxia. Contractile force changes in the rings were detected and the optimal concentration (8 mg/L) was selected. Furthermore, an ERK inhibitor, U0126, was applied to the rings. In addition, pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were cultured under hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions, and notoginsenoside R1 was administered to detect the changes induced by ERK1/2. The results revealed biphasic vasoconstriction in rings under hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions. It is hypothesized that the observed attenuation of vasoconstriction and the production of vasodilation could have been induced by notoginsenoside R1. This effect was found to be significantly reinforced by U0126 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). ERK expression in the PASMCs under hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions was significantly activated (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) and the observed activation was attenuated by notoginsenoside R1 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Our findings strongly support the significant role of notoginsenoside R1 in the inhibition of hypoxia–hypercapnia-induced vasoconstriction by the ERK pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-458
Author(s):  
Dong Joon Kim ◽  
Young Joon Ki ◽  
Bo Hyun Jang ◽  
Seongcheol Kim ◽  
Sang Hun Kim ◽  
...  

Background: Recently, there have been some trials to use dexmedetomidine in the obstetric field but concerns regarding the drug include changes in uterine contractions after labor. We aimed to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the myometrial contractions of pregnant rats.Methods: In a pilot study, the contraction of the myometrial strips of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats in an organ bath with oxytocin at 1 mU/ml was assessed by adding dexmedetomidine from 10-6 to 10-2 M accumulatively every 20 min, and active tension and the number of contractions were evaluated. Then, changes in myometrial contractions were evaluated from high doses of dexmedetomidine (1.0 × 10−4 to 1.2 × 10−3 M). The effective concentrations (EC) for changes in uterine contractions were calculated using a probit model.Results: Active tension and the number of contractions were significantly decreased at 10-3 M and 10-4 M dexmedetomidine, respectively (P < 0.05). A complete loss of contractions was seen at 10-2 M. Dexmedetomidine (1.0 × 10−4 to 1.2 × 10−3 M) decreased active tension and the number of contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. The EC95 of dexmedetomidine for inhibiting active tension and the number of contractions was 5.16 × 10-2 M and 2.55 × 10-5 M, respectively.Conclusions: Active tension of the myometrium showed a significant decrease at concentrations of dexmedetomidine higher than 10-3 M. Thus, clinical concentrations of dexmedetomidine may inhibit uterine contractions. Further research is needed for the safe use of dexmedetomidine in the obstetrics field.


Hypertension ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Crosswhite ◽  
Zhongjie Sun

Background: Chronic cold exposure triggers robust TNFα production in the lungs and pulmonary arteries (PAs) and causes PA remodeling in rats. A hallmark of the PA remodeling is the over-proliferation of PASMCs. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate potential mechanisms of TNF-alpha induced PASMC proliferation. Methods and Results: PASMCs were isolated from 8-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats and treated with 0, 20 or 200 ng/ml TNFα for 24 or 48 hours. After treatment, cell number, superoxide production, histone acetylation and DNA methylation were assessed. TNFα treatment significantly increased the number of PASMCs, indicating excessive proliferation. TNFα also increased NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide production compared with untreated controls. TNFα treatment however did not affect histone acetylation at either dose. Interestingly, DNA methylation was significantly decreased by TNFα treatment compared to controls. Unexpectedly, the activity of DNA methyltransferase-1, the major enzyme for DNA methylation, was not altered by TNFα treatment. Further investigation using QRT-RT-PCR revealed that TNFα upregulated several factors including Gadd45α that regulate DNA de-methylation. Conclusions: Our results show that TNFα treatment induced cell proliferation and increased superoxide production in PASMCs. TNFα decreased DNA methylation and upregulated mediators of de-methylation in PASMCs. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha induced PASMCs proliferation may involve the DNA methylation mechanism. (Supported by NIH HL077490 and AHA 11PRE7830040).


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