Acute ingestion of citrulline stimulates nitric oxide synthesis but does not increase blood flow in healthy young and older adults with heart failure

To determine if age-associated vascular dysfunction in older adults with heart failure (HF) is due to insufficient synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), we performed two separate studies: 1) a kinetic study with a stable isotope tracer method to determine in vivo kinetics of NO metabolism, and 2) a vascular function study using a plethysmography method to determine reactive hyperemic forearm blood flow (RH-FBF) in older and young adults in the fasted state and in response to citrulline ingestion. In the fasted state, NO synthesis (per kg body wt) was ∼50% lower in older vs. young adults and was related to a decreased rate of appearance of the NO precursor arginine. Citrulline ingestion (3 g) stimulated de novo arginine synthesis in both older [6.88 ± 0.83 to 35.40 ± 4.90 μmol·kg body wt−1·h−1] and to a greater extent in young adults (12.02 ± 1.01 to 66.26 ± 4.79 μmol·kg body wt−1·h−1). NO synthesis rate increased correspondingly in older (0.17 ± 0.01 to 2.12 ± 0.36 μmol·kg body wt−1·h−1) and to a greater extent in young adults (0.36 ± 0.04 to 3.57 ± 0.47 μmol·kg body wt−1·h−1). Consistent with the kinetic data, RH-FBF in the fasted state was ∼40% reduced in older vs. young adults. However, citrulline ingestion (10 g) failed to increase RH-FBF in either older or young adults. In conclusion, citrulline ingestion improved impaired NO synthesis in older HF adults but not RH-FBF, suggesting that factors other than NO synthesis play a role in the impaired RH-FBF in older HF adults, and/or it may require a longer duration of supplementation to be effective in improving RH-FBF.

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S-nitroso-albumin carries a thiol-labile pool of nitric oxide, which causes venodilation in the rat

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.01014.2004 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 289 (2) ◽

pp. H916-H923 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Nelson N. Orie ◽

Patrick Vallance ◽

Dean P. Jones ◽

Kevin P. Moore

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Molecular Weight ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Low Molecular Weight ◽

Aortic Blood Flow ◽

Hemodynamic Effects ◽

Rapid Decomposition ◽

Aortic Blood

It is now established that S-nitroso-albumin (SNO-albumin) circulates at low nanomolar concentrations under physiological conditions, but concentrations may increase to micromolar levels during disease states (e.g., cirrhosis or endotoxemia). This study tested the hypothesis that high concentrations of SNO-albumin observed in some diseases modulate vascular function and that it acts as a stable reservoir of nitric oxide (NO), releasing this molecule when the concentrations of low-molecular-weight thiols are increased. SNO-albumin was infused into rats to increase the plasma concentration from <50 nmol/l to ∼4 μmol/l. This caused a 29 ± 6% drop in blood pressure, 20 ± 4% decrease in aortic blood flow, and a 25 ± 14% reduction of renal blood flow within 10 min. These observations were in striking contrast to those of an infused arterial vasodilator (hydralazine), which increased aortic blood flow, and suggested that SNO-albumin acts primarily as a venodilator in vivo. This was confirmed by the observations that glyceryl trinitrate (a venodilator) led to similar hemodynamic changes and that the hemodynamic effects of SNO-albumin are reversed by infusion of colloid. Infusion of N-acetylcysteine into animals with artificially elevated plasma SNO-albumin concentrations led to the rapid decomposition of SNO-albumin in vivo and reproduced the hemodynamic effects of SNO-albumin infusion. These data demonstrate that SNO-albumin acts primarily as a venodilator in vivo and represents a stable reservoir of NO that can release NO when the concentrations of low-molecular-weight thiols are elevated.

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Abstract 1138: Endogenous Adipocyte-Derived Factors Diminish Coronary Endothelial-Dependent Vasodilation Via Inhibition Of Nitric Oxide Synthase

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.116.suppl_16.ii_229-b ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽

Author(s):

Gregory A Payne ◽

Lena Borbouse ◽

Gregory M Dick ◽

Johnathan D Tune

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽

Coronary Blood Flow ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Pericardial Adipose Tissue ◽

Oxide Synthase

Adipocytokines may be the molecular link between obesity and vascular disease; however, effects of these factors on coronary vascular function have not been delineated. Accordingly, this study was designed to examine mechanisms by which endogenous adipocyte-derived factors impair coronary endothelial-dependent vasodilation in vivo . Experiments were conducted in open-chest anesthetized dogs (n = 16) before and during treatment with endogenous adipocyte-derived factors. Phosphate buffered saline was conditioned in a shaking water bath with parietal pericardial adipose tissue (3 g/ml) for 30 min at 37°C. The conditioned buffer was then filtered (0.2 μm) and infused directly into the coronary circulation (0.3 ml/min). Conditioned buffer did not significantly affect baseline coronary blood flow (0.50 ± 0.01 vs. 0.61 ± 0.05 ml/min/g, p = 0.68), mean arterial pressure (103 ± 6 vs. 96 ± 9 mmHg, p = 0.74), or heart rate (87 ± 13 vs. 110 ± 24 beats/min, p = 0.44). Conditioned buffer had no effect on responses to intracoronary angiotensin II (2.5 – 750 ng; 74 vs. 70% vasoconstriction). Under control conditions, bradykinin (0.03 – 3 μg/min) increased coronary blood flow (303 ± 65%) to 2.02 ± 0.31 ml/min/g in a dose-dependent manner. Conditioned buffer attenuated maximum bradykinin vasodilation to 1.64 ± 0.26 ml/min/g (167 ± 33% increase; p < 0.05). This decrease in endothelial-dependent dilation was not due to increases in superoxide production, as administration of the superoxide dismutase mimetic Tempol (10 mg/min, ic) did not improve bradykinin vasodilation (120 ± 27% increase; p < 0.05). Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with L-NAME (150 μg/min, ic) reduced maximum bradykinin vasodilation to 0.93 ± 0.04 ml/min/g (p < 0.05) and endogenous adipocyte-derived factors had no further inhibitory effect (0.82 ± 0.09 ml/min/g, p = 0.24). These data indicate that endogenous adipocyte-derived factors diminish endothelial-dependent coronary vasodilation via inhibition of nitric oxide synthase rather than a reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability by superoxide. Our findings importantly link endogenous adipocyte-derived factors with pro-atherogenic coronary vascular dysfunction in vivo .

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Endothelial dysfunction and body mass index: is there a role for plasma peroxynitrite?

Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences ◽

10.1186/s43088-020-00092-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Theresa Chikopela ◽

Douglas C. Heimburger ◽

Longa Kaluba ◽

Pharaoh Hamambulu ◽

Newton Simfukwe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Nitric Oxide ◽

Endothelial Dysfunction ◽

Body Mass ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Aortic Ring ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Oxide Synthase ◽

Weight Groups

Abstract Background Endothelial function is dependent on the balance between vasoconstrictive and vasodilatory substances. The endothelium ability to produce nitric oxide is one of the most crucial mechanisms in regulating vascular tone. An increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase contributes to endothelial dysfunction in overweight persons, while oxidative stress contributes to the conversion of nitric oxide to peroxynitrite (measured as nitrotyrosine in vivo) in underweight persons. The objective of this study was to elucidate the interaction of body composition and oxidative stress on vascular function and peroxynitrite. This was done through an experimental design with three weight groups (underweight, normal weight and overweight), with four treatment arms in each. Plasma nitrotyrosine levels were measured 15–20 h post lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, as were aortic ring tension changes. Acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) challenges were used to observe endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent vascular relaxation after pre-constriction of aortic rings with phenylephrine. Results Nitrotyrosine levels in saline-treated rats were similar among the weight groups. There was a significant increase in nitrotyrosine levels between saline-treated rats and those treated with the highest lipopolysaccharide doses in each of the weight groups. In response to ACh challenge, Rmax (percentage reduction in aortic tension) was lowest in overweight rats (112%). In response to SNP, there was an insignificantly lower Rmax in the underweight rats (106%) compared to the normal weight rats (112%). Overweight rats had a significant decrease in Rmax (83%) in response to SNP, signifying involvement of a more chronic process in tension reduction changes. A lower Rmax accompanied an increase in peroxynitrite after acetylcholine challenge in all weight groups. Conclusions Endothelial dysfunction, observed as an impairment in the ability to reduce tension, is associated with increased plasma peroxynitrite levels across the spectrum of body mass. In higher-BMI rats, an additional role is played by vascular smooth muscle in the causation of endothelial dysfunction.

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Disruption of TRPV1-mediated coupling of coronary blood flow to cardiac metabolism in diabetic mice: role of nitric oxide and BK channels

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00011.2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 303 (2) ◽

pp. H216-H223 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Giacinta Guarini ◽

Vahagn A. Ohanyan ◽

John G. Kmetz ◽

Daniel J. DelloStritto ◽

Roslin J. Thoppil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Coronary Blood Flow ◽

Cardiac Metabolism ◽

Bk Channels ◽

Bk Channel ◽

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽

Trpv1 Channels ◽

Channel Dependent

We have previously shown transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) channel-dependent coronary function is compromised in pigs with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the mechanisms through which TRPV1 channels couple coronary blood flow to metabolism are not fully understood. We employed mice lacking TRPV1 [TRPV1(−/−)], db/db diabetic, and control C57BKS/J mice to determine the extent to which TRPV1 channels modulate coronary function and contribute to vascular dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Animals were subjected to in vivo infusion of the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin to examine the hemodynamic actions of TRPV1 activation. Capsaicin (1–100 μg·kg−1·min−1) dose dependently increased coronary blood flow in control mice, which was inhibited by the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine or the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). In addition, the capsaicin-mediated increase in blood flow was attenuated in db/db mice. TRPV1(−/−) mice exhibited no changes in coronary blood flow in response to capsaicin. Vasoreactivity studies in isolated pressurized mouse coronary microvessels revealed a capsaicin-dependent relaxation that was inhibited by the TRPV1 inhibitor SB366791 l-NAME and to the large conductance calcium-sensitive potassium channel (BK) inhibitors iberiotoxin and Penetrim A. Similar to in vivo responses, capsaicin-mediated relaxation was impaired in db/db mice compared with controls. Changes in pH (pH 7.4–6.0) relaxed coronary vessels contracted to the thromboxane mimetic U46619 in all three groups of mice; however, pH-mediated relaxation was blunted in vessels obtained from TRPV1(−/−) and db/db mice compared with controls. Western blot analysis revealed decreased myocardial TRPV1 protein expression in db/db mice compared with controls. Our data reveal TRPV1 channels mediate coupling of myocardial blood flow to cardiac metabolism via a nitric oxide-dependent, BK channel-dependent pathway that is corrupted in diabetes.

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Simultaneous Assessment of Endothelial Function, Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity, Nitric Oxide–Mediated Signaling, and Oxidative Stress in Individuals with and without Hypercholesterolemia

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1373/clinchem.2007.093575 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 292-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Renke Maas ◽

Edzard Schwedhelm ◽

Lydia Kahl ◽

Huige Li ◽

Ralf Benndorf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Urinary Excretion ◽

Indirect Evidence ◽

No Oxidation ◽

Whole Body ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Synthesis Rate ◽

No Production

Abstract Background: Endothelial function is impaired in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Based on mostly indirect evidence, this impairment is attributed to reduced synthesis or impaired biological activity of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO). It was the aim of this study to directly estimate and compare whole-body NO production in normo- and hypercholesterolemia by applying a nonradioactive stable isotope dilution technique in vivo. Methods: We enrolled 12 normocholesterolemic and 24 hypercholesterolemic volunteers who were all clinically healthy. To assess whole-body NO synthesis, we intravenously administered l-[guanidino-(15N2)]-arginine and determined the urinary excretion of 15N-labeled nitrate, the specific end product of NO oxidation in humans, by use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, we measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS) in platelets, plasma concentration of the endogenous NOS inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and urinary excretion of 8-isoprostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α). Results: After infusion of l-[guanidino-(15N2)]-arginine, cumulative excretion of 15N-labeled-nitrate during 48 h was 40% [95% CI 15%–66%] lower in hypercholesterolemic than normocholesterolemic volunteers [mean 9.2 (SE 0.8) μmol vs 15.4 (2.3) μmol/l, P = 0.003]. FMD was on average 36% [4%–67%] lower in hypercholesterolemic than normocholesterolemic volunteers [6.3 (4.0)% vs 9.4 (4.6)%, P = 0.027]. Normalized expression of NOS protein in platelets was also significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic volunteers, whereas there were no significant differences in plasma ADMA concentration or urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF2α between the 2 groups. Conclusions: This study provides direct evidence for a decreased whole body NO synthesis rate in healthy people with hypercholesterolemia.

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Effects of aging and exercise training on spinotrapezius muscle microvascular Po2 dynamics and vasomotor control

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01084.2010 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 110 (3) ◽

pp. 695-704 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Danielle J. McCullough ◽

Robert T. Davis ◽

James M. Dominguez ◽

John N. Stabley ◽

Christian S. Bruells ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Sodium Nitroprusside ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Treadmill Running ◽

Aged Rats ◽

Phosphorescence Quenching

With advancing age, there is a reduction in exercise tolerance, resulting, in part, from a perturbed ability to match O2 delivery to uptake within skeletal muscle. In the spinotrapezius muscle (which is not recruited during incline treadmill running) of aged rats, we tested the hypotheses that exercise training will 1) improve the matching of O2 delivery to O2 uptake, evidenced through improved microvascular Po2 (PmO2), at rest and throughout the contractions transient; and 2) enhance endothelium-dependent vasodilation in first-order arterioles. Young (Y, ∼6 mo) and aged (O, >24 mo) Fischer 344 rats were assigned to control sedentary (YSED; n = 16, and OSED; n = 15) or exercise-trained (YET; n = 14, and OET; n = 13) groups. Spinotrapezius blood flow (via radiolabeled microspheres) was measured at rest and during exercise. Phosphorescence quenching was used to quantify PmO2 in vivo at rest and across the rest-to-twitch contraction (1 Hz, 5 min) transition in the spinotrapezius muscle. In a follow-up study, vasomotor responses to endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine) and -independent (sodium nitroprusside) stimuli were investigated in vitro. Blood flow to the spinotrapezius did not increase above resting values during exercise in either young or aged groups. Exercise training increased the precontraction baseline PmO2 (OET 37.5 ± 3.9 vs. OSED 24.7 ± 3.6 Torr, P < 0.05); the end-contracting PmO2 and the time-delay before PmO2 fell in the aged group but did not affect these values in the young. Exercise training improved maximal vasodilation in aged rats to acetylcholine (OET 62 ± 16 vs. OSED 27 ± 16%) and to sodium nitroprusside in both young and aged rats. Endurance training of aged rats enhances the PmO2 in a nonrecruited skeletal muscle and is associated with improved vascular smooth muscle function. These data support the notion that improvements in vascular function with exercise training are not isolated to the recruited muscle.

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Dilator actions of arginine in human peripheral vasculature

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs0810695 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 81 (5) ◽

pp. 695-700 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Alison Calver ◽

Joe Collier ◽

Patrick Vallance

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Forearm Blood Flow ◽

Hypotensive Effect ◽

Linear Displacement ◽

High Dose ◽

Free Base ◽

Peripheral Vasculature ◽

Arginine Hydrochloride

1. l-Arginine is the physiological precursor for the formation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide. The synthesis of nitric oxide is stereospecific: d-arginine is not a substrate for nitric oxide synthase. It is possible that the provision of excess l-arginine substrate might increase the vascular synthesis of nitric oxide. We have examined this possibility by studying the effects of local infusion of l-and d-arginine in the forearm resistance bed and the superficial dorsal hand veins of healthy subjects. 2. Drugs were either infused locally into a vein on the back of the hand and then the vein diameter was measured using a linear displacement technique, or into the brachial artery and then the forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. 3. In the superficial hand veins, l- and d-arginine free base and l- and d-arginine hydrochloride (all four preparations at a dose of 5 μmol/min) all caused a significant increase in venous diameter. The responses of the l-and d-enantiomers did not differ significantly from one another. 4. In the forearm resistance bed, l- and d-arginine free base and l-arginine hydrochloride were without effect at doses of 10 and 40 μmol/min. However, at doses of 160 μmol/min all three preparations of arginine caused a significant increase in forearm blood flow compared with control values. The responses to the three preparations of arginine did not differ significantly from one another. 5. These results show that arginine in high dose is a vasodilator in both human resistance vessels and superficial veins in vivo. The response to arginine was not stereospecific: both the l- and d-enantiomers had the same effect. The dilator effect of high-dose arginine showed neither arterio-nor veno-selectivity. 6. This suggests that the hypotensive effect of systemic infusions of l-arginine in man is mediated by peripheral vasodilatation. It is not possible to ascribe the actions of arginine supplementation in this study to activation of the l-arginine/nitric oxide pathway through the provision of excess substrate.

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Electro-Metabolic Sensing Through Capillary ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels and Adenosine to Control Cerebral Blood Flow

10.1101/2021.03.12.435152 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Sancho ◽

Nicholas R. Klug ◽

Amreen Mughal ◽

Thomas J. Heppner ◽

David Hill-Eubanks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Cerebral Blood Flow ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Brain Activity ◽

List Type ◽

Capillary Endothelial Cells ◽

Metabolic Sensing ◽

Cellular Components

SUMMARYThe dense network of capillaries composed of capillary endothelial cells (cECs) and pericytes lies in close proximity to all neurons, ideally positioning it to sense neuro/glial-derived compounds that regulate regional and global cerebral perfusion. The membrane potential (VM) of vascular cells serves as the essential output in this scenario, linking brain activity to vascular function. The ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) is a key regulator of vascular VM in other beds, but whether brain capillaries possess functional KATP channels remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that brain capillary ECs and pericytes express KATP channels that robustly control VM. We further show that the endogenous mediator adenosine acts through A2A receptors and the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway to activate capillary KATP channels. Moreover, KATP channel stimulation in vivo causes vasodilation and increases cerebral blood flow (CBF). These findings establish the presence of KATP channels in cECs and pericytes and suggest their significant influence on CBF.HIGHLIGHTSCapillary network cellular components—endothelial cells and pericytes—possess functional KATP channels.Activation of KATP channels causes profound hyperpolarization of capillary cell membranes.Capillary KATP channels are activated by exogenous adenosine via A2A receptors and cAMP-dependent protein kinase.KATP channel activation by adenosine or synthetic openers increases cerebral blood flow.

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Abstract 14820: Sirt7 Deficiency in Blood Vessel Components Impairs Vascular Function by Inhibiting Cell Cycle- and Inflammatory-Related Protein Expression

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.132.suppl_3.14820 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Yuichi Kimura ◽

Yasuhiro Izumiya ◽

Satoshi Araki ◽

Satoru Yamamura ◽

Yoshiro Onoue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Endothelial Cells ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Vascular Diseases ◽

Tube Formation ◽

Hindlimb Ischemia ◽

Proliferation Assay

Introduction: Aging is a well-established cardiovascular risk factor and associated with vascular dysfunction. Sirt7, one of the members of mammalian sirtuin family, is thought to be involved in age-related diseases. However, little is known about the relative contribution of Sirt7 in vascular dysfunction. Hypothesis: Sirt7 maintains vascular cell functions and its deficiency plays a critical role in vascular diseases. Methods: Sirt7 loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed with human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo, blood flow recovery was evaluated by hindlimb ischemia model in homozygous Sirt7 deficient (Sirt7-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice. Irradiated WT mice were intravenously received bone marrow (BM) cells from WT or Sirt7 -/- mouse to achieve BM transfer. Results: An RNAi-medicated Sirt7 knockdown resulted in a significant inhibition of HAoSMCs proliferation following serum or Platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) stimulation as determined by cell count, BrdU cell proliferation assay and MTS proliferation assay. Knockdown of endogenous Sirt7 also reduced cell migration as revealed by Boyden chamber migration assay. The Cyclin D1 and Cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) protein levels were significantly decreased in Sirt7 siRNA-treated HAoSMCs in response to serum or PDGF-BB stimulation. In endothelial cells, knockdown of Sirt7 attenuated tube formation, proliferation and migration. These changes were accompanied by reduced ERK activation and VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression in Sirt7 siRNA-treated HUVECs. Conversely, overexpression of Sirt7 by adenovirus enhanced tube formation and cell proliferation. In vivo, blood flow recovery in response to hindlimb ischemia was significantly attenuated in Sirt7-/- mice compared with WT mice. There was no difference in blood flow recovery between WT mice transplanted with WT or Sirt7-/- BM cells suggesting that Sirt7 deficiency in vascular cells have a predominant effect on attenuated blood flow recovery in response to hindlimb ischemia. Conclusions: Sirt7 in blood vessel components have an important role in maintenance of vascular function. Sirt7 could be a promising therapeutic target for vascular diseases.

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Abstract P388: Extra-cardiac BCAA Catabolism Lowers Blood Pressure And Protects From Heart Failure

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.129.suppl_1.p388 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Danielle Murashige ◽

Cholsoon Jang ◽

Michael Neinast ◽

Michael Levin ◽

Jae Woo Jung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Mendelian Randomization ◽

Multiple Models ◽

Direct Effects ◽

Heavy Isotope ◽

Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽

Branched Chain

Pharmacologic activation of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism is protective in numerous models of heart failure (HF). How this protection occurs has remained unclear, although a causative block in cardiac BCAA oxidation has been proposed. We use here in vivo heavy isotope infusion studies to show that cardiac preference for BCAA oxidation increases, rather than decreases, in multiple models of HF. We use various genetic models to show that cardiac-specific activation of BCAA oxidation does not protect from HF, even though systemic activation of BCAA oxidation does. Lowering plasma and cardiac BCAAs by genetic means is also not sufficient to confer protection comparable to that conferred by pharmacologic activation of BCAA oxidation, suggesting alternative mechanisms of protection. Surprisingly, telemetry and invasive hemodynamic studies showed that pharmacological activation of BCAA catabolism lowers blood pressure, a well-established cardioprotective mechanism. The effects on blood pressure occurred independently of nitric oxide (NO), and reflected a vascular resistance to adrenergic constriction. Finally, mendelian randomization studies revealed that elevations in plasma BCAAs portend higher blood pressure in large human cohorts. Together, these data indicate that activation of BCAA oxidation lowers blood pressure and protects from heart failure independently of any direct effects on the heart itself.

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