scholarly journals Capillaries and arterioles are electrically coupled in hamster cheek pouch

1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (4) ◽  
pp. H1489-H1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Beach ◽  
Eugene D. McGahren ◽  
Brian R. Duling

In this report we demonstrate electrical communication in the microcirculation between arterioles and capillary networks in situ. Microvessel networks in the hamster cheek pouch, which included capillaries and their feeding arterioles, were labeled with the voltage-sensitive dye di-8-ANEPPS by intraluminal perfusion through a micropipette. Pulses of 140 mM potassium solution were applied by pressure ejection from micropipettes positioned on arterioles several hundred micrometers upstream from capillaries. Potassium caused membrane potential changes of 3–11 mV in capillary segments up to 1,200 μm distal to the stimulation site, with time delays of <1 s. Capillary membrane potential changes were biphasic, with initial depolarizations followed by hyperpolarizations. The size of the response decreased exponentially with the distance between the arteriole and capillary, with a 1/e distance of 590 μm. The time to peak depolarization of both arteriolar and capillary segments was similar. The time to peak response was significantly faster than that for responses from direct stimulation of capillaries. Capillary responses were also obtained when blood flow was either blocked or directed toward sites of stimulation. Acetylcholine (10−4 M) and phenylephrine (10−5 M) applied to the arterioles by iontophoresis produced monophasic hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses, respectively, in capillaries with <1-s delay between stimulus and onset of the membrane potential change. These results provide evidence in situ of a pathway for electrical communication between arteriolar and capillary levels of the microcirculation.

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (1) ◽  
pp. H60-H65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene D. McGahren ◽  
James M. Beach ◽  
Brian R. Duling

It has been proposed that capillaries can detect changes in tissue metabolites and generate signals that are communicated upstream to resistance vessels. The mechanism for this communication may involve changes in capillary endothelial cell membrane potentials which are then conducted to upstream arterioles. We have tested the capacity of capillary endothelial cells in vivo to respond to pharmacological stimuli. In a hamster cheek pouch preparation, capillary endothelial cells were labeled with the voltage-sensitive dye di-8-ANEPPS. Fluorescence from capillary segments (75–150 μm long) was excited at 475 nm and recorded at 560 and 620 nm with a dual-wavelength photomultiplier system. KCl was applied using pressure injection, and acetylcholine (ACh) and phenylephrine (PE) were applied iontophoretically to these capillaries. Changes in the ratio of the fluorescence emission at two emission wavelengths were used to estimate changes in the capillary endothelial membrane potential. Application of KCl resulted in depolarization, whereas application of the vehicle did not. Application of ACh and PE resulted in hyperpolarization and depolarization, respectively. The capillary responses could be blocked by including a receptor antagonist (atropine or prazosin, respectively) in the superfusate. We conclude that the capillary membrane potential is capable of responding to pharmacological stimuli. We hypothesize that capillaries can respond to changes in the milieu of surrounding tissue via changes in endothelial membrane potential.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (1) ◽  
pp. R237-R242
Author(s):  
Xiao-Pei Gao

The purpose of this study was to determine whether tannic acid elicits neurogenic plasma exudation from the oral mucosa in vivo and, if so, whether this response is transduced in part by thel-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) biosynthetic pathway. Using intravital microscopy, we found that suffusion of tannic acid elicits significant concentration-dependent leaky site formation and increase in clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (molecular mass 70 kDa) from the in situ hamster cheek pouch ( P < 0.05). These effects are significantly attenuated by two selective, but structurally distinct, nonpeptide neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonists, CP-96,345 and RP-67580, but not by CP-96,344, the 2R,3R enantiomer of CP-96,345. N G-nitrol-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, but notd-NAME, significantly attenuates tannic acid-induced responses.l-Arginine, but notd-arginine, reverses the attenuating effects of l-NAME. We conclude that tannic acid elicitsl-arginine-NO biosynthetic pathway-dependent neurogenic plasma exudation from the in situ hamster cheek pouch.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (2) ◽  
pp. R588-R595
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Ikezaki ◽  
Hayat Önyüksel ◽  
Israel Rubinstein

The purpose of this study was to determine whether vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) modulates vasoconstriction elicited by phenylephrine and ANG II in vivo and, if so, to begin to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Using intravital microscopy, we found that suffusion of phenylephrine and ANG II elicits significant vasoconstriction in the in situ hamster cheek pouch that is potentiated by VIP-(10—28), a VIP receptor antagonist, but not by VIP-(1—12) ( P< 0.05). Aqueous VIP has no significant effects on phenylephrine- and ANG II-induced vasoconstriction. However, VIP on sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL), a formulation where VIP assumes a predominantly α-helix conformation, significantly attenuates this response. Maximal effect is observed within 30 min and is no longer seen after 60 min. Empty SSL are inactive. Indomethacin has no significant effects on responses induced by VIP on SSL. The vasodilators ACh, nitroglycerin, calcium ionophore A-23187, 8-bromo-cAMP, and isoproterenol have no significant effects on phenylephrine- and ANG II-induced vasoconstriction. Collectively, these data suggest that vasoconstriction modulates VIP release in the in situ hamster cheek pouch and that α-helix VIP opposes α-adrenergic- and ANG II-induced vasoconstriction in this organ in a reversible, prostaglandin-, NO-, cGMP-, and cAMP-independent fashion.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (5) ◽  
pp. R1359-R1365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Ikezaki ◽  
Manisha Patel ◽  
Hayat Önyüksel ◽  
Syed R. Akhter ◽  
Xiao-Pei Gao ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exogenous calmodulin potentiates vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-induced vasodilation in vivo and, if so, whether this response is amplified by association of VIP with sterically stabilized liposomes. Using intravital microscopy, we found that calmodulin suffused together with aqueous and liposomal VIP did not potentiate vasodilation elicited by VIP in the in situ hamster cheek pouch. However, preincubation of calmodulin with liposomal, but not aqueous, VIP for 1 and 2 h and overnight at 4°C before suffusion significantly potentiated vasodilation ( P < 0.05). Calmodulin-induced responses were significantly attenuated by calmidazolium, trifluoperazine, and N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) but notd-NAME. The effects ofl-NAME were reversed byl- but notd-arginine. Indomethacin had no significant effects on calmodulin-induced responses. Calmodulin had no significant effects on adenosine-, isoproterenol-, acetylcholine-, and calcium ionophore A-23187-induced vasodilation. Collectively, these data indicate that exogenous calmodulin amplifies vasodilation elicited by phospholipid-associated, but not aqueous, VIP in the in situ peripheral microcirculation in a specific, calmodulin active sites-, and nitric oxide-dependent fashion. We suggest that extracellular calmodulin, phospholipids, and VIP form a novel functionally coordinated class of endogenous vasodilators.


2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (6) ◽  
pp. H1832-H1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald G. Welsh ◽  
Steven S. Segal

We tested whether local and conducted responses to ACh depend on factors released from endothelial cells (EC) in cheek pouch arterioles of anesthetized hamsters. ACh was delivered from a micropipette (1 s, 500 nA), while arteriolar diameter (rest, ∼40 μm) was monitored at the site of application (local) and at 520 and 1,040 μm upstream (conducted). Under control conditions, ACh elicited local (22–65 μm) and conducted (14–44 μm) vasodilation. Indomethacin (10 μM) had no effect, whereas N ω-nitro-l-arginine (100 μM) reduced local and conducted vasodilation by 5–8% ( P < 0.05). Miconazole (10 μM) or 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA; 10 μM) diminished local vasodilation by 15–20% and conducted responses by 50–70% ( P < 0.05), suggesting a role for cytochrome P-450 (CYP) metabolites in arteriolar responses to ACh. Membrane potential ( E m) was recorded in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and in EC identified with dye labeling. At rest (control E m, typically −30 mV), ACh evoked local (15–32 mV) and conducted (6–31 mV) hyperpolarizations in SMC and EC. Miconazole inhibited SMC and EC hyperpolarization, whereas 17-ODYA inhibited hyperpolarization of SMC but not of EC. Findings indicate that ACh-induced release of CYP metabolites from arteriolar EC evoke SMC hyperpolarization that contributes substantively to conducted vasodilation.


1999 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 619-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Pei Gao ◽  
Syed R. Akhter ◽  
Hiroyuki Ikezaki ◽  
Dennis Hong ◽  
Israel Rubinstein

The purpose of this study was to determine whether dexamethasone attenuates the acute increase in macromolecular efflux from the oral mucosa elicited by an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (STE) in vivo, and, if so, whether this response is specific. Using intravital microscopy, we found that 20-min suffusion of STE elicited significant, concentration-related leaky site formation and an increase in clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FITC-dextran; mol mass 70 kDa) from the in situ hamster cheek pouch ( P < 0.05). This response was significantly attenuated by dexamethasone (10 mg/kg iv). Dexamethasone also attenuated the bradykinin-induced leaky site formation and the increase in clearance of FITC-dextran from the cheek pouch. However, it had no significant effects on adenosine-induced responses. Dexamethasone had no significant effects on baseline arteriolar diameter and on bradykinin-induced vasodilation in the cheek pouch. Collectively, these data indicate that dexamethasone attenuates, in a specific fashion, the acute increase in macromolecular efflux from the in situ oral mucosa evoked by short-term suffusion of STE. We suggest that corticosteroids mitigate acute oral mucosa inflammation elicited by smokeless tobacco.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (1) ◽  
pp. R56-R62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Ikezaki ◽  
Sudhir Paul ◽  
Hayat Alkan-Önyüksel ◽  
Manisha Patel ◽  
Xiao-Pei Gao ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a monoclonal anti-vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antibody, which binds VIP with high affinity and specificity and catalyzes cleavage of the peptide in vitro, attenuates VIP vasorelaxation in vivo and, if so, whether insertion of VIP on the surface of sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL), which protects the peptide from trypsin- and plasma-catalyzed cleavage in vitro, curtails this response. Using intravital microscopy, we found that suffusion of monoclonal anti-VIP antibody (clone c23.5, IgG2ak), but not of nonimmune antibody (myeloma cell line UPC10, IgG2ak) or empty SSL, significantly attenuates VIP-induced vasodilation in the in situ hamster cheek pouch ( P < 0.05). By contrast, anti-VIP antibody has no significant effects on vasodilation elicited by isoproterenol, nitroglycerin, and calcium ionophore A-23187, agonists that activate intracellular effector systems in blood vessels that mediate, in part, VIP vasoreactivity. Suffusion of VIP on SSL, but not of empty SSL, restores the vasorelaxant effects of VIP in the presence of anti-VIP antibody. Collectively, these data suggest that VIP catalysis by high affinity and specific VIP autoantibodies displaying protease-like activity constitutes a novel mechanism whereby VIP vasoreactivity is regulated in vivo.


1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (6) ◽  
pp. H2216-H2227 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Beach ◽  
E. D. McGahren ◽  
J. Xia ◽  
B. R. Duling

A fluorescence ratio technique based on the voltage-sensitive dye 1-(3-sulfonatopropyl)-8-[beta-[2-di-n-butylamino)-6-naphythyl++ +]vinyl] pyridinium betaine (di-8-ANEPPS)has been developed for recording membrane potential changes during vascular responses of arterioles. Perfusion of hamster cheek pouch arterioles with the dye labeled the endothelial cell layer. voltage responses from the endothelium of intact arterioles were determined by analysis of voltage-induced shifts in fluorescence emission wavelengths from dye spectra imaged from the vessel wall. Membrane depolarization caused the dye spectrum to shift toward blue wavelengths, with maximal fluorescence changes near 560 and 620 nm. In isolated nonperfused arterioles, comparison of continuous dual-wavelength recordings with simultaneous microelectrode recordings showed that the ratio of fluorescence intensities (fluorescence at 620 nm to fluorescence at 560 nm) accurately followed changes in membrane potential (6–21 mV) during vasoconstriction. The dye response was linear with respect to potential changes from -56 to -6 mV, with a voltage sensitivity of 9.7% change in the ratio per 100 mV. Membrane potential responses from in vitro and in vivo arterioles after potassium stimulation consisted of rapid ( < 0.5 -s) depolarization followed by slow repolarization over several seconds. Potassium-induced depolarizations were conducted along arterioles, and the values of the electrical length constant for conducted depolarization determined by optical and microelectrode methods were in agreement. We conclude that ratio analysis of di-8-ANEPPS fluorescence emission can be used to accurately record membrane potential changes on the time scale of seconds during vasomotor activity from arterioles.


1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 818-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. P. Gao ◽  
J. M. Conlon ◽  
J. K. Vishwanatha ◽  
R. A. Robbins ◽  
I. Rubinstein

The purpose of this study was to determine whether loop diuretics attenuate bradykinin-induced increase in clearance of macromolecules in the oral mucosa in situ and, if so, to start to determine the mechanisms that mediated these responses. By using intravital microscopy, we found that bradykinin induced a significant concentration-dependent increase in fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (mol mass 70 kDa) leaky site formation in the hamster cheek pouch. These responses were significantly attenuated by topical application of two structurally distinct loop diuretics, furosemide and ethacrynic acid, onto the cheek pouch (P < 0.05). Hydrochlorothiazide, a nonloop diuretic, had no significant effects on bradykinin-induced responses. Furosemide had no significant effects on adenosine-induced leaky site formation. Application of bradykinin after furosemide, but not after hydrochlorothiazide, was associated with a significant concentration-dependent decrease in bradykinin-like immunoreactivity in the cheek pouch suffusate (P < 0.05). Prostaglandins and changes in vasomotor tone did not modulate the effects of furosemide on bradykinin-induced responses. These data indicate that loop diuretics attenuate bradykinin-induced increase in clearance of macromolecules in the oral mucosa in a specific fashion, probably by amplifying local bradykinin catabolism. We suggest that topical loop diuretics could be useful in the treatment of oral mucosa inflammation elicited by bradykinin.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (5) ◽  
pp. H1120-H1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. Jackson

The hypothesis that arterioles are intrinsically sensitive to oxygen was tested by comparing arteriolar diameter responses with local and global PO2 changes in superfused hamster cheek pouch preparations. Local PO2 changes were produced by microapplication of fluid onto the surface of occluded or unoccluded aparenchymal arterioles or by cannulation and perfusion of arterioles in situ. Global changes refer to PO2 changes in the superfusate flowing over the entire preparation. Local, effective PO2 changes had no significant effect on arteriolar diameters. In contrast, global PO2 changes produced significant, reproducible changes in diameter. These observations do not support the hypothesis that arterioles are intrinsically oxygen sensitive, unless the oxygen-sensitive sites are distributed sparsely along the arteriolar tree. The data are consistent with oxygen sensors located either in vessels downstream from 15-micron arterioles (in terminal arterioles, capillaries, or venules) or in the parenchyma. The data also suggest that these sensors detect changes in PO2 and then initiate responses that can be conducted along the vasculature to an arteriole distant from the sensor.


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