Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on cutaneous vasodilation during body heating in humans

1998 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 830-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubha Shastry ◽  
Niki M. Dietz ◽  
John R. Halliwill ◽  
Ann S. Reed ◽  
Michael J. Joyner

We sought to examine further the potential role of nitric oxide (NO) in the neurally mediated cutaneous vasodilation in nonacral skin during body heating in humans. Six subjects were heated with a water-perfused suit while cutaneous blood flow was measured by using laser-Doppler flowmeters placed on both forearms. The NO synthase inhibitor N G-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) was given selectively to one forearm via a brachial artery catheter after marked cutaneous vasodilation had been established. During body heating, oral temperature increased by 1.1 ± 0.1°C while heart rate increased by 30 ± 6 beats/min. Mean arterial pressure stayed constant at 84 ± 2 mmHg. In the experimental forearm, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC; laser-Doppler) decreased to 86 ± 5% of the peak response to heating ( P < 0.05 vs. pre-l-NMMA values) afterl-NMMA infusion. In some subjects, l-NMMA caused CVC to fall by ∼30%; in others, it had little impact on the cutaneous circulation. CVC in the control arm showed a similar increase with heating, then stayed constant whilel-NMMA was given to the contralateral side. These results demonstrate that NO contributes modestly, but not consistently, to cutaneous vasodilation during body heating in humans. They also indicate that NO is not the only factor responsible for the dilation.

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (3) ◽  
pp. R763-R768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lacy A. Holowatz ◽  
W. Larry Kenney

Elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are associated with cutaneous microvascular dysfunction partially mediated by increased arginase activity, which is decreased following a systemic atorvastatin therapy. We hypothesized that increased ascorbate-sensitive oxidant stress, partially mediated through uncoupled nitric oxide synthase (NOS) induced by upregulated arginase, contributes to cutaneous microvascular dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic (HC) humans. Four microdialysis fibers were placed in the skin of nine HC (LDL = 177 ± 6 mg/dl) men and women before and after 3 mo of a systemic atorvastatin intervention and at baseline in nine normocholesterolemic (NC) (LDL = 95 ± 4 mg/dl) subjects. Sites served as control, NOS inhibited, L-ascorbate, and arginase-inhibited+L-ascorbate. Skin blood flow was measured while local skin heating (42°C) induced NO-dependent vasodilation. After the established plateau in all sites, 20 mM ≪ngname≫ was infused to quantify NO-dependent vasodilation. Data were normalized to maximum cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) (sodium nitroprusside + 43°C). The plateau in vasodilation during local heating (HC: 78 ± 4 vs. NC: 96 ± 2% CVCmax, P < 0.01) and NO-dependent vasodilation (HC: 40 ± 4 vs. NC: 54 ± 4% CVCmax, P < 0.01) was reduced in the HC group. Acute L-ascorbate alone (91 ± 5% CVCmax, P < 0.001) or combined with arginase inhibition (96 ± 3% CVCmax, P < 0.001) augmented the plateau in vasodilation in the HC group but not the NC group (ascorbate: 96 ± 2; combo: 93 ± 4% CVCmax, both P > 0.05). After the atorvastatin intervention NO-dependent vasodilation was augmented in the HC group (HC postatorvastatin: 64 ± 4% CVCmax, P < 0.01), and there was no further effect of ascorbate alone (58 ± 4% CVCmax, P > 0.05) or combined with arginase inhibition (67 ± 4% CVCmax, P > 0.05). Increased ascorbate-sensitive oxidants contribute to hypercholesteromic associated cutaneous microvascular dysfunction which is partially reversed with atorvastatin therapy.


1998 ◽  
Vol 201 (22) ◽  
pp. 3075-3083 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Mustafa ◽  
C Agnisola

A vasoconstrictory response to adenosine has been reported in coronary rings from fish. Since the reactivity of the large coronary arteries and the microcirculation may differ, the present study was undertaken to determine the role of adenosine in the intact coronary system of trout under constant pressure or flow using an isolated and non-working heart preparation. The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and the interaction with noradrenaline were also studied. At 10(-9) to 10(-8 )mol l-1, adenosine caused a vasoconstrictory response, whereas between 10(-7) and 10(-5 )mol l-1 the response was predominantly vasodilative. Theophylline abolished both these responses to adenosine. The vasodilation induced by adenosine (at 10(-5 )mol l-1) was significantly reduced when the preparation was perfused under constant-flow than rather under constant-pressure conditions. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine (l-NA, 10(-4 )mol l-1) partially reduced the vasodilation induced by adenosine (at 10(-5 )mol l-1) under constant-pressure but not under constant-flow conditions. Perfusion of the intact coronary system with l-arginine or with adenosine significantly increased the rate of nitrite (NO2-) release, while perfusion with l-NA or theophylline reduced NO2- release. Chemical denudation of the coronary endothelium by CHAPS resulted in the loss of both the l-arginine- and adenosine-mediated vasodilation and the l-arginine-induced increase in the rate of NO2- release. Adenosine (10(-5 )mol l-1) offset and overrode the vasoconstriction induced by 10(-7 )mol l-1 noradrenaline. l-NA inhibited only the adenosine-induced vasodilation but not the ability to offset noradrenaline vasoconstriction, excluding the involvement of NO in the interaction between adenosine and noradrenaline.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (3) ◽  
pp. H783-H788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang

I have shown that cardiac sympathetic afferent stimulation by epicardial application of bradykinin (BK) was significantly enhanced in pacing-induced heart failure (HF) dogs. This enhancement appeared to be mediated by prostaglandins. The present study was to determine whether nitric oxide is involved in this enhancement. Under α-chloralose (100 mg/kg iv) anesthesia, the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) response to BK was determined in 15 HF and 15 sham dogs in the sinoaortic-denervated and vagotomized state. The RSNA response to BK was significantly enhanced in HF. This enhanced RSNA response to BK was significantly reduced in the HF dogs after administration of the cycloxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 mg/kg iv), but no significant change was found in the sham group. In contrast, RSNA responses to BK were significantly reduced in the sham dogs after administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 30 mg/kg iv), but no significant change was found in the HF group. These data suggest that the RSNA response to BK is mediated by nitric oxide to a large degree in the normal state but is primarily mediated by prostaglandins in the HF state.


2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (5) ◽  
pp. R1529-R1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie M. Whitaker ◽  
Jesse K. Sulzer ◽  
Patricia E. Molina

Acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) attenuates the AVP response to hemorrhage, contributing to impaired hemodynamic counter-regulation. This can be restored by central cholinergic stimulation, implicating disrupted signaling regulating AVP release. AVP is released in response to hemorrhage and hyperosmolality. Studies have demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) to play an inhibitory role on AVP release. AAI has been shown to increase NO content in the paraventricular nucleus. We hypothesized that the attenuated AVP response to hemorrhage during AAI is the result of increased central NO inhibition. In addition, we predicted that the increased NO tone during AAI would impair the AVP response to hyperosmolality. Conscious male Sprague-Dawley rats (300–325 g) received a 15-h intragastric infusion of alcohol (2.5 g/kg + 300 mg·kg−1·h−1) or dextrose prior to a 60-min fixed-pressure hemorrhage (∼40 mmHg) or 5% hypertonic saline infusion (0.05 ml·kg−1·min−1). AAI attenuated the AVP response to hemorrhage, which was associated with increased paraventricular NO content. In contrast, AAI did not impair the AVP response to hyperosmolality. This was accompanied by decreased paraventricular NO content. To confirm the role of NO in the alcohol-induced inhibition of AVP release during hemorrhage, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 250 μg/5 μl), was administered centrally prior to hemorrhage. l-NAME did not further increase AVP levels during hemorrhage in dextrose-treated animals; however, it restored the AVP response during AAI. These results indicate that AAI impairs the AVP response to hemorrhage, while not affecting the response to hyperosmolality. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that the attenuated AVP response to hemorrhage is the result of augmented central NO inhibition.


1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 1185-1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Kellogg ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
I. F. Kosiba ◽  
D. O’Donnell

Local warming of skin induces vasodilation by unknown mechanisms. To test whether nitric oxide (NO) is involved, we examined effects of NO synthase (NOS) inhibition with N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) on vasodilation induced by local warming of skin in six subjects. Two adjacent sites on the forearm were instrumented with intradermal microdialysis probes for delivery ofl-NAME and sodium nitroprusside. Skin blood flow was monitored by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) at microdialysis sites. Local temperature (Tloc) of the skin at both sites was controlled with special LDF probe holders. Mean arterial pressure (MAP; Finapres) was measured and cutaneous vascular conductance calculated (CVC = LDF/MAP = mV/mmHg). Data collection began with a control period (Tloc at both sites = 34°C). One site was then warmed to 41°C while the second was maintained at 34°C. Local warming increased CVC from 1.44 ± 0.41 to 4.28 ± 0.60 mV/mmHg ( P < 0.05). Subsequent l-NAME administration reduced CVC to 2.28 ± 0.47 mV/mmHg ( P < 0.05 vs. heating), despite the continued elevation of Tloc. At a Tloc of 34°C,l-NAME reduced CVC from 1.17 ± 0.23 to 0.75 ± 0.11 mV/mmHg ( P < 0.05). Administration of sodium nitroprusside increased CVC to levels no different from those induced by local warming. Thus NOS inhibition attenuated, and sodium nitroprusside restored, the cutaneous vasodilation induced by elevation of Tloc; therefore, the mechanism of cutaneous vasodilation by local warming requires NOS generation of NO.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document