title: Altered adenylyl cyclase activities and G-protein abnormalities in portal hypertensive rabbits.
abstract: Portal hypertension (PHT) is characterized by splanchnic hyperemia due to a reduction in mesenteric vascular resistance. We hypothesized that alterations in the activity of a guanine-nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) might be partially responsible for the marked circulatory disturbances observed in PHT. We, therefore, determined alterations in adenylyl cyclase/cAMP system in prehepatic portal hypertensive rabbits and correlated these changes to the activity of a G-protein. Basal and G-protein-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activities were lower in the PHT superior mesenteric artery (22-26%) and thoracic aorta (31-46%) membranes, but higher (178-321%) in portal vein. The functional activity of Gi alpha proteins (pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-dependent ribosylation) increased in the PHT superior mesenteric artery and thoracic aorta, but decreased in portal vein. Immunodetection revealed an increase in the Gi alpha protein subunits (Gi alpha 1/Gi alpha 2 and Gi alpha 3/Go alpha) in PHT thoracic aorta, without any change in Gs alpha proteins; and a decrease in the amount of Gi alpha proteins in PHT portal vein. There was no change in the amount of Gs alpha/Gi alpha in the PHT superior mesenteric artery. We conclude the hemodynamic alterations of PHT are associated with intrinsic alterations in G-protein-enzyme effector systems. These alterations are vessels specific and suggest a possible unique global derangement underlying the vasculopathy of PHT.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Department of Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-4665.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sitzmann
mesh_terms: D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / Q000378:metabolism; D037361:Adenylate Cyclase Toxin; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000378:metabolism*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D011817:Rabbits; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D037361:Adenylate Cyclase Toxin; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D005576:Colforsin; D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases