title: Enhanced G-protein-induced relaxation in portal hypertensive rats: role of nitric oxide.
abstract: Portal hypertension (PHT) is characterized by splanchnic hyperemia due to a reduction in mesenteric vascular resistance. The reasons for the decreased resistance include an increased responsiveness to a vasodilator substance. Because the activation of an inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory (Gi) protein can result in endothelium-dependent relaxation, we tested the hypothesis that exaggerated Gi-protein induced relaxation via a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathway partly reflects the enhanced Gi-protein expression in PHT vessels. PHT was created in Sprague-Dawley rats by a partial portal-vein ligation. Control animals were sham operated. Using isolated vascular rings in the absence or presence of an intact endothelium, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and pertussis toxin, dose response relationships for sodium fluoride (NaF; range, 0.1-4 mmol/L), a Gi protein activator, were determined in a cumulative manner. Gi-protein expression was determined by Western blotting. NaF caused a dose-dependent relaxation in both sham and portal hypertensive pre-contracted vessels, an effect that was significantly inhibited by pertussis toxin, endothelial denudation, and L-NAME. Concentrations of NaF greater than 4 mmol/L caused contractions, an effect that was unaffected by L-NAME. The NaF-induced relaxation response was significantly greater in PHT vessels as compared with sham concomitant with increased Gi-protein expression in PHT vessels. These data suggest that the enhanced endothelial Gi-protein-induced relaxation in PHT vessels may partly reflect enhanced expression of Gi-proteins in PHT vessels and may, thus, represent an important mechanism for exaggerated NO-dependent relaxation in the PHT vasculature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Redmond
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sitzmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000378:metabolism*; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000378:metabolism; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008729:Methoxamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; D008729:Methoxamine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester