title: Heterogeneity in endothelium-derived nitric oxide-mediated relaxation of different sized pulmonary arteries of newborn lambs.
abstract: Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) plays a pivotal role in regulating pulmonary circulation. To determine whether there is a heterogeneity in EDNO-mediated responses of different sized pulmonary vessels, we studied small and large isolated pulmonary arteries of newborn lambs (diameter, 0.4-0.7 and 1.5-2.5 mm, respectively). The isometric tension of vessel rings were recorded while suspended in organ chambers filled with modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution (95% O2-5% CO2, 37 degrees C). In vessels preconstricted with norepinephrine, acetylcholine and bradykinin induced a greater relaxation of small pulmonary arteries than of large pulmonary arteries. Acetylcholine, bradykinin, and nitric oxide also induced a greater increase in cGMP content in small arteries than in large ones. The responses to acetylcholine and bradykinin were endothelium-dependent and inhibited by nitro-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. In vessels without endothelium, the response to nitric oxide was inhibited by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase. The activity of soluble guanylyl cyclase of small arteries was greater than that of large arteries under basal conditions and after stimulation with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, a nitric oxide donor. These results demonstrate that heterogeneity exists in EDNO-mediated relaxation of small and large pulmonary arteries in newborn lambs. A difference in the soluble guanylate cyclase activity of vascular smooth muscle may have contributed to this phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Torrance 90509, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Tolsa
authors.forename: J U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Raj
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; D012756:Sheep; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010396:Penicillamine; D006152:Cyclic GMP; D000109:Acetylcholine; D001920:Bradykinin