title: Evidence for an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in the superior mesenteric artery from rats with cirrhosis.
abstract: In cirrhosis, in splanchnic arteries, endothelium-dependent relaxation may persist even if overactive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) are inhibited. In normal arteries, a significant endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine persists after NOS/COX inhibition. This relaxation is caused by smooth muscle cell (SMC) membrane hyperpolarization, which is sensitive to a combination of the potassium channel blockers apamin and charybdotoxin, and is mediated by an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The aim of this study was to detect EDHF and evaluate its pathophysiologic role in isolated superior mesenteric arteries from cirrhotic rats. Arterial rings were obtained and exposed to N(w)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, a NOS inhibitor) and indomethacin (a COX inhibitor). Acetylcholine-induced membrane potential responses and concentration-response curves to the relaxant of acetylcholine were obtained with and without apamin plus charybdotoxin. Acetylcholine-induced responses were measured in certain rings from endothelium-denuded arteries. Contractions caused by the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine were obtained in cirrhotic and normal rings with and without apamin and charybdotoxin. Significant acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent, apamin- and charybdotoxin-sensitive, SMC membrane hyperpolarization and relaxation were found. An apamin- and charybdotoxin-sensitive hyporesponsiveness to the contractile action of phenylephrine was found in cirrhotic rings. In conclusion, in cirrhotic rats, in the superior mesenteric artery exposed to NOS/COX-inhibitors, an EDHF exists that may replace NOS/COX products to induce endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Hémodynamique Splanchnique et de Biologie Vasculaire, INSERM U-481, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barriere
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tazi
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rona
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pessione
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lebrec
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moreau
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001030:Apamin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001464:Barium / Q000494:pharmacology; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D018999:Charybdotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012016:Reference Values; D014664:Vasodilation; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C067410:endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factor; D018999:Charybdotoxin; D019335:Nitroarginine; D001030:Apamin; D001464:Barium; D010042:Ouabain; D000109:Acetylcholine; D007213:Indomethacin