Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated renal vasodilatory response is impaired during acute and chronic hyperhomocysteinemia.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in the development of vascular complications in hyperhomocysteinemia. Endothelial cells release a number of vasodilators, including NO and prostacyclin. Several lines of evidence have indicated the existence of a third vasodilator pathway, mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). EDHF is a major determinant of vascular tone in small resistance vessels. The influence of hyperhomocysteinemia on EDHF is unknown. The present in vivo study evaluates the integrity of the EDHF pathway in the renal microcirculation of rats with acute and chronic hyperhomocysteinemia.


RESULTS
EDHF-mediated vasodilation was evaluated as the renal blood flow (RBF) response to intrarenal acetylcholine during systemic NO synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibition. Acute hyperhomocysteinemia induced by intravenous homocysteine did not affect EDHF-mediated vasodilation. In contrast, intravenous methionine with subsequent hyperhomocysteinemia impaired the EDHF-mediated RBF response. When the methionine infusion was preceded by adenosine periodate oxidized to prevent the cleavage of S-adenosylhomocysteine to homocysteine and adenosine, a similar impairment of EDHF was observed, but with normal homocysteine levels. Animals with chronic hyperhomocysteinemia induced by a high-methionine, low-B vitamin diet during 8 weeks had a severely depressed EDHF-mediated vasodilation compared with those on a standard diet. Endothelium-independent vasodilation to deta-NONOate and pinacidil was not affected in acute and chronic hyperhomocysteinemia, demonstrating intact vascular smooth muscle reactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
EDHF-dependent responses are impaired in the kidney of hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Because EDHF is a major regulator of vascular function in small vessels, these findings have important implications for the development of microangiopathy in hyperhomocysteinemia.
De Vriese
An S
AS
Renal Unit, University Hospital, Gent, Belgium. an.devriese@azbrugge.be
Blom
Henk J
HJ
Heil
Sandra G
SG
Mortier
Siska
S
Kluijtmans
Leo A J
LA
Van de Voorde
Johan
J
Lameire
Norbert H
NH
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008715:Methionine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D020110:Pinacidil / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology
D001685:Biological Factors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009603:Nitroso Compounds; D015221:Potassium Channels; C067410:endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factor; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; C094210:2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazono)bis-ethanamine; D020110:Pinacidil; D008715:Methionine; D000241:Adenosine; D000109:Acetylcholine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D007213:Indomethacin