title: Endogenously generated sulfur dioxide and its vasorelaxant effect in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to explore the endogenous production and localization of the sulfur dioxide (SO2)/aspartate aminotransferase pathway in vascular tissues of rats and to examine its vasorelaxant effect on isolated aortic rings,as well as the possible mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The content of SO2 in the samples was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Aspartate aminotransferase activity and its gene expression were measured by an enzymatic method and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Aspartate aminotransferase mRNA location in aorta was detected by in situ hybridization. The vasorelaxant effect of SO2 on isolated aortic rings of the rats was investigated in vitro. L-type calcium channel blocker, nicardipine, and L-type calcium channel agonist, Bay K8644, were used to explore the mechanisms by which SO2 relaxed the aortic rings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aorta had the highest SO2 content among the vascular tissues tested (P<0.01). The aortic aspartate aminotransferase mRNA located in endothelia and vascular smooth muscle cells beneath the endothelial layer.Furthermore, a physiological dose of the SO2 derivatives (Na2SO3/NaHSO3) relaxed isolated artery rings slightly, whereas higher doses (1-12 mmol/L) relaxed rings in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with nicardipine eliminated the vasorelaxant response of the norepinephrine-contracted rings to SO2 completely. Incubation with nicardipine or SO2 derivatives successfully prevented vasoconstriction induced by Bay K8644.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endogenous SO2 and its derivatives have a vasorelaxant function, the mechanisms of which might involve the inhibition of the L-type calcium channel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Shu-xu
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Hong-fang
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Ding-fang
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Chao-shu
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jun-bao
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Du
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases