Venodilatory effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on rat gingiva.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and increased vascular permeability are among the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in various organs. However, the effects of VEGF on gingival hemodynamics, especially on venules, have not been thoroughly investigated. This study investigated the acute circulatory effects of VEGF on rat gingival venules.


METHODS
Fifty-six anesthetized rats were divided into five study groups; each rat received 10 microl of experimental solution dripped onto the lower interincisal gingiva. The groups included: 1) saline control (after the experiment, gingiva was excised for VEGF receptor 2 [VEGFR2] immunohistochemistry); 2) VEGF (0.1, 1, 10, or 50 microg/ml); 3) VEGF2 receptor antagonist 5-((7-benzyloxyquinazolin-4-yl)amino)-4-fluoro-2-methyl-phenol-hydrochloride (ZM323881; 20 microg/ml); 4) ZM323881 (20 microg/ml) followed by VEGF application (50 microg/ml after 15 minutes); and 5) VEGF (10 microg/ml), these rats were premedicated with nitric oxide (NO) synthase blocker (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester [L-NAME]; 1 mg/ml in drinking water) for 1 week before the experiment. Changes in gingival superficial venule diameter were measured by vital microscopy prior to and 1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the administration of the experimental solutions.


RESULTS
VEGF dose-dependently increased the venular diameter compared to saline. ZM323881 alone did not cause any alteration. Premedication with ZM323881 or L-NAME decreased the dilatory effects of VEGF. VEGFR2 immunohistochemical labeling was observed in the wall of the venules.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no remarkable VEGF production under physiologic circumstances in rat gingiva, but VEGF is able to increase gingival blood flow through the activation of VEGF2 receptors. Furthermore, NO release may contribute to VEGF's vasodilatory effect.
Gyurkovics
Milán
M
Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Lohinai
Zsolt
Z
Gyorfi
Adrienne
A
Iványi
Iván
I
Süveges
Ibolya
I
Kónya
Mária
M
Bodor
Csaba
C
Székely
Andrea D
AD
Dinya
Elek
E
Fazekas
Arpád
A
Rosivall
László
L
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005881:Gingiva / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014699:Venules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C478783:ZM323881; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester