title: Mechanisms Involved in Thromboxane A2-induced Vasoconstriction of Rat Intracavernous Small Penile Arteries.
abstract: Diabetes is associated with erectile dysfunction and with hypercontractility in erectile tissue and this is in part ascribed to increased formation of thromboxane. Rho kinase (ROCK) is a key regulator of calcium sensitization and contraction in vascular smooth muscle. This study investigated the role of calcium and ROCK in contraction evoked by activation of the thromboxane receptors. Rat intracavernous penile arteries were mounted for isometric tension and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) recording and corpus cavernosum for measurements of MYPT1 phosphorylation. In penile arteries, U46619 by activation of thromboxane receptors concentration dependently increased calcium and contraction. U46619-induced calcium influx was blocked by nifedipine, a blocker of L-type calcium channels, and by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, a blocker of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Inhibitors of ROCK, Y27632 and glycyl-H1152P, concentration dependently reduced U46619-induced contraction, but only Y27632 reduced [Ca2+]ilevels in the penile arteries activated with either high extracellular potassium or U46619. MYPT-Thr850phosphorylation in corpus cavernous strips was increased in response to U46619 through activation of TP receptors and was found to be a direct result of phosphorylation by ROCK. Y27632 induced less relaxation in mesenteric arteries, H1152P induced equipotent relaxations, and a protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro-318220, failed to relax intracavernous penile arteries, but induced full relaxation in rat mesenteric arteries. Our findings suggest that U46619 contraction depends on Ca2+influx through L-type and TRP channels, and ROCK-dependent mechanisms in penile arteries. Inhibition of the ROCK pathway is a potential approach for the treatment of erectile dysfunction associated with hypertension and diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grann
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Comerma-Steffensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Daniel D R
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Arcanjo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. us@biomed.au.dk.
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Simonsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D043263:Myosin-Light-Chain Phosphatase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D044244:Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D044244:Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D043263:Myosin-Light-Chain Phosphatase; C490372:PPP1R12A protein, human