Study on the relationship between β-adrenoceptor and L-arginine/NO pathway in vivo

AIM and METHODS: A constant perfusion model of rabbit femoral artery was used to examine whether vasodilation induced by β-adrenoceptor(β-AR) stimulation is dependent on NOS activiation in vivo and which subtype(s) of β-AR is/are responsible for NOS activiation in order to ascertain the role of NO in vasodilation induced by β-AR stimulation. RESULTS: Isoprenaline elicited a concentration-dependent vasodilation of rabbit femoral artery, co-infusing NOS inhibitor L-NAME or β₂-AR antagonist ICI 118551 abolished the vasodilation by Isoprenaline, but β₁-AR antagonist CGP 20712A had no effect on vasodilation of rabbit femoral arterg induced by isoprenaline. CONCLUSION: Isoprenaline-induced vasodilation in this femoral vascular bed is mediated through activiation of NOS and only β₂-AR is responsible for this sort of vasodilation.     

Role of Rho kinase in blocking the return of mesenteric lymph to improve vascular calcium sensitivity in hemorrhagic shock rats

AIM: To observe the role of Rho kinase in mesenteric lymph duct ligation or mesenteric lymph drainage to improve vascular calcium sensitivity in the rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham group, shock group, shock+ligation (shock plus mesenteric lymph duct ligation) group and shock+drainage (shock plus mesenteric lymph drainage) group. After induction of shock (hypotension at 40 mmHg) for 3 h, the vascular rings of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were prepared and used to measure the response to gradient calcium ions for determining the calcium sensitivity with a wire myograph system. In shock+ligation group and shock+drainage group, the vascular rings were incubated with Rho kinase agonist angiotensinⅡ or antagonist fasudil before the measurement of the response to gradient calcium ions. RESULTS: The calcium sensitivity of vascular rings in shock group was significantly lower than that in sham group, and that in shock+ligation group and shock+drainage group was significantly higher than that in shock group, but still lower than that in sham group. AngⅡ elevated the contractile activity of the vascular rings in response to gradient calcium ions and the pD₂, and fasudil significantly decreased the response to gradient calcium ions and E_max in shock+ligation group and shock+drainage group. At the same time, fasudil decreased the pD₂ in shock+ligation group. CONCLUSION: Rho kinase plays an important role in blocking shock mesenteric lymph return that improves calcium sensitivity.     

Differential expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 proteins contributes to biphasic changes of vascular reactivity after hemorrhagic shock in rats

AIM: To observe the protein expression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) after hemorrhagic shock, and to explore the role of this difference in the development of the biphasic change of vascular reactivity after hemorrhagic shock in rats. METHODS: The vascular reactivity of the first class arborization of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and protein expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 after hemorrhagic shock were measured via the isolated organ perfusion system and Western blotting technique. The relationship between the protein expression of Ang-1/Ang-2 and the vascular reactivity after hemorrhagic shock was observed. By treatment with Ang-1 and Ang-2 or inhibition of Ang-1 and Ang-2, the effects of angiopoietins on the vascular reactivity of SMA in the early stage (hyperreactivity) and late period (hyporeactivity) of hypoxia were observed to analyze the role of the differential expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 protein in the biphasic change of vascular reactivity after hemorrhagic shock. RESULTS: (1) The vascular reactivity of SMA showed a biphasic change following hemorrhagic shock, which was increased in the early stage of shock, and decreased in prolonged stage. The E_max of norepinephrin in the shock 10 min group was the highest (129.3% of normal control, P<0.01). The protein expression of Ang-1 in SMA was also increased in the early stage of shock, decreased at prolonged stage of shock, and topped at 10 min shock group (1.85 folds of normal control, P<0.01). The protein expression of Ang-2 in SMA didn't change obviously in the early stage of shock, yet it was increased at prolonged stage of shock, and topped at 4 h shock group (2.90 folds of normal control, P<0.01). (2) In the hyperreactivity stage (hypoxia for 30 min), the extrinsic source of Ang-1 further increased the vascular reactivity, while the extrinsic source of Ang-2 decreased the vascular reactivity (P<0.01). In the hyporeactivity stage (hypoxia for 4 h), Ang-1 improved the vascular reactivity (P<0.01), while Ang-2 further decreased the vascular reactivity (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The protein expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 is different after hemorrhagic shock, and the differential expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 contributes to the biphasic changes of vascular reactivity after hemorrhagic shock in rats.     

Advance in adrenomedullin in shock

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a new peptidergic regulator of vascular function. AM serves as a hormone, which has many biological properties, plays an important role in the many pathophysiological processes, especially shock. This review will highlight the structure. bilogical properties of AM and the relationship between AM and shock.     

Mechanism of RhoA on vascular reactivity following hemorrhagic shock in rats

AIM: To observe the mechanisms of RhoA on vascular reactivity following hemorrhagic shock (HS) in rats. METHODS: The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock was adopted to assay the vascular reactivity via observing the contraction initiated by norepinephrine (NE) with isolated organ perfusion system. Meanwhile, the effects of Rho kinase, myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP), myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) on RhoA regulating vascular reactivity were observed. The effects of RhoA agonist U-46619 and inhibitor C3 enzyme on the activities of Rho kianse, MLCP, MLCK and phosphorylation of MLC20 in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) with hypoxia were also measured. RESULTS: As compared to control group, the cumulative dose-response curves of SMA to NE at 2 h after shock shifted to the right, the maximal contractions (Emax) of NE was significantly decreased. RhoA agonist U-46619 increased the vascular reactivity in the late period of shock. C3 enzyme abolished U-46619 induced the increase in the contractile response of SMA to NE. Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 decreased U-46619-induced the increase in the vascular reactivity, MLCP inhibitor calyculin further promoted the increase in the vascular reactivity. However, MLCK inhibitor had no effect on the U-46619-induced change of vascular reactivity. After hypoxia, the activities of Rho kinase and MLCK, and the level of MLC20 phosphorylation were decreased, MLCP activity was increased. RhoA agonist U-46619 increased the activity of Rho kinase and phosphorylation of MLC20, decreased the activity of MLCP, but had no effects on MLCK activity. CONCLUSION: RhoA plays an important role in the regulation of vascular reactivity following shock. The mechanism is closely related to regulating the activities of Rho kinase and MLCP, and increasing the phosphorylation of MLC20 in VSMC.     

Changes of RyR-mediated Ca2+ release in VSMCs is involved in the development of vascular hyporeactivity in hemorrhagic shock rats

AIM: In order to investigate the mechanisms involved in the vascular hyporeactivity after hemorrhagic shock, the changes of Ca²⁺ release from calcium store in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with hypoxia were observed and the role of Ca²⁺ release from calcium store in the occurrence of vascular hyporeactivity to norepinephrine (NE) after hemorrhagic shock in rats was further explored.METHODS: A hemorrhagic shock model (40 mmHg for 2 h) in rats and a VSMCs hypoxic model were established. The changes of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in VSMCs were evaluated by fura3-AM and the role of IP₃R and RyR mediated Ca²⁺ release from calcium store was further observed. The role of IP₃R and RyR mediated Ca²⁺ release from Ca²⁺ store in the development of vascular hyporeactivity was measured with an isolated organ perfusion system. RESULTS: In the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, NE upregulated by mobilizing Ca²⁺ release through calcium store. Compared to the normal control, the VSMCs had a slight increase when treated with hypoxia and NE-induced intracellular down-regulated, both without significant difference. Compared to the normal control cells, there was a significant change of Ca²⁺ release from calcium store in hypoxia-treated VSMCs, characterized by the significant increase in triggered by RyR-sensitive Ca²⁺ releasing activator caffeine. However, the increase in triggered by IP₃R-mediated Ca²⁺ release agonist adenophostin A (10^-5 mol/L) and ATP-Na₂ (10^-4 mol/L) had no significant difference in hypoxic VSMCs. Furthermore, the vascular reactivity to NE decreased in abdominal aorta in hemorrhagic shock (40 mmHg, 2 h) rats. The activation of IP₃R mediated Ca²⁺ release with ATP-Na₂ (10^-4 mol/L) did not improve the vascular reactivity to NE, while inhibition of IP₃R mediated Ca²⁺ release with heparin (10⁴ U/L) significantly antagonized the vascular reactivity to NE in hemorrhagic shock rats. In addition, in normal K-H solution (with about 2.2 mmol/L) and Ca²⁺-free K-H solution, RyR antagonist ryanodine (10^-5 mol/L) partly restored the vascular reactivity to NE in hemorrhagic shock rats, while RyR agonist caffeine(10^-3 mol/L) further decreased the vascular reactivity. CONCLUSION: The over-activation of RyR-mediated Ca²⁺ release from calcium store is partly involved in the development of vascular hyporeactivity after hemorrhagic shock in rats.     

Effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on changes in rabbit thoracic aortic reactivities induced by lipopolysaccharides in vitro

AIM and METHODS: To elucidate the mechanism of anti-endotoxic shock of cholecystokinin octapeptide(CCK-8), the effects of CCK-8 on changes in rabbit thoracic aortic reactivities induced by lipopolysaccharides(LPS) in vitro were studied, and the ultrastructure of the endothelial cells was observed under scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Incubation of thoracic aortic rings(TARs) with LPS(100 mg/L) resulted in an time-dependent impairment of the endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine(incubation for 3, 7, 14 h), a reduction of contractive response to phenylphrine(incubation for 14 h) and ultrastructural injury in endothelial cells(incubation for 7 h), all of which were alleviated by concomitant incubation with CCK-8(1 mg/L). In contrast, neither the vascular contractions nor the relaxations were affected by CCK-8 (1 mg/L) alone. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 improved the vascular reactivities in the presence of LPS, which may be one of the anti-endotoxic shock mechanisms of CCK.     

Blockage of mesenteric lymph return promotes the vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity in hemorrhagic shock rats

AIM: To observe the effects of mesenteric lymph duct ligation and mesenteric lymph drainage on the vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity in hemorrhagic shock (HS) rats, and to investigate the role of mesenteric lymph on the vascular hyporeactivity during shock. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham group (only operation), shock (duplicating HS model) group, shock+ligation group (duplicating HS model and mesenteric lymph duct ligation) and shock+drainage group (duplicating HS model and mesenteric lymph drainage). The changes of mean artery pressure (MAP) after injection of norepinephrine (NE, 3 μg/kg) at different time points were recorded. After hypotension (40 mmHg) for 3 h, the vascular ring of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was made for determining the vascular reactivity and sensitivity to calcium by observing the contraction initiated by NE and Ca²⁺ under depolarizing conditions (120 mmol/L K⁺) in the isolated organ perfusion system. Meanwhile, the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) and insulin (Ins) on the vascular reactivity were also observed. RESULTS: Compared to sham group, the △MAP in shock group was increased significantly at 0 h and 0.5 h after shock, and that was decreased markedly at 1.5 h, 2 h, 2.5 h and 3 h after shock, respectively, and that in shock+ligation group and shock+drainage group was increased at 0 h, 0.5 h and 1 h after shock, decreased at 2.5 h and 3 h after shock, respectively. The △MAP in shock+ligation group and shock+drainage group was higher than that in shock group at 0.5 h after shock and all the time points followed. The SMA reactivity to NE and sensibility to Ca²⁺ in shock group, shock+ligation group and shock+drainage group were lower markedly than those in sham group. The vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity in shock+ligation and shock+drainage groups were higher than those in shock group. The vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity in shock group, shock+ligation group and shock+drainage group were lower than those in sham group, and those in shock+ligation and shock+drainage groups were increased as compared to shock group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Blockage of mesenteric lymphatic return with the methods of mesenteric lymph duct ligation and mesenteric lymph drainage promotes the vascular reactivity of HS rats. The mechanism may be related to improving the calcium sensitivity in the vasculature.     

Role of A3 adenosine receptor on vascular reactivity of superior mesenteric artery in hemorrhagic shock in rat

AIM: To explore whether A3 adenosine receptor plays a role in the modulation of vascular reactivity after hemorrhagic shock in rat, and to find out the prospective drug target to restore the decreased vascular reactivity following hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: The hemorrhagic shock (40 mmHg) model was established in rat, and the reactivity of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to norepinephrine (NE) was observed. A3AR expression at protein level and mRNA level were measured by Western blotting and RT-PCR respectively. RESULTS: The vascular reactivity of SMA to NE after hemorrhagic shock (40 mmHg) was decreased significantly in a biphasic response manner. The expression of A3AR mRNA in SMA after hemorrhagic shock decreased without significant difference. The expression of A3AR protein has a slight increase without statistical difference after 30 min of hemorrhagic shock and then has a significant decrease (especially at 2 h and 4 h after hemorrhagic shock). The usage of IB-MECA, a selective A3AR agonist, significantly increased the responsiveness of SMA to NE in hemorrhagic shock in rat. MRS1523, the selective A3AR antagonist, significantly abolished the restoration of the vascular reactivity to NE by IB-MECA in hemorrhagic shock in rat. CONCLUSION: A3AR plays a role in the modulation of vascular responsiveness to NE in hemorrhagic shock in rat, and the selective agonist of A3AR could restore the reactivity of SMA to NE in hemorrhagic shock in rat.     

Mechanism of vascular hyporeactivity induced by NO in hemorrhagic shock

AIM: To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in vascular hyporeactivity during prolonged hemorrhagic shock (HS). METHODS: Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats (180-220 g) were subjected to HS insult in which they were bled to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40 mmHg (5.33 kPa) and arteriolar reactivity to norepinephrine in spinotrapezius was detected. The constant MAP of 40 mmHg was maintained until vascular hyporeactivity had occurred and then were resuscitated or sacrificed for further analysis. NO synthase (NOS) activity was measured ex vivo by the conversion of [³H]-arginine to [³H]-citrulline in homogenates from heart, lung, liver, spleen, duodunum, skeletal muscle. 24 h survival rates of resuscitated rats were observed with and without administration of aminoguanidine (AG), a selective inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor. Mesenteric arteriolar smooth muscle cells (ASMC) were isolated, and the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) on membrane potential (MP) of ASMC were determined by fluorescent probe and confocal microscopy in the absence and presence of AG. RESULTS: When vascular hyporeactivity occurred, an increase of NOS activity was observed in liver and heart. Resuscitated rats with AG had a higher survival rate compared with that of control. The MP of ASMC was decreased (more negative) immediately following the addition of L-Arg, and the hyperpolarization effects of L-Arg were partially blocked in the presence of AG. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that excessive NO produced in HS is responsible for the occurrence of vascular hyporeactivity in prolonged hemorrhagic shock, and one of the mechanisms of which may be hyperpolarization of ASMC caused by NO.     

Akt-eNOS-NO signal pathway mediates regulatory effect of Ang-1 and Ang-2 on vascular hyperreactivity in early hemorrhagic shock rats

AIM:To observe the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) in the regulatory effect of angiopoietin-1(Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2(Ang-2) on the biphasic change of vascular reactivity after hemorrhagic shock in rats. METHODS:The protein expression of eNOS was measured in the superior mesenteric artery(SMA) after hemorrhagic shock by Western blotting. The effect of eNOS inhibitor on the vascular reactivity of SMA treated with Ang-1 and Ang-2 in the early(hyperreactivity) and late(hyporeactivity) periods of hypoxia were observed via an isolated organ perfusion system. The protein levels of eNOS in the hypoxic mixture of vascular endothelial cells(VECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs), and the concentration of nitric oxide(NO) in the medium supernatant of the mixture cells treated with Ang-1, Ang-2 and the inhibitors of Tie-2, Akt, p38 MAPK and ERK were measured. RESULTS:The protein expression of eNOS in SMA was low in normal control group, and increased significantly after hemorrhagic shock, which was 1.84, 3.55, 4.75, 5.96 and 6.33 folds of the normal control level in shock 10 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h groups, respectively(P<0.01). Inhibitor of eNOS decreased the vascular hyperreactivity in hypoxia 10 min group, in which the E_max of norepinephrine(NE) was decreased from 13.479 mN to 9.043 mN(P<0.05). It also repressed the maintenance effect of Ang-1 on vascular reactivity in hypoxia 10 min group, in wihich the E_max of NE was decreased from 15.283 mN to 11.219 mN(P<0.01). The effect of Ang-2 on the vascular hyperreactivity in hypoxia 10 min group, the vascular hyporeactivity in hypoxia 4 h group, or the effect of Ang-1 or Ang-2 on the vascular reactivity in hypoxia 4 h group did not change. The protein expression of eNOS was increased 10 min after hypoxia as compared with the normal control, which was decreased by Ang-2 and the inhibitors of Tie-2 and Akt(P<0.01), but was not decreased by p38 MAPK and ERK inhibitors. The concentration of NO in the medium supernatant was increased 10 min after hypoxia, and was significantly decreased by Ang-2 and the inhibitors of Tie-2, Akt and eNOS, while the inhibitors of p38 MAPK and ERK had no influence on it. CONCLUSION:Ang-1 and Ang-2 regulate the vascular hyperreactivity in the early hemorrhagic shock rats through Akt-eNOS-NO pathway.     

菜薹BrNAP克隆及其在采后叶片衰老中的功能分析

在菜薹(Brassica rapa var. parachinensis)中克隆Br NAP1并分析其功能。Br NAP1编码区全长813 bp,编码270个氨基酸,具有NAP转录因子特有的保守结构域,属于NAP亚家族成员。Br NAP1表达量与叶片衰老程度呈正相关且受ABA诱导表达上调。亚细胞定位试验表明Br NAP1定位于细胞核。互补试验显示Br NAP1能使拟南芥atnap滞绿表型回复至野生型,过表达则能引起采后叶片早衰。双荧光素酶试验表明Br NAP1能够激活Br SAG113表达。这些说明Br NAP1是菜薹采后叶片衰老的正调控基因。     

Role of post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph in enhancement of vascular permeability

AIM：To investigate the role of post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph (PHSML) in the enhancement of vascular permeability. METHODS：Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into sham group, shock group, and shock plus mesenteric lymph drainage (shock + drainage) group. The rats in shock group and shock + drainage group were routinely subjected to hemorrhagic shock and hypotension ［(40±2） mmHg］ was maintained for 90 min, and then the fluid resuscitation was performed. Mesenteric lymph was drained in the rats in shock+drainage group from resuscitation finished to 6 h, for the observation of PHSML drainage on the vascular permeability in multiple tissues of hemorrhagic shock rats. Afterwards, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with the PHSML in vitro to observe the effects of PHSML on the morphology and permeability of HUVECs. RESULTS：The degree of blue color and concentrations of Evens blue in the lung, myocardium, kidney, liver, spleen and small intestine were significantly increased in the shocked rats than that in sham group, while the ratios of the dry weight to the wet weight were decreased. The mesenteric lymph drainage reversed these changes. Meanwhile, 4% and 10% of PHSML at 0~3 h and 3~6 h after resuscitation, and lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/L) all caused the damage of HUVECs, decreased the viability and trans-endothelial electrical resistance of HUVECs, and increased the permeability of HUVECs to fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled albumin. CONCLUSION：PHSML is a vital factor in the enhancement of vascular permeability.     

The disturbance of calcium metabolism of vascular smooth muscle in the late phase of septic shock and the underlying mechanism

AIM: To evaluate the alterations in calcium metabolism of the vascular smooth muscle in the late phase of septic shock and test the hypothesis that nitric oxide might be involved in sepsis-induced vascular hyporeactivity. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). 18 hours post CLP, rat aortic rings were employed for measurement of contractile responses by using organ bath technique. RESULTS: In endothelium-denuded aortic rings from CLP rats, concentration-contraction curves to phenylephrine (PE) and KCl were significantly decreased when compared to that from sham control rats. The transient contraction induced by PE in calcium-free Krebs solution and the concentration-dependent contraction to CaCl₂ in KCl-depolarized medium were also markedly reduced. The hyporeactivity was partially reversed by treatment with aminoguanidine, a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. CONCLUSION: An impairment in calcium handling in vascular smooth muscle is involved in the vascular hyporeactivity during the late phase of septic shock, in which an excessive nitric oxide production might be the major mechanism.     

Effect of Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction on endothelial dysfunction in ovariectomized female rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction on endothelium-dysfunction in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: The ovariectomized rats were treated with Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction or turbid liquid of estradiol valerate for 8 weeks. The vascular ring tension was measured. Scanning electron microscopy and Western blotting were applied to assess the function of endothelium-dependent dilation, aortic endothelial morphology and the expression of endothelial lipase. The pathologic sections were prepared to observe the effect of Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction on the uterus. RESULTS: In ovariectomized rats, the decrease in endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) was reversed to normal level, the endothelial morphology returned to normal without lipid accumulation and the endothelial lipase expression was decreased by Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction. Furthermore, no obvious change of the wet weight of uterine between the ovariectomized rats with or without Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction treatment was observed. CONCLUSION: Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction may have protective effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and aortic endothelial morphology in estrogen-deficient animals.     

Pinacidil pretreatment increases vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity after hemorrhagic shock

AIM: To observe the protective effects of protein kinase Cα(PKCα) and protein kinase Cε(PKCε) activated by pinacidil pretreatment on vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity after hemorrhagic shock in rats. METHODS: The changes of the pressor effect(the change of mean arterial pressure) and vasoconstriction response(the changes of diameter) of superior mesenteric artery(SMA) to norepinephrine(NE) were observed. The vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity of the first class arborization of SMA induced by pinacidil pretreatment with different volume and at different time points before shock were determined. The effects of PKCα and PKCε antagonists on the protection of pinacidil pretreatment, and the effects of pinacidil pretreatment on the translocation of PKCα and PKCε were also measured. RESULTS: (1) The pressor effect and vasoconstriction response of SMA to NE, and the vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity of the first class arborization of SMA in 2 h shock group were significantly decreased as compared to those in normal controls(P<0.01). Pinacidil(25 μg/kg) pretreated at 30 min before shock attenuated the above changes.(2) The inhibitors of PKCα and PKCε suppressed the protective effects of pinacidil pretreatment(25 μg/kg pinacidil pretreated at 30 min before shock) on the vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity. The E_max of NE was decreased by 42.9% and 62.9%, respectively(P<0.01). The E_max of Ca²⁺ was decreased by 31.1% and 56.1%, respectively(P<0.01). Pinacidil(25 μg/kg) pretreated at 30 min before shock increased the protein expression of PKCα and PKCε on the membrane, and decreased the protein expression in the cytoplasm as compared to those in 2 h shock group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Pinacidil pretreatment activates PKCα and PKCε, and induces the increasing effects of vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity after hemorrhagic shock in rats.     

Effect of ischemic preconditioning on vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity in hemorrhagic shock rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity during hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Appropriate method of IPC was selected by observing the effect of different strategies of IPC on the survival time and the survival rate in hemorrhagic shock rats. The effect of IPC on the pressor effect of norepinephrine (NE, 3 μg/kg) and the contractile response of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to NE and calcium in vivo and in vitro were observed. RESULTS: Among 3 strategies of IPC, 3 cycles of abdominal aorta occlusion for 1 min and loosing for 5 min increased the survival time and 24 h survival rate significantly, which was superior to the other two IPC methods. In vivo, IPC significantly increased the pressor response to NE and the contractile response of SMA to NE (P<0.01). In vitro, IPC significantly improved the reactivity of SMA to NE and Ca²⁺. The E_max values of SMA to NE and Ca²⁺ in IPC group were significantly higher than that in shock control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ischemic preconditioning reverses Shock-induced vascular hyporeactivity via improving calcium sensitivity of the vasculatures.     

Changes in L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway of the aorta in septic shock rats

AIM:To observe the change of nitric oxide (NO) generation system in the vascular adventitia, media and intima in septic shock rats.METHODS:The septic shock model was made in rats by caecal ligation and puncture. The intima, media and adventitia of the rat aorta were separated. NO production (NO₂^-), nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity and L-arginine (L-Arg) transport were measured, separately. Inducible NOS (iNOS) distribution was detected by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:Both in early and late stage of septic shock, NO₂^- from the intima was decreased by 66.1% and 78.9%(P<0.01), while NO₂^- from the media was increased by 1.1 and 2.2 folds(P＜0.01), and the adventitia 9.6 and 18.6-fold (P＜0.01), as compared with the sham group, respectively. The changes of NOS activity and the L-arginine transport in the intima, the media layer and the adventitia of the aorta in the septic shock rat paralleled with that of NO₂^- in these tissues. The results of iNOS immunohistochemistry showed that there were obviously positive staining in the media layer and adventitia, especially the adventitia of the rat aortas in septic shock, as compared with that in the sham control.CONCLUSIONS:During septic shock, NO production in the aortic intima was progressively suppressed. However, it was progressively increased in the aortic medial layer and adventitia, especially the adventitia with shock processes. These changes result from different changes of L-arginine transport, NOS activity and its expression in three layers of the aorta from the septic shock rat.     

中甘21号

AIM: To observe the pathological role of 3-nitrotynosine (3-NT) on Escherichia coli LPS-induced vascular hyporeactivity in rats and the therapeutic effect of antioxidants. METHODS: Forty male SD rats weighting from 200 g to 250 g were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (n=10); LPS shock group (n=10); uric acid-treated group (n=10); melatonin-treated group (n=10). 6 h after LPS shock, phenylephrine (0.5-2.5 μg·kg-1) was applied intravenously to all groups and the percentage increase in MAP was detected, respectively. The concentration-response curve of aorta rings from all groups rats were obtained by cumulative addition of phenylephrine (PE), and PE Emax, EC50 were calculated. The concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate/nitrite and 3-NT were assayed in all groups 6 h after LPS shock. RESULTS: The MAP level induced by PE significantly decreased to 54.60% in LPS shock rats compared with the control (P<0.05). However, PE induced MAP level increased 37.70% and 43.05% in uric acid and melatonin treated rats, respectively, compared with the LPS shock rats (P<0.05). The maximum response and EC50 to PE were significant reduced in LPS shock rats ［Emax, 35.30%±9.80%; EC50, (15.70±4.50)nmol/L］ compared with control group ［Emax, 100%; EC50, (4.71±2.04)nmol/L, P<0.05］; but the reactivity of aorta to PE was improved obviously in uric acid and melatonin treated groups (P<0.05). The plasma concentration of MDA, nitrate/nitrite and 3-NT were much lower in uric acid and melatonin groups than those in LPS shock group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 3-NT is an important pathological factor on vascular hyporeactivity in LPS shock. Antioxidants effectively improve α-adrenergic receptor-mediated vascular reactivity in LPS shock rats partially by removing lipid peroxidative production, reducing nitric oxide and 3-NT biosynthesis in LPS shock. These results suggest that antioxidants have potential beneficial therapeutic effect for septic shock patients.     

In vivo screening and characterization of peptides specifically binding to vasculature endothelial cells of liver in mice with septic shock

AIM: To screen peptides specifically binding to vasculature of liver in mice with septic shock. METHODS: Peptide display libraries were injected into septic shock mice by tail vein injection. After circulating for 10 min, the phages from mouse livers were recovered, amplified and purified following a routine protocol, and then re-injected for the next round screening. After screening for 4 rounds in vivo, the phage libraries were injected into normal mice by tail vein injection and the phages were recovered by serum collection to subtract the peptides binding with endothelial cells of normal mice. Then the phage clones were sequenced and further analyzed by bioinformatics. The interested phage clones were reinfused to the mice with septic shock, and appraised by titering the phage distribution in vivo and immunohistochemical staining of the mouse liver. RESULTS: After 4 rounds of biopanning, the phage recovery rates increased step by step, indicating that the phage library was successfully enriched in the livers of mice with septic shock. Fifty percent (5/10) of the analyzed sequences were identical, and with a sequence of LTTWAPA. In vivo titering and immunohistochemical staining displayed that this sequence selectively targets liver of mice with septic shock. CONCLUSION: The peptide of LTTWAPA specifically binds to vascular endothelial cells of liver in septic shock mice, which may have important significance for the therapy of septic shock.