8-bromocyclic-gmp and zaprinast

The C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) exerts its action via stimulation of the cyclic GMP (cGMP) signalling pathway, which includes the activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinases. The pathway can also be activated by inhibitors of phosphodiesterases (PDE) that hydrolyse cGMP. The present report shows that activation of the cGMP pathway by CNP, by bromo-cGMP, a cell-permeant cGMP analogue, or by the PDE inhibitor zaprinast dose dependently reduces intravenous cocaine self-administration by rats. The effect was found when the compounds were injected in situ into the prefrontal cortex, but not when they were injected into the nucleus accumbens. A decrease in the number of cocaine infusions performed by rats was obtained under the fixed ratio-1 schedule of reinforcement as well as under a progressive ratio schedule, which evaluates the motivation of the animals for the drug. Decrease in cocaine self-administration was accompanied with reduced expression of the epigenetic markers methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in dopaminergic projection areas. An increase in the acetylation level of histone H3, but not of histone H4, was also noticed. Since MeCP2 and HDAC2 are known to modulate dynamic functions in the adult brain, such as synaptic plasticity, our results showing that activation of the cGMP signal transduction pathway decreased both cocaine intake and expression of the epigenetic markers strongly suggest that the MeCP2/HDAC2 complex is involved in the analysis of the reinforcing properties of cocaine in the prefrontal cortex.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Brain; Cocaine; Conditioning, Operant; Cyclic GMP; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Gene Expression Regulation; Histone Deacetylase 2; Male; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reinforcement Schedule; Self Administration

The airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit decreased nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, which might affect airway function. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of NO on ion transport in human airway epithelia. Primary cultures of non-CF and CF bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells were exposed to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and bioelectric variables were measured in Ussing chambers. Amiloride was added to inhibit the Na(+) channel ENaC, and forskolin and ATP were added successively to stimulate cAMP- and Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretions, respectively. The involvement of cGMP was assessed by measuring the intracellular cGMP concentration in bronchial cells exposed to SNP and the ion transports in cultures exposed to 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of the soluble guanylate cyclase (ODQ), or to 8Z, a cocktail of 8-bromo-cGMP and zaprinast (phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor). SNP decreased the baseline short-circuit current (I(sc)) and the changes in I(sc) induced by amiloride, forskolin, and ATP in non-CF bronchial and bronchiolar cultures. The mechanism of this inhibition was studied in bronchial cells. SNP increased the intracellular cGMP concentration ([cGMP](i)). The inhibitory effect of SNP was abolished by 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, an NO scavenger (PTIO) and ODQ and was partly mimicked by increasing [cGMP](i). In CF cultures, SNP did not significantly modify ion transport; in CF bronchial cells, 8Z had no effect; however, SNP increased the [cGMP](i). In conclusion, exogenous NO may reduce transepithelial Na(+) absorption and Cl(-) secretion in human non-CF airway epithelia through a cGMP-dependent pathway. In CF airways, the NO/cGMP pathway appears to exert no effect on transepithelial ion transport.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Adult; Aged; Amiloride; Bronchi; Chloride Channels; Colforsin; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic N-Oxides; Cystic Fibrosis; Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers; Epithelial Sodium Channels; Free Radical Scavengers; Guanylate Cyclase; Humans; Imidazoles; Middle Aged; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitroprusside; Oxadiazoles; Purinones; Quinoxalines; Young Adult

Nitric oxide (NO), a neurotransmitter in the lower urinary tract, stimulates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and in turn cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG) to modulate a number of downstream targets. NO donors reduce bladder hyperactivity in some pathological models but do not affect normal bladder activity in the adult rat. In this study, the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP; 100 microM) decreased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous and carbachol-enhanced contractions in neonatal rat bladder strips, which are intrinsically hyperactive. This effect was blocked by inhibition of sGC and mimicked by application of a membrane-permeable cGMP analog (8-bromo-cGMP, 100 microM). Inhibition of PKG prevented or reversed the inhibitory effects of 8-bromo-cGMP. A portion of the SNAP-mediated inhibition was also dependent upon PKG; however, a short-lasting, sGC-dependent inhibitory effect of SNAP was still present after PKG inhibition. Inhibition of NO synthase with L-NAME (100 microM) did not change the amplitude or frequency of contractions. However, inhibition of endogenous phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 with zaprinast (25 microM) reduced the amplitude and frequency of phasic contractions and increased the magnitude of inhibition produced by maximal concentrations of SNAP, suggesting that endogenous PDEs are constitutively active and regulate cGMP production. These results suggest that the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway may be involved in inhibitory control of the neonatal rat bladder.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Carbachol; Cholinergic Agonists; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Guanylate Cyclase; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Neural Inhibition; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitrergic Neurons; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; Signal Transduction; Time Factors; Urinary Bladder

Hyaluronan must be exported from its site of synthesis, the inner side of plasma membrane, to the extracellular matrix. Here, we identified the multidrug-associated protein MRP5 as the principle hyaluronan exporter from fibroblasts. The expression of the MRP5 (ABC-C5) transporter was silenced in fibroblasts using RNA interference, and a dose-dependent inhibition of hyaluronan export was observed. Hyaluronan oligosaccharides introduced into the cytosol competed with the export of endogenously labeled hyaluronan and the MRP5 substrate fluorescein. Because cGMP is a physiological substrate of MRP5, the intracellular concentrations of cGMP were modulated by the drugs 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthin, propentofyllin, L-NAME, zaprinast, and bromo-cGMP, and the effects on hyaluronan export were analyzed. Increasing the cGMP levels inhibited hyaluronan export and decreasing it afforded higher concentrations of zaprinast to inhibit the export. Thus, cGMP may be a physiological regulator of hyaluronan export at the level of the export MRP5.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Cyclic GMP; Cytosol; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Models, Biological; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Purinones; RNA Interference; Xanthines

Previous behavioural studies which have administered phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors have consistently demonstrated improved retention. However, when young chicks were trained on a strongly reinforced passive avoidance task 100microM zaprinast caused two periods of transient retention loss. This is opposed to past findings and may suggest an effect on retrieval. It is hypothesised that the level of reinforcement is central to this phenomenon. The molecular corollary of this may be the need to maintain cGMP homeostasis such that strong reinforcement+zaprinast may impair retention through the production of excessive levels of cGMP. This was demonstrated by two challenge studies whereby increasing concentrations of 8-Br-cGMP were administered in the presence of the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ (100microM; ic) resulting in an inverted "U-shaped" retention curve. These findings suggest a more complex role for PDE5 and cGMP in memory processing than previously described and question the role of PDE5 inhibitors as nootropes under all circumstances.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Avoidance Learning; Behavior, Animal; Chickens; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; Discrimination, Psychological; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Enzyme Inhibitors; Memory Disorders; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; Purinones; Quinoxalines; Reinforcement, Psychology; Retention, Psychology; Time Factors

Vasomotion refers to periodic oscillations in vascular tone that ensure the intermittent supply of blood to adjacent microvascular units. Previous evidence from vessels outside the eye suggests that cyclic guanosine-monophosphate (cGMP) is involved in the regulation of vasomotion, but it is unknown whether this compound has an effect on vasomotion in retinal vessels.. Retinal arterioles from porcine eyes were studied in a wire myograph. After initiation of vasomotion, the vessels were stimulated with increasing concentrations of the cGMP agonist 8-Br-cGMP (n = 6), the phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast (n = 6) and the cGMP synthesis inhibitor L-NAME (n = 6). High concentrations of L-NAME blocked vasomotion, and control experiments (n = 20) using 8-Br-cGMP, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), adenosine and pinacidil were carried out to elucidate whether this effect was related to changes in the general tone of the vessel. Additionally, the relationship between oscillations in vascular tone and intracellular calcium concentration was studied.. Induction of cGMP agonistic activity with either 8-Br-cGMP or zaprinast lowered the vasomotion frequency significantly, whereas L-NAME-induced inhibition of cGMP increased this frequency. Neither of the agents affected the amplitude of the oscillations. The control experiments indicated that the effect of cGMP on vasomotion frequency was independent of the accompanying increase in tone. The oscillations in tone during vasomotion were accompanied by similar oscillations in intracellular calcium concentration.. Cyclic GMP lowers the frequency without affecting the amplitude of vasomotion in isolated porcine retinal arterioles.

Topics: Animals; Arterioles; Calcium; Cyclic GMP; Enzyme Inhibitors; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myography; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Retinal Artery; Swine; Vasodilation; Vasomotor System

Many infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs) experience persistent pulmonary hypertension that is refractory to treatment with inhaled nitric oxide (NO). We have examined the responses of isolated pulmonary arterioles from prenatal and postnatal rats with and without nitrofen (2,4-dichlorophenyl-p-nitrophenyl ether)-induced CDH to a variety of activators of the NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway.. Right-sided CDH was induced in fetal rats by feeding nitrofen to pregnant rats on day 12 of gestation. Control rats were fed olive oil (vehicle). Third-generation pulmonary arterioles were isolated from the right lung of prenatal rats at term and from newborn rats within 8 hours after birth. Responses to increasing concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), atrial natriuretic peptide, or 8-bromo-cGMP were measured in pulmonary arterioles from control rats and from rats with nitrofen-induced CDH. Postnatal responses to 8-bromo-cGMP were also recorded in the presence of zaprinast, a type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor.. Pulmonary arterioles from prenatal rats did not dilate in response to SNP, atrial natriuretic peptide, or 8-bromo-cGMP. Vasodilatory responses of postnatal pulmonary arterioles from control rats to SNP and 8-bromo-cGMP were significantly greater than for arterioles from rats with CDH. Zaprinast pretreatment resulted in similar responses for postnatal CDH and control arterioles to 8-bromo-cGMP.. Postnatal pulmonary arterioles from CDH rats exhibit altered nitrovasodilator responsiveness, which may be due to rapid degradation of cGMP.

Topics: Animals; Arterioles; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cyclic GMP; Disease Models, Animal; Hernia, Diaphragmatic; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Lung; Nitric Oxide; Nitroprusside; Pesticides; Phenyl Ethers; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Vasodilation; Vasodilator Agents

The mechanisms underlying the hydrogen peroxide-induced relaxation of the norepinephrine-contraction were studied by measuring isometric force, myosin light chain (MLC(20)) phosphorylation and cyclic GMP in endothelium-denuded muscle from the guinea-pig aorta. Norepinephrine (5.2+/-1.3 microM) produced a phasic, followed by a tonic contraction. Hydrogen peroxide (10 and 100 microM), glyceryl trinitrate (30 and 300 nM) and 8-bromo cyclic GMP (30 and 100 microM) did not change the basal tone, but reduced the norepinephrine-induced contraction. Phosphorylation of MLC(20) (percentage of phosphorylated to total MLC(20)) was increased 1 min (5.9+/-1.0% vs. 35.9+/-4.9%) and, to a lesser extent, 20 min (3.7+/-1.7% vs. 13.9+/-1.6%) after the addition of norepinephrine. Hydrogen peroxide (100 microM) did not modify basal MLC(20) phosphorylation, but reduced the increase in MLC(20) phosphorylation induced by 1-min exposure to norepinephrine (20.9+/-4.1%). Its effect was abolished by catalase. When the tissue was incubated for 20 min with norepinephrine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, norepinephrine-induced MLC(20) phosphorylation was not changed (13.6+/-1.5%), as compared to that in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide relaxed norepinephrine-stimulated aortas in a concentration-dependent fashion with EC(50) values of 5.9+/-0.2 microM. The relaxation was inhibited by soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitors and increased by an inhibitor of cyclic GMP-selective phosphodiesterase. In aorta precontracted with norepinephrine, hydrogen peroxide (100 microM) relaxed the tissue by 89+/-11% and almost doubled tissue concentrations of cyclic GMP, whereas sodium nitroprusside (1 microM) relaxed the tissue by 100% and increased cyclic GMP concentrations 30-fold. It is suggested that the inhibitory effects of hydrogen peroxide on the norepinephrine-induced phasic and sustained contractions are explained by a decrease in MLC(20) phosphorylation and by an alteration in MLC(20) phosphorylation-independent mechanisms, respectively. The effects of hydrogen peroxide were in part mediated by cyclic GMP.

Topics: Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Guinea Pigs; Hydrogen Peroxide; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Methylene Blue; Myosin Light Chains; Nitroglycerin; Norepinephrine; Oxadiazoles; Phosphorylation; Purinones; Quinoxalines; Rats; Vasoconstriction; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Vasodilation; Vasodilator Agents

The species-specific sound production of acoustically communicating grasshoppers can be stimulated by pressure injection of both nicotinic and muscarinic agonists into the central body complex and a small neuropil situated posterior and dorsal to it. To determine the role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the control of acoustic communication behavior and to identify the second-messenger pathways affected by mAChR-activation, muscarinic agonists and membrane-permeable drugs known to interfere with specific mechanisms of intracellular signaling pathways were pressure injected to identical sites in male grasshopper brains. Repeated injections of small volumes of muscarine elicited stridulation of increasing duration associated with decreased latencies. This suggested an accumulation of excitation over time that is consistent with the suggested role of mAChRs in controlling courtship behavior: to provide increasing arousal leading to higher intensity of stridulation and finally initiating a mating attempt. At sites in the brain where muscarine stimulation was effective, stridulation could be evoked by forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase (AC); 8-Br-cAMP-activating protein kinase A (PKA); and 3-isobuty-1-methylxanthine, leading to the accumulation of endogenously generated cAMP through inhibition of phosphodiesterases. This suggested that mAChRs mediate excitation by stimulating the AC/cAMP/PKA pathway. In addition, muscarine-stimulated stridulation was inhibited by 2'-5'-dideoxyadenonsine and SQ 22536, two inhibitors of AC; H-89 and Rp-cAMPS, two inhibitors of PKA; and by U-73122 and neomycin, two agents that inhibit phospholipase C (PLC) by independent mechanisms. Because the inhibition of AC, PKA, or PLC by various individually applied substances entirely suppressed muscarine-evoked stridulation in a number of experiments, activation of both pathways, AC/cAMP/PKA and PLC/IP(3)/diacylglycerine, appeared to be necessary to mediate the excitatory effects of mAChRs. With these studies on an intact "behaving" grasshopper preparation, we present physiological relevance for mAChR-evoked excitation mediated by sequential activation of the AC- and PLC-initiated signaling pathways that has been reported in earlier in vitro studies.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Adenine; Adenylyl Cyclases; Animal Communication; Animals; Brain; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cyclic GMP; Dideoxyadenosine; Diglycerides; Enzyme Inhibitors; Estrenes; Grasshoppers; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Isoquinolines; Muscarine; Muscarinic Agonists; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Pyrrolidinones; Receptors, Muscarinic; Second Messenger Systems; Sphingosine; Sulfonamides; Thapsigargin; Thionucleotides; Type C Phospholipases

Regulation of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) release by nitric oxide (NO) was investigated in the hamster jejunum. Electrical field stimulation and applied NO (3-100 microM) evoked biphasic hyperpolarizations consisting of an initial transient hyperpolarizing component followed by a second more slowly developing component (late component). The NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (200 microM) abolished the biphasic inhibitory junction potential evoked by electrical field stimulation. The NO scavenger oxyhemoglobin (50 microM) and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 10 microM) abolished both components of the inhibitory junction potentials and the NO-induced hyperpolarizations. VIP(6-28) (1 microM), which abolished VIP (3 microM)-induced hyperpolarizations, also inhibited the late components of the inhibitory junction potentials and the NO-induced hyperpolarizations. ODQ inhibited VIP release and cAMP production by electrical field stimulation and NO application. N(6)-2,0-Dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (0.1-3 mM) caused a membrane hyperpolarization. These results suggest that NO may stimulate VIP release from enteric nerves in the hamster jejunum. In addition, we propose that NO and NO-stimulated VIP contribute to the early and late components of the inhibitory junction potentials, respectively, in the circular smooth muscle cells of the hamster jejunum.

Topics: Animals; Cricetinae; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Electric Stimulation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Guanylate Cyclase; Jejunum; Male; Membrane Potentials; Mesocricetus; Muscle, Smooth; Myenteric Plexus; Neural Inhibition; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitrergic Neurons; Nitric Oxide; Oxadiazoles; Oxyhemoglobins; Peptide Fragments; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Rolipram; Synaptic Transmission; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Peripheral autonomic neurones release nitric oxide (NO) upon nerve activation. However, the regulation of neuronal NO formation is poorly understood. We used the cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) analogue 8-Br-cGMP, the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) stimulator YC-1, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast and the sGC inhibitor ODQ to study whether the sGC/cGMP pathway is involved in regulation of neuronal NO release in nerve plexus-containing smooth muscle preparations from guinea pig colon. Electrical stimulation of the preparation evoked release of NO/NO(-)(2). In the presence of 8-Br-cGMP, YC-1 and zaprinast (all at 10(-4) M) the NO/NO(-)(2)-release increased to 152 +/- 16% (P < 0.05), 164 +/- 37% (P < 0.05) and 290 +/- 67% (P < 0.05) of controls, respectively. Conversely, ODQ (10(-5) M) decreased the evoked release of NO/NO(-)(2) to 49 +/- 7% (P < 0.05) of controls. Our data suggest that the sGC/cGMP pathway modulates NO release. Thus it is likely that NO exerts a positive feedback on its own release from peripheral autonomic neurones.

Topics: Animals; Arginine; Colon; Cyclic GMP; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Electrophysiology; Enzyme Inhibitors; Guanylate Cyclase; Guinea Pigs; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Muscle, Smooth; Neurons; Nitric Oxide; Oxadiazoles; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Quinoxalines

Current gene therapy models are limited by inadequate vector delivery. Increases in microvascular permeability have been shown to improve adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to ex vivo and in vivo models. We explored the intracellular mechanism underlying the permeabilizing effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Using an ex vivo model of coronary perfusion in rabbits, we found a dose-response relationship between VEGF and the efficiency of adenoviral gene transfer. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase prevented the VEGF effect, and analogues of nitric oxide and cGMP mimicked the effect. Co-administration of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and VEGF caused a synergistic increase in gene delivery. These results can be readily applied to existing models to further optimize vector delivery for gene therapy.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Adenoviruses, Human; Animals; beta-Galactosidase; Cyclic GMP; Drug Synergism; Endothelial Growth Factors; Gene Transfer Techniques; Genes, Reporter; Genetic Vectors; Guanylate Cyclase; Heart; Humans; Isoquinolines; Lymphokines; Myocardium; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitroglycerin; omega-N-Methylarginine; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Piperazines; Purines; Purinones; Pyridines; Rabbits; Sildenafil Citrate; Sulfones; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

To clarify the contribution of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i))-dependent and -independent signaling mechanisms in arteriolar smooth muscle (aSM) to modulation of arteriolar myogenic tone by nitric oxide (NO), released in response to increases in intraluminal flow from the endothelium, changes in aSM [Ca(2+)](i) and diameter of isolated rat gracilis muscle arterioles (pretreated with indomethacin) were studied by fluorescent videomicroscopy. At an intraluminal pressure of 80 mmHg, [Ca(2+)](i) significantly increased and myogenic tone developed in response to elevations of extracellular Ca(2+) concentration. The Ca(2+) channel inhibitor nimodipine substantially decreased [Ca(2+)](i) and completely inhibited myogenic tone. Dilations to intraluminal flow (that were inhibited by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) or dilations to the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (that were inhibited by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one) were not accompanied by substantial decreases in aSM [Ca(2+)](i). 8-Bromoguanosine cGMP and the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast significantly dilated arterioles yet elicited only minimal decreases in [Ca(2+)](i). Thus flow-induced endothelial release of NO elicits relaxation of arteriolar smooth muscle by a cGMP-dependent decrease of the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the contractile apparatus without substantial changes in the pressure-induced level of [Ca(2+)](i).

Topics: Animals; Arterioles; Calcium; Cyclic GMP; In Vitro Techniques; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Nitric Oxide; Penicillamine; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Regional Blood Flow; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; Vasodilator Agents; Vasomotor System

Previously, we reported an abrupt reduction in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) microvascular permeability to macromolecules between days 4.5 and 5.0 of the 21-day gestation. Further, exogenous activation of the cAMP pathway at day 4.5 served to restrict normal macromolecular extravasation. Here, we evaluated the influence of the cGMP pathway on macromolecular efflux at day 5.0. Zaprinast (10(-4) M), a selective inhibitor of the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE V), acutely increased basal levels of FITC-dextran 40 extravasation. Further, the cGMP analogue, 8 br-cGMP (10(-4) and 10(-3) M) and the soluble guanylate cyclase activator, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-5) and 10(-4) M) increased tracer extravasation in a dose-dependent fashion. The cGMP-mediated increase was not associated with gap formation along the junctional clefts, however, vesiculo-vacuolar structures were characteristic of CAM endothelial ultrastructure. KT 5823 (10(-5) M), the highly selective protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, also served to increase basal tracer extravasation. The nonselective PDE inhibitor, IBMX (10(-4) M) had no effect alone, but reduced the permeability effects of both 8 br-cGMP and SNP. Rolipram (10(-4) M), a selective PDE IV inhibitor, on the other hand, potentiated the effect of 8 br-cGMP. These results serve to suggest that cAMP degradation, rather than PKG activation, is a principal component of the cGMP-mediated increase in CAM endothelial permeability in vivo.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Allantois; Animals; Capillary Permeability; Chick Embryo; Chorion; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Endothelium, Vascular; Microcirculation; Microscopy, Electron; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Nitroprusside; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Signal Transduction

In order to determine the mechanism by which nitric oxide (NO) inhibits prolactin release, we investigated the participation of cGMP-dependent cAMP-phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and protein kinase G (PKG) in this effect of NO.. Anterior pituitary glands of male rats were incubated with inhibitors of PDE and PKG with or without sodium nitroprusside (NP). Prolactin release, and cAMP and cGMP concentrations were determined by RIA.. The inhibitory effect of NP (0.5 mmol/l) on prolactin release and cAMP concentration was blocked by EHNA (10(-4)mol/l) and HL-725 (10(-4)mol/l), inhibitors of cGMP-stimulated cAMP-PDE (PDE2). 8-Br-cGMP (10(-4) and 10(-3)mol/l), which mimics cGMP as a mediator of NP effects on prolactin release, also decreased cAMP concentration. Zaprinast (10(-4)mol/l), a selective inhibitor of specific cGMP-PDE (PDE5), potentiated the NP effect on cAMP concentration. Rp-8-[(4-chlorophenyl)thio]-cGMP triethylamine (Rp-8-cGMP, 10(-7)-10(-6)mol/l), an inhibitor of PKG, reversed the effect of NP on prolactin release. The present study suggests that several mechanisms are involved in the inhibitory effect of NO on prolactin release. The activation of PDE2 by cGMP may mediate the inhibitory effect of NO on cAMP concentration and therefore on prolactin release. NO-activated PKG may also be participating in the inhibitory effect of NO on prolactin release.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Drug Synergism; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Male; Nitric Oxide; Nitroprusside; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Prolactin; Protein Kinases; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Nitric oxide (NO) upregulates ciliary beat frequency (CBF). The present study evaluates mechanisms of the NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway regulation of CBF. Rat tracheal explants were loaded with 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate for the demonstration of NO production by ciliated epithelial cells after L-arginine (L-Arg) stimulation. CBF was measured using phase contrast microscopy and videotape analysis. The roles of NO, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PK) G, and phosphodiesterase (PDE) V in regulation of CBF were evaluated. NO synthase (NOS) was activated with L-Arg or inhibited with N(G)-monomethyl-L-Arg. sGC was stimulated with NO donors 1-hydroxy-2-oxo-3- (N-ethyl-2-aminoethyl)-3-ethyl-1-triazene and S-nitroso-L-glutathione or mimicked by 8-bromo-guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) and inhibited with 1H-[1,2, 4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one. The effects of the PKG inhibition with KT5823 and PDE V inhibition with Zaprinast were also examined. The studies demonstrate that ciliated epithelial cells produce NO, which is correlated with CBF stimulation. L-Arg dose- and time-dependently increases CBF, and NO donors, 8-Br-cGMP, and Zaprinast also enhance CBF. Inhibitors of NOS, sGC, and PKG can block the stimulant effect of L-Arg on CBF. Thus, NO is a regulator of CBF acting via sGC and PKG. The NO-cGMP signaling pathway regulates CBF in an autocrine manner in cultured rat ciliated airway epithelium.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Arginine; Carbazoles; Cells, Cultured; Cilia; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epithelial Cells; Glutathione; Indoles; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitroso Compounds; omega-N-Methylarginine; Oxadiazoles; Purinones; Quinoxalines; Rats; S-Nitrosoglutathione; Signal Transduction; Trachea

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) hypertrophy and hyperplasia are important determinants of bronchial responsiveness in asthma, and agents that interfere with these processes may prevent airway remodeling. We tested the hypothesis that activators of soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclases would inhibit human ASM cell (HASMC) proliferation. We report that the nitric oxide (NO) donors S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 10(-6) to 10(-4) M) and sodium nitroprusside (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) and human atrial natriuretic peptide [ANP-(1-28); 10(-8) to 10(-6) M], which activate soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclases, respectively, inhibited serum- and thrombin-induced proliferation of cultured HASMCs. The antimitogenic effect of SNAP was reversed by hemoglobin (10(-5) M), an NO scavenger, suggesting that NO donation was involved. The antiproliferative effects of SNAP and ANP-(1-28) were potentiated by the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase zaprinast and mimicked by 8-bromo-cGMP (10(-6) to 10(-3) M), suggesting that cGMP-dependent mechanisms were involved. However, first, ANP-(1-28) produced a smaller antiproliferative effect than SNAP in contrast to their abilities to elevate cGMP, and second, rat ANP-(104-126), which binds selectively to ANP clearance receptors without elevating cGMP, had a small antiproliferative effect, suggesting that cGMP-independent mechanisms were also involved. These results provide evidence for a novel antiproliferative effect of NO and ANP in HASMCs mediated through cGMP-dependent and cGMP-independent mechanisms.

Topics: Asthma; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Blood Proteins; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Coloring Agents; Cyclic GMP; Diuretics; Hemoglobins; Hemostatics; Humans; Hyperplasia; Lung; Mitogens; Muscle, Smooth; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitroprusside; Penicillamine; Peptide Fragments; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles; Thrombin; Vasodilator Agents

We studied the modes of activation of the salt-secreting rectal gland of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, by the native cardiac peptide CNP. The stimulatory action of CNP in isolated perfused glands is inhibited by 10 mM procaine, presumably by blocking release of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) from nerves. Procaine reduces the slope of the dose-response curve of human CNP and that of shark CNP (each P < 0.0001). CNP increases short-circuit current in cultured rectal gland cells from 4.8 +/- 1.6 to 27.0 +/- 7.8 microA/cm2. It also stimulates the secretion of chloride in isolated perfused glands in the presence of 10 mM procaine from 72 +/- 31 to 652 +/- 173 microeq. h(-1). g(-1). These results suggest that CNP has a direct cellular action not mediated by the neural release of VIP. The residual stimulation of perfused glands in the presence of procaine was almost completely inhibited by staurosporine [10 nM; an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC)] from 652 +/- 173 to 237 +/- 61 microeq. h(-1). g(-1). Although CNP stimulates guanylyl cyclase in shark rectal gland, chloride secretion of perfused glands was not elicited by 8-bromoadenosine-cGMP (8-BrcGMP) alone nor by the activator of PKC phorbol ester. The combination of PKC activation and 8-BrcGMP infusion, however, stimulated chloride secretion in perfused glands from 94 +/- 30 to 506 +/- 61 microeq. h(-1). g(-1), a level comparable to that observed in glands blocked with procaine. Several parallel pathways appear to be synergistic in activating chloride secretion stimulated by CNP in the rectal gland.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Chlorides; Cyclic GMP; Dogfish; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Kinetics; Membrane Potentials; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; Perfusion; Procaine; Purinones; Salt Gland; Swine; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

To examine the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cyclic GMP in the regulation of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in cultured human endothelial cells.. Cultured endothelial cells from human umbilical veins (HUVEC) were treated with ANP (0.3-30 nM), 8-Br-cGMP (1-100 microM), Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS (1 microM), or the phosphodiesterase inhibitors, zaprinast (10-100 microM), dipyridamole (1-10 microM), or isobutyl methyl xanthine (IBMX, 0.1-0.5 mM). ACE amounts were measured by inhibitor binding assay and cellular cGMP levels by radioimmunoassay.. ANP caused a dose dependent increase in ACE measured in intact endothelial cell culture. The stimulatory effect of ANP was blocked by Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS, a protein kinase G inhibitor. The cyclic GMP analog, 8-Br-cGMP and the cyclic GMP specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast, both increased ACE. Increase of ACE was also caused by nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitors, dipyridamole and IBMX. Intracellular cGMP levels were shown to increase by ANP, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors.. These data suggest that cGMP is an intracellular mediator regulating ACE and that ANP induced increase of ACE is mediated via a cGMP dependent mechanism.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic GMP; Dipyridamole; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Purinones; Stimulation, Chemical; Thionucleotides; Umbilical Veins; Vasodilator Agents

In the coronary circulation, endothelin-1 (ET-1) evokes spasms which are difficult to treat when the endothelial integrity is compromised. This study compares several classes of relaxing agents on already established contractions to ET-1 in an in vitro model using ring segments of the porcine left descending coronary artery (pLAD). All segments were precontracted with 10 nmol/L ET-1. The calcium channel blocker isradipine was 300 times more potent than verapamil, but was only a partial relaxant; the maximal relaxation obtained was 52 +/- 2% (n = 6). Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was an equally potent relaxant of the ET-1 contraction; however, it too was an incomplete relaxant, maximal relaxation being < 60%. A 50% relaxation of the ET-1 contraction was obtained with 0.28 +/- 0.24 mumol/L ANP, n = 4 (IC50). Comparison of cyclic nucleotide analogues revealed a 30 times higher potency for 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP)(IC50 44 +/- 11 mumol/L, n = 6) than for 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8-Bi-cAMP) (IC50 1600 mumol/L, n = 6). The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor milrinone, a PDE 3-inhibitor with an IC50 2.4 +/- 1.8 mumol/L, (n = 6) was 10 times more potent than rolipram (PDE 4-inhibitor), zaprinast (PDE 5-inhibitor) and vinpocentine (PDE 1-inhibitor). Withdrawal of these analogues and inhibitors from segments continuously exposed to 10 nmol/l ET-1 revealed that vinpocentine and 8-Br-cGMP were irreversible relaxants, in contrast to milrinone and 8-Br-cAMP. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that cGMP-enhancing agents, such as the naturally occurring ANP, the calcium channel blocker isradipine, and the synthetic inhibitor of PDE 3, were the most effective relaxants of ET-1 evoked contractions in pLAD in vitro.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Caffeine; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Channels; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Colforsin; Coronary Vessels; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelin-1; In Vitro Techniques; Isradipine; Milrinone; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Papaverine; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Purinones; Pyrrolidinones; Rolipram; Swine; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Vasoconstriction; Vasodilation; Verapamil; Vinca Alkaloids

High concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) inhibit bone resorption by mature osteoclasts. We examined the effects of low NO concentrations on osteoclast formation in mouse bone marrow cultures. The NO releasers sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine inhibited the formation of multinucleated cells expressing tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (a marker for osteoclasts) when administered during the last 3 days of 6-day cultures (differentiation stage) but not during the first 3 days (proliferation stage). SNP (1 microM) completely inhibited pit formation on dentine wafers when added to cultures during osteoclast formation, but 100 microM SNP was required to inhibit pitting by mature osteoclasts. Conversely, the NO synthase inhibitors aminoguanidine and nitro-L-arginine methyl ester both increased osteoclast formation. Inhibition of osteoclast formation by NO likely was guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) dependent, as SNP increased cGMP in marrow cultures, and 1 mM 8-bromo-cGMP or dibutyryl-cGMP reduced osteoclast formation when administered during the differentiation stage. The cGMP-specific type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast (M & B 22948) also inhibited osteoclast formation (half-maximal inhibitory constant, 100 microM) only when added during the differentiation stage. We conclude that the differentiation stage of osteoclast formation is inhibited by increases in cGMP levels elicited by NO.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Animals; Bone Marrow Cells; Bone Resorption; Bucladesine; Calcitriol; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic GMP; Dentin; Dibutyryl Cyclic GMP; Guanidines; In Vitro Techniques; Mice; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitroprusside; Osteoclasts; Penicillamine; Purinones; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; Whales

Early heart failure is characterized by elevated plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels, but little is known about the direct effects of ANP on cardiac myocytes. In neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, ANP induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent and cell type-specific manner. Maximum effects occurred at 1 microM ANP, with a 4-5-fold increase in apoptotic cells, reaching a maximum apoptotic index of 19%. In contrast, the maximum apoptotic index of ANP-treated non-myocytes was 1.1 +/- 0.2%, equivalent to control cultures. ANP treatment also sharply reduced levels of Mcl-1 mRNA, a Bcl-2 homologue, coincident with the increase in the incidence of apoptosis. ANP induction of apoptosis was receptor-dependent and mediated by cyclic GMP: the effect was mimicked by 8-bromo-cGMP, a membrane-permeable analog, and by sodium nitroprusside, an activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase, and was potentiated by a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast. Interestingly, norepinephrine, a myocyte growth factor, inhibited ANP-induced apoptosis via activation of the beta-adrenergic receptor and elevation of cyclic AMP. These results show that ANP is a specific effector of cardiac myocyte apoptosis in culture via receptor-mediated elevation of cGMP. Furthermore, at least in this model, ANP and norepinephrine may have opposing roles in the modulation of cardiac myocyte growth and survival.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Apoptosis; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cell Nucleus; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic GMP; Desmin; DNA Fragmentation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Heart; Kinetics; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; Myocardium; Neoplasm Proteins; Nitroprusside; Norepinephrine; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prazosin; Propranolol; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Purinones; Rats; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor

The mechanisms underlying smooth muscle relaxations of cerebral arteries in response to nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) are still not completely understood. The present study was designed to determine the role of potassium channels in the relaxations to NO donors 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as well as 8-bromo-3',5' -cGMP (a synthetic analogue of cGMP) and zaprinast (a selective cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor).. Rings of canine middle cerebral asteries without endothelium were suspended in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution for isometric tension recording. The levels of cGMP were measured by radioimmunoassay. Relaxations to NO donors 8-bromo-cGMP and zaprinast were studied in the presence and in the absence of K+ channel blockers charybdotoxin (large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels), glyburide (ATP-sensitive K+ channels), 4-aminopyridine (delayed rectifier K+ channels), and BaCl2 (multiple types of K+ channels).. Concentration-dependent relaxations caused by NO donors (SIN-1 and SNP) were significantly reduced in arteries treated with BaCl2 (3 x 10(-4) mol/L) or charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8) mol/L). Relaxations to 8-bromo-cGMP were not affected by the same concentrations of BaCl2 and charybdotoxin; however, they were reduced by higher concentrations of BaCl2 (3 x 10(-3) mol/L) or charybdotoxin (10(-7) mol/L). Zaprinast-induced relaxations were significantly reduced by BaCl2 (3 x 10(-4) mol/L) or charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8) mol/L). Glyburide (10(-5) mol/L) and 4-aminopyridine (10(-3) mol/L) did not alter the relaxations to SIN-1 or SNP. The production of cGMP stimulated by SIN-1 in the vascular smooth muscle was not affected by BaCl2 (3 x 10(-3) mol/L) or charybdotoxin (10(-7) mol/L).. These results indicate that in canine middle cerebral arteries, a significant portion of relaxations to NO liberated from nitrovasodilators is mediated by large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. Other K+ channels, sensitive to BaCl2, may also be involved in the mechanism of relaxations induced by NO.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; 4-Aminopyridine; Animals; Barium Compounds; Cerebral Arteries; Charybdotoxin; Chlorides; Cyclic GMP; Diltiazem; Dogs; Glyburide; In Vitro Techniques; Molsidomine; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Nitric Oxide; Nitroprusside; Potassium Channels; Purinones; Vasodilation; Vasodilator Agents

The effects of various selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on muscle contractility in guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle were investigated. 1) 3-Isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (IBMX) or zaprinast markedly inhibited the high K(+)- or carbachol (CCh)-induced contraction and increased cGMP content of the muscle strip in a concentration-dependent manner. However, these agents only slightly increased the cAMP content. Milrinone or Ro20-1724 also slightly inhibited the high K(+)- or CCh-induced contraction and increased the cAMP content, but did not increase cGMP. 2) In a fura2-loaded muscle, IBMX or zaprinast inhibited both contractions and the increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) level induced by high K+ or CCh, although the inhibitory effect on the [Ca2+]i level was smaller than that on muscle tension. 3) In alpha-toxin-permeabilized muscles, cGMP, IBMX or zaprinast significantly inhibited the Ca(2+)-induced contraction. These results suggest that IBMX and zaprinast inhibit muscle contraction in the ileal longitudinal smooth muscles mainly through an increase in cGMP and the inhibitory mechanism of IBMX or zaprinast is involved in the decreases in the [Ca2+]i level and sensitivity of contractile elements to Ca2+.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Animals; Calcium; Carbachol; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Detergents; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Nitroprusside; Octoxynol; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Potassium; Purinones; Type C Phospholipases; Vasodilator Agents

The stimulation of NMDA receptor increased [3H]GABA release from preloaded cultured retina cells. This effect appears to be mediated by NO production, since addition of L-NA reduces NMDA-evoked [3H]GABA release. Spermine/NO complex, an NO donor, mimics the effect produced by NMDA. The addition of zaprinast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, as well as 8-Br-cGMP enhances the NMDA-evoked [3H]GABA release. These results agree with the existence in chick retina cells of NO/cGMP pathways and support a role for NO in NMDA-evoked events. The activation of this receptor complex through maturative stages of the retina together with the NO-mediated increase in GABA release may account for NMDA differentiative effect in culturing retina cells.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Chick Embryo; Cyclic GMP; Dizocilpine Maleate; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Isoquinolines; N-Methylaspartate; Nitric Oxide; Nitroarginine; Nitrogen Oxides; Purinones; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Retina; Spermine; Tritium

Cardiac endothelium releases a number of factors that may modulate performance of underlying cardiac muscle. Nitric oxide (NO), which accounts for the biological activity of the vascular endothelium-derived relaxing factor and relaxes vascular smooth muscle by elevating intracellular cGMP, may be involved in this cardiac modulation.. We examined the myocardial contractile effects of the NO-releasing nitrovasodilators sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1), and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP); of a cGMP analogue, 8-bromo-cGMP; and of the cGMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast in isolated cat papillary muscle. Modulation of these effects by endocardial endothelium (EE) and by cholinergic and adrenergic stimulation was also investigated. Concentration-response curves with addition of NO-releasing nitrovasodilators (SNP, SIN-1, SNAP) and 8-bromo-cGMP resulted in a biphasic inotropic response. Although administration of low concentrations induced a positive inotropic effect, higher concentrations induced a negative inotropic effect. Both NO-induced positive and negative inotropic effects were attenuated by methylene blue, suggesting a role for cGMP. The response to high concentrations of 8-bromo-cGMP was shifted to the right in muscles with damaged EE, whereas cholinergic stimulation shifted the curve leftward. Zaprinast caused a monophasic concentration-dependent positive inotropic effect; damaging the EE shifted the terminal portion of the curve upward. Concomitant cholinergic or adrenergic stimulation modified the response to zaprinast into a negative inotropic response.. NO and cGMP induced a concentration-dependent biphasic contractile response. The myocardial contractile effects of NO and cGMP were modulated by the status of EE and by concomitant cholinergic or adrenergic stimulation.

Topics: Animals; Cats; Cyclic GMP; Endothelium, Vascular; In Vitro Techniques; Molsidomine; Myocardial Contraction; Nitric Oxide; Nitroprusside; Penicillamine; Purinones; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine

1. While exposure of smooth muscle cells to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) leads to the development of tolerance to soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activation, the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon in intact cells remain unclear. In the present study, possible mechanisms of tolerance were investigated in a cell culture model where sGC activity was estimated from the accumulation of cyclic GMP in response to 10 microM SNP over a 15 min period in the presence of a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. 2. Pretreatment of rat aortic smooth muscle cells with 10-500 microM SNP led to a dose-dependent downregulation of cyclic GMP accumulation upon subsequent SNP stimulation. This effect was evident as early as 2 h following incubation with 10 microM SNP, reached a plateau at 4 h and was blocked by co-incubation with 30 microM oxyhaemoglobin. 3. Pretreatment of smooth muscle cells with the PDE inhibitor, zaprinast, resulted in downregulation of the SNP-induced cyclic GMP accumulation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, that was first evident after 12 h. Moreover, while the zaprinast-induced downregulation of cyclic GMP accumulation was completely inhibited by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89, tolerance to SNP was partially reversed by H89. 4. beta 1 sGC steady state mRNA levels of S-nitroso N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)- or 8Br-cyclic GMP-pretreated cells were unchanged, as indicated by Northern blot analysis. However, Western blot analysis revealed that alpha 1 protein levels were decreased in zaprinast, but not in SNP, SNAP or 8Br-cyclic GMP pretreated cells. 5. While thiol depletion did not prevent the development of tolerance, pretreatment of cells with SNP in the presence of reducing agents partially or completely restored the ability of cells to respond to SNP. 6. We conclude that tolerance to SNP results from two distinct mechanisms: an early onset, NO-mediated event that is reversed by reducing agents and a more delayed, PKA-sensitive process that is mediated through increases in cyclic GMP and a decrease in sGC protein levels.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Antioxidants; Aorta; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Tolerance; Ethylmaleimide; Isoquinolines; Maleates; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Nitroprusside; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sulfhydryl Reagents; Sulfonamides; Vasodilator Agents

Differentiation of murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells induced by hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) and DMSO was inhibited by several structurally unrelated nitric oxide (NO)-releasing agents and two membrane-permeable cGMP analogues. Since the effect of the NO-releasing agents was augmented by a cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, at least some of their effect appeared to be mediated by activation of cytosolic guanylate cyclase. The drugs did not globally block differentiation since hemin-induced differentiation was undisturbed. In HMBA-treated cells, the NO-releasing agents and cGMP analogues reduced beta-globin and delta-aminolevulinate synthetase mRNA expression and inhibited the late down-regulation of c-myb mRNA that is required for HMBA-induced differentiation of MEL cells; the regulation of c-myc mRNA was not changed by the drugs. Nuclear run-off analyses showed that the drugs inhibited the HMBA-induced changes in beta-globin and c-myb transcription rates, and transient transfection of a reporter gene construct demonstrated that the drugs inhibited HMBA-inducible enhancer function of the alpha-globin control region, which contains binding sites for the erythroid transcription factors NF-E2 and GATA-1. The NO-releasing agents and cGMP analogues largely prevented HMBA-induced increases in DNA binding of NF-E2, whereas DNA binding of GATA-1 and SP-1 was not affected. The inhibition of erythroid gene expression by NO and cGMP analogues may be physiologically important under conditions of high NO production by endothelial cells and macrophages, i.e. during acute or chronic inflammation.

Topics: 5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase; Acetamides; Animals; Base Sequence; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Cell Nucleus; Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase; Cyclic GMP; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; DNA-Binding Proteins; Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; GATA1 Transcription Factor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Globins; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Molsidomine; NF-E2 Transcription Factor; NF-E2 Transcription Factor, p45 Subunit; Nitric Oxide; Nuclear Proteins; Oligonucleotide Probes; Oncogenes; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb; Purinones; Recombinant Proteins; RNA, Messenger; Thionucleotides; Trans-Activators; Transcription Factors; Transcription, Genetic; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The role of cGMP as a second messenger for renin secretion is contentious. This was investigated using a superfused collagenase-dispersed rat kidney cortex cell preparation devoid of indirect influences on renin secretion. Nitroprusside, atriopeptin II and 8-Br-cGMP all increased renin release but the dose-response relationships were biphasic. At low dose ranges there was a positive correlation between increasing drug concentration and renin secretion, but at high drug concentrations, a negative correlation was apparent. Methylene blue, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, also suppressed baseline renin release at 10(-5) and 10(-6) M, but stimulated release at 10(-3) M. Using mid-range drug concentrations, the cGMP specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor MB22948 potentiated renin release in response to nitroprusside and 8-Br-cGMP. Inhibition of guanylate cyclase with either methylene blue or LY83583 attenuated renin release in response to nitroprusside, but, as expected, had no effect on 8-Br-cGMP induced release. We conclude that, under physiological conditions, cGMP is a stimulatory second messenger for renin release. This activity is mimicked at low dose ranges by 8-Br-cGMP, nitroprusside and atriopeptin II. In response to high doses of these drugs an unknown inhibitory pathway is activated and this opposes, in a dose-related manner, the stimulatory actions of cGMP for renin release.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Aminoquinolines; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cyclic GMP; Guanylate Cyclase; In Vitro Techniques; Kidney Cortex; Methylene Blue; Nitroprusside; Peptide Fragments; Purinones; Rats; Renin; Second Messenger Systems

The ability of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) to modify synaptic transmission was investigated in area CA1 of the rat hippocampal slice. The NO donors S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and S-nitrosoglutathione (SNOG) depressed field excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked by low frequency stimulation of the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway. Upon washout of the NO donors, synaptic transmission rapidly returned to control levels. A similar reversible synaptic depression was produced by SNAP when tetanic stimulation (100 Hz; 1 s) was delivered in its presence. The effect of SNAP was not mimicked by its precursor or breakdown product and was blocked by haemoglobin, indicating that the effect involved NO. Roussin's black salt, a photolabile NO donor, also depressed transiently field excitatory postsynaptic potentials following photolysis. The depression was induced rapidly following a flash of UV light (20 s duration) focused onto the slice using a confocal microscope. The depressant effect of the NO donors on synaptic transmission was mimicked by zaprinast, a specific cGMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Zaprinast depressed to a similar extent both the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated components of excitatory postsynaptic currents without affecting passive membrane properties, indicating a presynaptic locus of action. SNAP, SNOG and zaprinast all elevated cGMP levels in rat hippocampal slices. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that the cGMP accumulation was mainly in a network of varicose fibres running throughout the CA1 region, consistent with a presynaptic site of action of NO. We conclude that NO, possibly through activation of guanylate cyclase, may be involved in transient presynaptic depression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Cyclic GMP; Electric Stimulation; Evoked Potentials; Female; Glutathione; Hippocampus; Immunochemistry; In Vitro Techniques; Nitric Oxide; Nitroso Compounds; Penicillamine; Photolysis; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Wistar; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; S-Nitrosoglutathione; Synaptic Transmission

Platelets have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, antiplatelet effects of cyclic GMP (cGMP)- and cyclic AMP (cAMP)-mediated agents were evaluated in renal ischemia in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Renal ischemia was induced by unilateral occlusion of the left renal artery (40 min) followed by reperfusion (30 min) with the contralateral kidney serving as control. 111Indium-labeled platelets, drugs or vehicle were administered 30 min before induction of renal ischemia. Occlusion of the left renal artery for 20, 40 or 60 min resulted in a 100, 300 and 600% increase (over contralateral right kidney) in the platelet-associated 111indium activity in the ischemic kidney. In all subsequent studies the kidney was occluded for 40 min to test the antiplatelet activity of individual agents. 8-Br-cGMP (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/min i.v.), zaprinast (0.1 mg/kg/min i.v.) and sodium nitroprusside (0.003 and 0.01 mg/kg/min i.v.) significantly attenuated platelet accumulation in renal ischemia, whereas 8-Br-cAMP (0.3 mg/kg/min i.v.) or milrinone (0.1 mg/kg i.v. bolus, plus 0.01 mg/kg/min) did not. Minoxidil (0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg/min i.v.), a vasodilator which produced equihypotensive effects as the cGMP-mediated agents, and milrinone failed to prevent platelet accumulation. These results demonstrate that modulation of the platelet function by cGMP agents can be dissociated from their blood pressure lowering effects. cGMP is known to inhibit both platelet adhesion and aggregation, whereas cAMP is only active against aggregation. The present findings provide further evidence that cGMP-mediated drugs may afford effective antiplatelet action in an in vivo model of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Animals; Blood Platelets; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Ischemia; Kidney; Male; Nitroprusside; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Purinones; Rats; Reperfusion

We have investigated the role played by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (EC 3.1.4.17) in the control of T-lymphocyte response to mitogenic agents by their ability to influence the cellular level of cAMP. The importance of this messenger as a negative regulator in this cell type is well established. Multiple isoenzymes of phosphodiesterase were fractionated from the cytosol of rat thymic lymphocytes by high performance liquid chromatography on an anion exchange column. In addition to the type II, III, IV isoforms that we have already described [Valette et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 169:864-872 (1990)], a phosphodiesterase fraction sharing several of the characteristics of type V, cGMP-binding phosphodiesterase, was detected. Non-isoform-selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterase such as dipyridamole, papaverine, and methyl-isobutylxanthine were able to totally prevent the proliferative response of thymocytes to stimulation by the mitogenic lectin concanavalin A. In contrast, the selective inhibitor of type IV phosphodiesterases rolipram induced a rather moderate inhibition of proliferation, not exceeding 60%; and the selective inhibitors of type III and type V phosphodiesterases, milrinone and M&B 22,948, respectively, displayed only marginal inhibitory effects. The association of the type III and IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors produced synergistic inhibition of proliferation, which could then be almost totally suppressed. These inhibitory effects on cell multiplication were reflected at the level of the cell cAMP content; only rolipram was able to induce a significant (approximately 50%) increase in cAMP, and this increase was potentiated by the presence of milrinone, reaching almost 100%. The type V phosphodiesterase selective inhibitor M&B 22,948 displayed similar properties to those of milrinone, which suggests that it indirectly inhibited the type III, cGMP-inhibitable isoenzyme, by inducing a cGMP rise. This hypothesis was supported by evidence of a significant raising effect of M&B 22,948 on cGMP level, and by the ability of a cGMP-elevating agent, sodium nitroprusside, to mimic the synergistic effects of milrinone associated with rolipram. Furthermore, 8-bromo-cGMP, a potent activator of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, which showed only weak inhibitory effects on thymic type III phosphodiesterase, failed to alter the effects of rolipram on the cell proliferation. These results allow us to delineate a role for types III, IV, and V phosp

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Concanavalin A; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Cytosol; In Vitro Techniques; Isoenzymes; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Milrinone; Nitroprusside; Purinones; Pyridones; Pyrrolidinones; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rolipram; T-Lymphocytes

Experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that enteric inhibitory neurotransmission in pyloric muscles is mediated by NO. Junction potentials were recorded with intracellular microelectrodes from cells near the myenteric and submucosal surfaces of the circular muscle layer. Inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) were apamin sensitive and were reduced by arginine analogues [NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)]. The effects of arginine analogues were reversed by L-arginine. Inhibition of IJPs unmasked excitatory JPs (EJPs) in the myenteric region and increased excitability of cells in the submucosal region. IJPs were also reduced by oxyhemoglobin. As with arginine analogues, reduction in IJPs increased EJP amplitude. Combination of L-NAME and oxyhemoglobin completely blocked IJPs, suggesting that NO, or an NO-containing compound, mediated the enteric inhibitory nerve responses. Exogenous NO hyperpolarized membrane potential, and these responses were also reduced by apamin. The magnitude of the responses to a given dose of NO was similar in cells of the myenteric and submucosal regions, suggesting that relatively smaller IJPs in submucosal cells may be due to a lower density of enteric inhibitory innervation in the submucosal region. The effects of NO were mimicked by 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and M & B 22948, a specific cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, suggesting that the hyperpolarization response to NO may be mediated by enhanced production of cGMP. IJPs were also prolonged by M & B 22948. IJPs and NO disrupted normal electrical rhythmicity in cells in the myenteric region. This may provide a basis for inhibitory effects of enteric inhibitory nerve stimulation on sphincter pressure in pyloric canal in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Arginine; Cyclic GMP; Dogs; Duodenum; Electric Stimulation; Female; Gastric Mucosa; In Vitro Techniques; Intercellular Junctions; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Membrane Potentials; Muscle, Smooth; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; omega-N-Methylarginine; Oxyhemoglobins; Phentolamine; Propranolol; Purinones; Pylorus; Stomach; Tetrodotoxin

1. Nitric oxide (NO) may serve as a non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) neurotransmitter released from enteric inhibitory nerves in the gastrointestinal tract. We tested whether guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) may serve as a second messenger in transducing the NO signal into inhibitory junction potentials (i.j.ps) and relaxation in the canine proximal colon. 2. The membrane permeable analogue of cyclic GMP, 8-bromo cyclic GMP (8-Br-cyclic GMP) mimicked the effects of NO by hyperpolarizing cells near the myenteric border of the circular muscle layer and shortening slow waves in cells near the submucosal surface of the circular muscle layer. 8-Br-cGMP also inhibited spontaneous phasic contractions. 3. The specific cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, M&B 22948, hyperpolarized cells near the myenteric border and prolonged the duration of i.j.ps. M&B 22948 also inhibited phasic contractile activity. 4. Methylene blue failed to reduce significantly the amplitude and duration of i.j.ps and had variable effects on contractions. 5. Cyclic GMP levels were assayed in unstimulated muscles and in muscles exposed to exogenous NO and electrical field stimulation. Both stimuli hyperpolarized membrane potential, inhibited contractions, and elevated cyclic GMP levels. 6. Treatment of muscles with L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increased spontaneous contractile activity and lowered cyclic GMP levels. The inhibitory effect of M&B 22948 on contractions was greatly reduced after muscles were treated with L-NAME. 7. These data support the concept that the effects of NANC nerve stimulation and NO (which may be one of the enteric inhibitory transmitters) may be mediated by cyclic GMP.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Arginine; Autonomic Nervous System; Colon; Cyclic GMP; Dogs; Electric Stimulation; Female; Gastrointestinal Motility; Male; Methylene Blue; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Relaxation; Muscle, Smooth; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Purinones; Signal Transduction; Synaptic Transmission

1. The possible roles of the L-arginine-NO pathway and of guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in regulating the prejunctional release of noradrenaline and neurogenic vasoconstriction were investigated in the perfused rat tail artery. 2. In the presence of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 30 microM), an inhibitor of NO formation, the vasoconstrictor responses to perivascular nerve stimulation (24 pulses at 0.4 Hz, 0.3 ms, 200 mA) and to exogenous noradrenaline (1 microM) were significantly enhanced, whereas the stimulation-evoked tritium overflow from [3H]-noradrenaline preloaded arteries was not modified. The vasoconstriction enhancing effect of L-NAME was prevented by L-arginine (1 mM) but not D-arginine (1 mM) and was abolished by removal of the endothelium. 3. The NO donor, 3-morpholinosydnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1; 0.1-30 microM), and the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast (0.1-30 microM) both induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the electrical field stimulation-induced vasoconstriction, while atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; 100 nM) produced only a slight decrease of the vasoconstrictor response. Methylene blue (3 microM), a known inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase increased the electrical field stimulation-induced vasoconstriction. SIN-1 and methylene blue when administered simultaneously, antagonized each others effect. None of the compounds tested (SIN-1, zaprinast, ANP or methylene blue) had any significant effect on the stimulation-evoked [3H]-noradrenaline overflow. 4. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP, a potent activator of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, markedly and concentration-dependently (3-300 microM) increased [3H]-noradrenaline overflow but decreased field stimulation-induced vasoconstriction. Dibutyryl-cyclic GMP (100 JM), a weak activator of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, affected neither the pre- nor the postjunctional response to electrical field stimulation.5. These data show that an NO-like substance of endothelial origin, derived from L-arginine, attenuates vasoconstriction in the rat tail artery, whether neurally-induced or evoked by exogenous noradrenaline.Since noradrenaline release was unaltered by compounds modifying NO production, this NO-like compound acted through a postjunctional mechanism. The lack of prejunctional effects of both soluble and membrane-associated guanylate cyclase activators, despite a large effect of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP,suggests that endogenou

Topics: Animals; Arginine; Arteries; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cyclic GMP; Electric Stimulation; Endothelium, Vascular; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Methylene Blue; Molsidomine; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Norepinephrine; Purinones; Rats; Tail; Vasoconstriction; Vasodilator Agents

Previously we showed that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) decreases cardiac cell volume by inhibiting ion uptake by Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport. Digital video microscopy was used to study the role of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) in this process in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Each cell served as its own control, and relative cell volumes (volume(test)/volume(control)) were determined. Exposure to 10 microM 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP) reversibly decreased cell volume to 0.892 +/- 0.007; the ED50 was 0.77 +/- 0.33 microM. Activating guanylate cyclase with 100 microM sodium nitroprusside also decreased cell volume to 0.889 +/- 0.009. In contrast, 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-Br-AMP; 0.01-100 microM) neither altered cell volume directly nor modified the response to 8-Br-cGMP. The idea that cGMP decreases cell volume by inhibiting Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport was tested by blocking the cotransporter with 10 microM bumetanide (BUM) and removing the transported ions. After BUM treatment, 10 microM 8-Br-cGMP failed to decrease cell volume. Replacement of Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine or Cl- with methanesulfonate also prevented 8-Br-cGMP from shrinking cells. The data suggest that 8-Br-cGMP, like ANF, decreases ventricular cell volume by inhibiting Na+/K+/2Cl-cotransport. Evidence that ANF modulates cell volume via cGMP was also obtained. Pretreatment with 10 microM 8-Br-cGMP prevented the effect of 1 microM ANF on cell volume, and ANF suppressed 8-Br-cGMP-induced cell shrinkage. Inhibiting guanylate cyclase with the quinolinedione LY83583 (10 microM) diminished ANF-induced cell shrinkage, and inhibiting cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase with M&B22948 (Zaprinast; 100 microM) amplified the volume decrease caused by a low dose of ANF (0.01 microM) approximately fivefold. In contrast, neither 100 microM 8-Br-cAMP nor 50 microM forskolin affected the response to ANF. The effects of ANF, LY83583, and M&B29948 on cGMP levels in isolated ventricular myocytes were confirmed by 125I-cGMP radioimmunoassay. These data argue that ANF shrinks cardiac cells by increasing intracellular cGMP, thereby inhibiting Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport. Basal cGMP levels also appear to modulate cell volume.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Aminoquinolines; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Chlorides; Cyclic GMP; Guanylate Cyclase; In Vitro Techniques; Myocardium; Potassium; Purinones; Rabbits; Second Messenger Systems; Sodium; SRS-A

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Cell Membrane; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Electric Conductivity; Ion Channels; Leeches; Purinones; Salivary Glands

Down-regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors was investigated using a cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cell line. Endothelial cells have been shown to possess two subtypes of ANP receptors, a guanylate cyclase-coupled receptor (B-receptor) and a clearance receptor (C-receptor). The treatment with APIII, rat ANP (103-126), at concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-6) M for 24 h, resulted in a significantly (p less than 0.01) greater decrease in maximum 125I-APIII binding to CPAE cells than the identical concentration of API, rat ANP (103-123). APIII at concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-6) M stimulated cyclic GMP (cGMP) production 3.3-17.5-fold greater than similar concentrations of API. From these findings, we hypothesized that cGMP produced following ANP binding to the B-receptor participates in ANP receptor regulation. M&B 22948, a selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase, significantly (p less than 0.01) potentiated the effect of both API and APIII on 125I-APIII binding, while M&B 22948 itself had no significant effect on 125I-APIII binding. Treatment of the cells with 1 mM 8-bromo-cGMP also significantly (p less than 0.01) decreased 125I-APIII binding to the cells, and a potentiation of this effect was observed by M&B 22948. Scatchard analysis of binding data from 8-bromo-cGMP-treated cells showed a significant decrease in Bmax (1.79 +/- 0.15 to 1.20 +/- 0.07 fmol/mg protein, p less than 0.05) without a significant change in Kd. Affinity cross-linking of 125I-APIII to 8-bromo-cGMP-treated cells showed a decrease in the labeling of 60- and 70-kDa bands corresponding to the C-receptor. In addition, the APIII-stimulated cGMP response remained unchanged in the 8-bromo-cGMP-treated cells, indicating that the B-receptor was not down-regulated. We conclude that cGMP regulates ANP-binding sites on the endothelial cell and that the evidence indicates that the C-receptor may preferentially be down-regulated by cGMP in CPAE cells.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Autoradiography; Cattle; Cell Line; Cross-Linking Reagents; Cyclic GMP; Down-Regulation; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Endothelium, Vascular; Purinones; Rats; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Receptors, Cell Surface

1. In the present study the effects of M&B 22,948, a guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor and of 8-bromo cyclic GMP were examined on the synthesis of dopamine from L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in rat cortical slices and in whole kidney homogenates. The deamination of newly-formed dopamine into 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was also studied. The assay of L-DOPA, dopamine, noradrenaline and DOPAC was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) with electrochemical detection. 2. Incubation of renal slices and homogenates of whole kidney with exogenous L-DOPA (0.1-10.0 microM) resulted in a concentration-dependent formation of both dopamine and DOPAC. 3. The addition of M&B 22,948 (10 microM) to the incubation medium resulted in a marked reduction in the accumulation of both newly-formed dopamine and DOPAC in kidney slices; the inhibitory effect of M&B 22,948 on DOPAC formation was greater than that on dopamine. 8-Bromo cyclic GMP (250 microM) produced only a slight decrease in the tissue levels of newly-formed dopamine (5-13% reduction), but was found to decrease significantly (51-68% reduction) the formation of DOPAC in kidney slices. The addition of 8-bromo cyclic GMP plus M&B 22,948 to the incubation medium resulted in similar effects to those described for M&B 22,948 alone. 4. In kidney homogenates, in contrast to results observed in kidney slices, M&B 22,948 (10 microM) and 8-bromo cyclic GMP (250 microM) were found to affect neither the formation of dopamine nor its deamination to DOPAC. 5. In conclusion, the results presented here suggest that cyclic GMP may be involved in the regulation of dopamine synthesis, probably through the control of the entry of L-DOPA into the tubular epithelial cells.

Topics: Animals; Cyclic GMP; Dopamine; In Vitro Techniques; Kidney; Levodopa; Purinones; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

The role of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in mediating relaxation of canine trachealis produced by nitrovasodilators (NVDs), compounds that activate guanylate cyclase, was examined. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the canine trachealis that was accompanied by a concentration-related increase in cGMP content. In time course studies, relaxation of isolated trachealis strips induced by 30 microM SNP was paralleled by an increase in cGMP that reached a maximum of 18-fold above basal levels within 2 min. Zaprinast, an inhibitor of the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase, potentiated both SNP-induced relaxation and cGMP accumulation. A cell-permeable analog of cGMP, 8-bromo-cGMP, mimicked the relaxant effects of SNP. Also assessed were the effects of methylene blue, an agent that inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase activity, and hemoglobin, an agent that competitively binds NO-containing compounds. In these experiments, tissues were pretreated with the above agents for 10 min, contracted with 1 or 3 microM methacholine, and then relaxed by the cumulative addition of SNP or two other NVDs, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Tissues were flash-frozen after adding the final concentration of the various NVDs and assayed for cGMP. Methylene blue and hemoglobin suppressed both cGMP accumulation and relaxation in response to SNAP and GTN. in contrast, methylene blue and hemoglobin inhibited SNP-induced cGMP accumulation but, paradoxically, potentiated SNP-induced relaxation. The results of this study generally support a role for cGMP in NVD-induced relaxation of airway smooth muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Cyclic GMP; Dogs; Drug Synergism; Female; Guanylate Cyclase; Hemoglobins; Isoproterenol; Male; Methylene Blue; Muscle Relaxation; Nitroglycerin; Nitroprusside; Penicillamine; Purinones; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; Time Factors; Trachea; Vasodilator Agents

Increases in cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate content accompany relaxation of isolated strips of opossum and canine lower oesophageal sphincter muscle. The aim of this investigation was to characterise these responses in isolated muscle from the human lower oesophageal sphincter. Electrical stimulation of enteric neurons produced a frequency dependent relaxation of the human lower oesophageal sphincter that was sensitive to tetrodotoxin. Furthermore, as previously shown in the opossum and canine lower oesophageal sphincter, cyclic guanosine monophosphate content was significantly raised in muscle strips frozen during maximum electrical field stimulation whereas cyclic adenosine monophosphate content was unchanged. In addition, sodium nitroprusside (EC50 = 0.1 microM) produced a concentration dependent relaxation of human lower oesophageal sphincter, significantly increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate content, but did not alter cyclic adenosine monophosphate content. Zaprinast (M&B 22948) and SK&F 94120, selective inhibitors of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterases, respectively, both relaxed human lower oesophageal sphincter with a potency similar to that seen in the dog or opossum lower oesophageal sphincter. Finally, the 8-bromo analogues of both cyclic adenosine monophosphate (EC50 = 420 microM) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (EC50 = 100 microM) relaxed the human lower oesophageal sphincter. These studies suggest that in the human, as well as the canine and opossum lower oesophageal sphincter, increases in cyclic nucleotide content are associated with relaxation and increases in cyclic guanosine monophosphate are associated with the relaxation induced by stimulation of enteric neurons.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Electric Stimulation; Esophagogastric Junction; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Muscle Relaxation; Nitroprusside; Nucleotides, Cyclic; Purinones; Pyrazines; Tetrodotoxin

Previous studies in our laboratory showed that ANP inhibits increases in endothelial monolayer permeability to macromolecules induced by thrombin. In this present study, we investigated the second messenger system involved in the influence of ANP on monolayer permeability. In bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), ANP (100 nM) caused increased cGMP levels which were measurable at 30 sec and maximal at 3 min. Addition of 8-bromo cGMP (1 mM) to BAEC monolayers mimicked the actions of ANP by inhibiting thrombin- mediated increases in permeability to [125I]-labeled bovine serum albumin. Inhibition of increases in permeability by lower concentrations of ANP was enhanced by the cGMP-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, M&B 22948 (100 microM). The use of ANP structural analogs which stimulate cGMP production (AP III or BNP) prevented thrombin-induced increases in monolayer permeability, whereas AP-I, which does not increase cGMP levels, was ineffective.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Aorta; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cattle; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cyclic GMP; Endothelium, Vascular; Kinetics; Purinones; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Structure-Activity Relationship; Thrombin

We examined, in isolated blood perfused rat lungs, the effect of the cell permeable 8-bromo derivative of cGMP on pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by either alveolar hypoxia or angiotensin II. 8-Bromo cGMP dose-dependently reduced both hypoxia-(IC50 = 2.2 X 10(-5) M) and angiotensin-II-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (IC50 = 5.0 X 10(-5) M). This effect of 8-bromo cGMP on pulmonary vasoconstriction was not affected by cyclooxygenase blockade. M & B 22948 (0.1 mM), an inhibitor of cGMP-phosphodiesterase, reduced synergistically with 8-bromo cGMP the hypoxia or angiotensin-II-induced vasoconstriction. The cGMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor M & B 22948, by itself, selectively reduced hypoxia-induced vasoconstriction, suggesting a modulating effect of endogenous cGMP during hypoxic vasoconstriction.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Angiotensin II; Animals; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hypoxia; Lung; Male; Meclofenamic Acid; Purinones; Rats; Vasoconstriction

Electrical field stimulation (EFS) of isolated strips of opossum lower esophageal sphincter (LES) produced a relaxation that was accompanied by an elevation of intracellular cyclic GMP content. In order to compare the time dependence of the EFS-induced relaxation with that of the elevation of cyclic GMP, the ability of EFS to produce relaxation and increase cyclic GMP was measured. The results of these experiments showed that cyclic GMP content increased before the onset of relaxation. Cumulative addition of atriopeptin II, an activator of particulate guanylate cyclase, produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of this tissue and increased cyclic GMP content. In other experiments, zaprinast, an inhibitor of a cyclic GMP selective-phosphodiesterase, produced a concentration-related relaxation of opossum LES and increased cyclic GMP content. However, pretreatment with zaprinast (3 microM) did not potentiate the EFS-induced relaxation or the increase in cyclic GMP content. At this concentration, however, zaprinast increased the basal content of cyclic GMP. Finally, 8-Br-cyclic GMP, a membrane-permeable analog of cyclic GMP, produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of isolated strips of opossum LES. In conclusion, these data extend the initial findings that an elevation in cyclic GMP content is associated with relaxation and suggest that cyclic GMP is a potential intracellular messenger of neurally- and drug-induced relaxation of opossum LES.

Topics: Animals; Cyclic GMP; Electric Stimulation; Esophagogastric Junction; Female; Male; Methylene Blue; Muscle Relaxation; Nitroprusside; Opossums; Purinones