15-hydroperoxy-5-8-11-13-eicosatetraenoic-acid and Hypercholesterolemia

The lipoxygenase product 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) was shown to be the most important eicosanoid formed in the atherosclerotic rabbit aorta. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of 15-HETE and its hydroperoxy precursor 15-HpETE with those of other vasoconstrictor and vasodilator agents in arteries from rabbits fed either a control or a cholesterol-rich diet for 16 and 30 weeks. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) aggregated platelets and thrombin caused contractions of isolated rabbit aortas. The contractile responses elicited by platelets from control animals were similar to those evoked by platelets from atherosclerotic rabbits. After 16 weeks of hypercholesterolemia, the contractile responses were either augmented (5-HT), unchanged (platelets) or reduced (thrombin). After 30 weeks of hypercholesterolemia, the responses to all contractile agents used had decreased. In both aortas and pulmonary arteries the endothelium-dependent relaxations to the calcium ionophore, A23167, and to acetylcholine were progressively lost and the endothelium-independent relaxations to nitroglycerin were reduced by the progressing hypercholesterolemia. The 15-lipoxygenase metabolites contracted the isolated thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery from control rabbits and to a lesser extent those of the cholesterol-fed rabbits. After raising the tone in these vessels with prostaglandin F2 alpha PGF2 alpha) or noradrenaline, 15-HpETE induced relaxations which were not significantly influenced by the development of fatty streaks. Our data illustrate that the contractions of the blood vessel wall to 15-HETE, like those to other vasoconstrictors, are markedly reduced by developing atherosclerosis. In contrast, the relaxations to 15-HpETE in the rabbit arteries remain unaltered after 16 to 30 weeks of hypercholesterolemia. This is unlike the reactions to other vasodilators, which are markedly reduced.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Arteriosclerosis; Calcimycin; Dinoprost; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypercholesterolemia; In Vitro Techniques; Leukotrienes; Lipid Peroxides; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Nitroglycerin; Platelet Aggregation; Rabbits; Thrombin; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Vasodilator Agents

In isolated canine saphenous veins, the contractions elicited by the 15-lipoxygenase metabolites 15-HETE and 15-HPETE were augmented by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in a concentration-dependent way. This potentiation was not mediated by the endothelium nor was it influenced by the 5-HT2-antagonist ketanserin. Phentolamine, however, reduced both the contractions and the potentiation by 5-HT. These data provide evidence for a receptor-mediated potentiation by 5-HT which occurs independently of 5-HT2-receptors. The interaction between 5-HT or aggregating platelets and 15-HPETE was studied in isolated rabbit brachiocephalic arteries. Threshold concentrations of 5-HT and platelets markedly potentiated the contractions elicited by 15-HPETE. In brachiocephalic arteries obtained from cholesterol-fed rabbits, 15-HPETE, 5-HT and platelets caused contractions similar to those obtained in control rabbits. The potentiating effect of 5-HT and platelets on the 15-HPETE-induced contractions was also comparable to that observed in control rabbits. Moreover, no difference was found between control platelets and platelets obtained from hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Our findings demonstrate a positive interaction between 5-HT and 15-lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid in arteries and veins. This interaction persists in atherosclerotic arteries and could indicate that this mechanism is involved in the genesis of vasospasm.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Arachidonic Acids; Body Weight; Dogs; Female; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypercholesterolemia; In Vitro Techniques; Ketanserin; Leukotrienes; Lipid Peroxides; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Phentolamine; Rabbits; Saphenous Vein; Serotonin; Vasoconstrictor Agents