Role of cyclic nucleotides in relaxation of fetal lamb ductus arteriosus. 1987

R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer

Although prostaglandin E1 is used to dilate the constricted ductus arteriosus in infants with cyanotic heart disease, the mechanism is unknown. To test the hypothesis that the cyclic nucleotides adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) play a role in relaxation, isolated rings of the ductus arteriosus of fetal lambs were studied. Tension of isometric contraction was measured by force displacement transducers. After contraction with oxygen, a control group was compared with rings in which the stimulus for relaxation was either nitrogen gas, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), nitroglycerin (NTG), or nitroprusside (NPS). During relaxation, tissue was frozen at 30 seconds and at 1, 2, and 5 minutes and analyzed for cAMP and cGMP. PGE1 (10(-6) mol/L) decreased tension by 33% compared with 70% for nitrogen gas, 81% for NTG (10(-5) mol/L), and 92% for NPS (10(-5) mol/L). The maximal relaxation induced by PGE1 was associated with an 11-fold increase in cAMP; PGE1 had no significant effect on cGMP tissue levels. Nitrogen gas, NTG, and NPS produced similar increases in cAMP, and eight-, 25-, and nine-fold increases in cGMP, respectively. These results suggest that the patency of the ductus arteriosus is dependent on activation of both guanylate cyclase and adenylate cyclase and that the nitrovasodilators may be clinically useful in maintaining patency of the ductus arteriosus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007537 Isometric Contraction Muscular contractions characterized by increase in tension without change in length. Contraction, Isometric,Contractions, Isometric,Isometric Contractions
D009131 Muscle, Smooth, Vascular The nonstriated involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels. Vascular Smooth Muscle,Muscle, Vascular Smooth,Muscles, Vascular Smooth,Smooth Muscle, Vascular,Smooth Muscles, Vascular,Vascular Smooth Muscles
D009584 Nitrogen An element with the atomic symbol N, atomic number 7, and atomic weight [14.00643; 14.00728]. Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas and makes up about 78% of the earth's atmosphere by volume. It is a constituent of proteins and nucleic acids and found in all living cells.
D009599 Nitroprusside A powerful vasodilator used in emergencies to lower blood pressure or to improve cardiac function. It is also an indicator for free sulfhydryl groups in proteins. Nitroferricyanide,Sodium Nitroprusside,Cyanonitrosylferrate,Ketostix,Naniprus,Nipride,Nipruton,Nitriate,Nitropress,Nitroprussiat Fides,Nitroprusside, Disodium Salt,Nitroprusside, Disodium Salt, Dihydrate,Disodium Salt Nitroprusside,Nitroprusside, Sodium
D004373 Ductus Arteriosus A fetal blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery with the descending aorta. Arteriosus, Ductus
D005333 Fetus The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal
D005996 Nitroglycerin A volatile vasodilator which relieves ANGINA PECTORIS by stimulating GUANYLATE CYCLASE and lowering cytosolic calcium. It is also sometimes used for TOCOLYSIS and explosives. Glyceryl Trinitrate,Anginine,Dynamite,Gilustenon,Nitrangin,Nitro-Bid,Nitro-Dur,Nitrocard,Nitroderm,Nitroderm TTS,Nitroglyn,Nitrol,Nitrolan,Nitrong,Nitrospan,Nitrostat,Perlinganit,Susadrin,Sustac,Sustak,Sustonit,Transderm Nitro,Tridil,Trinitrin,Trinitrolong,Nitro Bid,Nitro Dur,NitroBid,NitroDur,Trinitrate, Glyceryl
D006152 Cyclic GMP Guanosine cyclic 3',5'-(hydrogen phosphate). A guanine nucleotide containing one phosphate group which is esterified to the sugar moiety in both the 3'- and 5'-positions. It is a cellular regulatory agent and has been described as a second messenger. Its levels increase in response to a variety of hormones, including acetylcholine, insulin, and oxytocin and it has been found to activate specific protein kinases. (From Merck Index, 11th ed) Guanosine Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate,Guanosine Cyclic 3,5 Monophosphate,Guanosine Cyclic Monophosphate,Guanosine Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate,3',5'-Monophosphate, Guanosine Cyclic,Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate, Guanosine,Cyclic Monophosphate, Guanosine,Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate, Guanosine,GMP, Cyclic,Guanosine Cyclic 3',5' Monophosphate,Monophosphate, Guanosine Cyclic
D000242 Cyclic AMP An adenine nucleotide containing one phosphate group which is esterified to both the 3'- and 5'-positions of the sugar moiety. It is a second messenger and a key intracellular regulator, functioning as a mediator of activity for a number of hormones, including epinephrine, glucagon, and ACTH. Adenosine Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic 3,5 Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate,Cyclic AMP, (R)-Isomer,Cyclic AMP, Disodium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monoammonium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monopotassium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monosodium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Sodium Salt,3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine Cyclic,AMP, Cyclic,Adenosine Cyclic 3',5' Monophosphate,Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine,Cyclic Monophosphate, Adenosine,Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine,Monophosphate, Adenosine Cyclic
D000527 Alprostadil A potent vasodilator agent that increases peripheral blood flow. PGE1,Prostaglandin E1,Caverject,Edex,Lipo-PGE1,Minprog,Muse,PGE1alpha,Prostaglandin E1alpha,Prostavasin,Prostin VR,Prostine VR,Sugiran,Vasaprostan,Viridal,Lipo PGE1

Related Publications

R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer
May 1983, Canadian journal of biochemistry and cell biology = Revue canadienne de biochimie et biologie cellulaire,
R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer
May 1970, Experientia,
R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer
May 1983, Pediatric research,
R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer
May 2001, American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology,
R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer
March 1999, The American journal of physiology,
R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer
August 1972, Experientia,
R S Walsh, and R M Mentzer
March 1962, The American journal of physiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!