Biomaterial Database

Endotoxin-induced nonendothelial nitric oxide activates the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. 1994

H Miyoshi, and Y Nakaya

Second Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.

Endotoxin induces an enzyme that synthesizes nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine (NO synthase) in vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in nonendothelial NO release. In this study, we measured the NO release and its intracellular action on the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel (KCa channel) in cultured smooth muscle cells of porcine coronary artery using a newly-developed porphyrinic-based microsensor and the patch-clamp technique. In smooth muscle cells pretreated with endotoxin, extracellular application of 10(-4) M L-arginine increased NO release, which induced rapid and prolonged activation of the KCa channel. This activation was only partially blocked by application of 10(-5) M 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-oxyl 3-oxide, which neutralizes NO. NO formation and activation of the KCa channel were suppressed by pretreatment with 10(-3) M NG-methyl-L-arginine or 10(-3) M N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, each of which is a specific antagonist of the L-arginine-NO pathway. One micromolar methylene blue, a blocker of guanylate cyclase, inhibited L-arginine-induced activation of the KCa channel. The effect of nitroprusside in opening the KCa channel was transient, although it induced production of larger amounts of NO in the bath. These results suggest that the endotoxin-induced and L-arginine pathway generates NO and directly modulates the KCa channel intracellularly in an autocrine manner.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007093	Imidazoles	Compounds containing 1,3-diazole, a five membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms separated by one of the carbons. Chemically reduced ones include IMIDAZOLINES and IMIDAZOLIDINES. Distinguish from 1,2-diazole (PYRAZOLES).
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
D009569	Nitric Oxide	A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP.	Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
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
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D003497	Cyclic N-Oxides	Heterocyclic compounds in which an oxygen is attached to a cyclic nitrogen.	Heterocyclic N-Oxides,Cyclic N Oxides,Heterocyclic N Oxides,N Oxides, Cyclic,N-Oxides, Cyclic,N-Oxides, Heterocyclic,Oxides, Cyclic N
D004731	Endotoxins	Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells.	Endotoxin
D004790	Enzyme Induction	An increase in the rate of synthesis of an enzyme due to the presence of an inducer which acts to derepress the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis.	Induction, Enzyme
D000594	Amino Acid Oxidoreductases	A class of enzymes that catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions of amino acids.	Acid Oxidoreductases, Amino,Oxidoreductases, Amino Acid