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(Circulation. 1995;91:771-775.)
© 1995 American Heart Association, Inc.


Articles

In Vivo Evidence of an Endothelin-Induced Vasopressor Tone After Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Rats

Vincent Richard, PhD; Manuela Hogie, BSc; Martine Clozel, MD; Bernd-Michael Löffler, MD, PhD; Christian Thuillez, MD, PhD

From the Department of Pharmacology, VACOMED, IFRMP, Rouen University Medical School and Rouen University Hospital, France (V.R., M.H., C.T.), and the Pharma Division, Preclinical Research, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland (M.C., B-M.L.).

Correspondence to Vincent Richard, PhD, Service de Pharmacologie, Hôpital de Bois Guillaume, CHU de Rouen, 76031 Rouen CEDEX, France.


*    Abstract
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*Abstract
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Background Continuous production of nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells permanently inhibits the synthesis and the vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin. Thus, inhibition of NO synthesis might unmask a vasopressor response to endothelin. To assess whether endothelin contributes to the pressor response induced by inhibition of NO synthesis, we tested whether bosentan, a nonpeptide antagonist of ETA and ETB endothelin receptors, affected the hypertensive response induced by the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).

Methods and Results Anesthetized rats received increasing doses of L-NAME (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1) in the absence or the presence of bosentan (3 mg · kg-1 IV 15 minutes before L-NAME). Bosentan itself did not affect blood pressure. L-NAME induced a dose-dependent increase in mean arterial pressure (percent increase from baseline after 3 mg · kg-1, 25±5%), and this was reduced by bosentan (13±3%; P<.05) or by the selective ETA antagonist BQ-123 (3 mg · kg-1: controls, 25±4%; BQ-123, 14±5%; P<.01). In contrast, bosentan did not affect the pressor response to phenylephrine (1 to 100 µg · kg-1). The response to L-NAME (3 mg · kg-1) was also reduced by bosentan in ganglion-blocked (chlorisondamine 2.5 mg · kg-1: controls, 89±10%; bosentan, 45±7%) or pithed rats (controls, 165±9%; bosentan, 85±12%; P<.01). Bosentan also inhibited the pressor response to another inhibitor of NO synthesis, NG-nitro L-arginine (3 mg · kg-1) in normal (controls, 24±5%; bosentan, 10±3%; P<.01) or ganglion-blocked (controls, 86±13%; bosentan, 25±8%; P<.01) rats. Finally, L-NAME induced a modest increase in plasma levels of endothelin-1 (controls, 26.8±4.1 pg · mL-1; L-NAME, 38.5±3.3 pg · mL-1; P<.05).

Conclusions These experiments demonstrate that inhibition of NO synthesis unmasks a tonic pressor influence of endothelin, suggesting that this peptide could play a major role in pathophysiological situations associated with an impaired formation of NO.


Key Words: endothelin • endothelium-derived factors • blood pressure


*    Introduction
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up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
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Although there is considerable evidence that vascular endothelial cells synthesize and release endothelin,1 the precise role of this vasoconstrictor peptide in the control of vascular tone in vivo remains elusive. Plasma concentrations of endothelin are low,2 and specific antagonists of endothelin receptors do not induce hypotension in normal animals.3 4 This apparent absence of endothelin-induced modification of vasomotor tone could be at least in part because the continuous production of nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells5 6 permanently inhibits the synthesis7 8 9 10 and/or the vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin.11 12 13 14 15 Thus, the vasoconstrictor effects of endogenous endothelin might be evidenced only in situations of impaired NO synthesis. If this were true, then it is possible that part of the vasoconstrictor and hypertensive effect induced by inhibitors of NO synthesis would be in fact the consequence of an unmasking of a vasomotor tone by endothelin.

Thus, the present study was designed to assess whether endogenous endothelin exerts a tonic pressor influence after inhibition of NO synthesis in rats. For this purpose, we tested whether the pressor effects induced by the L-arginine analogues NG-nitro L-arginine and NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)16 are affected by the mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonist bosentan17 or by the selective ETA antagonist BQ-123.18


*    Methods
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*Methods
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Animal Preparation
Experiments were performed in male Wistar rats (Charles River) weighing between 300 and 400 g that were anesthetized with 50 to 100 mg · kg-1 IP thiopental sodium. A tracheotomy was performed after midline neck incision, and the rats were mechanically ventilated with room air supplemented with low-flow oxygen with a small-rodent ventilator (MDI) at a rate of 60 cycles per minute and a tidal volume of 10 mL · kg-1 body weight. The respiratory rate and tidal volume were adjusted to maintain arterial blood gases within a normal range. Body temperature was maintained at 37°C with a thermostatted heating blanket connected to a rectal thermometer. The right jugular vein was cannulated for injection of drugs. The left carotid artery was cannulated, and a small Millar Mikrotip catheter (model SPR407, Millar) was inserted into the artery to measure arterial blood pressure. An ECG was also obtained with standard limb electrodes. ECG and arterial pressure were continuously recorded on a Gould Windowgraph recorder.

Protocols
Effect of Bosentan on the Pressor Response to L-NAME in Normal Rats
Experiments were performed in 24 rats. Bosentan (3 mg · kg-1, n=12) or saline (n=12) was given as a bolus (0.2 mL IV). Fifteen minutes later, increasing doses of L-NAME (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1 IV) were administered. A 15-minute period elapsed between each dose of L-NAME, and arterial pressure was measured 15 minutes after administration of each dose.

Effect of BQ-123 on the Pressor Response to L-NAME
Experiments were performed in 20 rats. BQ-123 (3 mg · kg-1, n=10) or saline (n=10) was given as a bolus (0.2 mL IV). Fifteen minutes later, increasing doses of L-NAME (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1 IV) were administered. A 15-minute period elapsed between each dose of L-NAME, and arterial pressure was measured 15 minutes after administration of each dose.

Effect of Bosentan on the Pressor Response to L-NAME in Ganglion-Blocked and Pithed Rats
Experiments were performed in 32 rats. The experimental protocol was identical to that of the previous protocol, except that rats were either ganglion-blocked by use of chlorisondamine (2.5 mg · kg-1 IV) given 15 minutes before saline (n=10) or bosentan (3 mg · kg-1; n=10) or were pithed mechanically by use of a metal rod (n=6 for saline and bosentan).

Effect of Bosentan on the Pressor Response to Phenylephrine
To verify that the effect of endothelin antagonists was not the consequence of a nonspecific inhibition of vasopressor responses, the effect of bosentan on the hypertension induced by increasing doses of the {alpha}-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine was tested in 22 rats. Fifteen minutes after administration of bosentan (3 mg · kg-1, n=11) or saline (n=11), increasing doses of phenylephrine (1 to 100 µg · kg-1) were administered through the jugular catheter. A 15-minute period elapsed between each dose of phenylephrine, and mean arterial pressure was measured at the peak hypertensive effect of each dose.

Effect of Bosentan on the Pressor Response to NG-Nitro L-Arginine
To verify that the effect of endothelin antagonists on the pressor response to L-NAME was not specific to one inhibitor of NO synthesis, we tested the effect of bosentan on the response to another L-arginine analogue, NG-nitro L-arginine, both in normal and in ganglion-blocked rats (n=8 in each group). Since NG-nitro L-arginine had a low solubility in water, we had to dissolve it in a large volume (0.5 mL) of saline. Thus, to avoid excessive hemodilution after injection of saline, only one single dose of the inhibitor (3 mg · kg-1) was used. The pressor response to NG-nitro L-arginine was assessed 30 minutes after administration.

Effect of L-NAME on Plasma Levels of Endothelin
Experiments were performed in 18 rats. Fifteen minutes after administration of bosentan (n=11) or saline (n=7), animals received increasing doses of L-NAME (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1). Fifteen minutes after the last dose, 5 mL of arterial blood was removed from the carotid artery. Blood samples were immediately centrifuged, and plasma samples were frozen for later analysis. Plasma endothelin was assessed by a specific radioimmunoassay, as described previously.19

Drugs
Bosentan (Ro 47-0203, sodium salt) was obtained from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Chlorisondamine was a gift from Ciba-Geigy. Phenylephrine, L-NAME, NG-nitro L-arginine, and big endothelin-1 were purchased from Sigma. BQ-123 (sodium salt) was purchased from Neosystem.

Data Analysis
All results are expressed as mean±SEM. Results were compared by unpaired t tests or by repeated-measures ANOVA. A value of P<=.05 was considered statistically significant.


*    Results
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Basal Values and Effect of Bosentan or BQ-123 on Blood Pressure
Baseline mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was 122±4 and 120±4 mm Hg in saline- and bosentan-treated rats, respectively (both n=31). Neither saline nor bosentan affected blood pressure (MAP 15 minutes after treatment: saline, 124±4 mm Hg; bosentan, 125±3 mm Hg; both n=31). BQ-123 was also itself devoid of any effect on blood pressure (MAP before BQ-123, 116±3 mm Hg; 15 minutes after BQ-123, 116±3 mm Hg; n=10). Neither bosentan nor BQ-123 affected baseline heart rate.

In ganglion-blocked rats, baseline MAP was 61±3 and 58±3 mm Hg in saline and bosentan rats, respectively (both n=18). Neither saline nor bosentan affected blood pressure (MAP 15 minutes after treatment: saline, 62±3 mm Hg; bosentan, 60±3 mm Hg; both n=18). Bosentan also did not affect blood pressure in pithed rats (MAP 15 minutes after treatment: saline, 48±3 mm Hg; bosentan, 49±3 mm Hg).

Effect of Bosentan or BQ-123 on the Pressor Response to L-NAME in Normal Rats
The effect of bosentan or BQ-123 on the pressor response induced by increasing doses of L-NAME (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1) in normal rats is shown in Fig 1Down. In control rats, L-NAME induced a dose-dependent increase in MAP, which reached 25±5% at the highest dose (n=12). Previous experiments showed that a higher dose of L-NAME (10 mg · kg-1) did not induce any further increase in arterial blood pressure in these experimental conditions (data not shown).



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Figure 1. Graphs showing absolute values of mean arterial pressure (MAP, mm Hg) measured in normal rats 15 minutes after administration of saline (control, n=12; open bars), the mixed ETA-ETB endothelin antagonist bosentan (3 mg · kg-1, n=12; hatched bars), or the specific ETA endothelin antagonist BQ-123 (3 mg · kg-1, n=8; solid bars) and percent increase in MAP after increasing doses of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1) in control rats ({circ}) or in rats pretreated by bosentan ({bullet}) or BQ-123 ({blacktriangleup}). Values are mean±SEM.

The pressor effect of L-NAME was markedly reduced by bosentan (ANOVA: F=3.21; P<.05). After bosentan, the maximal increase in MAP induced by L-NAME (3 mg · kg-1) was reduced to 13±3% (n=12).

In control rats, the hypertensive effect of L-NAME was accompanied by a significant decrease in heart rate (from 405±13 to 365±13 beats per minute after 3 mg · kg-1 L-NAME; P<.05). The bradycardic effect of L-NAME was not affected by bosentan (from 398±7 to 349±12 beats per minute after 3 mg · kg-1 L-NAME).

The pressor effect of L-NAME was also markedly reduced by BQ-123 (ANOVA: F=5.36; P<.01). After BQ-123, the maximal increase in MAP induced by L-NAME (3 mg · kg-1) was reduced to 14±5% (n=10). BQ-123 did not affect the bradycardic effect of L-NAME (controls: from 404±14 to 335±11 beats per minute; BQ-123: from 387±15 to 310±26 beats per minute).

Effect of Bosentan on the Pressor Response to L-NAME in Ganglion-Blocked and in Pithed Rats
The effect of bosentan on the pressor response induced by increasing doses of L-NAME (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1) in ganglion-blocked and in pithed rats is shown in Fig 2Down. In control rats, L-NAME induced a dose-dependent increase in MAP, which reached 89±10% (n=10) and 165±9% (n=6) in ganglion-blocked and in pithed rats, respectively. In both cases, the pressor effect of L-NAME was markedly reduced by bosentan (ANOVA: F=5.42, P<.01 and F=16.48, P<.001 for ganglion-blocked and pithed rats, respectively). After bosentan, the maximal increase in MAP induced by L-NAME (3 mg · kg-1) was reduced to 45±7% (n=10) and 80±12% (n=6) in ganglion-blocked and in pithed rats, respectively.



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Figure 2. Graphs showing percent increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) after increasing doses of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1) in ganglion-blocked (left panel; n=10 in each group) or pithed rats (right panel; n=6 in each group) after administration of saline (control; {circ}) or the mixed ETA-ETB endothelin antagonist bosentan (3 mg · kg-1; {bullet}). Values are mean±SEM.

Effect of Bosentan on the Pressor Response to Phenylephrine
The effect of bosentan on the pressor response induced by increasing doses of the {alpha}-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (1 to 100 µg · kg-1) in normal rats is shown in Fig 3Down. In control rats, phenylephrine induced a dose-dependent increase in MAP, which reached 72±11% at the highest dose (n=11). The pressor effect of phenylephrine was not affected by bosentan (ANOVA: F=0.82; P=.47). After bosentan, the maximal increase in MAP induced by phenylephrine (100 µg · kg-1) was 63±10% (n=11).



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Figure 3. Graphs showing absolute values of mean arterial pressure (MAP, mm Hg) measured in normal rats 15 minutes after administration of saline (open bars) or the mixed ETA-ETB endothelin antagonist bosentan (3 mg · kg-1, hatched bars) and percent increase in MAP after increasing doses of the {alpha}-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (1 to 100 µg · kg-1) in control rats ({circ}) or in rats pretreated with bosentan ({bullet}). Values are mean±SEM of 11 rats in each group.

In control and bosentan-treated rats, the hypertensive effect of phenylephrine was accompanied by a significant decrease in heart rate (from 383±15 to 299±12 beats per minute after 100 µg · kg-1 phenylephrine; P<.01). The bradycardic effect of phenylephrine was not affected by bosentan (from 385±11 to 305±19 beats per minute; P<.01).

Effect of Bosentan on the Pressor Response to NG-Nitro L-Arginine
The effect of bosentan on the pressor response induced by NG-nitro L-arginine (3 mg · kg-1) in normal and ganglion-blocked rats is shown in Fig 4Down. NG-nitro L-arginine induced an increase in MAP that reached 24±5% and 86±13% in normal and ganglion-blocked rats, respectively (both n=8). This pressor response was reduced to 10±3% (P<.05) and 25±8% (P<.01) in normal and ganglion-blocked rats, respectively (both n=8).



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Figure 4. Bar graphs showing percent increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) induced by the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro L-arginine (3 mg · kg-1) in normal and ganglion-blocked control rats (open bars) or in rats pretreated with the mixed ETA-ETB endothelin antagonist bosentan (3 mg · kg-1, hatched bars). Values are mean±SEM of 10 rats in each group.

Effect of L-NAME on Plasma Levels of Endothelin-1
The effect of L-NAME (3 mg · kg-1) on plasma levels of endothelin-1 is shown in Fig 5Down. L-NAME induced a modest increase in circulating endothelin-1 (controls, 26.8±4.1 pg · mL-1, n=7; L-NAME, 38.5±3.3 pg · mL-1, n=11; P<.05).



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Figure 5. Bar graph showing plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (pg · mL-1) assessed in normal rats after administration of saline (open bar) or the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (0.1 to 3 mg · kg-1) (hatched bar). *P<.05 vs control.


*    Discussion
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up arrowAbstract
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up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
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Our results, obtained in vivo from experiments performed in different rat models and in two independent laboratories, suggest that part of the hypertensive response induced by NO synthase inhibitors, which is generally considered to reflect removal of the tonic vasodilatory influence of NO, is in fact due to the unmasking of an endothelin-induced vasopressor response, since this response was reduced by the ETA-ETB endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan.17 Furthermore, the similar inhibitory effect obtained with the ETA antagonist BQ-12318 suggests that this pressor response is mediated at least in part by ETA receptors present on vascular smooth muscle.

The L-arginine analogues L-NAME and NG-nitro L-arginine both induce significant increases in arterial pressure. Such an effect appears to be mediated by an increase in total peripheral resistance20 and is consistent with the hypothesis of a permanent release of NO from vascular endothelial cells in vivo.6 Moreover, the hypertensive effect of L-NAME was maintained and even augmented when the animals were pretreated with the ganglion-blocking agent chlorisondamine or were mechanically pithed. This maintenance of the pressor response to L-arginine analogues after chlorisondamine or pithing is consistent with previous rat experiments21 22 and suggests that tonic release of NO does not require the presence of an intact nervous system.

Two receptor subtypes, ETA and ETB, mediate the biological effect of endothelin.23 24 Although it was initially assumed that ETA receptors were present on vascular smooth muscle and induced vasoconstriction, whereas ETB receptors were present on vascular endothelium and mediated the vasodilatory effect of endothelin,25 recent experiments showed that ETB receptors are in fact also present on smooth muscle cells and contribute to the vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin; indeed, in rats, the ETA antagonists BQ-123 and FR-139317 are unable to fully antagonize the vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1,26 27 suggesting that part of this response could be due to stimulation of smooth muscle cell ETB receptors. In our experiments, however, the pressor effect of NO synthase inhibitors was inhibited by BQ-123, suggesting that this response is at least in part the consequence of the stimulation of the ETA receptors.

One possible mechanism by which inhibition of NO synthesis unmasks a tonic pressor influence of endothelin is that removal of the inhibitory effect of NO on endothelin synthesis might lead to an increased synthesis and/or release of endothelin. Indeed, experiments performed in cultured endothelial cells or in isolated arteries suggest that NO donors or agents that increase the production of NO from endothelial cells decrease the cellular production of endothelin, whereas inhibition of NO synthesis increases the release of the peptide,7 8 9 10 28 although this regulatory mechanism may be lost in certain culture conditions.29 30 In the present experiments, we found that L-NAME induced an increase in plasma endothelin (Fig 5Up). Thus, part of the hypertensive effect of this L-arginine analogue might indeed be due to a removal of the inhibitory effect of NO on endothelin production. It must be noted that the increase in plasma endothelin observed in the present experiments was modest, averaging only 44% of basal values. Whether such a modest increase in plasma endothelin is sufficient in itself to induce an increase in blood pressure is not known. However, plasma levels of endothelin might only partially reflect the biological activity of the peptide, since endothelin is probably preferentially released toward the vascular smooth muscle rather than toward the lumen.31 Indeed, the vasoconstrictor effects of big ET-1 (whose activity requires conversion to endothelin by the endothelin-converting enzyme present in the tissue) can be observed at doses for which no increase in plasma endothelin can be detected.32

The mechanism by which L-NAME induces an increase in plasma levels of endothelin is not known. In isolated arteries and in cultured endothelial cells, basal and agonist-induced production of endothelin requires de novo protein synthesis, since this process is inhibited by cycloheximide.1 7 33 The time course of this response, which suggests a stimulation of the production of the peptide rather than its release from intracellular stores,1 is incompatible with the short time period during which the present experiments were performed. It must be noted, however, that a modest increase in plasma endothelin was also observed after short-term administration of the L-arginine analogue NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) in dogs.15 One possibility to explain this modest increase in plasma levels of endothelin after acute inhibition of NO synthesis would be that a small amount of endothelin or its precursors is indeed stored within the endothelial cells and that mobilization of this endogenous store is negatively regulated by NO (for example, if NO could inhibit the activity of the endothelin-converting enzyme) or that NO somehow inhibits the plasma degradation of endothelin. However, to the best of our knowledge, none of these hypotheses have been tested experimentally.

Another mechanism that could explain the pressor influence of endothelin in the present experiments is that this response is the consequence of the removal of the inhibitory effect of NO on endothelin-induced smooth muscle contraction.11 12 13 14 15 Indeed, in isolated arteries of various species, agents that stimulate the release of NO, as well as exogenous NO donors such as nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside, and SIN-1, fully reverse contractions induced by endothelin.1 11 12 13 14 In isolated human mammary arteries (which do not express endothelial ETB receptors coupled to the release of NO and/or prostacyclin34 ), endothelium removal potentiates the contractile response to endothelin.11 Furthermore, in dogs, inhibition of endogenous release of NO by L-NMMA potentiates the vasoconstrictor response to endothelin, administered at a dose that doubles plasma levels of the peptide, and this effect was evident in all vascular beds studied (ie, coronary, pulmonary, and renal circulations).15

The unmasking of a tonic pressor influence of endothelin after inhibition of NO synthesis might have important physiological and pathophysiological implications. First, our experiments suggest that the acute pressor action of L-arginine analogues cannot be fully attributed to a removal of an NO-dependent vasodilator tone. Second, various pathological situations, such as ischemia, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and aging, are associated with an impaired formation of NO from endothelial cells. In these conditions, the unopposed biological effects of endothelin could favor smooth muscle contraction and proliferation, thus increasing the risk of subsequent vasospasm and vascular diseases.

Received July 5, 1994; accepted September 23, 1994.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*References
 
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