Bimodal effect of oxidative stress in internal anal sphincter smooth muscle

Changes in oxidative stress may affect basal tone and relaxation of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) smooth muscle in aging. We examined this issue by investigating the effects of the oxidative stress inducer 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY-83583) in basal as well as U-46619-stimulated tone, and nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation in rat IAS. LY-83583, which works via generation of reactive oxygen species in living cells, produced a bimodal effect in IAS tone: lower concentrations (0.1 nM to 10 μM) produced a concentration-dependent increase, while higher concentrations (50–100 μM) produced a decrease in IAS tone. An increase in IAS tone by lower concentrations was associated with an increase in RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) activity. This was evident by the increase in RhoA/ROCK in the particulate fractions, in ROCK activity, and in the levels of phosphorylated (p) Thr696-myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 and pThr18/Ser19-20-kDa myosin light chain. Conversely, higher concentrations of LY-83583 produced inhibitory effects on RhoA/ROCK. Interestingly, both the excitatory and inhibitory effects of LY-83583 in the IAS were reversed by superoxide dismutase. The excitatory effects of LY-83583 were found to resemble those with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibition by l-NNA, since it produced a significant increase in the IAS tone and attenuated NANC relaxation. These effects of LY-83583 and l-NNA were reversible by l-arginine. This suggests the role of nNOS inhibition and RhoA/ROCK activation in the increase in IAS tone by LY-83583. These data have important implications in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of rectoanal disorders, especially associated with IAS dysfunction.

Endogenous flow-induced nitric oxide reduces superoxide-stimulated Na/H exchange activity via PKG in thick ascending limbs

Luminal flow stimulates endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2−) production by renal thick ascending limbs (TALs). The delicate balance between these two factors regulates Na transport in TALs; NO enhances natriuresis, whereas O2− augments Na absorption. Endogenous, flow-stimulated O2− enhances Na/H exchange (NHE). Flow-stimulated NO reduces flow-induced O2−, a process mediated by cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). However, whether flow-stimulated, endogenously-produced NO diminishes O2−-stimulated NHE activity and the signaling pathway involved are unknown. We hypothesized that flow-induced NO reduces the stimulation of NHE activity caused by flow-induced O2− via PKG in TALs. Intracellular pH recovery after an acid load was measured as an indicator of NHE activity in isolated, perfused rat TALs. l-Arginine, the NO synthase substrate, decreased NHE activity by 34 ± 5% ( n = 5; P < 0.04). The O2− scavenger tempol decreased NHE activity by 46 ± 8% ( n = 6; P < 0.004) in the absence of NO. In the presence of l-arginine, the inhibitory effect of tempol on NHE activity was reduced to −19 ± 6% ( n = 6; P < 0.03). The soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY-83583 blocked the effect of l-arginine thus restoring tempol's effect on NHE activity to −42 ± 4% ( n = 6; P < 0.0005). The PKG inhibitor KT-5823 also inhibited l-arginine's effect on tempol-reduced NHE activity (−43 ± 5%; n = 5; P < 0.03). We conclude that flow-induced NO reduces the stimulatory effect of endogenous, flow-induced O2− on NHE activity in TALs via an increase in cGMP and PKG activation.

Nitric oxide reduces flow-induced superoxide production via cGMP-dependent protein kinase in thick ascending limbs

We have shown that increased luminal flow induces O2− and nitric oxide (NO) production in thick ascending limbs (TALs). However, the interaction of flow-stimulated NO and O2− in TALs is unclear. We hypothesized that NO inhibits flow-induced O2− production in TALs via cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). We measured flow-stimulated O2− production in rat TALs using dihydroethidium in the absence and presence of l-arginine (0.3 mM), the substrate for NO synthase. The addition of l-arginine reduced flow-induced net O2− production from 68 ± 9 to 17 ± 4 AU/s ( P < 0.002). The addition of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 5 mM) in the presence of l-arginine stimulated production (l-arginine: 15 ± 4 AU/s vs. l-arginine + l-NAME: 63 ± 7 AU/s; P < 0.002). The guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY-83583 (10 μM) also enhanced flow-induced net O2− production in the presence of l-arginine (l-arginine: 7 ± 4 AU/s vs. l-arginine + LY-83583: 53 ± 7 AU/s; P < 0.01). In the presence of LY-83583, l-arginine only reduced flow-induced net O2− by 36% (LY-83583: 80 ± 7 AU/s vs. LY-83583 + l-arginine: 51 ± 3 AU/s; P < 0.006). The cGMP analog dibutyryl (db)-cGMP reduced flow-induced net O2− from 39 ± 9 to 7 ± 3 AU/s ( P < 0.03). The PKG inhibitor KT-5823 (5 μM) partially restored flow-induced net O2− in the presence of l-arginine (l-arginine: 4 ± 4 AU/s vs. l-arginine + KT-5823: 32 ± 9 AU/s; P < 0.03) and db-cGMP (db-cGMP: 9 ± 7 AU/s vs. db-cGMP + KT-5823: 54 ± 5 AU/s; P < 0.01). Phosphodiesterase II inhibition had no effect on arginine-inhibited O2− production. We conclude that 1) NO reduces flow-stimulated O2− production, 2) this occurs primarily via the cGMP/PKG pathway, and 3) O2− scavenging by NO plays a minor role.

S-nitrosoglutathione inhibits α1-adrenergic receptor-mediated vasoconstriction and ligand binding in pulmonary artery

Endogenous nitric oxide donor compounds ( S-nitrosothiols) contribute to low vascular tone by both cGMP-dependent and -independent pathways. We have reported that S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-mediated pulmonary vasoconstriction via a cGMP-independent mechanism likely involving S-nitrosylation of its G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) system. Because catecholamines, like 5-HT, constrict lung vessels via a GPCR coupled to Gq, we hypothesized that S-nitrosothiols modify the α1-adrenergic GPCR system to inhibit pulmonary vasoconstriction by receptor agonists, e.g., phenylephrine (PE). Rat pulmonary artery rings were pretreated for 30 min with and without an S-nitrosothiol, either GSNO or S-nitrosocysteine (CSNO), and constricted with sequential concentrations of PE (10−8–10−6 M). Effective cGMP-dependence was tested in rings pretreated with soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitors {either 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) or LY-83583} or G kinase inhibitor (KT-5823), and a thiol reductant [dithiothreitol (DTT)] was used to test reversibility of S-nitrosylation. Both S-nitrosothiols attenuated the PE dose response. The GSNO effect was not prevented by LY-83583, ODQ, or KT-5823, indicating cGMP independence. GSNO inhibition was reversed by DTT, consistent with S-nitrosylation or other GSNO-mediated cysteine modifications. In CSNO-treated lung protein, the α1-adrenergic receptor was shown to undergo S-nitrosylation in vitro using a biotin switch assay. Studies of α1-adrenergic receptor subtype expression and receptor density by saturation binding with 125I-HEAT showed that GSNO decreased α1-adrenergic receptor density but did not alter affinity for antagonist or agonist. These data demonstrate a novel cGMP-independent mechanism of reversible α1-adrenergic receptor inhibition by S-nitrosothiols.

Antioxidative stress–associated genes in circulating progenitor cells: evidence for enhanced resistance against oxidative stress

Adult and embryonic stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine. Expression profiling of stem cells revealed a characteristic imprint of genes, so-called “stemness” genes, providing resistance to stress. Circulating progenitor cells with an endothelial phenotype (EPCs) can be isolated from peripheral blood and contribute to neovascularization and endothelial regeneration. We investigated whether EPCs are equipped with an antioxidative defense to provide resistance against oxidative stress. EPCs exhibited a significantly lower basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration as compared with mature umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Incubation with H2O2 (500 μM) or the redox cycler LY-83583 (10 μM) profoundly increased the ROS concentration to 3- and 4-fold and induced apoptosis in HUVECs. In contrast, H2O2 and LY-83583 induced only a minor increase in intracellular ROS levels and apoptosis in EPCs. Consistently, the expression of the intracellular antioxidative enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), was significantly higher in EPCs versus HUVECs and human microvascular endothelial cells. In accordance, combined inhibition of these antioxidative enzymes increased ROS levels in EPCs and impaired EPC survival and migration. Taken together, EPCs reveal a higher expression of antioxidative enzymes and, thus, are exquisitely equipped to be protected against oxidative stress consistent with their progenitor cell character.

Constitutive and permissive roles of nitric oxide activity in embryonic ciliary cells

Embryos of Helisoma trivolvis exhibit cilia-driven rotation within the egg capsule during development. In this study we examined whether nitric oxide (NO) is a physiological regulator of ciliary beating in cultured ciliary cells. The NO donor S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 1–1,000 μM) produced a dose-dependent increase in ciliary beat frequency (CBF). In contrast, the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (10 and 100 μM) inhibited the basal CBF and blocked the stimulatory effects of serotonin (100 μM). NO production in response to serotonin was investigated with 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate imaging. Although SNAP (100 μM) produced a rise in NO levels in all cells, only 22% of cells responded to serotonin with a moderate increase. The cGMP analog 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP; 0.2 and 2 mM) increased CBF, and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY-83583 (10 μM) blocked the cilioexcitatory effects of SNAP and serotonin. These data suggest that NO has a constitutive cilioexcitatory effect in Helisoma embryos and that the stimulatory effects of serotonin and NO work through a cGMP pathway. It appears that in Helisoma cilia, NO activity is necessary, but not sufficient, to fully mediate the cilioexcitatory action of serotonin.

Modulation of Cl−/OH− exchange activity in Caco-2 cells by nitric oxide

The present studies were undertaken to determine the direct effects of nitric oxide (NO) released from an exogenous donor, S-nitroso- N-acetyl pencillamine (SNAP) on Cl−/OH− exchange activity in human Caco-2 cells. Our results demonstrate that NO inhibits Cl−/OH− exchange activity in Caco-2 cells via cGMP-dependent protein kinases G (PKG) and C (PKC) signal-transduction pathways. Our data in support of this conclusion can be outlined as follows: 1) incubation of Caco-2 cells with SNAP (500 μM) for 30 min resulted in ∼50% inhibition of DIDS-sensitive36Cl uptake; 2) soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitors Ly-83583 and (1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one significantly blocked the inhibition of Cl−/OH− exchange activity by SNAP; 3) addition of 8-bromo-cGMP (8-BrcGMP) mimicked the effects of SNAP; 4) specific PKG inhibitor KT-5823 significantly inhibited the decrease in Cl−/OH− exchange activity in response to either SNAP or 8-BrcGMP; 5) Cl−/OH− exchange activity in Caco-2 cells in response to SNAP was not altered in the presence of protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor (Rp-cAMPS), demonstrating that the PKA pathway was not involved; 6) the effect of NO on Cl−/OH− exchange activity was mediated by PKC, because each of the two PKC inhibitors chelerythrine chloride and calphostin C blocked the SNAP-mediated inhibition of Cl−/OH− exchange activity; 7) SO[Formula: see text]/OH− exchange in Caco-2 cells was unaffected by SNAP. Our results suggest that NO-induced inhibition of Cl−/OH− exchange may play an important role in the pathophysiology of diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel diseases.

α2-Adrenergic-mediated tubular NO production inhibits thick ascending limb chloride absorption

Stimulation of α2-adrenergic receptors inhibits transport in various nephron segments, and the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (THAL) expresses α2-receptors. We hypothesized that selective α2-receptor activation decreases NaCl absorption by cortical THALs through activation of NOS and increased production of NO. We found that the α2-receptor agonist clonidine (10 nM) decreased chloride flux ( J Cl) from 119.5 ± 15.9 to 67.4 ± 13.8 pmol · mm−1 · min−1 (43% reduction; P < 0.02), whereas removal of clonidine from the bath increased J Cl by 20%. When NOS activity was inhibited by pretreatment with 5 mM N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, the inhibitory effects of clonidine on THAL J Clwere prevented (81.7 ± 10.8 vs. 71.6 ± 6.9 pmol · mm−1 · min−1). Similarly, when the NOS substrate l-arginine was deleted from the bath, addition of clonidine did not decrease THAL J Cl from control (106.9 ± 11.6 vs. 132.2 ± 21.3 pmol · mm−1 · min−1). When we blocked the α2-receptors with rauwolscine (1 μM), we found that the inhibitory effect of 10 nM clonidine on THAL J Cl was abolished, verifying that α2, rather than I1, receptors mediate the effects of clonidine in the THAL. We investigated the mechanism of NOS activation and found that intracellular calcium concentration did not increase in response to clonidine, whereas pretreatment with 150 nM wortmannin abolished the clonidine-mediated inhibition of THAL J Cl, indicating activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the Akt pathway. We found that pretreatment of THALs with 10 μM LY-83583, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, blocked clonidine-mediated inhibition of THAL J Cl. In conclusion, α2-receptor stimulation decreases THAL J Cl by increasing NO release and stimulating guanylate cyclase. These data suggest that α2-receptors act as physiological regulators of THAL NO synthesis, thus inhibiting chloride transport and participating in the natriuretic and diuretic effects of clonidine in vivo.

cGMP-dependent ADP depolymerization of actin mediates estrogen increase in cervical epithelial permeability

Estrogen increases secretion of cervical mucus in women, and the effect depends on fragmentation of the cytoskeleton. The objective of the present study was to understand the molecular mechanism of estrogen action. Treatment of human cervical epithelial cells with 17β-estradiol, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or 8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) increased cellular monomeric G-actin and decreased polymerized F-actin. The effects of estradiol were blocked by tamoxifen, by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY-83583, and by the cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor KT-5823. The effects of SNP were blocked by LY-83583 and KT-5823, while the effects of 8-Br-cGMP were blocked only by KT-5823. Treatment with phalloidin decreased paracellular permeability and G-actin. Treatment with 17β-estradiol, SNP, or 8-Br-cGMP attenuated SNP-induced phosphorylation of [32P]adenylate NAD in vitro: tamoxifen blocked the effect of estrogen; LY-83583 blocked the effect of SNP but not that of 8-Br-cGMP, while KT-5823 blocked effects of both SNP and 8-Br-cGMP. These results indicate that estrogen, nitric oxide (NO), and cGMP stimulate actin depolymerization. A possible mechanism is NO-induced, cGMP-dependent protein kinase augmentation of ADP-ribosylation of monomeric actin.