Iloprost
Receptors, Epoprostenol
Epoprostenol
Receptors, Prostaglandin
Hypertension, Pulmonary
Administration, Inhalation
Raynaud Disease
Loss of endothelium and receptor-mediated dilation in pial arterioles of rats fed a short-term high salt diet. (1/379)
A high salt diet often is regarded as an accessory risk factor in hypertension, coincidental to the deleterious effect of high blood pressure on vasodilator function. The aim of this study was to determine whether short-term ingestion of a high salt diet per se impairs vasodilator function in the cerebral circulation independent of blood pressure changes. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal salt (0.8%) or high salt (4%) diet for 3 days. Mean arterial pressures were similar in the normal and high salt groups (123+/-2 and 125+/-2 mm Hg, respectively). Subsequently, the responses of the in situ pial arterioles to acetylcholine, iloprost, and sodium nitroprusside were determined in cranial windows using intravital videomicroscopy. Pial arterioles of rats fed normal and high salt diets showed similar resting diameters of 69+/-2 and 72+/-3 microm, respectively, but their reactivity patterns to vasodilator stimuli were markedly different. Arterioles of rats fed a normal salt diet dilated progressively up to 17+/-3% in response to the endothelium-dependent agent acetylcholine (10(-9) to 10(-6) mol/L) and dilated by 22+/-2% in response to the prostaglandin I2 receptor agonist iloprost (3x10(-11) mol/L). In contrast, pial arterioles of rats fed a high salt diet constricted by 4+/-3% and 8+/-2% in response to acetylcholine and iloprost, respectively. Sodium nitroprusside (10(-6) mol/L), a nitric oxide donor, dilated pial arterioles of rats fed low and high salt diets by a similar amount (19+/-3% and 16+/-2%, respectively), suggesting that signaling mechanisms for dilation distal to the vascular smooth muscle membrane were intact after high salt intake. These results provide the first evidence that the short-term ingestion of a high salt diet may severely impair the vasodilator function of the in situ cerebral microcirculation independent of blood pressure elevation. (+info)Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in resting and depolarized mammary and coronary arteries of guinea-pigs. (2/379)
1. The membrane potential responses in guinea-pig coronary and mammary arteries attributable to endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) and hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), and to exogenous NO and the prostacyclin analogue, iloprost, were compared at rest and when depolarized with the thromboxane analogue, U46619. 2. In the coronary artery, stimulation of the endothelium with acetylcholine (ACh) evoked hyperpolarization attributable to NO and a PG with similar pD2s at rest and in the presence of U46619. However, in depolarized tissues, the pD2 of the response attributed to EDHF required a 10 fold lower concentration of ACh compared with at rest. 3. In the mammary artery, lower concentrations of ACh were required to evoke NO- and EDHF-dependent hyperpolarizations in depolarized mammary artery compared with at rest, while PG-dependent hyperpolarization did not occur until the concentration of ACh was increased some 10 fold both at rest and in U46619. 4. The smooth muscle of the coronary artery of guinea-pigs was some 4 fold more sensitive to exogenous NO and iloprost than was the mammary artery. 5. In conclusion, the membrane potential response in arteries at rest, that is, in the absence of constrictor, may be extrapolated to events in the presence of constrictor when NO and PG are under study. However, the sensitivity to ACh and the magnitude of the hyperpolarization attributed to EDHF obtained in tissues at rest may underestimate these parameters in depolarized tissues. (+info)Effects of the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 on iloprost-induced vasorelaxation and cyclic AMP elevation in isolated guinea-pig aorta. (3/379)
The stable prostacyclin analogue, iloprost relaxes a variety of blood vessels and increases cyclic AMP, although the relationship between adenosine 3': 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and vasorelaxation remains unclear. We therefore investigated the effect of the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9H-purin-6-amine (SQ22536) on iloprost-mediated relaxation and cyclic AMP elevation in endothelium-denuded aortic strips. Iloprost (1-1000 nM) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of phenylephrine (1-6 microM) contractions, the responses being unaffected by pre-incubation with SQ22536 (100 microM) for 30 min. In other experiments 60 nM iloprost caused a 64% inhibition of phenylephrine contractions concomitant with a 3 fold rise in cyclic AMP. SQ22536 completely abolished the iloprost-induced elevation in cyclic AMP while having no significant effect on relaxation. Our results therefore strongly suggest that cyclic AMP-independent pathways are responsible for the vasorelaxant effects of iloprost in guinea-pig aorta. (+info)Prostanoid receptors involved in the relaxation of human pulmonary vessels. (4/379)
1. To characterize the prostanoid receptors on human pulmonary smooth muscle involved in vasodilatations, isolated arteries and veins were contracted with norepinephrine (10 microM) and vessels were subsequently challenged with different prostanoid-receptor agonists in the absence or presence of selective antagonists. 2. Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and the selective DP-receptor agonist, BW245C, induced relaxations in the contracted human pulmonary venous preparations. The pD2 values were: 6.88+/-0.11 (n=17) and 7.31+/-0.12 (n=5), respectively. The relaxant responses induced by PGD2 were reduced by the selective DP-receptor antagonist, BWA868C, and the estimated pA2 value was 7.84+/-0.16 (n=4). PGD2 and BW245C did not relax contracted human pulmonary arteries. 3. The selective IP-receptor agonists, iloprost and cicaprost, both induced relaxations in the contracted human vascular preparations. The pD2 values for iloprost were: 7.84+/-0.08 (n=6) and 8.25+/-0.06 (n=4) and for cicaprost: 8.06+/-0.12 (n=5) and 8.11+/-0.09 (n=5) in arteries and veins respectively. 4. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the EP2/EP3-receptor agonist, misoprostol, partially relaxed the contracted venous preparations and the pD2 values were: 8.10+/-0.15 (n=15) and 6.24+/-0.33 (n=3), respectively. These relaxations suggest the presence of an EP receptor in the human pulmonary veins. The contracted human pulmonary arteries did not relax when challenged with PGE2. 5. In human pulmonary venous preparations, the PGE2-induced relaxations were neither modified by treatment with TP/EP4-receptor antagonist, AH23848B (10 and 30 microM, n=6), nor by the DP/EP1/EP2-receptor antagonist, AH6809 (3 microM, n=6). 6. These data suggest that the relaxation induced by prostanoids involved DP-, IP-receptors and to a lesser extent an EP-receptor on human pulmonary venous smooth muscle. In contrast, only the IP-receptor is involved in the prostanoid induced relaxations on human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle. (+info)Prostanoid receptors involved in the relaxation of human bronchial preparations. (5/379)
1. Iloprost and cicaprost (IP-receptor agonists) induced relaxations in the histamine- (50 microM) contracted human bronchial preparations (pD2 values, 6.63+/-0.12 and 6.86+/-0.08; Emax values, 90+/-04 and 65+/-08% of the papaverine response for iloprost (n=6) and cicaprost (n=3), respectively). 2. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and misoprostol (EP-receptor agonist) relaxed the histamine-contracted human bronchial preparations (pD2 values, 7.13+/-0.07 and 6.33+/-0.28; Emax values, 67+/-04 and 57+/-08% of the papaverine response for PGE2 (n=14) and misoprostol (n=4), respectively). In addition, both relaxations were inhibited by AH6809 (DP/EP1/EP2-receptor antagonist; 3 microM; n=5-6). 3. The PGE2-induced relaxations of human bronchial preparations were not modified by treatment with AH23848B (TP/EP4-receptor antagonist; 30 microM; n=4). 4. The contracted human bronchial preparations were significantly relaxed by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) or by BW245C a DP-receptor agonist. However, these responses did not exceed 40% of the relaxation induced by papaverine. In addition, the relaxations induced by PGD2 were significantly inhibited by treatment with a DP-receptor antagonist BWA868C (0.1 microM; n=3). 5. These data suggest that the relaxation of human isolated bronchial preparations induced by prostanoids involved IP-, EP2- and to a lesser extent DP-receptors but not EP4-receptor. (+info)The prostacyclin receptor is isoprenylated. Isoprenylation is required for efficient receptor-effector coupling. (6/379)
The prostacyclin receptor (IP), a G protein-coupled receptor, mediates the actions of the prostanoid prostacyclin and its mimetics. IPs from a number of species each contain identically conserved putative isoprenylation CAAX motifs, each with the sequence CSLC. Metabolic labeling of human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells stably overexpressing the hemagluttinin epitope-tagged IP in the presence of [(3)H]mevalonolactone established that the mouse IP is isoprenylated. Studies involving in vitro assays confirmed that recombinant forms of the human and mouse IP are modified by carbon 15 farnesyl isoprenoids. Disruption of isoprenylation, by site-directed mutagenesis of Cys(414) to Ser(414), within the CAAX motif, abolished isoprenylation of IP(SSLC) both in vitro and in transfected cells. Scatchard analysis of the wild type (IP) and mutant (IP(SSLC)) receptor confirmed that each receptor exhibited high and low affinity binding sites for [(3)H]iloprost, which were not influenced by receptor isoprenylation. Whereas stable cell lines overexpressing IP generated significant agonist (iloprost and cicaprost)-mediated increases in cAMP relative to nontransfected cells, cAMP generation by IP(SSLC) cells was not significantly different from the control, nontransfected HEK 293 cells. Moreover, co-expression of the alpha (alpha) subunit of Gs generated significant augmentations in cAMP by IP but not by IP(SSLC) cells. Whereas IP also demonstrated significant, dose-dependent increases in [Ca(2+)](i) in response to iloprost or cicaprost compared with the nontransfected HEK 293 cells, mobilization of [Ca(2+)](i) by IP(SSLC) was significantly impaired. Co-transfection of cells with either Galpha(q) or Galpha(11) resulted in significant augmentation of agonist-mediated [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization by IP cells but not by IP(SSLC) cells or by the control, HEK 293 cells. In addition, inhibition of isoprenylation by lovastatin treatment significantly reduced agonist-mediated cAMP generation by IP in comparison to the nonisoprenylated beta(2) adrenergic receptor or nontreated cells. Hence, isoprenylation of IP does not influence ligand binding but is required for efficient coupling to the effectors adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. (+info)Analysis of agonist function at fusion proteins between the IP prostanoid receptor and cognate, unnatural and chimaeric G-proteins. (7/379)
Direct measures of G-protein activation based on guanine nucleotide exchange and hydrolysis are frequently impossible to monitor for receptors which interact predominantly with G(s)alpha. An isolated FLAG (Asp-Tyr-Lys-Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys)-epitope-tagged human IP prostanoid receptor and fusion proteins generated between this form of the receptor and the alpha subunits of its cognate G-protein G(s), G(i1), a G-protein which it fails to activate in co-expression studies, and a chimaeric G(i1)-G(s)6 (a form of G(i1) in which the C-terminal six amino acids were replaced with the equivalent sequence of G(s)) were stably expressed in HEK293 cells. These were detected by [(3)H]ligand-binding studies and by immunoblotting with both an anti-FLAG antibody and with appropriate antisera to the G-proteins. Each construct displayed similar affinity to bind the agonist iloprost. Iloprost stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in clones expressing both IP prostanoid receptor and the IP prostanoid receptor-G(s)alpha fusion protein, and both constructs were shown to interact with and activate endogenously expressed G(s)alpha. Addition of iloprost to membranes of cells expressing the isolated receptor resulted in a small stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity. Iloprost produced no stimulation of GTPase activity which could be attributed to the IP prostanoid receptor-G(i1)alpha fusion. However, the fusion proteins containing either G(s)alpha or G(i1)-G(s)6alpha produced substantially greater stimulation of GTPase activity than the isolated IP prostanoid receptor. Treatment of cells expressing the IP prostanoid receptor-G(i1)-G(s)6alpha fusion protein with a combination of cholera and pertussis toxins allowed direct measurement of agonist activation of the receptor-linked G-protein. Normalization of such results for levels of expression of the IP prostanoid receptor constructs demonstrated a 5-fold higher stimulation of GTPase activity when using the G(s)alpha-containing fusion protein and a 9-fold improvement when using the fusion protein containing G(i1)-G(s)6alpha to detect G-protein activation compared with expression of the isolated receptor. (+info)Induction of prostaglandin I(2) receptor by tumor necrosis factor alpha in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. (8/379)
Mouse osteoblastic cells MC3T3-E1 produced prostaglandin E(2) via the reaction of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). Originally, the mRNA level for prostaglandin I(2) receptor (IP) was low in the cells. However, the addition of TNFalpha brought about a marked increase in the IP mRNA with a lag of about 3 h up to an about 8-fold higher level for 24 h. In addition, the induction of IP was supported by a binding experiment of [(3)H]iloprost (a stable analogue of prostaglandin I(2)). The amount of iloprost bound to the TNFalpha-stimulated cell membranes increased to a saturation level around 30 nM. Dexamethasone, cycloheximide and cyclooxygenase inhibitor suppressed the IP mRNA induction. The finding with the latter two compounds suggested a TNFalpha-dependent de novo synthesis of a protein, which is involved in the IP mRNA induction and may be attributed partially to the induced cyclooxygenase-2. (+info)Iloprost is a synthetic analogue of prostacyclin, a naturally occurring substance in the body. It is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called vasodilators, which work by relaxing and widening blood vessels. Iloprost is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs. By dilating these blood vessels, iloprost helps reduce the workload on the heart and improve symptoms associated with PAH such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness.
Iloprost is administered through inhalation using a nebulizer, typically several times a day. It may also be used to prevent or treat episodes of digital ischemia, a condition that causes reduced blood flow to the fingers and toes, leading to pain and tissue damage.
It's important to note that while iloprost can help manage symptoms of PAH and digital ischemia, it does not cure these conditions. Close monitoring by a healthcare provider is necessary to ensure safe and effective use of this medication.
Epoprostenol receptors, also known as prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) receptors, are a type of G protein-coupled receptor that bind to and are activated by the endogenous prostaglandin Epoprostenol. These receptors play a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions, including vasodilation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and bronchodilation.
Epoprostenol is a potent vasodilator that acts by relaxing the smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels, leading to an increase in blood flow and a decrease in blood pressure. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, which helps prevent the formation of blood clots. Additionally, epoprostenol can cause bronchodilation, or relaxation of the muscles in the airways, making it useful in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Epoprostenol receptors are found in various tissues throughout the body, including the vascular endothelium, platelets, and lung tissue. Activation of these receptors leads to a cascade of intracellular signaling events that ultimately result in the physiological effects of epoprostenol.
In summary, Epoprostenol receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that bind to and are activated by epoprostenol, leading to vasodilation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and bronchodilation. These receptors play a critical role in regulating various physiological functions throughout the body.
Epoprostenol is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called prostaglandins. It is a synthetic analog of a natural substance in the body called prostacyclin, which widens blood vessels and has anti-platelet effects. Epoprostenol is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs.
Epoprostenol works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of the pulmonary arteries, which reduces the resistance to blood flow and lowers the pressure within these vessels. This helps improve symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain, and can also prolong survival in people with PAH.
Epoprostenol is administered continuously through a small pump that delivers the medication directly into the bloodstream. It is a potent vasodilator, which means it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure if not given carefully. Therefore, it is usually started in a hospital setting under close medical supervision.
Common side effects of epoprostenol include headache, flushing, jaw pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain. More serious side effects can include bleeding, infection at the site of the catheter, and an allergic reaction to the medication.
Vasodilator agents are pharmacological substances that cause the relaxation or widening of blood vessels by relaxing the smooth muscle in the vessel walls. This results in an increase in the diameter of the blood vessels, which decreases vascular resistance and ultimately reduces blood pressure. Vasodilators can be further classified based on their site of action:
1. Systemic vasodilators: These agents cause a generalized relaxation of the smooth muscle in the walls of both arteries and veins, resulting in a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and preload (the volume of blood returning to the heart). Examples include nitroglycerin, hydralazine, and calcium channel blockers.
2. Arterial vasodilators: These agents primarily affect the smooth muscle in arterial vessel walls, leading to a reduction in afterload (the pressure against which the heart pumps blood). Examples include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and direct vasodilators like sodium nitroprusside.
3. Venous vasodilators: These agents primarily affect the smooth muscle in venous vessel walls, increasing venous capacitance and reducing preload. Examples include nitroglycerin and other organic nitrates.
Vasodilator agents are used to treat various cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, angina, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is essential to monitor their use carefully, as excessive vasodilation can lead to orthostatic hypotension, reflex tachycardia, or fluid retention.
Prostaglandin receptors are a type of cell surface receptor that bind and respond to prostaglandins, which are hormone-like lipid compounds that play important roles in various physiological and pathophysiological processes in the body. Prostaglandins are synthesized from arachidonic acid by the action of enzymes called cyclooxygenases (COX) and are released by many different cell types in response to various stimuli.
There are four major subfamilies of prostaglandin receptors, designated as DP, EP, FP, and IP, each of which binds specifically to one or more prostaglandins with high affinity. These receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which means that they activate intracellular signaling pathways through the interaction with heterotrimeric G proteins.
The activation of prostaglandin receptors can lead to a variety of cellular responses, including changes in ion channel activity, enzyme activation, and gene expression. These responses can have important consequences for many physiological processes, such as inflammation, pain perception, blood flow regulation, and platelet aggregation.
Prostaglandin receptors are also targets for various drugs used in clinical medicine, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prostaglandin analogs. NSAIDs work by inhibiting the enzymes that synthesize prostaglandins, while prostaglandin analogs are synthetic compounds that mimic the effects of natural prostaglandins by activating specific prostaglandin receptors.
In summary, prostaglandin receptors are a class of cell surface receptors that bind and respond to prostaglandins, which are important signaling molecules involved in various physiological processes. These receptors are targets for various drugs used in clinical medicine and play a critical role in the regulation of many bodily functions.
Pulmonary hypertension is a medical condition characterized by increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. This results in higher than normal pressures in the pulmonary circulation and can lead to various symptoms and complications.
Pulmonary hypertension is typically defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) greater than or equal to 25 mmHg at rest, as measured by right heart catheterization. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies pulmonary hypertension into five groups based on the underlying cause:
1. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): This group includes idiopathic PAH, heritable PAH, drug-induced PAH, and associated PAH due to conditions such as connective tissue diseases, HIV infection, portal hypertension, congenital heart disease, and schistosomiasis.
2. Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease: This group includes conditions that cause elevated left atrial pressure, such as left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, and congenital cardiovascular shunts.
3. Pulmonary hypertension due to lung diseases and/or hypoxia: This group includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing, alveolar hypoventilation disorders, and high altitude exposure.
4. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH): This group includes persistent obstruction of the pulmonary arteries due to organized thrombi or emboli.
5. Pulmonary hypertension with unclear and/or multifactorial mechanisms: This group includes hematologic disorders, systemic disorders, metabolic disorders, and other conditions that can cause pulmonary hypertension but do not fit into the previous groups.
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, lightheadedness, and syncope (fainting). Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging studies, and invasive testing such as right heart catheterization. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and, in some cases, surgical intervention.
"Inhalation administration" is a medical term that refers to the method of delivering medications or therapeutic agents directly into the lungs by inhaling them through the airways. This route of administration is commonly used for treating respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and cystic fibrosis.
Inhalation administration can be achieved using various devices, including metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), nebulizers, and soft-mist inhalers. Each device has its unique mechanism of delivering the medication into the lungs, but they all aim to provide a high concentration of the drug directly to the site of action while minimizing systemic exposure and side effects.
The advantages of inhalation administration include rapid onset of action, increased local drug concentration, reduced systemic side effects, and improved patient compliance due to the ease of use and non-invasive nature of the delivery method. However, proper technique and device usage are crucial for effective therapy, as incorrect usage may result in suboptimal drug deposition and therapeutic outcomes.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon or syndrome, is a condition that affects the blood vessels, particularly in the fingers and toes. It is characterized by episodes of vasospasm (constriction) of the small digital arteries and arterioles, which can be triggered by cold temperatures or emotional stress. This results in reduced blood flow to the affected areas, causing them to become pale or white and then cyanotic (blue) due to the accumulation of deoxygenated blood. As the episode resolves, the affected areas may turn red as blood flow returns, sometimes accompanied by pain, numbness, or tingling sensations.
Raynaud's disease can be primary, meaning it occurs without an underlying medical condition, or secondary, which is associated with connective tissue disorders, autoimmune diseases, or other health issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome, vibration tool usage, or smoking. Primary Raynaud's is more common and tends to be less severe than secondary Raynaud's.
Treatment for Raynaud's disease typically involves avoiding triggers, keeping the body warm, and using medications to help dilate blood vessels and improve circulation. In some cases, lifestyle modifications and smoking cessation may also be recommended to manage symptoms and prevent progression of the condition.
Alprostadil is a synthetic form of prostaglandin E1, which is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It is used medically for several purposes, including:
1. Treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED): Alprostadil can be administered directly into the penis as an injection or inserted as a suppository into the urethra to help improve blood flow and achieve an erection.
2. Prevention of closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants: Alprostadil is used to keep the PDA open, allowing for proper blood flow between the pulmonary artery and the aorta, until surgery can be performed.
3. Treatment of peripheral arterial disease: Alprostadil can be administered intravenously to help improve blood flow in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Alprostadil works by relaxing smooth muscle tissue in blood vessels, which increases blood flow and helps to lower blood pressure. It may also have other effects on the body, such as reducing the risk of blood clots and modulating inflammation.
It is important to note that alprostadil should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider, as it can have serious side effects if not used properly.