Involvement of the nitric oxide/L-arginine and sympathetic nervous systems on the vasodepressor action of human urotensin II in anesthetized rats

Aly M. Abdelrahman, Catherine C.Y. Pang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examined if the nitric oxide (NO)/L-arginine pathway participates in and if the sympathetic nervous system attenuates the depressor action of human urotensin II. I.V. bolus injections of human urotensin II (0.1-30 nmol/kg) caused dose-dependent decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP, EC50 = 2.09 ± 0.8 nmol/kg; Emax = -18 ± 3 mmHg ) and increases in heart rate. The depressor response to human urotensin II (3 nmol/kg) was attenuated by approximately 50% in rats with MAP elevated through pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (inhibitor of NO synthase), relative to that in rats with MAP elevated to a similar level through a continuous infusion of noradrenaline. Autonomic blockade with i.v. injections of mecamylamine (ganglion blocker) and propranolol (β-adrenoceptor antagonist) markedly augmented the depressor response to human urotensin II, but almost completely attenuated the tachycardia. The results suggest that the depressor response to human urotensin II is partially mediated via the NO/L-arginine pathway, and is suppressed by activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Furthermore, tachycardic response to human urotensin II is primarily mediated indirectly via baroreflex mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)819-825
Number of pages7
JournalLife Sciences
Volume71
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 5 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autonomic nervous system
  • Blood pressure
  • Heart rate
  • Human urotensin II
  • Nitric oxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)

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