Plasmonic gold nanoparticles possess the ability to open potassium channels in rat thoracic aorta smooth muscles in a remote control manner.

Colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of ~5nm core size and Zeta-potential of -35mV, having absorption maximum and plasmon resonance in the range of 510-570nm, were studied as a potential K(+)-channel opener in vascular smooth muscle (SM) cells. Experimental design of the study comprised SM contractile recordings. When externally applied to the organ bath, AuNPs (10(-6)-3×10(-4)M) led to decrease in amplitude of norepinephrine-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent manner in SM thoracic aorta, with mean value of pD2 (-log EC50) 4.

Correction of vascular hypercontractility in spontaneously hypertensive rats using shRNAs-induced delta protein kinase C gene silencing.

Potassium conductance in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) is known to be altered in arterial hypertension. High level of protein kinase C (PKC) activity is a common feature for hypertension of different genesis. The main goal of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the RNA interference (RNAi) technique targeting PKC delta-isoform gene as a possible pharmacological tool to restore vasodilator potential in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

The BK(Ca) channels deficiency as a possible reason for radiation-induced vascular hypercontractility.

It is likely that large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK(Ca)) channels channelopathy tightly involved in vascular malfunctions and arterial hypertension development. In the present study, we compared the results of siRNAs-induced α-BK(Ca) gene silencing and vascular abnormalities produced by whole-body ionized irradiation in rats. The experimental design comprised RT-PCR and patch clamp technique, thoracic aorta smooth muscle (SM) contractile recordings and arterial blood pressure (BP) measurements on the 30th day after whole body irradiation (6Gy) and following siRNAs KCNMA1 gene silencing in vivo.

Electrophysiological and contractile evidence of the ability of human mesenchymal stromal cells to correct vascular malfunction in rats after ionizing irradiation.

The effect of intravenous administration of human mesenchymal stromal stem cells (hMSC) has been evaluated by means of large-conductance calcium-dependent potassium channel (BK(Ca)) activity measurements in thoracic aorta smooth muscle cells (SMC) obtained from non-fatal whole-body irradiated rats, using the patch clamp technique in whole-cell modification, and the standard acetylcholine (ACh) test to evaluate functional endothelium integrity using SM contractile recordings. Myofilament calcium sensitivity was estimated using simultaneous contractile recordings versus [Ca(2+)](i). Arterial blood was measured in intact and irradiated rats before and after hMSC administration.

Quercetin-filled phosphatidylcholine liposomes restore abnormalities in rat thoracic aorta BK(Ca) channel function following ionizing irradiation.

The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin-filled phosphatidylcholine liposomes (PCL-Q) on the currents carried by large conductance Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels (BK(Ca)) in rat thoracic aorta following non-fatal whole-body ionizing irradiation. Using patch-clamp technique, it is found that the outward K(+) currents of isolated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) stimulated by depolarizing voltage steps were sensitive to BK(Ca) inhibitor, paxilline, and this kind of outward K(+) currents in SMCs from irradiated animals demonstrated a significant decrease in amplitude. Radiation-induced BK(Ca) suppression was evident 9 days post-irradiation and progressively increased over 30 days of experimental period.

Functional and molecular consequences of ionizing irradiation on large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Aims: The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of gamma-irradiation on Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BK(Ca)) function and expression in rat thoracic aorta.

Main Methods: Aortic cells or tissues were studied by the measurement of force versus [Ca(2+)](i), patch-clamp technique, and RT-PCR.

Key Findings: Stimulation of smooth muscle cells with depolarizing voltage steps showed expression of outward K(+) currents.

Ionizing non-fatal whole-body irradiation inhibits Ca2+-dependent K+ channels in endothelial cells of rat coronary artery: possible contribution to depression of endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of ionizing irradiation on large conductance Ca2+-dependent potassium (BKCa) channels in rat coronary endothelial cells.

Materials And Methods: Rats were exposed to a 6 Gy dose from a cobalt60 source. Experimental design of this study comprised recording of contractile force using isolated rat aortic rings and whole-cell patch clamp techniques to study whole-cell potassium currents in isolated rat coronary artery endothelial cells.

Ionizing radiation alters myofilament calcium sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle: potential role of protein kinase C.

Radiation exposure increases vascular responsiveness, and this change involves endothelial damage, as well as direct effects on vascular smooth muscle. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle is increased from single whole body gamma irradiation (6 Gy). We measured contractile responses from intact and permeabilized rat thoracic aortic rings combined with cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) measurements.

Mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction after ionized radiation: selective impairment of the nitric oxide component of endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

(1) Gamma radiation impairs vascular function, leading to the depression of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Loss of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway has been implicated, but little is known about radiation effects on other endothelial mediators. (2) This study investigated the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in rabbits subjected to whole-body irradiation from a cobalt(60) source.

Saline containing phosphatidylcholine liposomes possess the ability to restore endothelial function damaged resulting from gamma-irradiation.

The protective action of passive saline filled ("empty") phosphatidylcholine liposomes (PCL) on endothelial function was examined in thoracic aortas obtained from gamma irradiated (6 Gy) Chinchilla rabbits, and then verified in experiments on non-anesthetized and anesthetized rats. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vascular relaxant responses in isolated vascular tissues rats were used as the test of endothelial integrity and its functional ability. It was shown that when added to the bath solution (100 microg/ml), PCL effectively restored endothelium-dependent ACh relaxations of isolated vascular rings damaged resulting from gamma-irradiation but had no effect on endothelium-independent vascular responses to therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) donors.

[Character and mechanisms of changes in vascular wall reactivity in prolonged hypercholesterolemia].

Changes in the structure and functional properties of the vascular wall after 8 months of alimentary hypercholesterolemia (HCE) were studied. The experiments were conducted on the circular bands of the arch of the aorta in rabbits. Sharp inhibition of the reactivity of the vascular bands was established, which was associated first of all with thickening of the intima due to the development of fibro-atheromatous changes in it.

[Efficacy of vascular wall protection from atherosclerotic damage using various calcium antagonists].

The authors studied the effect of various calcium antagonists--verapamil (VP) and Mg2+ (MgCl2) on the character of affection of the vascular wall ulcer conditions of prolonged hypercholesterolemia (HCE). The blood cholesterol (CS) content increased by the end of the 8th month of HCE to eight-fold the value in intact animals. The specific atherosclerotic changes in this case occupied approximately 80% of the area of the thoracic aorta whose functional properties changed essentially.

[Functional state and adrenergic reactivity of the myocardium in experimental atherosclerosis].

The authors studied the changes in the functional properties of a rabbit heart in protracted alimentary hypercholesterolemia (HCE). It is shown that HCE has a little effect on the characteristics of myocardial contractility and adrenergic sensitivity. In protracted HCE the probability of the occurrence of a myocardial own rhythm in response to the effect of isoprenaline increased.

[Effects of hypercholesterolemia on the electrical and contractile properties of the blood vessel wall].

The investigations were performed on the ring strips of rabbit aorta. The electrical activity of the vessels smooth muscle cells was registered by the "sucrose gap" method; the contractile activity of the strips was determined simultaneously. Experimental atherosclerosis was induced by keeping rabbits on a special diet enriched by cholesterol for 2 and 4 months.

Possible mechanism of adrenergic and nonadrenergic inhibition in intestinal smooth muscle cells.

Nonadrenergic synaptic transmission in circular and longitudinal smooth muscles of caecum preexposed to K-free solution for 4-5 h has been studied by means of sucrose gap technique. In addition, the effects of noradrenaline (NA) and ATP on these muscles were investigated under these conditions. The action of the above substances was accompanied by depolarization and contraction.

[Properties of synaptic currents during non-adrenergic inhibition of the smooth muscle cells of the large intestine in the guinea pig].

Inhibitory junctional currents (IJCs) were recorded under voltage clamp conditions in response to brief transmural stimulation of the circular muscle of the guinea pig colon using the double sucrose gap method in the presence of atropine. The time course of IJC decay was approximately exponential 100-150 ms after the peak value. The IJC amplitude depended linearly on the membrane potential with the reversal potential (-70 mV) near the potassium equilibrium potential.