Diet-Induced Obesity Impairs Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarization via Altered Potassium Channel Signaling Mechanisms

BACKGROUND: The vascular endothelium plays a critical role in the control of blood flow. Altered endothelium-mediated vasodilator and vasoconstrictor mechanisms underlie key aspects of cardiovascular disease, including those in obesity. Whilst the mechanism of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation has been extensively studied in obesity, little is known about the impact of obesity on vasodilation to the endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) mechanism; which predominates in smaller resistance vessels and is characterized in this study. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Membrane potential, vessel diameter and luminal pressure were recorded in 4(th) order mesenteric arteries with pressure-induced myogenic tone, in control and diet-induced obese rats. Obesity, reflecting that of human dietary etiology, was induced with a cafeteria-style diet (∼30 kJ, fat) over 16-20 weeks. Age and sexed matched controls received standard chow (∼12 kJ, fat). Channel protein distribution, expression and vessel morphology were determined using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and ultrastructural techniques. In control and obese rat vessels, acetylcholine-mediated EDH was abolished by small and intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (SK(Ca)/IK(Ca)) inhibition; with such activity being impaired in obesity. SK(Ca)-IK(Ca) activation with cyclohexyl-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine (CyPPA) and 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO), respectively, hyperpolarized and relaxed vessels from control and obese rats. IK(Ca)-mediated EDH contribution was increased in obesity, and associated with altered IK(Ca) distribution and elevated expression. In contrast, the SK(Ca)-dependent-EDH component was reduced in obesity. Inward-rectifying potassium channel (K(ir)) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition by barium/ouabain, respectively, attenuated and abolished EDH in arteries from control and obese rats, respectively; reflecting differential K(ir) expression and distribution. Although changes in medial properties occurred, obesity had no effect on myoendothelial gap junction density. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In obese rats, vasodilation to EDH is impaired due to changes in the underlying potassium channel signaling mechanisms. Whilst myoendothelial gap junction density is unchanged in arteries of obese compared to control, increased IK(Ca) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, and decreased K(ir) underlie changes in the EDH mechanism

Nations within a nation: variations in epidemiological transition across the states of India, 1990–2016 in the Global Burden of Disease Study

18% of the world's population lives in India, and many states of India have populations similar to those of large countries. Action to effectively improve population health in India requires availability of reliable and comprehensive state-level estimates of disease burden and risk factors over time. Such comprehensive estimates have not been available so far for all major diseases and risk factors. Thus, we aimed to estimate the disease burden and risk factors in every state of India as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2016

Obesity Up-Regulates Intermediate Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels and Myoendothelial Gap Junctions to Maintain Endothelial Vasodilator Function

The mechanisms involved in altered endothelial function in obesity-related cardiovascular disease are poorly understood. This study investigates the effect of chronic obesity on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the relative contribution of nitric oxide (NO), calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa), and myoendothelial gap junctions (MEGJs) in the rat saphenous artery. Obesity was induced by feeding rats a cafeteria-style diet (∼30 kJ as fat) for 16 to 20 weeks, with this model reflecting human dietary obesity etiology. Age- and sex-matched controls received standard chow (∼12 kJ as fat). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was characterized in saphenous arteries by using pressure myography with pharmacological intervention, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructural techniques. In saphenous artery from control, acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation was blocked by NO synthase and soluble guanylate cyclase inhibition, whereas in obese rats, the ACh response was less sensitive to such inhibition. Conversely, the intermediate conductance KCa (IKCa) blocker 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenyl-methyl]-1H pyrazole attenuates ACh-mediated dilation in obese, but not control, vessels. In a similar manner, putative gap junction block with carbenoxolone increased the pEC50 for ACh in arteries from obese, but not control, rats. IK1 protein and MEGJ expression was up-regulated in the arteries of obese rats, an observation absent in control. Addition of the small conductance KCa blocker apamin had no effect on ACh-mediated dilation in either control or obese rat vessels, consistent with unaltered SK3 expression. Up-regulation of distinct IKCa-and gap junction-mediated pathways at myoendothelial microdomain sites, key mechanisms for endothelial-derived hyperpolarization-type activity, maintains endothelium-dependent vasodilation in diet-induced obese rat saphenous artery. Plasticity of myoendothelial coupling mechanisms represents a significant potential target for therapeutic intervention

What's where and why at a vascular myoendothelial microdomain signalling complex

1. Modulation of vascular cell calcium is critical for the control of vascular tone, blood flow and pressure. 2. Specialized microdomain signalling sites associated with calcium modulation are present in vascular smooth muscle cells, where spatially localized channels and calcium store receptors interact functionally. Anatomical studies suggest that such sites are also present in endothelial cells. 3. The characteristics of these sites near heterocellular myoendothelial gap junctions (MEGJs) are described, focusing on rat mesenteric artery. The MEGJs enable current and small molecule transfer to coordinate arterial function and are thus critical for endothelium-derived hyperpolarization, regulation of smooth muscle cell diameter in response to contractile stimuli and vasomotor conduction over distance. 4. Although MEGJs occur on endothelial cell projections within internal elastic lamina (IEL) holes, not all IEL holes have MEGJ-related projections (approximately 0-50% of such holes have MEGJ-related projections, with variations occurring within and between vessels, species, strains and disease). 5. In rat mesenteric, saphenous and caudal cerebellar artery and hamster cheek pouch arteriole, but not rat middle cerebral artery or cremaster arteriole, intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (IKCa) localize to endothelial cell projections. 6. Rat mesenteric artery MEGJ connexins and IKCa are in close spatial association with endothelial cell inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and endoplasmic reticulum. 7. Data suggest a relationship between spatially associated endothelial cell ion channels and calcium stores in modulation of calcium release and action. Differences in spatial relationships between ion channels and calcium stores in different vessels reflect heterogeneity in vasomotor function, representing a selective target for the control of endothelial and vascular function

KV7.1 channels in the vasculature

Chadha PS, Zunke F, Davis AJ, et al. Pharmacological dissection of Kv7.1 channels in systemic and pulmonary arteries. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2012;166(4):1377-1387.BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the functional impact of KCNQ1-encoded voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv7.1) in the vasculature. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Mesenteric arteries, intrapulmonary arteries and thoracic aortae were isolated from adult rats. Kv7.1 channel expression was established by fluorescence immunocytochemistry. Wire myography determined functionality of these channels in response to selective blockers and activators. Xenopus oocytes expressing Kv7.1 channels were used to assess the effectiveness of selective Kv7.1 channel blockers. KEY RESULTS: Kv7.1 channels were identified in arterial myocytes by immunocytochemistry. Kv7.1 blockers HMR1556, L-768,673 (10 µM) and JNJ39490282 (JNJ282; 1 µM) had no contractile effects in arteries, whereas the pan-Kv7 channel blocker linopirdine (10 µM) evoked robust contractions. Application of two compounds purported to activate Kv7.1 channels, L-364 373 (R-L3) and mefenamic acid, relaxed mesenteric arteries preconstricted by methoxamine. These responses were reversed by HMR1556 or L-768,673 but not JNJ282. Similar effects were observed in the thoracic aorta and intrapulmonary arteries. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In contrast to previous assumptions, Kv7.1 channels expressed in arterial myocytes are functional ion channels. Although these channels do not appear to contribute to resting vascular tone, Kv7.1 activators were effective vasorelaxants

Potent vasorelaxant activity of the TMEM16A inhibitor T16Ainh‐A01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: T16A(inh)-A01 is a recently identified inhibitor of the calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of T16A(inh)-A01 for inhibition of calcium-activated chloride channels in vascular smooth muscle and consequent effects on vascular tone. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Single channel and whole cell patch clamp was performed on single smooth muscle cells from rabbit pulmonary artery and mouse thoracic aorta. Isometric tension studies were performed on mouse thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery as well as human abdominal visceral adipose artery. KEY RESULTS: In rabbit pulmonary artery myocytes T16A(inh)-A01 (1–30 μM) inhibited single calcium (Ca(2+))-activated chloride (Cl(−)) channels and whole cell currents activated by 500 nM free Ca(2+). Similar effects were observed for single Ca(2+)-activated Cl(−) channels in mouse thoracic aorta, and in both cell types, channel activity was abolished by two antisera raised against TMEM16A but not by a bestrophin antibody. The TMEM16A potentiator, F(act) (10 μM), increased single channel and whole cell Ca(2+)-activated Cl(−) currents in rabbit pulmonary arteries. In isometric tension studies, T16A(inh)-A01 relaxed mouse thoracic aorta pre-contracted with methoxamine with an IC(50) of 1.6 μM and suppressed the methoxamine concentration–effect curve. T16A(inh)-A01 did not affect the maximal contraction produced by 60 mM KCl and the relaxant effect of 10 μM T16A(inh)-A01 was not altered by incubation of mouse thoracic aorta in a cocktail of potassium (K(+)) channel blockers. T16A(inh)-A01 (10 μM) also relaxed human visceral adipose arteries by 88 ± 3%. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: T16A(inh)-A01 blocks calcium-activated chloride channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and relaxes murine and human blood vessels

TMEM16A blocker as vasorelaxant

Background and purposeT16A(inh) -A01 is a recently identified inhibitor of the calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of T16A(inh) -A01 for inhibition of calcium-activated chloride channels in vascular smooth muscle and consequent effects on vascular tone.Experimental approachSingle channel and whole cell patch clamp was performed on single smooth muscle cells from rabbit pulmonary artery and mouse thoracic aorta. Isometric tension studies were performed on mouse thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery as well as human abdominal visceral adipose artery.Key resultsIn rabbit pulmonary artery myocytes T16A(inh) -A01 (1-30 μM) inhibited single calcium (Ca(2+) )-activated chloride (Cl(-) ) channels and whole cell currents activated by 500 nM free Ca(2+) . Similar effects were observed for single Ca(2+) -activated Cl(-) channels in mouse thoracic aorta, and in both cell types, channel activity was abolished by two antisera raised against TMEM16A but not by a bestrophin antibody. The TMEM16A potentiator, F(act) (10 μM), increased single channel and whole cell Ca(2+) -activated Cl(-) currents in rabbit pulmonary arteries. In isometric tension studies, T16A(inh) -A01 relaxed mouse thoracic aorta pre-contracted with methoxamine with an IC(50) of 1.6 μM and suppressed the methoxamine concentration-effect curve. T16A(inh) -A01 did not affect the maximal contraction produced by 60 mM KCl and the relaxant effect of 10 μM T16A(inh) -A01 was not altered by incubation of mouse thoracic aorta in a cocktail of potassium (K(+) ) channel blockers. T16A(inh) -A01 (10 μM) also relaxed human visceral adipose arteries by 88 ± 3%.Conclusions and implicationsT16A(inh) -A01 blocks calcium-activated chloride channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and relaxes murine and human blood vessels