Hyperkalemic solutions are widely used to preserve organs for transplantation and for cardiac surgery. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that hyperkalemia may alter endothelial function through a non-nitric oxide (NO) pathway, since preliminary studies have shown that the NO pathway may not be affected. Porcine coronary artery rings were studied in organ chambers. After incubation with 20 or 50 mM K+ for 1 h, the indomethacin- and NG-nitro-L-arginine+ (L-NNA)-resistant relaxation induced by A23187 or bradykinin, which could be further inhibited by tetraethylammonium but not glibenclamide, was significantly reduced. Incubation with hyperkalemia also significantly increased the concentration eliciting 50% of the maximal response to A23187 and bradykinin. A23187-induced hyperpolarization of the membrane potential was significantly reduced by hyperkalemic incubation. However, 1-h incubation with hyperkalemia does not affect the endothelial Ca2+ concentration. We conclude that exposure to hyperkalemia reduces the indomethacin- and L-NNA-resistant endothelium-dependent relaxation and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization. This reduction in the relaxation and hyperpolarization is related to the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor by affecting its effect on the smooth muscle cell, probably through partially depolarizing the membrane, and the Ca2(+)- activated K+ channels rather than by affecting its biosynthesis and/or release in the endothelial cell. Our study may suggest a new mechanism for coronary dysfunction after exposure to hyperkalemic cardioplegia and organ preservation solutions.

The mechanism underlying cyclic AMP (cAMP)-mediated amplification of agonist-induced Ca2+ responses in endothelial cells was investigated in pig endothelial cells. Forskolin, adenosine and isoprenaline, as well as the membrane-permeant cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP, enhanced bradykinin-induced rises in intracellular free Ca2+ as well as bradykinin-induced Mn2+ entry. These agents were also found to hyperpolarize endothelial cells without increasing intracellular Ca2+ by itself, i.e. in the absence of bradykinin. Both amplification of bradykinin effects and the hyperpolarizing action was blocked by the protein kinase inhibitor H-8. The involvement of K+ channels in the hyperpolarizing effects of forskolin was consequently studied in perforated outside-out vesicles. Two different types of K+ channels were recorded, one of which had a large conductance (170 pS) and was activated by forskolin. We suggest that stimulation of endothelial adenylate cyclase results in activation of large-conductance K+ channels and consequently in membrane hyperpolarization, which in turn enhances bradykinin-induced entry of Ca2+ by increasing its electrochemical gradient.

The effects of acute hyperglycemia on endothelial Ca2+ signaling, formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and bioactivity of EDRF were investigated. Hyperglycemia increased 2,5-tert-butyl-1,4-hydrochinone (BHQ)-initiated Ca2+ signaling and EDRF formation in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of elevated D-glucose on Ca2+/EDRF response could be diminished by co-incubation with the antioxidants vitamin E, probucol, GSH, vitamin C and superoxide dismutase. Convincingly, hyperglycemic conditions yielded an increase in superoxide anion release from endothelial cells and the superoxide anion-generating mixture xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine mimicked the effect of hyperglycemia on Ca2+/EDRF signaling. Besides an enhanced formation of the vasodilatatory NO compound EDRF, hyperglycemia enhanced NO degradation by endothelial cells and, thus, reduced bioactivity of EDRF. We suggest that vasoactivity during acute hyperglycemia depends on the superoxide anion scavenging properties of the vascular wall. In acute hyperglycemia and early stages of diabetes, radical scavenging capacity may be suitable to protect NO degradation, resulting in an enhanced vasodilation. In contrast, decreased free radical scavenging properties of the vasculature in prolonged hyperglycemia and in later stages of diabetes might promote NO degradation by an overshoot of superoxide anions, resulting in an attenuation of endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

The interaction between intracellular cyclic AMP and agonist-induced endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) (NO) formation was investigated in pig aortic endothelial cells. Three potent stimulators of adenylate cyclase, namely forskolin, adenosine and isoprenaline, amplified bradykinin- and ATP-induced biosynthesis and release of EDRF. None of the substances by itself affected basal EDRF formation. The effects of forskolin, adenosine and isoprenaline corresponded to an enhanced agonist-induced rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), were mimicked by the membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analogue dibutyryl cyclic AMP and were antagonized by the protein kinase inhibitor N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide dihydrochloride (H-8). Our data suggest that cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation modulates Ca(2+)-signalling and thus the function of endothelial cells. This mechanism may be of particular physiological importance, since it allows a joint regulation of endothelial functions by tissues factors such as bradykinin, which directly affects [Ca2+]i and agonists which affect intracellular cyclic AMP levels.