AIM: To elucidate the mechanisms of mesenteric vasodilation in portal hypertension (PHT), with a focus on endothelin signaling. METHODS: PHT was induced in rats by common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Portal pressure (PP...AIM: To elucidate the mechanisms of mesenteric vasodilation in portal hypertension (PHT), with a focus on endothelin signaling. METHODS: PHT was induced in rats by common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Portal pressure (PP) was measured directly via catheters placed in the portal vein tract. The level of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the mesenteric circulation was determined by radioimmunoassay, and the expression of the endothelin A receptor (ETAR) and endothelin B receptor (ETBR) was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Additionally, expression of G protein coupled kinase-2 (GRK2) and β-arrestin 2, which influence endothelin receptor sensitivity, were also studied by Western blot. RESULTS: PP of CBDL rats increased significantly (11.89 ± 1.38 mmHg vs 16.34 ± 1.63 mmHg). ET-1 expression decreased in the mesenteric circulation 2 and 4 wk after CBDL. ET-1 levels in the systemic circulation of CBDL rats were increased at 2 wk and decreased at 4 wk. There was no change in ETAR expression in response to CBDL; however, increased expression of ETBR in the endothelial cells of mesenteric arterioles and capillaries was observed. In sham-operated rats, ETBR was mainly expressed in the CD31+ endothelial cells of the arterioles. With development of PHT, in addition to the endothelial cells, ETBR expression was noticeably detectable in the SMA+ smooth muscle cells of arterioles and in the CD31+ capillaries. Following CBDL, increased expression of GRK2 was also found in mesenteric tissue, though there was no change in the level of β-arrestin 2. CONCLUSION: Decreased levels of ET-1 and increased ETBR expression in the mesenteric circulation following CBDL in rats may underlie mesenteric vasodilation in individuals with PHT. Mechanistically, increased GRK2 expression may lead to desensitization of ETAR, as well as other vasoconstrictors, promoting this vasodilatory effect.展开更多
The fluorescence mechanism of HBT-HBZ is investigated in this work. A fluorescent probe is used to detect HClO content in living cells and tap water, and its structure after oxidation by HCl O(HBT-ClO) is discussed ba...The fluorescence mechanism of HBT-HBZ is investigated in this work. A fluorescent probe is used to detect HClO content in living cells and tap water, and its structure after oxidation by HCl O(HBT-ClO) is discussed based on the density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT). At the same time, the influence of the probe conformation and the proton transfer site within the excited state molecule on the fluorescence mechanism are revealed. Combined with infrared vibrational spectra and atoms-in-molecules theory, the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in HBT-HBZ and HBT-ClO and their isomers are demonstrated qualitatively. The relationship between the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonds and dipole moments is discussed. The potential energy curves demonstrate the feasibility of intramolecular proton transfer. The weak fluorescence phenomenon of HBT-HBZ in solution is quantitatively explained by analyzing the frontier molecular orbital and hole electron caused by charge separation. Moreover, when strong cyan fluorescence occurs in solution, the corresponding molecular structure should be HBT-ClO(T). The influence of the intramolecular hydrogen bond formation site on the molecule as a whole is also investigated by electrostatic potential analysis.展开更多
基金Supported by Grant from National Key New Drug Creation Project of China, No. 2009ZX09102
文摘AIM: To elucidate the mechanisms of mesenteric vasodilation in portal hypertension (PHT), with a focus on endothelin signaling. METHODS: PHT was induced in rats by common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Portal pressure (PP) was measured directly via catheters placed in the portal vein tract. The level of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the mesenteric circulation was determined by radioimmunoassay, and the expression of the endothelin A receptor (ETAR) and endothelin B receptor (ETBR) was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Additionally, expression of G protein coupled kinase-2 (GRK2) and β-arrestin 2, which influence endothelin receptor sensitivity, were also studied by Western blot. RESULTS: PP of CBDL rats increased significantly (11.89 ± 1.38 mmHg vs 16.34 ± 1.63 mmHg). ET-1 expression decreased in the mesenteric circulation 2 and 4 wk after CBDL. ET-1 levels in the systemic circulation of CBDL rats were increased at 2 wk and decreased at 4 wk. There was no change in ETAR expression in response to CBDL; however, increased expression of ETBR in the endothelial cells of mesenteric arterioles and capillaries was observed. In sham-operated rats, ETBR was mainly expressed in the CD31+ endothelial cells of the arterioles. With development of PHT, in addition to the endothelial cells, ETBR expression was noticeably detectable in the SMA+ smooth muscle cells of arterioles and in the CD31+ capillaries. Following CBDL, increased expression of GRK2 was also found in mesenteric tissue, though there was no change in the level of β-arrestin 2. CONCLUSION: Decreased levels of ET-1 and increased ETBR expression in the mesenteric circulation following CBDL in rats may underlie mesenteric vasodilation in individuals with PHT. Mechanistically, increased GRK2 expression may lead to desensitization of ETAR, as well as other vasoconstrictors, promoting this vasodilatory effect.
基金Project supported by the Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics in Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences。
文摘The fluorescence mechanism of HBT-HBZ is investigated in this work. A fluorescent probe is used to detect HClO content in living cells and tap water, and its structure after oxidation by HCl O(HBT-ClO) is discussed based on the density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT). At the same time, the influence of the probe conformation and the proton transfer site within the excited state molecule on the fluorescence mechanism are revealed. Combined with infrared vibrational spectra and atoms-in-molecules theory, the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in HBT-HBZ and HBT-ClO and their isomers are demonstrated qualitatively. The relationship between the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonds and dipole moments is discussed. The potential energy curves demonstrate the feasibility of intramolecular proton transfer. The weak fluorescence phenomenon of HBT-HBZ in solution is quantitatively explained by analyzing the frontier molecular orbital and hole electron caused by charge separation. Moreover, when strong cyan fluorescence occurs in solution, the corresponding molecular structure should be HBT-ClO(T). The influence of the intramolecular hydrogen bond formation site on the molecule as a whole is also investigated by electrostatic potential analysis.