Document Detail


Intrahepatic upregulation of RhoA and Rho-kinase signalling contributes to increased hepatic vascular resistance in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16492715     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Portal hypertension in cirrhosis is mediated in part by increased intrahepatic resistance, reflecting an increased sensitivity of the hepatic microvasculature to vasoconstrictors. Activation of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway is essential for contraction of vascular smooth muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate RhoA/Rho-kinase mediated regulation of the intrahepatic vascular tone in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Hepatic RhoA and Rho-kinase expressions were studied by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Hepatic Rho-kinase activity in rat and human livers was assessed as phosphorylation of the Rho-kinase substrate moesin. The effect of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on hepatic perfusion pressure was measured in livers perfused at constant flow. The in vivo effect of intravenous application of Y-27632 was studied by haemodynamic measurements. RESULTS: Hepatic expressions of RhoA and Rho-kinase were increased at mRNA and protein level in BDL rats. Intrahepatic moesin phosphorylation was increased in livers from cirrhotic rats and patients with alcohol induced cirrhosis. Y-27632 reduced the basal perfusion pressure of in situ perfused livers in BDL rats but not in sham operated rats. Y-27632 reduced the sensitivity to methoxamine in isolated perfused livers in sham operated rats more than in BDL rats. In vivo, Y-27632 reduced portal pressure to a greater extent in BDL rats than in sham operated rats. Intrahepatic vascular resistance was decreased in response to bolus injection of Y-27632 in BDL rats but not in sham operated rats. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of RhoA and Rho-kinase contributes to increased intrahepatic resistance in cirrhotic rats and to an increased sensitivity of cirrhotic livers to vasoconstrictors.
Authors:
Q Zhou; M Hennenberg; J Trebicka; K Jochem; L Leifeld; E Biecker; T Sauerbruch; J Heller
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2006-02-21
Journal Detail:
Title:  Gut     Volume:  55     ISSN:  0017-5749     ISO Abbreviation:  Gut     Publication Date:  2006 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-08-14     Completed Date:  2006-09-21     Revised Date:  2009-11-18    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985108R     Medline TA:  Gut     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1296-305     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Hemodynamics / drug effects
Hypertension, Portal / etiology,  physiopathology
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Liver / metabolism
Liver Circulation*
Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / complications,  metabolism*,  physiopathology
Male
Methoxamine / pharmacology
Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
Phosphorylation
Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors,  biosynthesis*,  genetics
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
Signal Transduction
Up-Regulation
Vascular Resistance
Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology
rho-Associated Kinases
rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / biosynthesis*,  genetics
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; 0/Microfilament Proteins; 0/Vasoconstrictor Agents; 144131-77-1/moesin; 390-28-3/Methoxamine; EC 2.7.11.1/Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases; EC 2.7.11.1/rho-Associated Kinases; EC 3.6.5.2/rhoA GTP-Binding Protein
Comments/Corrections

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