Vasodilator mechanisms in the coronary circulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase-deficient mice

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators are absent in the aortas from mice deficient in expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS −/− mice), whereas responses in the cerebral microcirculation are preserved. We tested the hypothesis that in the absence of eNOS, other vasodilator pathways compensate to preserve endothelium-dependent relaxation in the coronary circulation. Diameters of isolated, pressurized coronary arteries from eNOS −/−, eNOS heterozygous (+/−), and wild-type mice (eNOS +/+ and C57BL/6J) were measured by video microscopy. ACh (an endothelium-dependent agonist) produced vasodilation in wild-type mice. This response was normal in eNOS +/− mice and was largely preserved in eNOS −/− mice. Responses to nitroprusside were also similar in arteries from eNOS +/+, eNOS +/−, and eNOS −/− mice. Dilation to ACh was inhibited by N G-nitro-l-arginine, an inhibitor of NOS in control and eNOS −/− mice. In contrast, trifluoromethylphenylimidazole, an inhibitor of neuronal NOS (nNOS), decreased ACh-induced dilation in arteries from eNOS-deficient mice but had no effect on responses in wild-type mice. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, decreased vasodilation to ACh in eNOS-deficient, but not wild-type, mice. Thus, in the absence of eNOS, dilation of coronary arteries to ACh is preserved by other vasodilator mechanisms.