Mechanisms of ATP-mediated vasodilation in humans: modest role for nitric oxide and vasodilating prostaglandins

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2011 Oct;301(4):H1302-10. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00469.2011. Epub 2011 Jul 22.

Abstract

ATP is an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and findings regarding the underlying signaling mechanisms are equivocal. We sought to determine the independent and interactive roles of nitric oxide (NO) and vasodilating prostaglandins (PGs) in ATP-mediated vasodilation in young, healthy humans and determine whether any potential role was dependent on ATP dose or the timing of inhibition. In protocol 1 (n = 18), a dose-response curve to intrabrachial infusion of ATP was performed before and after both single and combined inhibition of NO synthase [N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)] and cyclooxygenase (ketorolac). Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured via venous occlusion plethysmography and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated. In this protocol, neither individual nor combined NO/PG inhibition had any effect on the vasodilatory response (P = 0.22-0.99). In protocol 2 (n = 16), we determined whether any possible contribution of both NO and PGs to ATP vasodilation was greater at low vs. high doses of ATP and whether inhibition during steady-state infusion of the respective dose of ATP impacted the dilation. FBF in this protocol was measured via Doppler ultrasound. In protocol 2, infusion of low (n = 8)- and high-dose (n = 8) ATP for 5 min evoked a significant increase in FVC above baseline (low = 198 ± 24%; high = 706 ± 79%). Infusion of L-NMMA and ketorolac together reduced steady-state FVC during both low- and high-dose ATP (P < 0.05), and in a subsequent trial with continuous NO/PG blockade, the vasodilator response from baseline to 5 min of steady-state infusion was similarly reduced for both low (ΔFVC = -31 ± 11%)- and high-dose ATP (ΔFVC -25 ± 11%; P = 0.70 low vs. high dose). Collectively, our findings indicate a potential modest role for NO and PGs in the vasodilatory response to exogenous ATP in the human forearm that does not appear to be dose or timing dependent; however, this is dependent on the method for assessing forearm vascular responses. Importantly, the majority of ATP-mediated vasodilation is independent of these putative endothelium-dependent pathways in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / pharmacology
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / physiology*
  • Adult
  • Body Composition
  • Brachial Artery / drug effects
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Forearm / blood supply
  • Humans
  • Ketorolac Tromethamine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Prostaglandins / physiology*
  • Regional Blood Flow / drug effects
  • Regional Blood Flow / physiology
  • Vascular Resistance / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / physiology*
  • Young Adult
  • omega-N-Methylarginine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Prostaglandins
  • omega-N-Methylarginine
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Ketorolac Tromethamine
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I